Square Dance Mania

Pattern: ASA Ultimate Scrapghan by Becky Simmons (no safe link)

Started: March 12, 2024

Finished:

Made for: Square Dance Weekends/ Síle aka Me

Yarns:

• Bernat Premium (100% acrylic; 360yds/329m = 198g)
• 10g of "58001 Soft Grey Heather" = 18.2yds
• Red Heart Comfort (100% acrylic; 867yds/793m = 454g)
• 44g of "3229 Melon Green" = 84yds

Total yardage: 102.2 yds

Hook size: 5.0mm

Notes & Photos:

I need another project for Square Dance Weekends and I’d like something that I won’t have to think too much about, and that I can use up the weird bits of worsted/Aran weight leftovers from larger projects. This pattern looks to be the ticket. Once I’ve decided on my Ancient Runes project, this might be hibernated but for now this’ll be my go-to at least once a month

March 12, 2024 (6:17am NDT):

Despite exhausting myself attempting to dig us out from the weekend's storm, and the taking of medications to ease the pain of my endeavors, I find myself awake and pondering what I can do for Quidditch.

This match is focusing on Thunderbird House. What can I make to represent the adventuring T-birds? Hmmm

(11:02pm NDT):

I have it! A gray square to represent the cloudy skies any adventuresome T-birds would encounter if they decided to soar over my island home recently :smile_cat:

(11:56pm NDT):

5 rnd square done in soft gray. Used 10g/18.2yds

March 18, 2024 (4:58pm NDT):

This weekend I decided to make some squares out of the giant skein of nearly neon green yarn I have. So far I have a 7 rnd, and a 5 rnd done. My goal is to get a 3 rnd and a 2 rnd done this afternoon

I'm still not sure if I want to use 1 rnd squares in my blanket; I'm considering doing extra rows of 2 or 3 rnd squares in place of them or a different layout entirely.

later (6:36pm NDT):

4 squares done: 7 rnd, 5 rnd, 3 rnd, & 2 rnd done in melon green. Used 44g/84yds

Tally: 1/96, 1/108, 2/48, 1/27 = 5/279 = 1.8%

Addendum Notes:

I have decided on a different layout of squares than the original pattern and this leads me to different square amounts needed. The layout going top to bottom is: 3/2/3/5/7/5/2/3/7/3/2/5/7/5/3/2/3

And that requires:

4 rows of 24 2 rnd squares or 96 total

6 rows of 18 3 rnd squares or 108 total

4 rows of 12 5 rnd squares or 48 total

3 rows of 9 7 rnd squares or 27 total. This works out to 279 squares in the entire blanket.

I Love Yarn & Cables

Pattern: Treble Reel Toque by Síle Maureen (link to pattern page on Knit Dance Repeat🔗)

Start: October 16, 2023

Finish: October 23, 2023

Made for: Quidditch Match 4/A or F

Yarn: Briggs & Little Regal (100% wool; 272yds/248m = 113g)

• 67g (start weight: 112g; end weight: 45g) of "43 Quoddy Blue" = 161.27 yds

Needle size: 4.5mm/US 7 dpns

Notes & Photos:

October 9: Quidditch starts on Wednesday, and this match the prompt is I Love Yarn Day, which is the 14th this year. So pretty much anything goes this time as long as you use yarn. I love knitting (and wearing) cables, and all of my pairs of fingerless mitts are AWOL; 3 pairs, vanished! So with cooler weather on the horizon it's a darn good time to knit myself a new pair using my personal favorite pattern ;) I'm so glad I have this decision settled so easily

October 16 (4:18pm NDT): Well, I waaaassss going to knit myself a pair of mitties lol. Now I need to whip up a pair of hats for 2 fellas who I know will appreciate a little warmth this holiday season. Stashdiving commencing very soon!

later (1:36am NDT): Photo time! I have the ribbing/short rows done along with 3 pattern repeats of the cables and moss chart 😊 

October 23 (6:25am NDT): Done! Photos to come after I get things weighed and recorded...

Heart of Denmark

Pattern: Julehjerte by Rømer Strik (no safe link)

Started: September 30, 2023

Finished: October 2, 2023

Made for: Wampus House Challenge 2023

Yarns: Red Heart Super Saver

• 24g (start wght: 76; end wght: 52) of "natural" = 44.1 yds

Bernat Premium 

• 27g (start wght: 68; end wght: 41) of "Iced Aqua" =  49.1 yds

Total yardage: 93.2 yds

Needle size: 4.5mm/US 7

Notes & Photos:

Sept 30: This Year's WHC sees us virtually vusiting Denmark. I've decided to knit a julehjerte (aka Christmas heart). These decorations are traditionally made if folded and woven paper, but as with a lot of things, a few creative souls have "translated" the papercraft to knitting. Red and white are the traditional colors for a julehjerte, but this particular pattern also shows one in green and white. 

later (1:32am NDT Oct 1): I have the first section knit :) I chose to make the large size. Here it is:

October 2: And done the second part :)

And after weaving the two together:

Tipsy Malachite and Cobalt Diamonds

Pattern: Quadrilinear by Romi Hill (no safe link yet; this pattern can be found in the ebook Year 5 Small Shawls: Asymmetry)

Start: September 1, 2023

Finish:

Made for: Síle aka Me; Special Skein KAL 2023

Yarn: Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball Crazy (75% wool, 25% nylon/polymide; 459yds/420m = 100g)

• ___g of "11532133 Holly blue" (start wght: 103g; end wght:  ) = ___yds

Gauge: 

Needle size: 3.25mm/US 3

Notes & photos:

August 31: This ball of yarn has been in my stash awhile. I moved cross country early in 2012. This was bought at Golden Willow (formerly in Regina; I believe they closed in 2015?) in at least 2011, if not 2009 or 10. I’ve been waiting to pair it with “the right” pattern.

Quadrilinear has been a favorite pattern since Romi released it. It’s simple but not dull. It can handle a yarn with personality, which the Zauberball Crazy definitely is!

This is my project for Romi’s Special Skein KAL for 2023. I’m looking forward to knitting this yarn and knitting this pattern :)

Where I’m using a fingering weight, I want to make it a bit wider than the scarf (as written for a sport weight) so I saved this from the Quadrilinear thread in Romi’s group; bless the Romiphyles for being supportive and full of excellent advice. I digress; here’s the quote:

Repeat Rows 13-18 of Chart B for each motif you want to add. For example, to go from 3 diamonds/squares to 5, repeat Rows 13-18 two additional times. Easy Peasy! From Teresa’s teresat2t notes.

I’m thinking 6 or 9. My mind functions best in trebles/triples lol

September 1: Weighed the yarn, and started on a 3.5mm; didn't like how loose the fabric was. So I've frogged the dozen or so rows I had done, and gotten out a 3.25mm. Have you really started if you don't have to frog at least once? lol

September 2 (2:14am NDT): Finished chart A! 🎉

September 4 (4:13am NDT): Got a wee bit off (missed 3 yos in a row; how? No clue, but I did facepalm), and had to tink but everything is right again  I have 72 sts on the needle after finishing a row 18. I need to add 3 more reps of rows 13-18 to get the 9 squares I want:

Superior Thinking

Pattern: Portsmouth: a skating hat by Judy Bierlein (no safe link)

Started: July 23, 2023

Finished: July 24, 2023

Made for: Horned Serpent House Challenge 2023

Yarn: Lion Brand Hometown (100% acrylic; 64yds/59m = 113g)

• 80g of "236 Reseda Dojo" (start weight: 109g; end weight: 29g) = 45.31yds 

Needle size: 6.5mm/US 

Notes & Photos:

June 13: Starting to think on this already. The Snakes are taking us to explore the Great Lakes for this year's House Challenge. I have ties to Lake Superior; both my Grandma and Gran were born in Superior, Wisconsin. Gran learned to roll logs on the lake, while Grandma learned to speed skate on the frozen areas closer to shore.

Clarification: Grandma was Mum's mum. Gran was her mum, Mum's Grandma; I always knew her as Gran because that's what Mum always called her. To complicate matters I also have Grandmere, who was Dad's mum. It all makes sense if you stop and think about it. Or maybe don't and save yourself a headache lol!

I digress! So, I'm going to focus in on Lake Superior and perhaps one of the activities that my foremothers took part in. I wonder if I could knit a log 🤔...

Photo from 1937 of two women competing in a log rolling contest:

July 5: Perfect timing! I found a lovely gem in my pdfs: a skater's hat based on one the designer's mother wore in the 1950s. It resembles one I've seen Grandma wearing with a heavier jacket. Maybe she had a similar one when she skated?

I'll be up to Wallyworld later today and can get some yarn for this.

July 7: Photo of my soft and squooshy yarn:

July 23 (2:47pm NDT): And off I go. I'm using my 6.5mm circ throughout as I'm not buying bigger needles just for this, and 6.5mm is already a size I find bothers my hands

later (technically July 24, but still up at 3:42am NDT): Done! Will need to weave in the ends, and weigh the remaining yarn. Also take some pics. But this very quick project is off the needles :)

July 24 (6:39pm NDT): And done! Still need to weigh for yardage but I'm sweating too much to go back down to the kitchen lol (Currently 25°C, feeling like 36°C with the humidity; 77°F/96.8°F)

Fun Fact: today would be Gran's (and her husband JoePat's) 136th birthday 🎂 

Flocka Lonks

Pattern: Sheep Granny Square by Alison Holloway (no safe linking option)

Started: March 27, 2023

Finished: March 29, 2023 (1:09am NDT)

Made for: 2023 PHC

Yarns: unknown worsted weight (100% acrylic (guessing RHSS); 364yds/ 333m = 198g)

• 23g (start: 103; finished: 80) of cream  = (approx) 42.28 yds

Bernat Premium (100% acrylic; 360yds/ 329m = 198g)

• 27g (start: 114; finished: 87) of Fresh Green = 49.09 yds
• 12g (start: 191; finished: 179) of Black = 21.82yds

Total yardage: 113.19 yds

Hook size: 4.0mm/US 6

Notes & Photos:

The PHC ends tomorrow and I still am at a loss what to do. So I decided to make a flock of Lonks (sheep breed native to Lancashire, England which is the destination of this year's PHC). Thinking to whip up 4 squares, and possibly use them as part of a blanket at some point in the future. Or more likely I'll have 4 sheep squares hanging around until whenever 🤣 I know myself lol

later (1:24am NDT): Finished the centers. Now for the grass.

later (5:08am NDT): And now done the fields. I think the heads and faces need to wait until daylight 🥱

later (11:57pm NDT): Finished crocheting the heads 😊 Now to just sew my little Lonks together and get a pic...

And Silver has decided she's a sheep cat and is attempting to herd Auntie's sheepy friends 😹 She's too damn cute!

Hatch This

Pattern: Mother of Dragons Dice Bag by Rachy Newin (no safe link; been in my library awhile)

Started: January 23, 2023

Finished: January 29, 2023

Made for: Quidditch 2023 Match #1/Síle aka Me

Yarn: Bernat Premium (97% acrylic, 3% metallic; 258yds/236m = 142g)

• 65g of "60012 Ultra Violet Sparkle" (start wght: 149g; end wght: 84g) = 118.1yds

Hook size: 4.0mm

Notes & Photos:

January 16: Both Quidditch Match #1 and Global Wizardry run Jan 18-30th, but I did GW during Summer Camp so can only get Points toward Quidditch. No matter! I found a wonderful project full of angles in this dice bag 🎉 I think it'll be a fun challenge to myself. Now what yarn am I going to use...

January 23: I have bought the yarn! I found bright purple yarn with silver shot through it 😊 Perfect for a dragon's egg, I think. Time to start!

later (9:38pm NST): Look at the two adorable little scales I've made on the bag so far:

I sized my bag/egg up slightly by adding a third ring to the base to give me 36 dc instead of 24; that means an extra 3 scales per rnd. I like it. And I even remembered what a front post dc is... after watching a video and going 'Oh! I've done that!' lol

January 29 (10:24am NST): And done! 😊 It's so cute! The yarn was a bit of a pain; the hook kept splitting into it and the metallic strand kept wanting to catch on other things. But it looks awesome and I now have a sparkly dragon egg. Some other photos:

I had 9 scales per scale rnd, and 7 scales rnds for a total of 63 scales/angles 😊

"And skating down the right wing is number 9..."

Pattern: none; an idea from my head

Started: January 5, 2023

Finished: January 6, 2023

Made for: Lucky Numbers

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (100% acrylic; 364yds/333m = 198g)

• 3g of "Blue" = 11.03 yds
• 3g of "Charcoal" = 11.03 yds

Total yardage: 22.06 yds

Needle size: 4.0mm straights

Notes & Photos:

January 2: Talking about Lucky Numbers in this month's extracurricular. This runs Jan 1 through Jan 13th; yes, Friday the 13th. This isn't an accident.

Mine is 9. 9 is a triad of triads (very significant to druids). Cats have 9 lives. Maurice "Rocket" Richard, my Granddad's favorite hockey player, wore number 9. And gave me the title of this project.

I've designed a double-knit study of a 9 Patch quilt block, using both color and texture to emphasize the 9 smaller blocks within the larger one. This is a trial/swatch to see if my idea plays well with a larger design idea I have. 

Salted Waves

Pattern: Diane by Romi Hill (not on her site yet)

Started: September 6, 2022

Finished: December 10, 2022

Made for: Síle aka Me/ Superstition study Salt

Yarn: Knit It! Velvety (100% polyester; 382yds/349m = 100g)

• 158g of Cream (dyelot: 27; starting wgt: 197g; end wgt: 39g) = 603.56 yds

Needle size: 4.5mm/US 7

Photos & Notes:

Sept 6: It's pretty bad when you're the one who creates the EC and you're probably the last person to start your project 😂

Because the yarn has a chenille texture I'm going up to a 4.5mm needle to knit this 😊

The beautiful Old Shale lace in this Romi pattern puts me in mind of ocean waves. And what is the ocean but a large "pool" of salt water? I think I'll tie this in with Huixtocihuatl, the Aztec goddess of salt and salt water. She was often depicted wearing garments with water and/or wave designs.

Photo caption (from Wikipedia): Depiction of Huixtocihuatl from Bernardino de Sahagun's "Primeros Memoriales", which was published in 1590 (fol. 264r). She holds a reed staff in her hand and wears garments with a water design.

Now, can I knock out enough of this pattern before the end of the 20th to count? We shall see! 

Sept 7: Took this photo earlier:

I was about 4 rows into wedge 2 at that point. I'm now 11 rows into wedge 3:

I really understand why this yarn is called Velvetty; it resembles and feels like crushed velvet. I'm picturing this little number paired with my burgundy lace dress for the Christmas show this year; and a certain mister can look at what he lost. Hmph! (Having said that, I'm grinning like a Chessy cat at the thought lol)

Sept 20: Yeah, this isn't going to be done in time for the Salt Superstition, even with the extra hour of knitting time at the hospital yesterday (June's test was inconclusive; going in for another next week sigh). Oh well. I'm still going to love wearing it!

November 25: 4.5 sections in now:

I want to finish this up so I can wear it with my new Christmas dress on the 10th to remind a certain band leader exactly what he lost by being nefarious. Hmph! And yes, I am exactly that petty lol

December 8: Trying to finish this for the show on the 10th, and use it as my Quidditch project for this match. I'm on the 8th of 9 wedges, so hopefully...

December 10: It took an all-nighter but finally at 8:37am NST my frothy bit of lace is done and ready to wear tonight 😊 Here's a "by the tree" shot; I'll have Sistwerp get one of me in my dress with it one later on:

Absolutely love how it came out. I think it could be made deeper by adding reps of 18sts (plus 2 markers per rep) to the cast-on, which would be awesome. I love the length but a touch more depth...

Charming the Dragon

Book: The Awakening by Nora Roberts; book 1 of the Dragon Heart Legacy

Pattern: Dragon Charmer by Luise O'Neill (Pattern Page on Payhip 🔗)

Started: book - on hold via Libby app 7/6/22; hold came in July 9th and started reading same day

project - August 1, 2022

Finished: book - July 20th

project - 

Made for: Síle aka Me

Yarn: Briggs & Little Heritage (100% wool; 215yds/m = 113g)

• ??g "45 Peacock" (dyelot: 947; started with ~339g; ended with: ??g) = yds 

Needle size: 4.5mm/US 7

Notes & Photos:

June 23: The next Q&S has been announced! C provided us with a possible list of authors although we're encouraged to stay with the "Beach"/summer read theme. Think light, and frothy. Authors included on her list are Maeve Binchy, Nora Roberts (both who I've read books by), Sophie Kinsella; I'm now drawing a blank on others.

I might use this as an opportunity to read the book I got a couple months back. Or not! I'm really not sure yet. Here are the details:

We’ll take a month to read our chosen books, from July 1st to 31st. We’ll chat about their covers, maybe particularly moving passages or a clever turn of phrase.
Any discussion about your chosen book will earn toward a yet-to-be announced event, so don’t be shy this July!

Then from August 1st to the 20th, we’ll craft an item inspired by the book we’ve read. We might find our muse in a character, the landscape, or a character’s predicament. The field is wide open here! There are a number of genres represented; romance, women’s fiction, fantasy, time-travel and Gothic. We decided to stay away from horror, so if you’re a fan of Stephen King or his friends, hang in there, October is coming soon enough!

NOTE: AUDIOBOOKS ARE VERY WELCOME!

Also of note…If you have an author that you're dying to read and would rather read them instead of anyone on my list, GO FOR IT! Tell us who you're reading (or listening to) and why you adore their word-smithing.

July 4: I still haven't decided on my book. Quite honestly I'm trying to figure out my project since we only have 20 days to craft! lol I can work back from the craft to tie to a book. I just need to narrow down my project...

July 6: Checking Libby I see that Nora Roberts' most recent trilogy is called the Dragon Heart Legacy, and I have had Luise O'Neill's gorgeous Dragon Charmer in my queue for a while. In fact, the wool was a gift from K for Yuletide 2020! This is the perfect opportunity to dive into another of Ms. Roberts' fantastical realms and knit a piece I've wanted to for awhile . Seems like a win-win! I have the book on hold (roughly a two week wait), so until then I can read other things. Like perhaps the Cousins O'Dwyer trilogy? Love that one. But no dragons 😉

July 9: My hold came in this morning 😊 I'm already on chapter 6 lol. Breen needed the blah swept from her life so badly!! I adore Marco, her life-long bestie and roommate. Their found family at Sally's drag club, where Marco bartends and Breen helps out from time to time, to help stretch her teacher's pay, are amazing. I hope when Breen is drawn into the fantastical realm of Talamh that she's able to keep some connection to Marco and the others. Friends like them are worth more than gems and precious metals.

Breen has already dreamt of flying on dragons, a red and gold one in particular. I hope there'll be a blue one I can tie my shawl to 😉 Or perhaps it will be an homage to what my own dragon would look like. A peacock blue dragon *does* sound like one that would belong with me!

July 19: I found this little snippet the other day and I really like the wording

The dragon, riderless, glided over the dusky sky like a golden ship over the sea. Nothing, nothing she'd seen or would see in this fantastic place could be as magnificent, as glorious as that silent, gilded flight.

July 20: Finished the book! Oh my! What a cliffhanger!!!! I'm glad I put both books on hold on the same day. I believe book 3 comes out this fall. Like the O'Dwyers, I think I need to buy this set.

And yes, I'm still set on knitting my peacock blue Dragon Charmer to go with this book. In 20 days, or less, no less. I can hardly wait to cast on!!

July 26: I've a mind to wind the first hank into a ball and test needle sizes. The pattern calls for 4.5mm at a gauge of 18 sts & 24 rows = 4" in stockinette. Considering my yarn (B&L H) and the type of pattern it is (cables), 4.5mm seems right to me. Still I'd like the excuse to play with some wool in a project that's not all in my lap; unlike a certain mkal sample that shall remain nameless here. 

July 30: Finally getting around to winding the first hank into a ball. I can cast-on on Monday. Hank 1 weighs 119g.

August 1: Yes, it's 3:06am but I have the first 10 rows done already 😊 Lol This is why I wanted to wind at least one hank on Saturday 😂

August 2: Done Chart A! I'm loving this

August 8: Took a bit longer as humidity is back up and our air quality isn't great with smoke from forest fires. But Chart B is done and it looks really cool:

Onto Chart C!

August 13: Done 1 repeat + 6 rows of Chart C. I have a week to finish almost 4 repeats. Will I make it? I hope so!!

August 15: I love this dearly but there's no way I finish before the 20th. (Especially with decorating the hall on the 19th, and the wedding and reception on the 20th). So I must quickly find another project for my book, that I can get done in like 2 days, and then put this beauty on a bit of a back burner.

And considering some of the projects turned in for this Challenge, I'm not stressing over it being something small/simple.

August 30: Last day at "Camp" and time to weigh this and submit the yardage I've knit this month. I haven't done much of anything to be honest; this whole month has felt non-stop busy for some reason and I never got my feet under me

Anyway! Ive knit (119g - l8g) 101g === 192.2 yards so far 😊 

Memories of Table Mountain

Pattern: none; from my head

Started: May 19, 2022

Finished: May 28, 2022

Made for: Thunderbird HC/ photo-tutorial sample

Yarn: Bernat Premium (100% acrylic; 

• ??g of "Sky Blue" = ???yds
• ??g of "Fresh Green" = ???yds

Total yardage: 

Needle/Hook size: 3.75mm/US 5 and a 3.5mm/US 4 hook for the cast-on

Notes & Photos:

May 11: The T-birds are taking us to South Africa for their House Challenge this year. In specific, to Table Mountain and Cape Town. I have no clue what to do for this.

May 12: Using my old fallback - I've come up with a double-knit chart with the silhouette of Table Mountain (and its attendant mountains) on one side and abstract waves on the other. I'll knit it in blue and green. Anyway! Here's my reference photo of Table Mountain:

May 19: I think it's about time to get this started!

May 28: And now it's done 😊 I think it turned out pretty good. A knitted postcard as it were.

Hole-y Cats!

Pattern: Saoirse by Aoibhe Ní (Link to pattern's page on her website)

Started: May 1, 2022

Finished: May 2, 2022

Made for: Quidditch Match 2

Yarn: Red Heart Roll With It Sparkle (97% acrylic, 3% other fibers; 561yds/513m = 150g)

• 4g of "E898 9801 Cristal" (started with 147g; ended with 143g) = 14.96yds

Hook Size: 5.0mm/US 8/H

Notes & Photos:

April 26: Setting this up now that the Match has started. Not sure what to do. The challenge this time is to create something with "intentional holes". That screams lace to me. Also filet crochet. So yeah. Time to search my pattern library for something quick that has holes!

May 1: I've decided to make a mini bandana for this match. I think working to row 3 would be good.

May 2: And done already 😊 About 11" from tip to tip and 5 7/8" deep. I would use a larger hook, maybe a 6.0mm, to make the actual shawl.

Protect Us Bag

Pattern:  Twining Trees (Block 9 of the Oddball Sampler Afghan by Sarah Bradberry (Link to block's page on Knitting-and.com🔗); used to make a small project bag

Started: March 17, 2022

Finished: March 22, 2022

Made for: Horned Serpent House Challenge 2022 (Go, Wampus!)

Yarn: Bernat Premium (100% acrylic; 360yds/329m = 198g)

• 70g of "58573 Burlap" (starting weight: 199g; ending weight: 129g) = 127.27 yds

Needle size: 4.0mm/US 6

Notes & Photos:

March 8: Time again to start planning for the HSHC! It starts tomorrow and this year's trip is to the Amazon Rainforest! Exciting!

I've been looking over patterns and trying to come up with something for this. I've (semi) settled on this Twining Trees block. What's a rainforest without trees afterall? Sadly because of deforestation we may soon have an answer to that. This pair of leafless trees stretching their branches to the sky is like a silent plea to protect them, the rainforest and other fragile ecosystems and the many species of plants and animals that dwell in them.

March 17: Got yarn yesterday so casting on today!

March 18: So I was looking at this last night as I was knitting after the hockey game and it occurred to me that I really don't need/want another "square" floating around. Seriously, I'm always swatching for one idea or another. What can I do with it??!! And then I looked at this massive skein of yarn and thought "what if I knit a piece to back it and call it a project bag?" And so that is my plan. Once the tree block is done (am done 44/65 rows), I'll knit a garter st back (maybe on the bias?) and sew the bottoms and sides together, giving me a small project bag for whatever small project I might have around. Or maybe I can put all of my swatches in it and keep them out of everywhere else! Lol You have no idea the number of odd bits of knitting I have around here. Oh and SDW has officially started so I better crank out a couple of Aria squares before I forget...

March 19: Stayed up to finish the tree block. It turned out really good, I think. Just need to quickly knit up a back piece and that'll be it for the HSHC of 2022! Here's the front piece:

March 20: And that's the back done! I'll seam it later; 4:10am is no time to start sewing lol

March 22: And all seamed up :) My bag is finished and can add to the Wampus total. And a week to go in the Challenge :) The back is here:

Floral Snitch (Q#1)

Pattern: Tulip Dishcloth by Allyson Dykhuizen (Link to pattern page on Knit Picks🔗)

Started: February 22, 2022

Finished: February 22, 2022

Made for: Quidditch 2022 #1

Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter (variegated) (100% cotton; 68yds/62m = 42.5g)

• 22.5g of "Moondance" (starting weight: 42.5g; ending weight: 20g) = 36 yds
• 2g of  "Country Stripes" (starting weight: 21g; ending weight: 19g) = 3.2 yds

Total yds: 39.2 yds

Needle size: 4.0mm/ US 6

Notes & Photos: 

Feb 9: getting this page set up :) Getting ready for another year of Wampus domination of the Quidditch Pitch :) My Snitch guess will be 246. As the only Wampus at the FK Campus, I must make sure to score early which this project will allow me to do 🌷

Feb 22: So much for scoring early! Gotta get this beauty done!! 

later (6:50pm): Going excellent :) I have the "body" and first petal completed. The other two will go quickly but first I need to make supper!!

later (8:52pm): Done! Now to find that photo of purple blended tulips...

Trip to Japan

Pattern: Hanako, le pequeña kokeshi by La Calle de la Abuela (link to English pattern page on blog, Le calle de la abuela🔗)

Started: November 22, 2021

Finished: November 28, 2021

Made for: Wampus House Challenge 2021

Yarn(s): Red Heart Super Saver (100% acrylic; 364yds/333m = 198g)

• 24 g of "Cream" (started with 36g; ended with 12g) = 44.1 yds (skin/color A)

Bernat Premium (100% acrylic; 360yds/329 m = 198g)

• 42g of "58507 Red" (started with 83g; ended with 41g) = 76.4 yds (kimono/color B) 
• 6g of "58521 Royal Blue" (started with 59g; ended with 53g) = 10.9 yds (sash & accents/color C) 
• 1g of "58510 Orange" (started with 63g; ended with 62g) = 1.8 yds (highlight on sash/color E)

Bernat Satin (100% acrylic; 200yds = 100g)

• 10g of " 4040 Ebony" (started with 60g; ended with 50g) = 20 yds  (hair/ color D)         

Total yardage: 153.2 yds

Hook size: 4.0mm/ US 6-G

Notes & Photos:

October 26: Getting this page set up for this year's Wampus House Challenge. And we're going to Japan.

This doesn't really thrill me. I knew someone who was very over-the-top about their affection for Japanese everything; this was an extremely white girl in a house decorated and furnished like she was living in Japan several centuries ago. It was... odd, to put it kindly. It was extremely uncomfortable to me as it felt like she was trying to be something she really really wasn't.

It is My House's challenge, and I won't let them down.

Nov 7: I've been scrambling about trying to find something for this Challenge and I kept seeing the word "kokeshi". So I became a bit curious and found this description using a quick google search: 

"Kokeshi dolls are Japanese wooden dolls traditionally made for children. It is said that Kokeshi were originally sold to visitors to hot springs in the Tohoku region of Japan during the late Edo period (1600-1868), to supplement business and keep workers' hands busy during the winter months."

These are quite simple little dolls in kimonos and I must admit they're quite cute. An old-fashioned plaything much like corn dolls were on the North American prairies. I find these very interesting and so I'll look for a knit or crochet pattern of a Kokeshi...

later (8:21am): I've found a very cute pattern on a blog which I've linked above. Looking at other patterns though I like the wider sash; I believe that makes the outfit a kimono rather than the thin cord as it's written. I will have to check some terminology and/or photos to be sure I'm doing the right thing. I'm creating quite the collection of stuffed toys this Fall!

later (8:32am): More Kokeshi information!

"Kokeshi, are simple wooden Japanese dolls with no arms or legs that have been crafted for more than 150 years as a toy for children. Originally from the northeastern region of Japan, they are handmade from wood, having a simple trunk and head with a few thin, painted lines to define the face."

"In general, there are two types of Kokeshi: Traditional Kokeshi and Creative Kokeshi. Apart from this, based on regional areas Kokeshi comes in many other varieties such as Naruko, Yamagata, Nanbu, Tsugaru, Tsuchiyu, Yajiro, Zao-takayu and many more."

I've also found some photos of traditional and creative Kokeshi. And of course there are patterns for knitted and crocheted Kokeshi (like the one I linked above) in the amigurumi style, which is appropriate given that amigurumi were first popularly crocheted in Japan. Full circle project!

This first photo shows several Traditional Kokeshi and is labeled where each style originated:

This next photo shows several Creative Kokeshi. Note the use of more colors and the extra details to show the outfits and the addition of pieces for the hair. You'll also notice the little girl in a modern sailor dress and pigtails in the front row:

This Creative Kokeshi while dressed in a traditional kimono has additional pieces added to it to make it a truly three-dimensional piece, most notably the sleeves:

Ok! I have a lot of info and a pattern :) After I settle on colors I can make my own Creative Kokeshi, hopefully before the deadline!

Nov 22: Right off, I'm making some changes. I want to add a sash, similar to the doll pictured right above this. Since the pattern already has shaped sleeves like this doll, I think that's a decent modification to make. This will lengthen the body which will necessitate longer and wider sleeves; I've already made written changes in my offline notebook about these.

Ok, let's see where I get tonight!

Nov 28 (3:53am): I finished her! It's been a rough few days between my surgery recovery and Sistwerp's continuing issues with her leg and sometimes back, but I finished my kokeshi. I did modify the pattern, which makes her look much more Traditional other than her bun and sleeves of her kimono. I think she turned out rather well :) Here are the extra photos of her: