Knitwear at the Movies: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Are you sick of these yet?  I'm just getting warmed up (you know... in the goblet of... fire.  Lame.)!  Seriously, I've gotten really impatient with the early parts of each movie; it's all I can do not to say "be winter already!" aloud.  HP4!

AKA the one where Ron acts like a useless git most of the time

Hermione's First Task Sweater
The sweater Hermione wears to the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament is only seen from underneath her coat, but it still makes an impact.

and this is the best shot I could get of it.  Sorry, Emma.

It's a turtleneck with ribbing at the cuffs, hem, and neck; cables throughout the body; and pink and white colorwork across the top of the chest.  Pretty sweet.

Ginny's Quidditch World Cup Cardigan
Blink and you miss it, but Ginny's cardi is pretty cute.

It's purple-gray?  With embroidery on the shoulders?  And multicolored tassels?  Sorry the quality's so poor on that. She was in the background of the scene.
Ginny's Second Task Hat
Beehive hat, activate!

Fred or George, you are adorable.

This hat fits loosely; it's embellished with woven ribbon (or ribbon yarn) throughout and an attached flower on the left side.  I wish I could see the mittens more clearly, but the moment does not warrant still hands, as evidenced by Fred/George's face!

Cedric's Simple Stripe Sweater
Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson, natch) wore a sweater when he jumped from a tree while not sparkling because VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE that's totally not this movie.

It's a simple stockinette V-neck pullover in mustard (Hufflepuff much?) with two thin white stripes.  My reasons for including this sweater are 1) the fit is nice and it's situationally appropriate; 2) I like the jumping-from-a-tree entrance; 3) Twilight fans, you're welcome; and 4) I really wanted to segue into this:

I'm so glad this moment was in the film.  Also, I cried extra super hard at the end, now that I have a kid and all.  OK, moving on.

Ron's Chudley Cannons Blanket
And now the moment you've been waiting for (not really): you're in Ron's bedroom!

image via RupertGrintGallery.com

There are a bunch of stripes of various widths in rustic sunset colors.  Also, "CHUDLEY" and some sort of crest with wings(?) are applied on one side.  It's crazy and very Ron.

Weasley Twins' Cardigans
Somebody tell me how to tell the Weasley twins apart; I can't for the life of me (which puts me just behind their own [fictional] mother, so I don't feel too guilty).

Not pictured: the cardigan's twin and its owner

Stockinette cardigan(s) with ribbed neck/hem/cuffs and a geometric colorwork design.  I really like the continuation of the triangle-pair design on the sleeves.
Weasley Twins' Second Task Hats
James and Oliver Phelps are scene-stealing and hilarious.

Fred and George, you are adorable.

The design on the hats seem a little feminine to me, but it works with their characters' confident, own-drummer sensibilities.  AND this is one of the only hat designs I've seen that absolutely needs the pompon.  Because, yes!  ...I like redheads.

And that's all I have for this movie.  Tune in this afternoon for the Pattern Round-up.  Wizard Pep Band, play us out!

What, no saxophones?

Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

This is a crazy breakneck pace; I am possibly overcompensating for the fact that I will not be in a movie theatre at midnight on Friday... or indeed any time in the near future.

Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
relevant links to the KM post with pictures are helpfully provided in the pattern title heading

Screen Grab: Hermione Grainbow
This stripe-by-stripe replica of Hermione's pullover [Rav link] is offered by J. R. Lockwood; only $5.

Screen Grab: Luna Lovegood's Crocheted Cardigan
It is a testament to Luna's excellent (albeit fictional) taste in knitwear that this post is dominated by patterns to duplicate them.  Megan Nieves designed a crochet version of the lovely cornflower cardigan [Rav link] from the Thestrals-in-the-woods scene.

Screen Grab: Rad Radish
A first glance at Hannah Kaminsky's free pattern [Rav link] is confusing and tangential: ...yep, radishes... like in Professor Sprout's greenhouse?  BUT take a second glance: these can be used to make Luna Lovegood's Dirigible Plum earrings!:

just like these, only knit instead of beaded!

Trivia: did you know Luna actress Evanna Lynch made these earrings herself?  ROCK ON.

Screen Grab: Luna Lovegood's Hog's Head Hat
More Luna for you-na!  This free take on her hat [Rav link] in the Hog's Head Inn DA meeting scene is brought to you by designer Aleta Skaanland.

Screen Grab: Luna's Hog's Head Scarf
I found three good free patterns to replicate Luna's scarf from that first DA meeting:
knitting!  Luna Lovegood Scarf [Rav link] designed by Melissa Helton
knitting!  Skinny Grey Scarf [Rav link] designed by cynalune
crochet!  Luna Lovegood Scarf [Rav link] designed by Jen Bruck

Screen Grab: Luna's Necklace

Designed by Tricia L. Richardson to keep the nargles away, this free crochet butterbeer cork [Rav link] is perfect for the witch or wizard who's a little different. 

Inspiration: Phineas

 

Former Hogwarts Headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black is the inspiration for these free socks [Rav link] designed by the prolific Rosemary Waits.

There will not be a post later today, because no there won't be.  Check back tomorrow morning for HP4!

Knitwear at the Movies: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

If you can't tell, we're going a bit backwards-like Benjamin-Buttony for these, because that's how they were situated in my Netflix queue.  And gulping gargoyles, you guys, I took 18 screenshots of knits in the first half alone.  HP5, y'all!*

NYAAH

Hermione's Striped Sweaters
So there's a red/pink stripe one and a gray/rainbow stripe one...  I love them both and so does Ron.

Girl, you know you look so fine in your red striped sweater...

Ron, this is serious.

The V neck and kangaroo pocket(s) in front make this look extra comfy.  The ties are a bit fiddly, but they're clearly optional, so I'm not too worried about it.

Simple yet colorful; the fit is everything with this design.

Well Played, Ginny
Ginny has to play second fiddle to Cho Chang in this movie; still, she proves herself to be a strong young woman and a powerful witch. We can start to see the Ginny-Harry connection, which isn't hurt by some nice sweaters.

 

You'd think that the color would wash her out, but it looks surprisingly good with the T-shirt underneath.

I wish I'd gotten a better shot of this T-shirt lace sweater; it has a lot of really pretty openwork detail and this photo just doesn't do it justice.
And just for fun, a pompon hat...

Neville's Zipper Cardigan
Complete with Mimbulus mimbletonia:

 

At first I just thought it had some nice heathered gray and blue striping, but the detail view shows a diamond pattern throughout.

And now, your daily Ron fix
Weasleys like to wear orange:

Yep, there he is.

Umbridge and Her Pink Stuff
I didn't want to talk about Dolores Umbridge because while I <3 actress Imelda Staunton, Umbridge makes me very uncomfortable. However, she does have some knits in this movie, so...  I'm make it quick.

 

So creepy.  Moving on!

Luna Lovegood's Awesome Knit Wardrobe
This girl, I tell you. Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) is a bit different, by which I mean: she has fantastic taste in knits.

Cornflower blue, open weave, eyelet short sleeves, covered buttons: so pretty.  And since blue goes perfectly with her eyes...

The hat and the scarf are just the right fit for this scene; they're understated enough to blend in with the crowd of other knits without being boring.

Ohmigoodness this sweater needs to be on my body like yesterday.  SERIOUSLY.  Texture shot!

The girl can rock a shawl collar (hooded??) cardigan.  And it's teal........

Hey, speaking of other knits...
everyone else's outdoor knits

 

 

I hope you've taken notice of the sheer volume of knits in this movie.  But here's the thing: Harry is a knit slacker.  Check out these group shots:

 

Disappointing, Boy Who Lived.  Mrs. Weasley even tries a subtle hint for his Christmas present:

Not gonna happen, Molly.

Come back tomorrow morning for HP5 Pattern Round-up!

___

* Sorry, I've been watching too much A Very Potter Musical -- it's Cho Chang, y'all!

Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Did you see the red carpet photos and interviews from the HP7b London premiere?  Fantastico!
 
NEW FEATURE!!

PATTERN ROUND-UP!!

Yes, we live to enrich your lives.  I've decided that occasionally (sometimes, but not limited to, coinciding with the occasional Knitwear at the Movies posts) I will do a themed Pattern Round-Up of my faves, according to my whims and preferences... because I can!

Pattern Round-Up: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
relevant links to the KM post with pictures are helpfully provided in the pattern title heading

Screen Grab: Hermione's Cable & Eyelet Hat
This free pattern [Rav link], designed by Jackie Lauseng, is knit in the round with a worsted weight wool on size US5 needles.

Screen Grab: Hermione Hearts Ron
Another free Hermione hat pattern [Rav link], this one designed by Christy Aylesworth.  AND it's been translated into Spanish!

Screen Grab: Neville's Dinner Party Vest
Freshisle Fibers has gone cahrazy with the HP6 patterns!  Five dollars can get you the pattern [Rav link] for Neville's beautiful Fair Isle vest, featured in Slughorn's dinner party scene:

image (c) Freshisle Fibers

Screen Grab: Ron's Tuque
A tuque is a stocking cap, especially one that's pointy; Freshisle Fibers has thoughtfully provided a free pattern [Rav link] and taught me a new word in the process.

Screen Grab:  Hermione's Scarf
Hermione's free Fair Isle scarf, brought to you by Freshisle Fibers [Rav link]...

Inspiration: Hermione's Mittens
...and these free matching mittens [Rav link], also designed by Freshisle Fibers!

Inspiration: Half-Blood Prince
Designer Angela Tennant was very clever in naming her HP6-inspired socks Half-Blood Prince [Rav link]: super easy for searching!  The pattern has six (-ahem- sixth book) crowns and Slytherin cable-snakes to illustrate the muggle/magic duality of the titular Prince; only $5.
NOTE: The kit mentioned on Ravelry, which is sold here (Etsy store currently on vacation), has accompanying yarn House of Awesome AwesomeSock in a colorway called -- wait for it -- Half Blood Prince.  AND scene.

Inspiration: HP Fingerless Mitts
More inspiration -- and free at that -- from designer Lisa Mitchell...  these fingerless mitts [Rav link] incorporate simple stripes in house colors (but, of course, the sample is Slytherin).

Inspiration: Wee Slytherin
It's a tiny wee sock [Rav link]!  With an I-cord snake!  For free!  Thanks to designer Dawn Brand!

Screen Grab: pygmy puffs

"...a number of round balls of fluff in shades of pink and purple, all rolling around the bottom of a cage and emitting high-pitched squeaks."  ~ HP6, p121

I found two great pygmy puff patterns: one knit [Rav link] designed by Erin at Molly's Needles, one crochet [Rav link] designed by Brenna Eaves, both free!

Knitwear at the Movies: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

So I'm way too excited--and slightly saddened, let's be honest--about the upcoming release of the final Harry Potter movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (AKA HP7b). Let's get right to it: HP6!

Dumbledore and I have loads in common.

Hermione's Gray Hat
Hermione has the best hats, for reals.  This one is a dove gray stocking cap with a ribbed brim and a cable and eyelet crown:

<3 Luna!

The hat coordinates with her coat while the scarf matches the sweater peeking out at the collar.  Well done, costume designer!

Won Won's Zipper Sweater
It was tough to get a clear picture of this sweater; even after several tries, I was unsuccessful.  I blame the butter beer.

Don't give me that look, mister.

Squinting at the sweater in motion made me think that the detail could be either single rows of stranded colorwork between larger stripes or (more likely) visible purl bumps to add visual interest with the striping.  If you got a clearer view, let me know.

Hermione's Fair Isle Scarf
Ron's Pompon Hat
It's a double (triple, actually) whammy of knitted colorwork goodness in a three shot.  Ron's brown stripy hat shares the stage with Hermione's graytone Fair Isle scarf.  Harry's a knitwear slacker.

the gang's all here.

The scarf's color palette is muted, but I'll forgive that because the colorwork designs are so strong.  Anyone else reminded of timeturners by the row of triangle pairs?

The hat, of course, just solidifies Ron's place as the cutest hipster ginger that ever lived.

Stay tuned tomorrow for my NEW FEATURE: PATTERN ROUND-UP!!

HP Love Crafting

Just a warning to WATCH THIS SPACE for some wild and wacky HP7b countdown material!!  It's going to be magical, folks.  One week!!

Also, I've cast on something new:

It's this.

More details after more knitting.

Totally went to a yarn store

And yes, this is news, because it's been a while, guys.  Yesterday we were dismissed from work early (what? happy birthday, America!) and I jumped on the opportunity. 

Bonus hour + can't go home yet + no baby in sight = trip to a LYS

I'm under the strictest of yarn diets--no yarn purchases with my own money in 2011--so it's been a good long time since I've been in the confines of a yarn store, and not only because I do most of my purchases online.  Knit and Stitch = Bliss was nearby and I'm in the planning stages of a new gift (which ); it was quite the winning combination.

I had my first encounters with tosh sock, Colinette Jitterbug, Malabrigo Sock, and Claudia Hand Painted Yarns. Omigoodness, you guys.  I may have to break my yarn diet.  Also: Addi Clicks in bamboo??!  Holy whoa.  Also also: I learned that there are circular needles in the world with 11 inch cables.  Ta-da!

FO: Celestial Flame Mitts

I've decided that "Celestial Flame Mitts" would be an appropriate name for a project from a Carl Sagan-inspired pattern:

Starstuff [Rav link] by Amy van de Laar; knit in Lang Yarns Jawoll Solid Superwash, colorways 83.0004 (black) and 83.0085 (silver)

These were knit for my fabulous friend Jill Factotum -- super handy, super crafty -- and I followed her preferences for modifications. Pattern designer Amy has very helpfully indicated good stopping points for trying on and making decisions, so that's what happened for the first one; I desperately tried to remember the mods for the second one.  Thanks to Ravelry, I wrote down that I doubled the number of large star repeats before the thumb gusset and I did one extra dot repeat round before the twisted ribbing on top.

She's a model, you know what I mean?

 

woman of mystery

AAH LOOK WHAT I FOUND

From Dec 2009 to Mar 2010, I made a bunch of Christmas presents for my parents and brothers.  Look at those dates again.  Yes, that's right.  And in mid-March we went Midwest-way to see them and deliver said knits, and everything was great...

Except...

I didn't start my dad's socks until we were sitting in the airport on the way there.  These were to be my first socks and my dad is a very particular individual and... well, I procrastinated.  Obviously.  Badly.  Ineffectively.

I did not finish them before our arrival.
I did not finish them before our departure.
I did not finish them before arriving home -- via a week in California.
I did not finish them.  And then I lost them.  Or it, rather: one lonely unfinished sock.

UNTIL TODAY:

What what whaaatt??!

COULD IT BE??!

Yes, it could!  (Something's coming, something good.)

FINALLY.  It's the Mr. Pitt's Socks (aka Dad Socks) [Rav link] designed by Kaitlyn Wong!  The name is a Seinfeld reference to Elaine's picky boss who needed the perfect socks.  Since my dad is so very choosy, I figured this pattern + Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine in a classy shade (Salt & Pepper) might not be completely rejected -- croisons les doigts!

I'm so glad I printed the pattern out and kept it in the project bag because the pattern link on Ravelry is broken now! I guess she doesn't support it anymore?  Very weird.  It was free, and I've got it, if folks want it.

Yesterday's Quiet Night

Progress happened:

 

So bow down to her, if you want!  Bow to her!  Bow to the queen of floats, the queen of mitts, the queen of stranded colorwork!*

_____

* with apologies to the Ancient Booer

What I've Been Up To

A small bit of knitting...

a very small bit

A large bit of partying...

rainbow cupcakes using Dainty Squid's tutorial

photo credit: Jill Factotum

photo credit: Jill Factotum

from a bebe to a toddler