Charmed Knits Crafts

It's been another long drought on the blog...sorry. I took one of my little ones out of town for some scheduled surgery. She's doing fine, so I'm back to posting!

I have been helping organize a Charmed Knits for Charity event in my area and am starting to get excited. I'm a big Harry Potter fan and while I've been "rereading" the books on audio cd, I've been knitting for the KAL and working on other stuff for the big day. Namely, I've made Gryffindor robes and wands for myself and my older daughter, made spellbook knitting cases for us, made up some potions and magical props for decoration, and last night made a pair of Golden Snitch knitting needles for decoration.

The needles were a last minute inspiration and I'm really proud of them. They're not totally done yet. I need to work on the wings a little more and then finish the rest of the needle body so they are usable. These may end up on Etsy after the event if I decide I can part with them.

On another note, I've been inspired to finally create a book purse. I've been reading about them for a while, but hadn't ventured forth yet. I made it a little harder though, since I'm very picky and wanted it to be something I'd actually be willing to use. Since I didn't want to cut up any of my favorite books, I took an old college text book and "retitled" it "Black Beauty". This first one is my experiment and I think I'm going to give it to a friend's daughter who is really into horses. I found some straps that are sort of like horse reins or a bridle, and I'm trying to figure out how to add a zipper closure. Again, it's not perfect, but for a first attempt, I'm pleased. Here's two pictures and I'll post more pictures and details when I get it done.

The thing I like best is that it looks like this is an original copy of Black Beauty and not the boring and dog ugly book I started with.

Hats and Handbags

I can knit, and I can blog, but I have to get better at doing both at the same time *smile*. I started another drop stitch scarf with Lion Brand Incredible yarn in Copper Penny. It's really coming out nicely and I'll post a picture soon.

I got going on my Gryffindor hats for the Charmed Knits knit-along FINALLY! I finished the first hat and started the second today. I decided to spice things up a bit and put in little cables on a K2, P2 ribbing. It looks pretty good, but I hope it'll stay on a head well. We'll see!

I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about writing patterns. I've made up some patterns and modified plenty, but have never typed up one for anyone else's use, so... I've been working on some felt purse patterns. I love felting and I have a little crocheted wrist bag I use for carrying knitting sometime (pattern here). I like it, but wanted to see if I could make a knit and felted version. I also wanted to do it all in one piece (little or no sewing). After some trial and error, I finally came up with something that worked and looked good! I just have to give it a little shave (it got a little hairy in the wash) and put the lining in and it'll be done.

I decided to call it the Lil' Kipper because that's what I'll use it for (carrying my knitting around places). I need to finish typing up the pattern and will knit another bag following my written directions to make sure I didn't leave anything out. When that's done, I'll put it out there. I'm planning to add a patterns section to this blog soon. Some will be free, but I'll have a couple that will be for sale. Might be a while before I get it all up and going though.