The Wizarding World

 

It's no secret that I am a huge Harry Potter fan.  I love the stories, love the movie adaptations, and generally wish I had received an acceptance letter from Hogwarts when I was 11.

Over the years, I've collected two sets of books (one for me and one to share), the Harry Potter Schoolbooks, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and for Christmas, I gave myself The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook.  Even Steve has realized a wizarding gift is always appreciated... check out the 'Locket from the Cave' complete with note to the Dark Lord from R.A.B. he gave me for Christmas (next to my Time Turner from several years ago!)

I have hats and wands from The Noble Collection... all the markings of an obsessed fan.  Like most people with an obsession, I thought I had it all under control.  But then I found a couple of Potter related forums at Ravelry (here's more on HP groups there).  If you are into the fiber arts (crochet, knit, spinning, etc) you are likely already familiar with Ravelry.  If not, Ravelry is a community for yarnheads to swap stories and patterns.  Ahhh... I can hear that click!  The lightbulb just came on!  You realize the danger now... combining the yarn obsession with the Potter obsession could well be dangerous indeed.

It started off innocently enough... every new Hogwarts student needs school supplies.  Wand, standarn #2 size pewter cauldron, a pet owl, and for quidditch - a Firebolt.

Luckily, I already had my house scarves from release of Deathly Hallows, Pt1 in November.  By the way, my favorite Potter news sources Mugglecast and The Leaky Cauldron say the Pt1 dvd will be released April 15th.  Pt2 will be in theaters Summer 2011.  Can't wait! 

But then it started to spin out of control.  I saw Potter patterns everywhere (who knew they had a crafts section at Leaky)!  I watched the movies just to look for handmade items.  I leafed through pages finding obscure references to hats made of tea cozies.  I searched the web over and over, and I haven't even scratched the surface.

For example, who doesn't love Ron Weasley in Prisoner of Askaban roaring like a lion after eating animal crackers? What? Animal crackers don't make you sound like the animal itself in the muggle world?

I've never made this ear-flap style of hat but it was fun.  I may have to make others now that I have the technique down.  The ties are actually long enough to tie under your chin should it be really chilly, or windy while flying on your broomstick.

Speaking of hats... well let's just say a silly moment struck as I was trying to figure out what to do with some brightly colored yarn left over from Margaret's Cutie Pie.  I thought of liberated house elf Dobby, and how Hermione had discovered him wearing a tea cozy as a hat in the kitchens of Hogwarts.

If I had ears like a house elf, I imagine a tea cozy would fit the bill quite nicely.  For non-tea drinkers, a cozy is a bit like a sweater for your tea pot.  There are openings on either side for spout and handle, and it keeps the pot from cooling too quickly.

Can you imagine how Dobby felt to find an item that actually FIT his elf ears?  Since Dobby doesn't make it into Pt2 of Deathly Hallows, I think I may have to wear this one to the movies when it is released.  My sincerest apologies to anyone who may be going with me.

I found several patterns inspired by the character of Loony, I mean Luna, Lovegood.  I like Luna because she is sweet and honest, but also clever.  She wears this lacey crocheted scarf (hers is silvery gray) in the movie Order of the Phoenix, as everyone meets in Hogsmeade to start Dumbledore's Army.

I usually tend to go for more chunky patterns, but I thought this one was pretty and surprisingly easy to work up.

Luna is most recognizeable for her radish earrings.  I know, how could I not give that a try?!  They crack me up, and I even sent some home with a gardening friend of mine. 

In searching for crocheted radish photos I came across a Luna inspired pattern that did not actually appear in the Potter stories, but easily could have.  It appeals to me because for the moment, I have to carry along allergy safe food with me wherever I go.  No more ordinary lunch box for me!  I have the Luna Lettuce Lunchbag!  Complete with radish cluster adornment.

 So, if you see me out and about, sporting radish earrings, a green scarf and carrying a lettuce lunchbag... wrackspurts buzzing around my head... you'll know I'm just letting my inner Luna Lovegood flag fly.  Watch the Quibbler for Potter updates, and don't let the mischievious nargles interfere with getting your homework turned in on time!

Meanwhile, I'll be stitching up some Weasley sweaters for Greta's Harry and Ginny dolls and dreaming about my next project... oh come on, you have to have guessed, right?  The only obvious crocheted item I haven't already listed?  I hear you saying "oh no!" but my answer is a resounding "oh yes!"

Molly Weasley's 'coat of many colors' sweater!  You'll be happy to know I will not be wearing a housecoat over it though, and I actually have a beautiful autumnal color scheme in mind.

If I can get the sweater crocheted in time for autumn that is...  it's only February, right?

Update... here's my version of Molly's sleeves:

Update... here's the Weasley sweaters for Harry and Ginny!