Thursday 18 December 2008

Champion!!


This is the hat that successfully saw off Mr. Draco Firewalker - the illustrious Hufflepuff with superfast wandwork who nevertheless couldn't deflect this deathly curse.

And this is the champion's plaque I got for seeing off all my opponents. Lucky me!!

Monday 1 December 2008

Advent Cheer

With awesomely perfect timing Emma Gorodok's owl landed here today with another package from her. A wonderful selection of goodies with a strong Christmas theme, including an amazing Christmas stocking Advent Calendar. There was also a set of silvery Christmas serviettes, some Zitron sock yarn in Ravenclaw colours, a long Addi 2mm circular needle (great for magic loop), a German Christmas stollen (Mmmmm!!!), and a beautiful Christmas angel made by Emma's Mum in hardanger embroidery. Apparently her Mum makes tham to sell at a 'Weinachtsmarkt'. I'd love to visit one of those. I so love German Christmas traditions and products - truly magical.



The boys helped me put the stocking Advent Calendar up tonight, then we emptied the stocking labelled with a '1' for the first of December. I was just expecting sweets, so was amazed and quite overwhelmed when some lovely tree ornaments and a set of beautiful Ravenclaw stitchmarkers appeared. There was also a piece of chocolate covered marzipan - it was very yummy!!



Emma, from the bottom of my heart - Thank You!!

Sunday 16 November 2008

Quidditch - Round 3

1. Who was Tom Riddle Sr.'s girlfriend before Merope gave him the love potion?
a. Eleanor
B. CECILIA
c. Sally
d. Mandy

2. What does Luna say floated into Harry's ear when he was in the train car that supposedly caused him to lose focus?
a. Demiguise
b. Jobberknoll
C. WRACKSPURT
d. Runespoor

3. How much do the primary Apparition lessons cost?
a. 10 galleons
b. 8 galleons
c. 15 galleons
D. 12 GALLEONS

4. What is Professor Merrythought's first name?
a. Eileen
B. GALATEA
c. Carol
d. Jocelyn

5. What Hogwarts club was Eileen Prince captain of?
a. Charms Club
B. GOBSTONES CLUB
c. The Slug Club
d. Occlumency Club

6. Who is head of the Goblin Liaison Office?
a. Ambrosius Flame
B. DIRK CRESSWELL
c. Ciceron Harkiss
d. Barnabas Cuffe

7. Mrs. Weasley offers Fleur a goblin-made tiara for the wedding with Bill. What family member is currently in possession of the tiara?
A. AUNT MURIEL
b. Aunt Ethel
c. Aunt Edna
d. Aunt Thelma

8. How many points does Snape take from Gryffindor for Harry's late arrival and muggle attire?a. 30
B. 70
c. 50
d. 90

9. When Professor Slughorn first meets Hermoine, he asks her whether she is related to Hector Dagworth-Granger. What society did Dagworth-Granger found?
a. The Most Extraordinary Society of Charms
b. The Most Extraordinary Society of Herbology
c. The Most Extraordinary Society of the Defense Against the Dark Arts
D. THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SOCIETY OF POTIONEERS

10. Which of these describes Golpalott's Third Law?
a. The antidote for blended poison will be equal to less than the sum of the antidotes for each of the separate components.
b. The antidote for blended poison will be equal to less than the product of the antidotes for each of the separate components.
c. The antidote for blended poison will be equal to more than the product of the antidotes for each of the separate components.
D. THE ANTIDOTE FOR BLENDED POISON WILL BE EQUAL TO MORE THAN THE SUM OF THE ANTIDOTES FOR EACH OF THE SEPARATE COMPONENTS.

Saturday 8 November 2008

Ravenclaw 'Super-Secret' Quiz

I admit I used magical aid to complete this - I was falling asleep scouring the floo network for research data, so I cribbed some answers from worthier Ravenclaws than I!!

1. Astrid Cloverleaf
2. Cassandra Grubbly-Plank
3. Enna Kirts
4. Selena Starfire
5. Henry Longstaff
6. Cecily Fortescue
7. Mona Ravenscroft
8. Argentia Pascal
9. Prendolyn Wilcox
10. Lizzie Wychwood
11. Ursula Longbottom
12. Rowena Weasley
13. Aurora Curlyfur
14. Lily May Clearwater
15. Megaera Black

Bonus 1: smiuleynetta/Hermoine Bagnold (of course!!)
Bonus 2: It is less than half

Friday 31 October 2008

Halloween

A few pictures to celebrate our special day, my fellow witches and wizards!

The boys and I had a lot of fun getting the pumpkins ready. The spider one is by far my most ambitious ever - the other being much more representative of what I usually do.

Then the boys got dressed up ready for the Halloween party - both were skeletons. Their cousin was, of course, her usual pretty self.

Halloween 014

Halloween 013

Halloween 003

Halloween 029

Wednesday 29 October 2008

Package from Emma

My spolier, Emma Gorodok of Slytherin, has sent me a package - the first of two I am to expect she says. This one contains gorgeously squishy yarn in Ravenclaw colours with a pattern to make a doubleknitted scarf with owls on it, and a knittng journal that Emma very cleverly made with papers she designed herself. It's beautiful - I'm including pictures of some of the pages for you to covet! There was also a selection of Haribo sweets - already consumed!! I love how Emma made an envelope for her letter with her own paper, it looks really professional.

Thank you Emma for such a lovely package!











Saturday 25 October 2008

Halloween's Coming!!

It's nearly here, and the little wizards are getting quite excited! Today they've been making little bats and pumpkins out of paper and bits. I've promised that next week I'll sit and do lots of Halloween crafting with them - make moving skeletons and flappy bats, as well as carving the lanterns.

We have three pumpkins to choose from, grown by Mr. Wigworthy of course. We brought them in last weekend, and they are sitting on the dresser looking yummy! The boys are going to plan the faces themselves on paper before we do the carving, and I'm planning to make pumpkin soup and some savoury pasties with the flesh.

The harvest from Mr. Wigworthy's plot is particularly varied and plentiful at the moment. I took this picture of the produce he picked a few days ago to show you all what goodness we are enjoying at Creaky Cottage - chard, courgettes, marrow, cabbage, tomatoes, and leeks:




Thursday 16 October 2008

Quidditch - Round 2

1. What animal does the portrait in the Muggle Prime Minister's office resemble?
b. Frog

2. What drink does Romilda Vane try to give Harry?
a. Gillywater

3. What is the name of the person who heads the Holyhead Harpies?
b. Gwenog Jones

4. How many 'Exceeds Expectation' grades does Harry receive in his O.W.L's?
c. 5

5. What is Professor Slughorn's favorite candy?
d. Crystallized Pineapple

6. What tattoo is Harry reported to have on his chest?
c. Hippogriff

7. What color robes do the staff at the Weasley's shop wear?
b. Magenta

8. What is the man outside Flourish and Blotts selling?
a. Amulets

9. How much is the skull, which Hermoine enquires about at Borgin and Burkes, worth?
c. 16 Galleons

10. What are Professor Slughorn's initials?
b. H.E.F.

Wednesday 8 October 2008

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge

What a ride!! My broomstick is rather bedraggled looking after flying me around to get these pictures. This is for points for me and my roomies, 'The Charming Chums' - the 'originality marker' is a tape measure!! I've managed everything except the Shady Shop, and the Public Art.

Horcrux (Helga's Cup):

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 001

Lucky Potion:

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 022

Fanged Frisbee:

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 019

House Socks:

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 017

Tree - changing season:

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 012

Used Textbook (this is a very used potions textbook!):

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 014

Broom:

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 009

Engagement Ring:

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 008

Butterbeer:

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 006

Muggle Artefact:

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 020


Raven's Feather (there are quite a few on this chappie!!):

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 023



Government Employee:

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 024


Diadem:

Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 026
Magical Creature:
Ravenclaw Photo Challenge 032

Friday 3 October 2008

Quizzes galore

Gosh - I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by all the quizzes I have to do at the moment. As well as the HSKS regulars I now also have weekly History of Magic homework for the Knitting and Crochet House Cup (I have to send my answers for that to the Professor each week), and a photo challenge to complete before Wednesday. So I'm struggling time-wise.

What makes it all especially difficult is that I've now finished the Hogwarts Socks for my middle little wizard and am busy writing the pattern up for sale. I've got a photo I'll post after the quizzes - it's not great because the purple colour of the cuff and foot has come out blue in the pic due to dodgy work with an over-flashy wand I think. I'll have to get a better picture for the pattern. The text says 'Never Tickle A Sleeping Dragon', which you all should know is the Hogwarts school motto!

House Quiz


1. What potion has the strange side effects of excessive singing and nose-tweaking?


An Elixir of Euphoria


2. What ingredient can be used to counteract the effect of the above side effects?


Peppermint


3. How much can you get for Acromantula venom?


One hundred galleons per pint


4. What is the most powerful love potion in the world?


Amortentia


5. What antidote does Harry use to help Ron when he is poisoned by Madam Rosmerta's finest mead?


Bezoar


6. How does Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' Owl Order Service get their potions past the security at Hogwarts to their customers?


They disguise them in perfume or cough syrup bottles


7. What did Draco Malfoy make in Potions class when Professor Slughorn assigned them to make something amusing?


A hiccuping elixir


8. What spells will not work in an area affected by Instant Darkness Powder?


Light spells, such as Lumos, and fire magic


9. What are the ingredients for the Draught of Living Death?


Asphodel, Wormwood, Valerian Roots, and a single Sophorous Bean


10. How much will unicorn tail hair fetch?


Ten galleons per hair



Extra Credit:



Do you prefer to knit or crochet?


Knit - and I love to crochet too!

What is your favorite weight yarn to knit/crochet with?


Anything except bulky

What fiber contents do you most like to knit/crochet with?


Wool and silk


What fiber contents do you dislike knitting/crocheting with?


Mohair and acrylic

How many complete pair of socks have you knit/crochet?


Oh my gosh - far too many to count!!

What is your favorite item to knit/crochet?


I love to make anything with appealing design, pattern and colour

What is your favorite treat?


Pavlova!!

Do you drink coffee, tea, or both?


Only tea at home - cappucino when I'm out

Do you have an online wish list? If so, where?


It's in the sidebar of this blog.

How many Ravelry groups are you in?


22 (must whittle it down!!)

Is there any special item you have been really wanting, but can't find in your local area?


I'd love (and really don't expect my spoiler to get something expensive like this!) an upright wooden skein winder like the beautiful one that Brentusfirmus (Rav ID) has!!


I'd also love a magnetic pattern holder like the ones at Knitpicks

And here are the latest socks:


Friday 26 September 2008

Quidditch - Round One

1. At the beginning of the book, Cornelius Fudge is talking to the Muggle Prime Minister. Which member of the Order of the Phoenix has recently been found dead?
c. Emmeline Vance

2. What animal does Bellatrix Lestrange kill when she and her sister, Narcissa, are going to see Professor Snape?
b. Fox

3. What time does Professor Dumbledore collect Harry from Privet Drive?
b. 11 p.m.

4. What did Professor Sluhorn transform into when he was trying to hide from Harry and Professor Dumbledore?
a. An armchair

5. What grade did Harry get for Herbology?
a. E – Exceeds Expectation

6. Herbert Chorley, the Prime Minister’s Junior Minster, has been entertaining the public by impersonating which animal?
b. A duck

7. What is Professor Sprout’s first name?
d. Pomona

8. What is Dumbledore’s idea of ‘a few words’?
d. nitwit, oddment, blubber and tweak

9. Who is Marcus Belby’s famous uncle?
b. Damocles

10. What is Snape’s mother’s name?
b. Eileen Prince


Pictures

Monday 22 September 2008

Daily Prophet Obituaries

Anna Meriweather 1973 -2008

It is with regret that we inform the magical world of the proposed untimely death (according to information received from Mrs. E. Wigworthy) of Miss Meriweather, the nationally known knitter.

Anna was a brave soul, a Gryffindor in her Hogwarts days. She is fondly remembered by her fellow-students as a mischief-maker. Mrs. Lizzie Wychwood told us with delight of one particular escapade when Anna tied an item of Professor McGonagall's underwear to the snout of one of the stone hogs that so famously flanks the gates of the school!

In adult life Anna remained a character of immense bonhomie. Yet she was also a very skilled witch, best known to the magical world for her work in the use of knitting spells for warmth and beauty. Alas, in the end her vast knowledge and skill in magical threadwork was not enough to serve her when she was suffocated by a cabled hat. The Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office is investigating.

Me knitting (of course!!)

Ann knitting cropped

Mr. Wigworthy took this action shot of me knitting a few months ago when I was working on the Hufflepuff Pride Socks. Gosh, I've done a lot of knitting since then!

This week I've been learning a new technique - double-knitting. I'm making a scarf for little wizard number two. I'm particularly excited that I've managed to get the name to read properly on both sides:

Double-knitted scarf 020

Double-knitted scarf 023

Clever eh?

Then this weekend I raced to knit this hat for my duel partner in the contest that is running as part of The Swap. Verso has just left with it, and I'm very hopeful that he will deliver the grave goods to my partner before her owl arrives here!

Duel Hat

Sunday 14 September 2008

HSKS6 Questionnaire

Potter Name: Emma Wigworthy

Rav ID: spinningmaid

I am allergic to:
Most furry and hairy animals (cats, dogs, rabbits, mice, horses, goats etc....) However, I am not allergic to wool or mohair!

Pets that I have: None!

My favorite yarn:
??????? I love so many!! Probably easier to say that I really do hate acrylic!!

If you are a Ravenclaw, do you prefer the film colors or the book colors?
I'm a purist - while I love blue and silver as a combination, for house-themed items I prefer book colours.

My favorite flavor:
Any fruit flavour

My favorite holiday:
Absolutely Christmas!! I love, love, love German Christmas shops!! My Weinachtspyramids are my favourite Christmas things!

I would like to receive a: Scarf kit (for a change!)

List your favorite brand of needles or hooks, including size and length:
My favourite brand is Knitpicks Harmony. My favourite size is 2.5mm, but I have loads of them!! I've just learned magic loop, so would love a 100cm or longer circular in any sock size except 2.5mm (which I have).

Is there a brand that you are dying to try?:
Yes - Lantern Moon rosewood or ebony needles

I've participated in HSKS: This is my third HSKS swap.

Do you have a birthday during this swap? If so which day?
Not this time - my birthday was in April

Saturday 6 September 2008

New Term!

It has been such a busy summer!! My dear twin-sister, Lizzie Wychwood, works full-time at Gringott's so I had the pleasure of having her little witch and wizard with me during the school break. Luckily I had a lovely wizard from the Congo to assist me with the coven of teenies! We got out most days to visit places around, and did lots of walking in the local woods and hills.

Alas, such pleasures have to have an end, and sure enough September 1st came all too quickly. My youngest little wizard started full-time school, the same day that we saw Dennis off to Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express. Here's a picture of the three of them together in their various school robes that we took that happy/sad morning (I was so proud and so achey all at the same time!):


Miscellaneous summer 2008 024



There were lots of knitty activities filling my time otherwise during the summer. Particularly special was a wonderful knitting challenge, called 'Ravelympics' which the witches knitting forum, Ravelry, ran concurrently with a strange muggle sporting event called 'The Olympics'. I was in Team Hogwarts alongside many folk from Professor Wartbobble's sock kit swap, and many other Hogwarts students and alumni. I managed to finish 'Vesty Thing' for 'WIPs Wrestling', and knitted the cover for a felted knitting wand holder (for 'Felted Freestyle') with the Kauni yarn that Kaaelana so kindly gave to me last term. Alas, the felting spell didn't work very well and drained the colours, then I scorched it and cut a hole in it while trying to put it right!!

Vesty thing:


Vesty thing and Poppy's cardigan 008



Cover for knitting wand holder:


Blocking Kauni Holder



Meanwhile I made a fairisle bag for Molly's daughter-in-law, Fleur, who I've been teaching to knit:


Fleur Tote 3-d view



And some silk socks. The design was commissioned by Madame Maxime for students at Beauxbatons, so I've called them 'Chaussettes de Beauxbatons' (I so love French!!):


Chaussettes de Beauxbatons cover



I've published the patterns for the bag and the socks in my Ravelry pattern store.

So - lots going on!!

Of course, now Hogwarts has started a new term I will be spending a fair bit of time there assisting Madam Pomfrey in the infirmary again, and I'm once more very much looking forward to participating in Professor Wartbobble's sock kit swap. We have quite a lot of new students that have joined the swap, and I look forward to getting to know them, as well as chatting with many wonderful old friends. I'm rather concerned about the new head Girl though - Wisteria Lovegood - she spent a worrying amount of time hanging around with the more handsome professors last term - I suspect she has a strong floozy streak!!

Wednesday 23 July 2008

Wool and Wands

The Wigworthy clan leave for our summer holiday today - two weeks camping. It's a big family affair - Mum and Dad, my brother and his wife, and Lizzie and her crew too. Should be lots of fun!!


Before we go I must acknowledge my amazing spoiler and very good friend, Kaaelana, who has sent me yet another package. More sweets - all gone already (raspeberry hearts and some 'witch howl') and some beautiful yarn. One lot of the yarn is a special kind called 'Kauni' which is charmed to gradually move from one colur into another. The one I've got changes through various greens to pinks and purples. I can't wait to knit with it! I'm thinking of making a knitting wand holder with it as I recently designed one. Alas the picture here shows the yarn looking more yellow than it it generally is. That's the problem with magical stuff - it isn't very 'photogenic'!!





The other yarn is another lovely green yarn with shiny bits, ribbony bits, and pinky bits in it!! I think it will make a lovely scarf:



I've completed a Slytherin version of my wand holder design for my friend Freyalyn, and am currently making a Gryffindor one for Lizzie. I'm going to make a Ravenclaw version for my own straight wands, and I think one with the Kauni yarn to store my bendy wands in (muggles call their version of my bendy wands 'circulars'). Here's some pictures of the one I've finished:





There were a few other design projects I wanted to finish before our holiday, alas it was not to be! I'm making some Beauxbatons socks, a 'Fleur Tote' (named for Molly's charming daughter-in-law), and some Hogwarts socks that I haven't even started knitting yet. I have, however, finished and published the pattern for some socks I knitted with the yarn I got in the last sock kit swap. I called them 'Luna's Moonlight':


All my design projects have to be left on hold for a while now as I really must knit some baby clothes for Poppy - the expected niece whose birth is due end of August. And I have yarn to spin and 'Vesty Thing' to finish for the magical knitting Olympics, being run concurrently with the muggle sporting games. I'm participating in 'WIPs Wrestling and the 'Handspun Heptathlon'. Will I need a dose of Felix Felicis? We shall see....

Thursday 17 July 2008

Quidditch Round 3

1. When Hagrid returns to Hogwarts after being sent to see the giants with Madame Maxime, Professor Umbridge questions him on his late return to school. She suspects that Hagrid had been to the mountains, but where does he tell her he has been?
d. South of France

2. Professor Umbridge comes to Hagrid's Hut and searches his cabin one evening (as she believes Harry, Ron and Hermoine are there visiting him at night when they are not supposed to). When she walks past the place where Harry, Ron and Hermoine are hiding under the Invisibility Cloak, Harry holds his breath. True or False?
False

3. A stately-looking witch in an emerald green shawl is one of the members of the Advance Guard who rescues Harry from Privet Drive. What is her name?
a. Emmeline Vance

4. What is the name of the witch who was killed two weeks after the photo of the original Order of the Phoenix was taken.
b. Marlene McKinnon

5. Which two fifth year Ravenclaw students does Dumbledore choose to be prefects?
d. Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil

6. Which house was Rose Zeller sorted into?
d. Hufflepuff

7. What is the color of Murtlap's essence?
c. Yellow

8. Name the Ravenclaw girl who became prefect in Harry's fifth year.
b. Padma Patil

9. According to a healer's portrait at St. Mungo's hospital, which disease was Ron suffering from?d. Spattergroit

10. Which book did Harry give Hermoine for Christmas?
a. "New Theory of Numberology"

Picture Scavenger Hunt

Saturday 12 July 2008

Ravenclaw Quiz

1. What is the literal translation of "Albus Dumbledore"?
White Bumblebee
2. "Occlumency" is not, in reality, a word. However, it seems to be derived from a familiar real word that means "to block". What is that word?
Occlude
3. Remus Lupin, the werewolf, has a name that is a double reminder of his traits. From what languages are his two names derived?
Italian and Latin
4. Percy Weasley's owl takes its name, quite appropriately, from the Greek messenger god. Who is this god?
Hermes
5. Many of the creatures studied in the Care of Magical Creatures class or encountered by Hogwarts students are based on mythological animals while many others were made up. Name a mythological animal which is studied and/or encourntered by Hogwarts students.
Unicorns
6. Harry is tried for the "crime" of using magic outside Hogwarts by the Wizengamot. From what culture is the name "Wizengamot" derived?
The Wizengamot gets its name from the Witan, also known as the Witenagemot, from Anglo-Saxon England. Witan is defined as "an assembly of higher ecclesiastics and important laymen, including king's thegns, that met to counsel the king on matters such as judicial problems."
7. The hospital in OotP is called St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Who was the real St. Mungo?
Mungo Bonham
8. Dobby the house-elf gets his name from another kind of creature. In English folklore, what is a dobby?
A Brownie (a benevolent goblin or elf)
9. Mundungus Fletcher is a disreputable little wizard with a penchant for trading in stolen goods. What exactly does mundungus mean?
A very smelly type of tobacco
10. Harry's arch-nemesis throughout OotP is Professor Umbridge. Why is her name appropriate for her?
Because her name is based on the Latin word "dolor", which means pain, sadness, grief, or resentment.
Also in English when people 'take umbrage", it means they are very offended by something. Professor Umbridge frequently causes people to 'take umbrage'.

Monday 7 July 2008

More Goodies!


My spoiler, Kaaelana, has spoilt me yet again! This time with some gorgeous silk fibre to spin, and a lovely collection of buttons for my various craft projects. I think after spinning I'm going to use the silk to knit a satin-lined, lacy purse. I could use it to store my stitchmarker collection!

There was liquorice and chocolate too (note past tense - the little wizards were very helpful with some vanishing spells!!)
Thank you Kaaelana - your generosity warms me so much!


Saturday 5 July 2008

Ravenclaw Quiz

1. Severus Snape
2. Honeydukes
3. Wizengamot
4. Boggart
5. Marietta Edgecombe
6. Grimmauld Place
7. Ministry of Magic
8. Sirius Black
9. Mundungus
10. Arabella Figg
11. Umbridge
12. Tonks
13. Dumbledore
14. Doxy
15. Order of the Phoenix (across)
15. Occlumency (down)
16. Shacklebolt
17. Scrivenshaft's
18. Hog's Head
19. Kreacher
20. Madam Puddifoot's

Thursday 3 July 2008

Goodies Galore!

What an amazing week! I have achieved and received so much this week I hardly know where to begin my account of it. It's probably simplest to start at the beginning, so I will - Woolfest! I'm starting with my favourite photo from the show. This is two of my spinning friends, Freyalyn and Sarah, gossiping over their spindles!



The hats were made by Sally Pointer. I may have to add one to my growing Christmas list - rather costly items this year (it already contains a Golding vintage, handpainted ring spindle!).

Due to family events I could only spend a few hours at Woolfest, so missed loads. I did manage a little shopping though, carrying two new spindles and some gorgeously soft hand-dyed alpaca/silk/cashmere blended fibre home with me. The spindle on the right is a square laceweight spindle (10g) made by Michael Williams. The other is a beautiful one I bought from Pete and Carol Leonard, called the 'Kelly' spindle.


We spent the weekend with Mr. Wigworthy's family, due to our nephew's birthday. I got lots of knitting done there, and can report that the socks for Lark Books are now finished - no pics allowed though :(

My other big achievement was getting my package for Lily all packed up and sent off with Verso yesterday. He arrived with it today and Lily likes her kit, including her hat (big relief!). I knitted an elephant tam because Lily likes elephants. Here are a couple of photos I took of a friend modelling it a few weeks ago:




An amazing coincidence that Lily got her kit from me today, as I received one from her today too! It was a 'Random act of Kindness', something we're doing in the swap to spread some love around. Lily sent me the most beautiful stitchmarkers I have ever seen, and some chocolates. If you let your pet mouse nibble the picture you'll be able to see a lovely detailed close-up of the markers:



I was busy showing off this picture in Ravelry when yet another owl arrived, this time carrying a huge parcel of knitting goodies I ordered from Knitpicks (mecca for knitting witches), kindly forwarded to me by Lavender Ackerly. That girl has such a generous spirit - she included lovely extras in the package - yummy American cookies, and a bag pattern I've been coveting for some time now. I've also put the needles in this picture that I've bought to try out socks on circulars again, this time with longer points as I didn't get on with the very little ones.

Alas, I only had time to munch one of the cookies before I had to rush out, aglow with happiness, to attend a prize-giving day at my middle-sized little wizard's school. I barely even had time to open the box!

The yarn I ordered (Wool of the Andes) is to make some needle rolls in house colours. I've taken a picture of the main colours with the buttons (from Woolfest) that I bought to fasten the rolls with (rather blurry I'm afraid = and the green rather greyed here):


Finally I've been making a little more progress on a bag I'm knitting based on Kaeelana's pattern. I'm knitting the bag in the round instead of double-knitting it: