My Angel Package Arrived!

Greetings Hogwarts Students,

I posted the details of my wonderful package from my angel, Ophelia B., on my blog.. I am very pleased to have had such a generous angel. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and I look forward to the start of round 4!

Celestina Crookshanks

Headmistress is staying!!

:::tears up silly board notice saying Headmistress is leaving:::

:::sends pieces of torn up notice to various points of the compass:::

:::thinks a moment, then hurries to find them & dispose of them properly *before* said Headmistress catches her:::

:::looks innocent while picking up sock yarn and needles:::

We are still on for number 4

Ok so now that everyone has an angel and getting their packages I have sat down and come up with some new rules and the swap will start taking sign ups July 16th for those of you that participated in this one. Thank you to all of you that volunteered to be angels! I will be posting to the new blog in about a week with all the rules and I will need a Head Girl/Boy for every house and prefects so if you are interested in this send me an email. The new blog can be found here.
So keep an eye out have a great weekend!!! Happy knitting!!

Cassandra, please don't let the actions of others cause the rest of us to lose you. Just ban them from participating in future sock swaps. There may well be good reasons for their non-finishing status ... but I can think of very few reasons that might excuse the rudeness of not replying to anyone about it. Death (of the member or a member of their family), permanent injuries to hands/fingers (but someone else could post for them, even if no one else could knit for them), serious depression incident (been there, done that, could understand it). Something *really* serious .... but there are very few reasons that could excuse the rudeness ... the only one I can think of off-hand is someone who lives by themself, has no friends or family, and then has a serious problem. Very few people fit that criteria.... most have at least someone who could post a message for them.

So, again ... please .... YOU did your job, and did it beautifully. MOST people completed their responsibilities in the swap. People will step up to take on the responsibilities of those who flaked out .... please stay.

Katt

HAZAH!!!!!

Haza to Cassandra Grubbly Plank for being such a Great!!!!!!! Coordinator. We could not have done it with out you. Thank you for all your time and hard work. :)

I am sorry to say

That I am not going to do the next swap I am very upset that people are not sending their packages and not returning emails. The swap has been over for 2 months, April 18th was the deadline and it is now June 6th, and I still have about 10 people who have not heard from or gotten anything from their pals. I am very disapointed.
The people who played by the rules were great and it is almost enough for me to host again but it is killing me that there are people who spent lots of time and money getting thier packages out on time to get nothing in return. If I had the money I would send them something myself. I am really sorry for those of you who did not get a package I would say keep emailing your pal but I feel it is a lost cause they won't be kind enough to reply. If someone wants to take over that is fine and I will give you a list of all the rotton swappers.
There are 2 people that I want to thank for sending 2 packages Mary Twitchell, and Trisia Hesse-Tresider thank you so much you went above and beyond.
If anyone wants to be an angle for these wonderful people to at least get something small that would be great just send me an email.

Something else to share :)

I know I'm not the only one who's a sucker for those gorgeous hand-dyed yarns for our socks. But they come in skeins you have to make into balls, and if you knit (as I always have) from the outside of the ball, then it rolls all over the place, picking up dust bunnies and other assorted wild critters.

I was wandering around looking for something else, following links off of links, and read the following. I didn't write down or bookmark where I got it from since I wasn't really thinking about doing this at the time - I was more interested in tracking down the pattern I wanted. But a few weeks later, when I needed to make a ball from a skein, I remembered it & tried it. This works well and maybe others will find it useful as well.

Take an empty toilet tissue roll and cut a very short slice into it at one end. Anchor the end of your yarn skein there so it will stay in place. Now start rolling your yarn on the roll using a figure 8 configuration and slowing working your way around the roll. You don't want all your yarn in one place ... you are constructing an inside pull-out ball. Once all the yarn is on the roll, tuck the outside end underneath a few of the last rounds to help keep it in place. Then remove the other end from the cut and slide the whole thing off the roll.

You can now pull your yarn from the center of your ball, which will stay politely in place right next to you, leaving the dust bunnies & other wild critters hiding under the bed, couch or chair until you are ready to cage 'em up.

Waiting for the next swap

While waiting for the next swap, I'm collecting sock patterns (and knitting sox, of course, amongst other crafts). My poor husband swears he's going to need to build a library just for the sock patterns, between the books, the 3-ring binders and the yarn!

But while collecting patterns, I came across something I'd like to share with the rest of you sock fanatics (you have to be fanatics .... you are making socks for people you've never met! LOL)

My least favorite part of making socks is grafting those toe stitches. It can be frustrating, especially on dark yarn, to see what you are doing. Occasionally, I lose a stitch, somehow - I get to the end of the needles and I'm one stitch short on one of them. Where did it go? I can't find it!

So finding a way to avoid that really made my day! And it's *so* easy to do! Once I read it, I wondered why I had never thought to do that on my own, it was *so* obvious!

Okay ... what is this wonderful, magical method (well worthy of Molly, I assure you!) ....

When you've reached the finish of your sock, and you have just the stitches that need to be grafted left on your needles, change to another yarn of the same size, but of a contrasting color. Cut your working thread several inches long (whatever you are comfortable with, you won't be using it for doing the seam). Knit 3 or 4 rounds on the remaining stitches with the new waste yarn. Cut your working thread long enough to thread on your tapestry needle and slip your stitches on to the tail. Now tuck the tube you've just knitted inside your sock, so you have your toe seam 'looking' at you, outlined in your new, contrasting color. Use your sock yarn to cut a piece of yarn several inches longer than your toe seam and start duplicate stitching from the center of your toe seam to each end. (From another website, that I didn't write down, sorry, .... try slipping a plastic easter egg or darning egg inside your sock to make it easier to see what you are doing.) Kitchener stitch is actually just duplicate stitch but done on two live edges instead of on knitted fabric. Now you have knitted fabric to work from, and duplicate stitch is easy to do because all you are doing, literally, is duplicating the stitches that are already there!

Once you've finished your toe seams, and you are sure all the stitches are joined, tidy in all 3 ends (your old working tail as well as both ends of the yarn you just used), remove the egg if you used one, and remove the waste yarn. If you didn't catch it in your stitches, you can even reuse it for the next sock. :)

If you'd like to see the website I got this from, here's the link:

http://www.tradewindknits.com/tbsoctoe.html

Doing my toes is so much easier now!!

Katt

Confessions

First confession: I sent off my swap package today. Final exams and work trouble got to me, and things fell by the wayside, so I must confess to throwing in a bunch of Guilt Presents. I had to use Muggle Post 'cause my owl refuses to do anything in the daytime, but here's what it looked like before being boxed up:

My pal is a Gryffindor, can you tell??

My second confession is one that I thought would be an incentive at first: I didn't open the package *I* received until my package went out. So my poor upstream pal has been thinking nothing ever got here, when in fact it's been taunting me from my bedside table for a month. ARGH! But today I finally got to crack into it, and man, was it worth the wait!

And underneath all that awesome packing was:

Eeee! I love it. SO MUCH! Irish Breakfast tea, a loverly pink mug, and a little kit to make a wee stuffed owl! Ule, my horned owl,  will be so pleased to have a companion! And - excuse the exclamation marks - a knitters poetry magnet set!!!! Squeeee!!! I've been wanting one of those for-e-ver. And the socks? Freakin' perfect. My roommate thought I was going insane from jumping around. So Auntie Enid Finnegan, I adore you, and thank you SO MUCH! Ahem. I'll tone down the exclamation marks now.

But ladies - both up and downstream - thank you from the bottom of my (now much lighter) heart. Spring semester this year kicked my butt, and I'd like to publicly apologize for my negligence on both ends of the spectrum.

Auntie Enid, you'll be happy to know that Mr. Darcy appreciated your gift to him almost as much as I appreciated your gift to me. He is happily ensconced and has warned the other cats away from his new bed:

He says: Keep out! This Means You!

oh well...

I sent my Owl a while back, and haven't heard how she was received.
And no Owl here yet...
I'm glad it went so well for everyone (else) :)

A little bummed,
Auntie Enid Finnegan

Marvellous Socks Arrived!

Yesterday these incredible socks arrived from Cassandra Black of Slytherin House!



They are the heart of an absolutely dazzling package! Details on my blog, and more pictures of the goodies, too!

Elizabeth Stewart Moody

OWL's Away

Hello fellow swappers. I am sad to say I was a late OWL. But the OWL's have flown and I am hoping they arrive safley. Hope you all had fun. I sure did. Have a Happy day :)

Package arrived

I just got my package from Perenelle today, it is awesome... and as it was my birthday yesterday, it is almost like a birthday present.

I will post pics and more detailed information later on my blog

If you have not got a package or an email from your pal letting you know it is going to be late please let me know as soon as possible! Thanks!

Forgot to Post

SO sorry my Pal, Olive, sent the most wonderfully creative package...stock full of items all wwrapped and tagged with creatively delightful tags. I am quickly posting a pic and will elaborate in a bit.

I have already worn the socks and made everyone in the ER look at them, LOL. I was truly spoiled

My owl finally arrived!! Poor thing was *so* tired, the box was just stuffed with wonderful items!

The first thing out of the bag, of course were my BEAUTIFUL new socks!!!They are done in stripes, in shades of red and gold with robe-black accent stripes. It took me about 10 seconds to change socks!!! And they fit perfectly! The top of the foot is done in a rib-stitch pattern, so nice because it causes the sock to hug my foot and not slide around - very important to me as I'm a diabetic and have to be so very careful not to accidentally injure my feet. Slippy-slidey socks tend to cause ulcers (big sores) which take forever to heal .... these socks won't do that!!! And since I never thought to mention that in my original request, my partner obviously has perfected the spell of mind-reading! (Wonder if I can talk her out of that spell? Would it work on teenage grandsons???? How about very young grandsons????)

And two packs of a special washing solution to keep my new socks fresh-smelling longer. Yay, 'cause I'll need 'em!!!

AND in a *wonderful* bag marked Polyjuice Potion and lined with stars, I found balls of hyacinth colored Peruvian Highland wool to make more socks! It will make wonderfully warm socks for this winter. ::smiles with delight:: (BTW, I see if I can persuade her to tell me where she got that fabric for the bag! It's perfect!!)

I also received the *coolest* knitting needle ever ... just one ... a circular needle .... that you wear on your wrist! Yes, it's a size 1 straight needle bent into a circle to form a bracelet!! So very, very cool!!!

Also received a bamboo crochet hook (to finish those edges off, you know LOL) .... it's a whole 3" long!!!! Wonder if I can use this to make the sleeves for Molly's Amazing Technicolor Houserobe? hmmmmmmmmmm

And then there's my beautiful new stitch markers in deep ruby and bronze - nice timing because I'm about to start a sock pattern I'll need 'em for.

And TWO patterns! A felted spiral wizard hat and a mini-sock pattern for a keychain holder!

Now, when my daughter brings home the digital camera later today (and I figure out how to get those pictures from *there* to *here*!), I will post a picture of all my goodies!

All in all .... I'm thrilled! (In case nobody figured that out yet!) Can't wait for the next swap!!

Katt

Pattern request

I've seen so many wonderful socks here ... I hope my owl arrives here soon!

Meanwhile, are we allowed to request a particular pattern? I really love the socks that Chrysta the Cursed knit for her partner and would love to make myself a pair ... especially as I just happen to have those colors on hand!

Lady Felula

Wow! Look what the Owl Brought Me!

Chrysta the Cursed of Hufflepuff here. When the Owl Post stopped by my place this weekend I was out. And yesterday I had to work from 7am to 6pm, so the Owlery was closed. I couldn't wait to pick up my package, so I went over on my lunch break. My, what lovely things were in my package! Nymphadora, you done good!

First, a couple things not included in the pictures: a bag of maple sugar candies only found in Canada (They are absolutely yummy!), and two strips of film from the movie. Yes, actually, real stills from the movie, one strip featured Dumbledore and the other was Mad Eye Moody. I think they must be from The Goblet of Fire. How unique!

My socks are the back to basics socks from knitty.com. The way they are formed are so clever. They cup my foot and fit like gloves. The bold yellow and black stripes are so perfect for Hufflepuff. I can't keep the cat away from them!

There was also a Hufflepuff lapel pin, a luscious scented bar of soap, knitting needles that I've been wanting for months, a pack of Soak wool wash, a yarn cutter pendant, stitch markers, and more candy (again, I've only found the Smarties on Canada. These are chocolate candies, not the sweet tart things from the states)

I'm so pleased with everything. Thank you so much, Nymphadora! I'll post on my own blog too, www.ladymaddy.blogspot.com

wonderful package received

I received the most wonderful package today from Selina Starfire. In addition to beautiful socks that fit perfectly, it was filled with all kinds of goodies. She spoiled me!


There's more on my blog. Thank you so much, Selina!

My Owl Almost Didn't Make It!

There was so much in the package that Morgana McGonagall sent to me that the owl was almost overcome by exhaustion. The prime reason for the delivery - the socks - were fantastic! Morgana didn't include just one pair of DPNs, she sent a whole set! Poor owl.

Take a look for yourself...

Not only Prisoner of Azkaban socks in my Ravenclaw colors, but the pattern for them, which is good because I love the pattern and want another pair. Plus, look at all the lovely knitterly accessories!!

Thank you Margana (aka Natalie Olivas) for a superb swap package!!

My Owl Almost Didn't Make It!

My Owl Arrived Awhile ago

I must have been dose with a lazziness potion in my morning coffee for the last week because I hadn't gotten around to posting about the package that the lovely Chrysta the Cursed sent me but here is a picture of almost the whole lot, needles were whisked out of the box and into a pair of socks right away!



More on my blog.
Thank you so much Chrysta
Sincerly, Ophelia Ballycastle First year Gryffindor.

Owl Arrived and Fashionably Late

So I received a fantastic package from Cliodna Boomslang; however I've been so busy that I haven't publicly thank her yet. Thank you for the wicked Slytherin package, the socks are so comfy that I wore them on my flight to Ottawa that day! She not only put in one bookmark, but two! One of her own design that is based on the Salizar Slytherin's locket that is featured on the Bloomsbury Adult cover of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It's beautiful isn't it? I love everything, Cliodna you did a great job!!

My pal, Daisy Bladvak got her package; however she is swamped with finished her thesis. Everyone wish her the best and check out her thesis project it rocks!

My Owl Arrived!

I got my package from Mafalda Bagman yesterday Love it all!


Here's everything.
Check out my awesome Gyffindor socks.

I wrote lots more about it on my blog- check it out!

Thanks you so much Mafalda!!!

Another owl...

Look what I got today:

a great package from Cressida Townsbury. As if the beautiful socks with the cable up the back weren't enough, she also sent a very cool bag (perfect for carrying sock projects), a Ravenclaw bracelet and stitch markers, some yummy candy (which I already tested, of course), hand wash, my favorite addi turbo needles and a sock pattern. Wow! Thank you so much Cressida!

Fleur Dolohov
1st year Ravenclaw

Owl Post arrives in Oregon

Here is the lovely package that arrived today from Henrietta Sweeting. The only thing that is not in the picture is the copy of the HP House Fair Isle Pouch Bags pattern. I have never seen DPNs that small. They are 5 inches in length so I will most likely use them for baby socks or booties. Big thanks to Henrietta!!!

My Owl landed

A fluffy barn owl dropped a package off this afternoon from Germany, She had a quick snack and some water and was off again. My package came from Clara Clovenhoove she make great hand dyed yarn her etsy store Selana's Handarbeitskram She hand dyed the yarn for my socks and they fit perfectly! She sent me a great journal that she made, stitch markers she made, 2 patterns she wrote, 2 pens she made, Is there anything that she can't do? Some yummy chocolates that the boys are eating right now, English Breakfast tea, hot chocolate, a pair of Addi Turbos My favorite! Thank you so much! I love everything it is wonderful!! I can't wait to see what everyone else is getting!

Woah... Owls gallore!

Seems I got a pack of owls at my window today! And one of them was from my upstream partner Celestina Crookshanks! Her owl was quite tired, so I set out some owl treats and a bowl of water and promptly set to shredding all the tissue paper. I can't believe what amazing stuff she sent! Beautiful blue Hand Maiden yarn (is this what hand maidens do when not attending the Queen?), SUPER yummy Huckleberry chocolate, Exploding BonBons, Every Flavor Beans, circular needles charmed by some clever witch named Addi to be "Turbo", and of course... GORGEOUS hand knit socks!

After reading her note on paper made of silver (I think Celestina must come from an old wizarding family to have paper made of silver), it said that I could keep the owl. O_O (Definitely from an old wizarding family!) I promptly squee'd and introduced this young owl to my old family owl. I've now dubbed them Momma and Baby. (However, this appears to have irked my family owl. He seems to not like being called Momma. How odd.)

Thank you so much Celestina! I love it all!!!!

Last Day

Everyone should have there packages out in the mail today, if you have not sent you package please let me know. I have heard from a few people that there's will be late, just let me know what is going on by Monday at the latest. I hope that you all had a good time with the swap and I love seeing all the packages that everyone is getting!

Happy knitting!!
Headmistress Cassandra

Running a little late

Just wanted my pal to know I am running a little late but I will have her package in the mail 4/21/08 I have enjoyed the swap for the second time. Thanks Cassandra for a great swap. I'm looking forward to the next round.


Mafalda Grubbly-Plank

Seva is Soaring...

I borrowed my cousin Minee's owl, Seva, this afternoon and sent my package off to my partner. I hope she will love it as much as I loved putting it together, and of course, knitting her socks! :) Seva doesn't have very far to travel, so hopefully she will reach her destination by Saturday!!

Nemesis takes flight

Nemesis took flight this morning with a package. It shouldn't take her long to get to her destination. The last I saw, she was heading south. When she arrives at her destination, she will need owl treats and some water before returning home.

Owl Heading East!

My Owl is heading East! I hope he gets there soon...I know there is a bunch of tax mail out there to work his way through! Thanks for the fun swap guys!

Prize yarn...

I just wanted to post quickly to show off the lovely sock yarn that I had won in one of the contests. For the life of me, I can't remember when it had arrived. But I absolutely love it. Thank you Cassandra!!! I also love the stitch markers. Sorry for the wait in my posting the thanks. And since I totally forgot that today is Tax Day here in the US, I will be waiting until tomorrow to mail out the package to my dear spoilee pal. At least the owl does not have far to travel. Just one state below me.

3 more days

I just wanted to check in and see how things are going. There are 3 days left in this round to get your packages out, and the next one will start in June. I would really like some opinions on what you think the 4th year students should get in there swap. Also if you have not received a package, and have not heard from your pal let me know I do have some angels waiting in the wings. I hope that you all had a great time with this swap! I am already sorting out the details for the next one so make sure that you keep this page bookmarked because I will be opening to returning students first.

Owl arrived!

I have a wonderful pair of Slytherin socks and all sorts of other great goodies... details are posted on my blog.

Thank you, Ana/Lavender Kedavra!

Package arrived....

and the timing could not have been better. See the details on my blog. Here is a sneak peek...





My outgoing package is not quite ready but I have contacted my pal about it already.
Selina S

Hoot

I have contacted my Pal...I am waiting on a intem and will send the box as soon as it arrives....I am happy to read there will be a round 4 of this swap....LOL.....Monkey Socks and HSS...how can you ever say no?

Owl Arrival!

Hi all! I just wanted to drop a note to let the professors know that my pal's owl arrived late last week with my package!! It was fabulous - a perfectly fitting pair of Gryffindor socks, stitch markers, new dpns, and so much more! She's awesome! I haven't had time to get pics or even post anything about it on my own blog yet, but I wanted to drop a public thank you to her!!

(My pal - your package might be a little late, I'm just finishing the heel on the second sock now. Gremlins attacked it, for some reason! =( )

An Owl

There was an owl waiting for me yesterday after classes. It had a package from quite far away. My partner (who assures me that there's more to come) sent me a wonderful knitting pattern from Yarnissima called la Digitessa. Love it! It's a beautiful pattern.
Thank you! Thank you!

A Slytherin Package Received

An owl dropped off my package from Patonga Pinkstone earlier this week, but I haven't had a moment to stop by here and publicly thank her. Thank you so much!

I almost never knit lace socks for myself, always as gifts, so these were an especially wonderful surprise.

You can read more about my wonderful package here.

Waiting to send my owl

I'm just waiting on an owl to send out these socks with their package Northward.

Winding down

Well the swap is winding down and OWL's are flying all over the place my owl is still setting on my tree waiting ever so patienctly hopefully she will be flying in the next few days! I am glad to see all the packages you guys are great knitters! The socks are amazing!
I am going to be getting things all set up for Round 4 it is going to start in May or June (haven't made up my mind yet) I am going to open it up to returning students first than to ever one else. I would like some input from you all I have a big list of things that I want to change so I need to know what you like and what you didn't like about the swap. Send me a email and let me know.
Have a great weekend and Happy knitting!!

Another owl on its way!

My owl headed north with the package today. I hope it arrives safely and quickly.

Owl arrived!

I got today gorgeous Hufflepuff's Cedric-socks! You can see all things from package from my blog.

Hi Every One

So how's everyone's socks coming along. Seem's we have all gotten very quiet. It is hard now that the weather is getting nice! I am looking forward to seeing everyone's goodies.

Owls Away!

My owl was dispatched last Tuesday, to San Jose, CA.
Unfortunately she had already left before I thought to ask her for Delivery Confirmation. But hopefully I'll soon hear of her safe arrival :)

Auntie Enid Finnegan

Packages

I see that a few packages have been recived so far just wanted to check in and see how many have been sent so far.

Hope that you all are having fun! Happy knitting!

I am thrilled

A brown owl landed on my table today with a white bag.  Inside was my swap from Cassandra in Finland.  WOW!  I am so thrilled.  The socks are absolutely wonderful and the colors are just right too for me.  Bright and cheery, knit from Lorna's Laces Bittersweet.  I immediately took off the ones I was wearing and substituted the new ones.  They fit perfectly and are very comfortable too.  I'd like to have the pattern for these too.

Cassandra also sent me a letter, some stitch markers, an invisibility scarf pattern translated into English, some Finnish candy, a set of typical Finnish dpns and some Fabelgarn.  THANK YOU from a very happy Gryffindor.

 I have completed one sock and am about a fourth done with the second.  However, I do have everything that is going into the package.  A large owl has been reserved.

giggles,

Lavender

The Owl Is Off!

I'm on my way to the Owlery right now to send my partners package to her. It will take a bit for the owl to fly over the ocean. I hope she likes everything!

house points?

hey, prefects, i'm just curious... where are our point totals at so far?

i'm working furiously on my buddy's socks... oh boy. someone needs to give me a charm so the needles can keep going while i'm at work, otherwise this is never gonna happen in time!

Let's Play a Game!

Since I've been a horrible slacker about posting trivia, I've devised this little challenge for you all. Here we go:

1) Choose two actors from the Harry Potter movies for Muggles

2) Connect the two actors from the HP movies using 5 other films

This is much like the popular muggle dinner game, Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. There are a couple of guidelines:

A) You may use up to 5 films not including the HP movies. 

B) Television shows do not count

C) Please post your connections like this: 

Actor: Movie (Character)/(Character) Movie New Actor (New Actor's Character)/etc. For Example: 

Alan Rickman: Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone (Snape)/(Jack) Jane's Night Out Jane Janeson (Jane)/(Janice) etc. 

I know it looks a little complicated, but it would be read in a sentence as follows: Alan Rickman was in Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone as Snape, and played Jack in Jane's Night Out with Jane Janeson, who played Jane. She played Janice in...   And so on. 

D) You can repeat films from the people above you, but please do not repeat specific connections.

Points will be awarded for interesting combinations and unique connections, and arbitrarily for making me laugh. The definition of "actor" is "having appeared on screen and been credited in the film." Please note: actors do not need to be human! You may use imDb, but at least try to do it alone at first! Remember - it's supposed to be fun. :D

Good luck! 

***

The inspiration for this is a story my muggle friend Mac told me last week. He lives in Hollywood and worked for a large film company for several years, and so got to know many popular muggle stars. Mac and his wife were at dinner a few weeks ago and noticed Kevin Bacon in a group of people eating at the same restaurant. Mac and Dinah were highly amused when they overheard Mr. Bacon and everyone else at the table spend most of their conversations saying things like "oh, yeah, him! He was in that movie with.. who's that girl? She was in... oh man..." thus proving that even Kevin Bacon isn't always good at 6 Degrees of.. Himself.

ALmost DOne

I am working diligently on my socks and hope my Pal will like them. There are some beautiful socks flying around the skies. Nice job everyone

Perenelle You Are the Best!!!

I just have to tell you all how absolutely WONDERFUL Perenelle Auckerley is!! Last night I came home from a very long day, and found that her owl had delivered a very special package! I've posted pictures on my blog so you all can see.

Thank you SO much Perenelle! You are just the sweetest, and you really did spoil me rotten! ;-)

Congratulations!!

To Miss Avada Finch-Fletchley, she was the first to email me with the correct answer! Contact me and let me know what you would like your yarn to look like.

Socks check!

I'm so happy I finished my pal's socks with loads of time left to put the finishing touches on the goodies. I made the pattern up as I went and had lots of fun with knitting these. See my blog for details and pictures.

Cheers,
Megaera Black, 2nd yr. Slytherin

Trivia Time

Ok email with the correct answer to the 2 quotes below and you win. The first person with the correct answers will win and what do you win you might be asking you will win a skien of sock yarn dyed in the colors you want and a set of beautiful stitch markers.

The first quote is:

"This is how it is - this is why you're not in the Order - you don't understand - there are things worth dying for!"



"That Harry Potter’s got more backbone than the whole Ministry of Magic put together!"

Good luck to all of you!

I Need A Time-Turner

My socks are done, treats are gathered, and everything is all packed up. Then, I noticed a package was lingering. I opened it up and found the things I need for another project I had planned for my partner. Oops! Better get that done before I send everything off. I'll have to keep that owl waiting.

WOW!

You all are doing Great!!!!

one down, one to go

One sock is done and the other is in progress. The second one usually goes faster, at least for me. With spring break coming up soon, it shouldn't be too long before the package is ready to send.

Looking for

Eleanor Spinnet has anyone been in contact with her???? I have been trying to contact her for a while and I have gotten no response. Please contact me asap!!

It's on the way

I sent a packet to my pal on tuesday, it has a long way go. Hope It will arrive safely.

socking right along

This is the first time I've had to make something for a complete stranger and so have been obsessing over it...

This is just one of the almost-rans that ended like this...

but I think I'm over the hump!

These are for a Ravenclaw, I just hope the colours are ok?

One Sock Done

I have completed one sock for my Ravenclaw partner. I really hope that she likes it!!!


Don't mind all the ends. I still got weave!!!

Moving along

Things have been moving a long nicely. I hope that everyone is doing well. There have been a few packages mailed out so far. There has not been much trivia going on so I am going to think of a good one tonight and post it tomorrow this will be for a yarny goodness prize from my stash and I have a very big stash filled with lots of good yarns!! I am going to be putting the call out to angles very soons just in case we need them. I hope to see some posting going on and I would love to see what you all are working on!! Happy knitting!

Socks are done!

I finished my partners socks this weekend. I can't wait to finish getting the package together. I did go on a trip to Hogsmeade for a few treats this weekend...

You Guys Are Really INspiring

It is amazing how many socks are completed and on their way. My dear Pal will have to wait til the end of the month as my attention has been else where. The socks are moving along swimmingly though. Could someone share the curse to make the needles move faster though?

Hi All

I am finally all moved and back to my projects.
Socks are on the needle and a little spoiling left to do. :)

socks are on the needles

This yarn was dyed a few weeks ago in greens and a silvery grey. It took me this long to finally figure out a neat pattern so am doing both socks at once which seems slow but that will make sure they match and definitely be all done instead of one and then another.  The sock has ribbing that snakes around but you can only see the beginning of that here.

  This is a fun project.

 I have written the pattern so regular toes can be substituted, but for this swap I thought pointy ones were more in keeping.  My swap pal will receive the pattern and then I will offer it through this blog.

One last step

Socks finished, goodies gathered, just have to figure out what pattern and buy the needles and yarn. ;) I'm really happy with how the socks turned out. Can everyone say "I LOVE ETSY!"

Nearly There!

I have one sock done and about half of the second one finished. It shouldn't be long now. I even have my goodies all ready and waiting to be packed up- I'm sure I'll find more to tuck in though. My owl will have a long way to fly, so I want to send it off soon.

Package is on it's way...

I totally forgot to post here, but my pal's package shipped on Friday.

I have never had a pair of socks knit up as fast as hers did... that spell I cast on my needles must have worked!

I do hope she enjoys everything I sent - it was fun shopping (and knitting) for her. Ooh... I know that she knows who I am, but as she will most likely have the package tomorrow anyway, here's a sneak peek of the socks...

Almost started...

I haven't cast on yet, but I have designed the pattern, got the yarn and some goodies for my buddy. I will start knitting in about a week (need to finish up some other things first).

Fleur Dolohov/1st year/Ravenclaw

Klick Klick Klick :)

Well, I have finished my socks and even a couple of things to go in the box. I want to decorate the box, first. Just not sure what I want to do, or how. Will help, of course, if I can decide *what* I want to do, then perhaps I can figure out *how* to do it.

I guess I was lucky. I saw a yarn I liked and ordered it within a day of finding out my downline's name and House. And it came very quickly. A pretty hand-dyed yarn. I want to learn to dye my own. Perhaps there'll be a class offered that will help me with that next year. My schedule is pretty full this year already!

I'd ask Prof. Trelawney, but I'm not sure if she'd consider that important enough to ask about. Perhaps Prof. McGonagall would know what classes are being considered for next year.

Lady Felula the Forgetful

A question about the patterns

We are supposed to provide a Harry Potter inspired pattern, and I have some questions...

Normally, in a swap I would go out of my way to find a pattern I can purchase for my pal, however, many of the best HP inspired patterns are free. And Free patterns usually want you to go to the website and print it yourself...so that leaves me a little stumped...

Does it have to be officially inspired by Harry Potter, or just relate? For example, if we found a pattern for a scarf with a castle on it, could we say the castle was Hogwarts and use that, even if the designer had never heard of the Potterverse?

Can it be a pattern we have written ourselves, even if it is not terribly professional looking, so long as it works? OR should it definately be something we purchased?

I want to do right by my downstream...

Elizabeth Stewart Moody, devoted wife of Mad-Eye, who is alive and well despite any nasty rumours you may have heard to the contrary..

klick klick klick Go the Needles!

I am busy knitting my socks and having a blast now for the goodies.
I hope you are all knitting away!

at last!

i ordered my ravenclaw-colored yarn from elann the MOMENT i got my buddy assignment... and i just got it today, whee! now i'm off to decide on a pattern, hm...

luckily her feet are almost the exact same size as mine, so i'm seeing something toe-up and i'll just try on as i go.

what patterns have you folks all decided on?

*tonks (gryph)

ps. in true tonks spirit, i think i'm dying my hair back to pink tonight... whee!

Malfoy--> White peacocks

sorting hat -----> Malfoy

sorting hat -----> Malfoy

socks done

My socks are all done and ready to mail out. Just need to get the rest of the stuff togather this weekend then the owl will take it.
narcissa

Lets see

How is everyone doing? You can post on this blog as often as you would like and we would all like to see the WIPs!!! I have got all the pal problems worked out. I hope to see so pics later!! Happy knitting all!

Gryffindor ----> Sorting Hat

Neville Longbottom==> Gryffindor

wordplay

Bellatrix Lestrange = Nevil Longbottom

Lucius Malfoy=====> Bellatrix Lastrange

Socks==>Lucius Malfoy

Dobby---> socks

Winky==== Dobby

S.P.E.W. ==> Winky

Wouls any one be intrested

I need someone will to take on one more pal.... Her pal dropped and she has a downstream if anyone is interested please let me know asap. thanks :)

Hermione Granger---> S.P.E.W.

Otter=====Hermoine Granger

Patronus Charm==>Otter

Dementors -----> Patronus charm

Azkaban ------> Dementors

Bellatrix Lestrange ------> Azkaban

Barty Crouch JR.---> Bellatrix Lestrange

Alaster Moody===== Barty Crouch Jr.

Constant Vigilance ==> Alaster Moody

Enchanted Ceiling ----> "Constant Vigilance!"

Hogwarts: A History----> Enchanted Ceiling

Hermione Granger -----> Hogwarts: A History

Yule Ball--> Hermione Granger

Viktor Krum ----> Yule Ball

Trivia Time! + some trivia guidelines

Hey, fellow students! I have another trivia question for you, but first I'm going to list the trivia guidelines for all the ickle firsties out there, based upon  the trivia guidelines from years 1 and 2. 

1. Leave your answers in the comments section of the trivia post with your name and house. 

2. The earliest timestamp for a correct answer usually wins the house point, but it is up to the discretion of the prefects.

For myself, I have a couple of other things I've cooked up for trivia. I'm willing to award extra points for the *most* correct answer, for example a character's full name, house, or position; but only to a different poster. For example, my last trivia question regarded Albus Severus Potter, whose initials spell "asp." That's the correct answer, and the point was awarded accordingly. But if another comment was "Albus Severus Potter is the 2nd child of Harry and Ginny Potter," you could earn your house a point as well - again at prefect's discretion.

I may also post sneaky bonus trivia in the comments of a recent already-answered trivia question, so it will behoove you to look at the comments section even if it looks like someone may have already answered! (I haven't done so yet, but any trivia post from me that dates from today on out will be fair game.) Of course, other prefects may decide they like these ideas, so keep a weather eye out!

And with that, here is your trivia question for today:

What is the spell to release live birds from the end of your wand? (This is advanced charms magic, please do not try without supervision!)

"Support Cedric Diggory/Potter Stinks" badges ----> Viktor Krum

"Weasley is our king" ----> "Support Cedric Diggory/Potter Stinks" badges

Trivia time! Answer

Nearly Headless Nick was hit... 45 times? i'm doing this with no reference, so i'm really hoping my knack for remembering numbers is still with me...

Charlie Weasley---->"Weasley is our king"

Norbert (the Norwegian Ridgeback)=====Charlie Weasley

Trivia Time!

How many times was Headless Nick hit with an axe?

Fang--> Norbert (the Norwegian Ridgeback)

Fluffy (3-headed dog) ---------> Fang (Also Hagrid's dog, alas, only 1 head)

Venemous Tentacula --> Fluffy! (the three-headed dog)

Ooo, fun! 

Salazar Slytherin --> Venemous Tentacula (also slithers and has sharp teeth!)

Parselmouth===== Salazar Slytherin

Nagini===>Parselmouth

Lord Voldemort===>Nagini

Silver Hand ==> Lord Voldemort

Avada Finch-Fletchley, 3rd Year Ravenclaw

Peter Pettigrew - silver hand

Narcissa Skrewt, 2nd Year Gryffindor

My Turn!

The Malfoy's Basement ====> Peter Petigrew

Eleanor Spinnet, Griffendor - First Year

My Turn!!

Lucious Malfoy ==> The Malfoy's Basement

Ophelia Ballycastle - Gryfindor first year

We are on Lucius Malfoy

ok

I am not sure what happened on that last one, but I'l take it on...

Broom--->snitch

ReannaJ. Lupin, Griffindor

Quiet time game!

My turn, my turn!

Quidditch - snitch - BROOM

My turn!

dobby -----> Lucius Malfoy

Cliodna Boomslang/Ravenclaw

suppose i'll chime in...

number 4 privet drive ----> dobby!

tonks uverymuch / gryph!

The Cupboard Under The Stairs====>Number 4 Privet Drive

Next!

Fleur Dolohov/Ravenclaw

Yay, I get to play here too!

Harry Potter==> The Cupboard Under The Stairs

Snitch===>Harry Potter

This is a fun game!

Since it is so quiet

I thought I we could play a game. I saw this on the HSKS blog and thought it was fun some Harry Potter Word Association. I will start

Quidditch===Snitch



Your turn! Have fun!!

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend. I have had a bunch of people emailing about not hearing from there pals! Please contact your pals they are getting worried that they have no one knitting for them. I still have 2 people who have not accepted there blog invites.
Triva is up and running so make sure you watch for it and win some house points!

Still not...

Well, now I am on the list, but I can't seem to find my partner

Dobby Sock Mark

Has any one knitted this?
I don't understand when it says repeat above two rounds,
knitting 6, then 8 st in place of the knit 4, for a total of 24st.

Trivia Time!

Whose initials form the name of a venomous snake, rendering that person's name slightly ironic?

ETA: Remember to put your house and year in your answer so I can award your points!

Quick pal question (for some reason I can't type in the title box?). Do we have one pal that we swap back and forth with (Person A makes stuff for Person B and Person B makes stuff for Person A), or do we have two pals (Person A makes stuff for Person B, but Person B makes stuff for Person C and maybe Person C makes things for Person A)? Just wondering, because the pal who contacted me this morning is not the person whose information I recieved a day or so ago. (I've been away on business, so maybe this question has been answered already and I just can't find it!) I don't mind either way, both pals seem like lovely people, but I just don't want to screw up the system! =) My owls are already batty enough! =)

Thanks!
Narcissa Skrewt of Gryffindor

Partners

Hi all! Please make sure you are contacting your pals so they know that someone is knitting for them, and check your spam folders some times the mail I send goes there insted of your in box. Trivia can start any time so make sure you keep checking the blog! I can't wait to see everyones progress!! Happy knitting!

Missing Partner

I seem to be missing my partner as well.

But I am on the list.

Thanks for the invite

Hello,

I was so excited when Cassandra let me join the swap. I was in the swap last year.
I have my pals name and info but I didn't see my name listed under Hufflepuff




Mafalda Grubbly Plank

I not here...

Hi, I'm not on the list. And I can't seem to find my partner either...

Sign ups closed

I hope that everyone had a great weekend! All the matches are out and everyone has their pals! Things are all ready for the trivia to begin and the fun contests!! I want to thank you all for your patience with me this is my first time being the head of a swap! The new banner is great! Thank you Penolope of Flitwick for making it!!

Let the fun begin!!

As always any problems or questions feel free to email me!

Happy knitting!


Edit: Please let me know if you are not in the sidebar and if you have not got your pals info. Please contact your pal and let them know that they have a pal. Remember this is a secret swap so make sure you use your secret email to contact your pal!

Does the bookmark need to be knitted or may it be some other craft?

Ready For Class!

I already have the perfect yarn and a few goodies for my swap partner. Does that make me a little over excited??? Gryffindors do tend to be rather enthusiastic.

Go Gryffindor!

Hello all!

So excited to be here - Gryffindors rule ;)

Your friend,
Auntie Enid Finnegan (Hogwarts Old Girl, Class of '89)

Ready to start!

I have everyone matched up and you should have your pals by now! There are still 2 people that have not sent me anything so I hope they will by the end of the day. I will take anyone who still wants to sign up until midnight tonight. I am so glad that all of you wanted to do this! I hope that you all have fun! If you have any problems or questions please let me know!

Button Ideas

One more day

Ok tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the swap! There are 3 people that have not got me there forms and questionnaire yet and I need them please! I should have everyone matched up if you don't have your pal yet email me and let me know! Have a great day and Happy knitting!!

Whoopy!

I got my pal I am so excited.
We are going to have fun getting to know each other!

Wow!I'm so excited! Thank you Cassandra for the invitation to join the Sock Swap. A friend of mine was in the last one and it was so interesting to see what she was doing. Unfortunately I see I have the same name as a third year so I supose I will have to be Selina the Lesser. Regardless, I'm happy to be here.

Partners

Edit: This round will be more like the first one, there different upstream and downstream pals
If you have a partner in a different year than you you send them a package for the year that they are in.
I only sent out a few partners today I can only sit at my desk a little bit at a time I will be sending out partners everyday and you should all have them by the weekend. I thank you all for you patience and understanding! Thanks


I made it to my computer today so, I am going to start getting partners out today. So start watching your emails. :) I have 3 people that have not accepted there blog invites yet please make sure that you check your secret emails to. If anyone can make some buttons or a banner for the blog that would be great I am not very good at that so if anyone would like to be my guest! I should have all of you in the right place now if you still don't see your name let me know! Hope everyone is getting ready!! Happy Knitting

Headmistress Cassandra

Trivia Warm-up!

Hello to everyone! My name is Dora and I'll be the Ravenclaw Trivia Prefect this year. Ravenclaws, feel free to email me (doradumbledore at gmail) and I'll attempt to help you while our Headmistress is laid up. 

 Man, it's been cold even in my muggle town of San Jose; I can't imagine what it will be like when we get to Hogwarts in a few days. How about some trivia to warm us up? Speaking of our illustrious school, what is the translation of the motto on the Hogwarts crest?

I think I have gotten most of you put up in the side bar if you don't see your self please let me know. I will be emailing those of you who wish to help thank you for that. I broke my foot and am not able to get to the computer as much as I want so if you email me and don't hear back right away don't worry I will get to you I promise! You can go ahead and start posting to the blog if you wish Some of you had asked about that I don't mind at all I just ask that you bear with me for the next few weeks. !! Happy knitting

P.S. There will be a Harry Potter Cake on Ace of Cake on Food Network starting at 10:30 tonight!!

Button

Hi every0ne it's Megaera Black here, I made a button for HSS3. I just started playing around in Photoshop so it's not the greatest but if you want to use it feel free to do so. Just right click (if you are a Mac user, first of I envy you and second I have no idea how to use a Mac...yet...) on the photo and save it on your computer then upload it to any photo sharing site then voila you have a button! I'm excited about my second year at Hogwarts and it's going to be a great year (swap!).

Moving slow

Please let me know if you have accepted the blog invite and I have not got you into your house yet. Enrollment is going very slowly right now we have 38 signing up on Raverly and 34 on the blog so 4 of you still need to get me all your info. We are still in need of a Prefect # 2 for Gryffindor and a Prefect #1 for Hufflepuff.
I am starting to put some matches together and should be getting some of them out by the weekend. If you know of any pattern that we don't have or you find something that you think we should have up let me know.

We are moving right along with enrollment! There are still spots open! We are in need of a few good Hufflepuffs! Join in the fun!!

Early enrollment

Just a little note to say that at 9:00 tonight I will be opening enrollment for those of you that were in the last swap to ensure your spot. Feel free to email me with any questions or problems. Looking forward to the start of term!

Welcome

This is going to be just as fun as the last 2. Our previous headmistress has given me permission to run with it! So here I go. I will be needing some help so anyone that would like to be a prefect let me know when you contact me.


I will be taking sign ups starting on January 21, and they will close on Feb. 1 or sooner if we hit 100 members.
Contact info is cassandra.grubbly.plank AT gmail DOT com I think that it would be fun to do this as a character you do not have to do it this way to participate.
If someone is good at making buttons and would like to make one that would be great! This is my 3rd HSS swap and I hope that it will be as fun as the last 2!

First years:
Socks in pals house colors
stitch makers in house color
Knitting Needles
Potter inspired knitting pattern
and anything else HP or knitting you want to throw in

Second Years
Socks in pals house colors
Potter bookmark
Knitting Needles
Potter inspired knitting pattern
and anything else HP or knitting you want to throw in

Third Years
Socks in pal house colors
Potter Journal or knitting journal HP related
Knitting Needles
Potter inspired knitting pattern
and anything else HP or knitting you want to throw in







The Form:

Email this info

First Name:
Last Name:
Potter Name:
Street Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Country:
Shoe Size:
Foot Measurements:


Primary Email:
Secret Email:
Personal Website Address:
Character's web address (if applicable):
Hogwarts Year (Is this your first HSS?):
House sorted into:



Questionnaire
1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?

2. List your favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length. Or would you prefer circulars?

3. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?

4. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?

5. Do you have any allergies?

6. Do you smoke?

7. Do you have cats?

8. Would you like and international pal if possible?

9. Do you have a preference on the size of your stitch makers, fit a larger or smaller needle?




Hope to be hearing from you soon!!