Harry Potter Made Me Do It!

I’m not going to lie, I’m a slow crafter.  In part due to commute and by consequence sheer tiredness and in part just because I’m slow.  But I have to say, since I’ve joined the Harry Potter Knitting & Crochet House Cup forum on Ravelry, I’m actually cranking out at least one F.O. per month.    Knowing that I want to get sorted and that after sorting, my participation contributes to my house win (or loss), boy oh boy, I suck up those prompts at the beginning of the month and sure enough, I’ve been making things that I actually like and can use.

For June’s project, I chose clouds and cloud shapes from the Divination class.  As a side note, I love that these prompts are interpretative so in addition to making something useful, I get to use my imagination or creative interpretative skills to make sure my projects matches a prompt in order to be graded.   This cloud image was my inspiration:

source

 

And I made this:

Pincushion

I used crochet to try to mimic the cloud texture, the main colour to mimic the sky colour and the project to mimic the “squishiness” of the clouds.

For the past two months, I’ve been looking at the projects submitted and many people do blanket squares, hexi-puffs and dishcloths as their interpretative project.  While nothing is wrong with these and I’m absolutely sure at some point I’ll do all of those except for the hexi-puffs, this month (July), I want to push myself to do a different type of project.  Something that involves a technique I’ve never tried or at least only done once. Something that’s practical and usable to boot.  I already have a project in mind and aim to start and finish it this weekend but you’re going to have to wait to see it!  😛

I picked June’s project because I want all the items I make for the class to be usable, not be just for class purposes.  My blocking pins are usually strewn every which way and I wanted a pretty way to display and contain them.  I figured with this, I’d have something interpretative, pretty but absolutely functional.  Win, win & win I’d say!!!  😀

 

Project Details:

  • Name: Naalepuder
  • Designer: Liselotte Weller
  • Yarn Used: Martha Stewart Crafts Extra Soft Wool Blend
  • Modifications (accidental): Didn’t stuff the project with too much polyfill.  That allowed me to get a more petal-ly floral shaped pincushion as opposed to the rounded one the designer made.
  • Difficulty: Easy enough for a beginner crocheter

As for how this post connects to its title — credit that to my friend Erica.  She’s been on me to do more; she thinks there’s a master yarn crafter hiding somewhere inside.  Her comment when I tell her about the completed craft projects — “well at least your Harry Potter obsession is good for something”.  I guess she’s right — Harry Potter really is making me do it!

The Best Kind Of Bombs

I know, I know …. bombs are supposed to be bad … right?  Well these ones aren’t!  😀

I test crocheted Heather’s Love Bombs and I can’t tell you how beautiful these bombs are.  In addition to beautiful, they’re versatile.  These bombs don’t destroy, they promote love!  How much better can they get?  Wanna see?

IMG_3277they had a bit of a regular start.  nothing to write home about, nothing to talk about …

IMG_3290

as they stacked up … something magical started to happen …

IMG_3312they got a bit of extra dressing up … not that they need it … then it was time for action …

IMG_3328bombs away!!!!!  First up … love for an old apt complex fence …

while I was putting these up, passersby stared, but most smiled.  I think it was seeing the bust of colour on the old fence that did it.  the love bombs were working …. 😀

IMG_3333reminding passers-by that life is beautiful … no matter what …

IMG_3349then with some awesome tea, and favorite mug, they bombed some Fall reading … incognito … disguised as a book-marker …

IMG_3355then they made pretty, a co-worker’s favourite mug.  Reminding her … she’s loved …

IMG_3358and if that wasn’t enough … BOOM!!!!  they love bombed a gift  to a favourite knitter …

IMG_3369Even my yarn basket got bombed!! 😀

Do you believe me now?

See, I told you … love bombs are the best kind of bombs ever!!!!!

Details:

  • Pattern: Love Bombs (test pattern)
  • Designer: Heather Cox
  • Yarn: KP Dishie Cotton, Shine Worsted; Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton, Martha Stewart Crafts — Extra Soft Wool Blend
  • Other Comments: The pattern was well written and can be completed even by a novice crocheter as a first project.  I took less than 10 mins for each bomb.
  • Modifications: I made the cast-on and the finishing tails 6 inches and longer so I could have more options for these bombs.

When she releases the pattern, run, don’t walk to get it.  Then go spread some love!!!

9.30.2013: Edited to add: My petals are a little frillier than the designer’s.  I believe that happened because I’m a really tight crocheter so the petals were pulled in tighter on the 2nd round.