Who stole it and where is the Quidditch World Cup trophy?

The carved boar's head among the belongings of the thief vanquished by Winifred Wartbobble is a piece of  artwork from the Black Forest of Germany. I think this is the biggest (and as far as I can tell the only clue) to the location of the hidden trophy. The peruvian darkness powder and hand of glory were clearly used to hide the trophy. This location fits the hints some of the quidditch captains have provided, describing the location of the trophy as 'more specific than a country, less specific than a city'.

I believe the thief himself was a vampire! Winnie's missives have contained several veiled references to vampires. Among the thief's possessions are some bloodpops - confectionary of vampires. Also at one point she went to visit Horace Slughorn to get information from him. He was very good friends with Eldred Worple, befriender of vampires, and author of  'Blood Brothers: My life Amongst the Vampires'. In fact I think it is possible that the thief may even be the vampire Sanguini who was in company with Mr. Worple at Slughorn's Christmas party during Harry's 6th year at Hogwarts. We know that vampires are associated with the Black Forest because Quirrell claimed to have encountered one in his travels there. A possible further association of the clues with vampires is the fact that Whitby museum is one of only two locations in the muggle world to possess a true hand of glory, and Whitby is where Bram Stoker stayed whilst he chronicled the story of Count Dracula, the most famous vampire of them all in muggle lore.

However, I really fail to understand the significance of the Swiftstick broom, the snitch and the broken wand, beyond the obvious association of the broom and snitch with quidditch, and the possibility that the wand was broken during the vampire's fatal duel with Winnie.

And that's my final say on the matter (I think!)

(Incidentally, the Black Forest was the location of mine and Mr. Wigworthy's honeymoon!)

Stumped!

Beyond the obvious choice of Hogsmeade, I have no good idea where the stolen Quidditch World Cup Trophy is hidden. My other guesses are Peru, Transylvania, and the Black Forest. :0(

Stolen Quidditch World Cup Trophy?

Winnie has sent a mystery object to Wisty and Siobhan with a cryptic clue on the box. In true Ravenclaw style I have applied myself diligently to deciphering it. I tell you, I should be working as a code-breaker for Gringotts!

In Winnie's missives from her travels around the world on a 'secret mission' there have been odd letters enchanted to stand out a little from the rest. I think she achieved this with some special ink from Scribbulus at Diagon Alley. These numbers are an exact numerical match to the sum of the letters in the '5 words' that Winnie referenes in her clue on the aforesaid box. Rearranged into words of the designated lengths ('6, 9, 5, 3, 6') the letters almost spell out the words which appear in the title of this post - 'Stolen Quidditch World Cup Trophy'. (I say 'almost' because one C has to change to a U to do this - perhaps the ink has tipped a U on it's side?) My conclusion is that Winnie has been on an amazing worldwide adventure to recover this wonderful magical artefact, and that this is what is in the box she sent to Wisty and Siobhan. Perhaps Winnie plans to award it to the winning team in The Swap? I do hope that is the Arrows!!

Getting Christmassy!

We are getting ready for Christmas in the Wigworthy household, putting decorations and cards up (every day brings more) and making and buying presents for the family. As I write a few pounds of redcurrants are merrily boiling in the cauldron to extract the juice for this year's batch of jelly. This forms most of our Christmas giving. Of course, I knit a few gifts too; this year my Falling Flowers Scarf will be a gift for my niece Poppy.

And Winnie is preparing for Christmas too - it seems she has been to visit the man himself, Father Christmas, in his home at the North Pole. I'll not tell my little wizards - they would be so jealous!

And this week I finally finished and sent my package to dear Olive Bumblebirch. She is a whole ocean away, so this will be an epic flight for poor Verso. I know he is up to it though, and hope he gets to meet some lovely American owls on his trip.

News From Winnie?

After a somewhat alarming absence during which we all thought Winnie might have come a cropper, we have finally heard from her again. It turns out her last two letters had simply been mislaid. So all's well, or is it...

It looks as though Winnie has been to Rome, where she purchased lots of garlic and stocked up with holy water and crosses, contemplating her next stop, which is clearly in the Black Forest of Germany ('Shwarzwald' to the locals), where it is known that vampires live. Indeed it seems from her last missive that Winnie is only just managing not to be nobbled by one!

I know Emma Gorodok lives in Germany; I wonder if she will be able to go and offer Winnie some assistance to fight them off?

St. Mungo's

That's right. In true sporting fashion I've been detained in St. Mungo's with a cartilege injury! The healers used a special magical item (called an 'endoscope') to have a good look inside my knee, and confirmed that the cartilege was torn. No wonder I've been struggling to walk much over the last few years. They 'trimmed' the tear whilst they were in there, and I should now find myself returning to full useage of the joint. I have exercises to do to get there, lots of them! As an international quidditch star I am. of course, unfazed by this! ;0)

Meantime I've been working away on the package for my spoilee in The Swap. I've now got the yarn for it, having finally got hold of the vendor via jellyphone. We arranged for me to pick it up from their stall at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate on Sunday, and all went well. I've very nearly finished the handmade portion of the package, and just have one other goody to source and then it'll all be sent off with my trusty owl, Verso.

I had great fun at the show helping out on the spinning guild stand and the handknitter's association stand. I taught a few folk to spin with a drop spindle, taught one lefthander to crochet, and one righthander to knit. It felt great!

Bedtime

And I have to post first! Hmm, what to say? I read Winnie's letter a couple of days ago, and think she may have been to Egypt. Well, there were pyramids. I think the Phoenicians had pyramids too, so I guess she could have been there either. Egypt seems more plausible though! No idea about libraries that are themselves like books - Timbuctoo (lol!)?

I've been busy making something for my spoilee (Olive Bumblebirch). Black and white as she is a Magpie. Perhaps I should put something sparkly in as well, as I know magpies are very atttracted to shiny? I'm sure Olive doesn't have any kleptomaniac tendencies though! I sure hope she'll like the stuff I have made - it's taken ages, and I keep thinking I might have it all wrong about her taste!

It was my eldest little wizard's birthday yesterday. The very imporatant 17th - a full-grown wizard at last! We took him out to nando's (his choice) for some chicken treats. He enjoyed showing us photos on his phone (muggle contraption) of a chority day they had at his college. All the students went in fancy dress, they had every creature and character you can imagine there, and some inanimate ones too (a couple of Rubix cubes!). I'm glad he has settled in there, and seems to be having fun. Of course, the NEWTs are hard work though...

Is that long enough?.. I'm off to bed! :0)

Where was Winnie?

Hmmm... Africa? South America?

To be honest I'd have to cheat and go read somebody else's blog, or do proper research with Wikipedia to have a more accurate guess thyan that.

Oh, ok, I'll go do some research then.....

Ok - Mexico? The Dia de Los Muertos festival seems to be more associated with there than anywhere else.

Aha - Mexico City was built on a lake!! Yay - go me!

There is a Chinese city called Weifang which is known as the 'City of Kites'. I guess Winnie was there?

And the pink library? Well all I can find is pictures of libraries with interior walls painted pink. :0(

Where in the World Was Winnie?

I am a little worried about her actually, and wonder if she ought to go back to St. Mungo's for a short spell? She is all confused about times see - Cyprian Youdle played quidditch in 1357, not 1857, so dear Winnie is 500 years out of Sync - perhaps she's been using that timeturner of hers a little too much? Anyway - I believe she must have been to Queerditch Marsh as she has been muttering strangely about the first ever quidditch game, and that was there. Oh, and Appleby Village in Lincolnshire. She was complaining bitterly about the lack of pubs and shops there, the old soak!

Where in the World is Winnie?

Well, some folks have clearly been doing extensive research in an effort to deduce Winnie's whereabouts. I've seen posts about far-flung castles and maple syrup factories. By contrast I lack time for such levels of research so I'm keeping my guesses simple. I'd hazard a guess that Winnis has visited Australia or New Zealand and Canada!!!!! (Wheezing with laughter here!)

Dad has been in St. Mungo's this week, so me and Lizzie have been somewhat occupied, especially me as Mum came to stay while he was in the care of the Healers. They did a good job, and I'm relieved to say he is home again now, though feeling his age much more than previously.

Other news is that I have published a new pattern.Well, it's actually one I designed many months ago, and only got to publishing it now. It's a doubleknitted scarf pattern which I originally conceived as a gift for my newest niece, Poppy. Below you see it modelled by another of my nieces, my sister Lizzie's daughter. Isn't she gorgeous?

Getting to Know You

Someone with the same craft as you. Andromeda Finch-Fletchley spins. I love the cup-holder she has on her wheel.

Someone who was born in the same month. Lizzie Wychwood ofcourse! ;0)

Someone from a different country. Maisy Muddlestixs is from South Australia - that's 10 hours ahead of me in England!

A new HSKS Quidditch player. I think Celeena Cree is new?

A player who has been in 3 or more HSKS swaps. Wisteria Lovegood is a trampish type of girl who can't keep away from Hogwarts, or it's male professors!!

A player who has a bigger stash than you! (And if your stash is the biggest, proudly say so!) Winifred Hornswaggle has 91yarns stashed on Ravelry. That's more than I have, just!

A player who both knits and crochets. Hermione Bagnold has learned to crochet and it wasn't long until she took up knitting too. She's now knitting a beautiful laceweight shawl!

Someone who has the same favorite color as you. In her Ravelry profile Stellwa Quinn has listed pink and green as her favourite colours. That's the same as mine, just in the opposite order.

Where in ther World is Winnie?

Mistress Wartbobble is undertaking a round-the-world trip and we are most fortunate to be blessed with wonderful correspondence from her while she travels. She is clearly currently in London, England, not far from Yours Truly, as she has sent a postcard that pictures a remarkable image of the atrium at the Ministry of Magic. I think she might have visited Saint Mungo's too as she was rambling about ministry officials having poor bedside manners. I do hope you are OK Winnie?

I made it onto the team!!

Yes, my friends, you may think I am a clapped-out old housewitch from Ottery, whereas really I am a fledgling international quidditch star. Appleby Arrows have recognised my hitherto hidden talents and following tryouts have invited me to join the team!!!!!!!!! Go me!!! :0)

So, my first task for the team is to post a list of 'wishes' - things I would dearly love to receive from my top fan (aka 'spoiler'), and things I would like him/her to know about me, like that I really am so allergic to cats (I know - not very witchlike of me!) that I will start sneezing and itching and struggling to breathe just if I sit next to someone who owns one. The cat doesn't even have to be there! Same thing with horses, dogs, hamsters, mice... As far as I know I am pretty safe with goldfish however! Luckily I am also fine with sheep, which may be why they are my favourite animal, and why my patronus is a ram. So it will not surprise you to know that I love wool, preferably without too much plastic mixed into it. I also adore silk. So yarns that blend wool and silk are totally awesome in my opinion.

Other useful information for my top fan might be that I totally love green, any variety of it, and especially moss and leaf greens. I love floral scents, and fruit flavours.

And the rather obvious information, though I will state it nonetheless, is that I love to knit. I have a very strong creative bent, and love to express this through designing and knitting.

Now as I am an Arrow, I know my top fan will want to provide me with blue stuff, so I'm going to help by pointing out some blue yarns that I like. Sock yarn first:

In the US:

Knitpicks Stroll Tweed in 'Aegean'
Knitpicks Stroll in 'Tidepool Heather' or 'Mermaid'
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Yarn in 'Powder Blue'

In the UK:

Fyberspates Scrumptious 4-ply in Aqua
The Knitting Goddess Cash Sock in 'Semi-solid slate'

Now, the bag! Hmmm... This will have to be a project bag (not main handbag) as really I would not usually use a blue handbag. If you want to make the bag yourself, then let your imagination and creativity go wild with those hints and the blue and silver Arrows theme - any blue for this will be fine. If you want to gift me with the yarn and pattern for me to make the bag can we make it that the pattern is any old throwaway (so definitely one that is free to you), so that actually I can use the yarn to knit a bag to my own design? I say this because as a designer I need to devote as much of my knitting time as possible to stuff that can go into my portfolio. BTW I'd prefer a throwaway sock pattern for the same reason if you decide to make the bag and send yarn for socks. In fact, I'd be happy if you don't send a pattern at all, it's just I think it is a requirement of the swap for you to do so. Perhaps the powers that be would allow an exemption in my spoiler's case?

I can design to whatever yarn you send, or pick from the following:

US choice:

Cascade 220 in Pale Blue

UK Choice:

Texere Yarns Troon Tweed in 'Sky tweed'
Texere Yarns Airedale Aran in 'Sky' or 'Duck egg' (the latter is my top fave!)

Other wishes:

I would love to have a shawl pin - anything pretty and dainty (clumpy things don't look good on me!) such as the ones made by this etsy seller. (Not a budget purchase - perhaps you can find something similar at a lower price?)

Another Etsy seller makes cute little rubber stamps - including an option to have this one done with knitting needles instead of a crochet hook.

This UK company sell beautiful and very reasonably priced rosewood straight knitting needles.

I'd love to try some square circular needles, also available in the UK from KCG Trading.

In general I'm sure to love whatever you send. As you can see I love handmade items, so please do include as much of your own crafting as you wish - I'm bound to like it!

My kit for Madam Ferula Finnigan

Ferula has been having problems getting photos of my kit posted, so as today marks the photo deadline for the 'best kit' competition I'm posting the ones I took here. I don't know how much chance I stand though - I've seen many awesome kits this swap, and believe that even though the budget has been tighter the general standard of all the kits has even improved on previous terms (great though they were). And, of course, I think the kit I got from Celestina is the clear winner!!

Anyway, I sent Ferula this Defence Against the Dark Arts Kit:

The main handmade items were the bag, which features a silver cat on the back (her patronus - not shown)


A 'bump trump' - a yarn caddy (from her wish list)

Another of my felted knitting wand holders (on the right in the first picture -I will eventually, one day, publish the pattern for this!)

And these defensive spell bookmarks:

She asked for some 'local indie dyed yarn'. Can't get more 'local' than some dyed by yours truly! It is an aran weight alpaca and silk yarn that I dyed in a teal colourway. With the DADA theme in mind I packaged it up as an item fom Borgin and Burke's, claiming it was originally spun and dyed by Rowena Ravenclaw! (I am such a fraudulent witch - perhaps Mr. Borgin might consider giving me a job?). There is 100g here - enough to knit the Darkside Cowl, the pattern I included in the kit. I bought the circular needle specified in the pattern and packaged it up as an Ollivander's wand

Other goodies I put in included some liquorice wands (a traditional UK sweet) that I packaged as a Honeyduke's item:

And this notebook that I made. The internal pages are blank parchment.

Other titbits included some dark mark temporary tattoos (I thought she might like these as I've noticed she has an interesting fixation with skulls!), and a needle gauge (labelled as a 'wand weigher').

And that's it!!

Package from Celestina

Just back from the annual witches convention at Pendle. A wonderful camping event full of fun days out among unsuspecting muggles.

As we were leaving for this event an owl arrived hauling a huge package from Celestina Pettigrew, my spoiler in the Summer Camp Swap. I barely had time to peek at the contents before we flew off to Pendle, but I made sure the bag the package contained was firmly wrapped around my broom to go with me.

There was no time for pictures then, so here they are now. I'm sure you'll all agree Celestina put together an amazing package for me. What you may not realise is just how perfectly themed it is for my tastes. It really is spooky how she seemed to know what I would like. I suspect either she is a talented legilimens, or else my sister Lizzie has been heavily involved in advising her about me! The main theme is my favourite colour (green) which Celestina has very cleverly worked into a Herbology kit.

So, here are the pics:

The whole thing, apart from the book (a wonderful book of floral knits) which I've just realised I didn't take photographs of because Lizzie had been ogling it so it wasn't with the kit when I did the shoot):

A very clever little frog notions case containing a very cute owl tape measure (handmade cover in felt), magnetic buttons ('Sock Diva', and 'Sheep are for felting'), wonderfully elegant stork needlework scissors, knitters balm stick (Love it! I asked for a knitter's hand cream - thank you Celestina!), a green metallic crochet hook, a sweet little flowered tin with transparent lid which contained some wonderful beaded stitchmarkers (green beads!), one of which sported a little ram charm (my patronus). The bag of bags! I wish I could get the colour to show better in the photo - it is not at all the greyish hue that appears here, but a lovely mix of greens red and yellows.. It is beautifully handmade with embroidery touches on the edges and a very pretty lining.

Pure wool (my favourite fibre) fingering weight yarn, a pattern for a 'Dragon Scarf and Hat', and some wooden needlesto knit it, with brightly painted and crackled green ends (love them!!).

Lots of Harry Potter sweets (YES!! - These are almost impossible to get in the UK) and some green M&Ms.

Some other great Potter goodies - a time turner with stickers, Half Blood Prince trading cards, and a figure of a purple witch carrying an owl. She now sits on the windowsill next to my knitting chair which really needed some ornaments.

Some patttern notecards for crocheted and knitted hats (adorable!)

And this, which might be my favourite item, I so love it and can't wait to use it! A monogram stamp with my muggle initial and wax for sealing letters:

Celestina, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you for this wonderful package!!

Done!!

Yay - my kit is done and the wonderful Mr. Wigworthy has returned from the Owl Office where he has hired an owl to fly it over the water, all the way to America!! He got me a receipt, so I can prove postage if necessary.

And now we are off on our hols for the next two weeks. We will be camping with the boys in a lovely part of England called the Peak District. Thankfully Oliver has enchanted the tent to fit us all in comfortably, and even fitted it out with wardrobes and a kitchen for me! Due to a problem with my knee that St. Mungo's are taking an immense time to solve I won't be able to go walking and cycling with Oliver and the boys, so instead will be sitting knitting while listening to the Wyrd Sisters. Such a tragedy!! ;0)

See you all soon!

Summer Camp Game #5 - Part 1

1. Man or mouse? (4) ANIMAGUS
2. Start spreading the news (4) DAILY PROPHET
3. Stick Tree Guardian (3) BOWTRUCKLE
4. Telescoping eavesdropper (5) EXTENDABLE EAR
5. Brassicaceae danglers (4) RADISH EARRINGS
6. Prohibited Ggowth of trees (5) FORBIDDEN FOREST
7. Metallic rosy-faced child with wings (4) GOLDEN CHERUB
8. Fleshless black-winged skeleton (2) THESTRAL
9. Lofty philosopher (5) HIGH INQUISITOR
10. Instructive Order (7) EDUCATIONAL DECREE

Tribute to Our Hero

Well friends, it seems that the muggle world has got wind of a story closely resembling the truth about the biggest hero in the world of magic, Mr. Harry Potter. A muggle 'film' company has made a moving picture show about some of the events in his life leading up to his vanquishment of You Know Who. Somebody has clearly seriously breached the Statute of Secrecy!

Fortunately it is clear that muggles think this is all just a wonderful piece of fiction concocted for the sake of entertainment. With this in mind I have decided to join in the fun, and will be attending a showing of the 'movie' (similar to, but not quite so realsitic as magical portraits). The following photo shows what I plan to wear - do you think I will be incognito enough like this?

Woolfest!

Today Lizzie and I went to a fantastic fibre event in the English Lake District where we were dazzled by the vast array of gorgeous yarns and fibres, and thoroughly warmed through by the friendliness and laughter of all we met, both old friends and new. I spent much more than I had intended, mostly on books, vintage knitting accessories, and yarn!

The highlight of the day was when we found the Timbertops stall. My spinning wheel is a Timbertops, made in 1980 by James Williamson, maker of all Timbertops wheels until his retirement 3 years ago when it sadly seemed that Timbertops wheels would cease to be made. Luckily in the last year another craftsman, Clive Jones, and his wife Joan, have taken up the gauntlet and are starting production of the wheels up again, guided by James and Ann (James' wife). All four were at the show together today, and I was delighted to be able to chat with them together. I also spent some very magical minutes spinning at a Timbertops Leicester wheel while James span at a Timbertops Beaver beside me. I think we both passed the keen-eyed appraisal of the spinning master, his wife!!

The photo below shows James and Ann at either side of Joan and Clive, with yours truly sat in worshipful adoration beside them!

Wish List

Just to let my spoiler know that I have updated the wish list in the sidebar to the left here. I've stuck with inexpensive items that would be appropriate for the small kits we are doing this swap.

Summer Camp!

Well, I've arrived. Got all my knitting gear, and lots of graph paper for designing some new knits. Yes my fellow witches and wizards- I am a design junkie!! Latest efforts include these gloves which were modelled at UK Ravelry Day just over a week ago now. My dear twin-sister (Lizzie Wychwood) knitted the silk ones featuring roses, while the red ones were knitted by a kind Ravelry volunteer. I've called the design 'Flower of the Nation Gloves' as they are themed for each nation in the Union (England, Scotland & Wales), each featuring the national flower - roses for England, daffodils for Wales, and thistles for Scotland (I can't show you the Scottish version as they wre sadly delayed by Royal Mail and didn't make it from the volunteer knitter to the fashion show.





Meanwhile I'm still designing and knitting up preemie hats for SPEW. My latest is based on the wonderful aquatic plant, gillyweed. The roots of this have tiny water bubbles clinging to them, which is what I've worked to emulate in this design:



Lastly, I've got to tell you all that I had the immense pleasure of meeting a wonderful American wizard called Jared Flood, aka Brooklyn Tweed, at Ravelry Day. The pink cheeks you see in the picture below tell the tale of how much firewhisky we had consumed by the time this photo was taken!!





TTFN!!

Package from Lily May Clearwater

Yesterday just as I was leaving the house to meet with some other witches for a day's spinning, a beautiful owl tapped at the front door. It was carrying a huge box from my spolier in The Swap - Lily May Clearwater. Alas - I had no time to even open it, and realised that just by taking the time to open the door to receive it I had already made myself late to my meeting. Poor owl - I sent it off home again without any refreshment in my haste to get to the chimney and our floo powder!

So, I carried the box to the guild meeting with me, and was helped to open it and examine the contents by a whole bunch of squealing witches!! They were most impressed!

What did it contain? Each item was ripped open (beautiful wrappings now totally unusable!) to reveal

Yarn!! A whole cone of pure new wool yarn for felting. Two balls of Rowan (believe it or not the first time Rowan has ever joined my stash - I always look for cheaper yarn - I feel so spoilt!!)

Stationary!! A lovely parchment letter from Lily (in a parchment envelope), a gorgeous flocked notebook with lined pages, a perfect spells and charms notebook (from my wishlist - I'm reserving this for jottings and sketches for my Potter designs), a DADA card, and some coloured pens (great for my design notes/sketches).


Knitting!! A beautiful bag made by Lily especially for me in my favourite colours, green and pink!

Luxuries!! A totally cute little Cath Kidston purse (from my wishlist) - this is going in my knitting bag to hold stitchmarkers. A pretty soapstone oil burner - this is going on the windowsill in my knitting room to waft the gorgeous smell of lavender over me as I knit! A decorated wooden comb and wooden mirror compact - both from China where Lily lived before she came to Hogwarts.

A hangy decoration!! I adore this!! It is hanging on my new Jordana Paigfe knitting bag which it matches perfectly. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!

Food and drink!! All my favourite flavours! Sherbet lemons, mint humbugs, liquorice, apple and pomegranate tea, chinese tea pouches, Chewits (total nostagia kick - I used to buy these a lot from Honeydukes in my own Hogwarts days), jelly beans (every flavour except the nasties which have mercifully been omitted from this collection), and some chocolate mints ('After Eight' for when I have posh visitors!)

Patterns!! A whole book of designs for felted bags - I love them!

A Legilimency toy!! The boys are busy playing with the one I received! Therefore this is a picture I've borrowed from the Daily Prophet classified section. It's a golden snitch that works out what you are thinking with just 20 questions - amazing!!

Recipes!! Lily noticed I like to cook, so she wrote out a few of her favourite recipes for me to try - chocolate chip cookies, chocolate truffles, and brownies.

Lily -thank you!! It is clear you put a lot of research and thought into this kit. It matches my tastes wonderfully!

Quidditch - Round 3

1. This “Harry Potter” character’s first name comes from Roman mythology. The mythological character’s twin brother is named Romulus. What is the Harry Potter character last name?
b. Lupin

2. Which “Harry Potter” character’s first name is the Roman equivalent of the Greed Goddess Athena?
c. McGonagall

3. In ‘Harry Potter’ World, this wizard has created the Philosopher’s Stone (called the Sorcerer Stone in the US). The historical figure from the 14th and 15th centuries was a scribe and a manuscript-seller who became famous as an alchemist. Who is this individual?
Nicholas Flammel

4. What is the first name of a character whose last name is the name of a Bulgarian leader from early 9th century who doubled the country’s territory?
c. Viktor

5. Which character’s name is the name of goddess in Indian mythology?
b. Parvati (Patil)

6. “Where the Wild Things Are” tells the story of Max, a young boy sent to bed without his supper for his wild antics. Who created this winner of the Caldecott Medal?
a. Maurice Sendak

7. What was NOT one of the unexpected defense mechanisms that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Griphook encountered in their attempt to rob Gringotts?
d. The Geminio Curse

8. What was Snape aiming at when he cut off George’s ear?
c. Another Death Eater’s wand hand

9. How much older than James was Lily? (Referring to Harry’s parents, not children).
d. 2 months

10. Food is one of the five exceptions to what magical law?
b. Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration

Picture Hunt

George (royal)

McGonagall (kilt)

Patil (Indian politician)

Where the Wild Things Are (illustration)

Knitting Wand Holders

This week I produced yet another felted knitting wand holder using my still unpublished pattern. I'm now thinking of making the pattern multi-option, as I've found that while using duplicate stitch for the text is more straightforward, the results from stranded knitting in a tube that is then cut prior to felting produces finer-looking text. I've also done some felted versions in thinner wool (Kauni), and have now decided to add another option - an unfelted version worked in sock yarn! So this week I am taking that project and the Slytherin Pride Socks away on our camping holiday with the intention of completing both so that I can finally publish these two patterns before the end of the month.

Here's the one I did this week, in Ravenclaw colours. It now carries my full stock of sock needles, both DPNs and circulars.

Wheels

This week I've been doing a lot of travel on a muggle bicycle. Well, I haven't actually been travelling on it, just cycling around the grounds of the library over the road from the cottage. No, I haven't lost the ability to disapparate, rather I have determined to increase my level of physical activity in order to become 'fit'.

It is rather difficult. I'm doing ten minutes every day, and end up rather hot and sweaty and breathless at the end, which just goes to prove how far I have to go in order to create the level of fitness manifested by such muggle heroes as Chris Hoy (British olympian who won three gold medals in the muggle olympics last summer).

Saturday in Honolulu!!

As I have apparated to Honolulu, where it is currently 22.30 on Saturday 4th April, can this post count for the requirement of this week's blogging?!! I last blogged on Satrurday 28th March.

If that plea doesn't past muster, please fellow Slytherins forgive my sloppiness. I promise I am not a secret agent from Ravencalw come to sabotage House efforts to win the Cup!

Anyway - 'Aloha' my friends (= 'Hello' in Honolulu). And Hau`oli la hanau Lizzie ('Happy Birthday)!! In the UK it is already mine and Lizzie's birthday, so even though I am supposedly currently located in a different time zone (!!) I will tell a little bit about what I've done for Lizzie. Then I'll tell you what I got from the Wigworthys, as it is my birthday too!!

I have made Lizzie a felted knitting wand holder in Gryffindor colours. I can't show you the finished project as I've wrapped it and she won't get it until I see her at Nostell Priory later today tomorrow (we are visiting for a birthday treat with our families). I can, however, show you a picture of it at an intermediate stage of the felting. I felted it some more, and lined it after taking this photo.

I'm still working on the pattern for this, which I do intend to publish at some point. Problem is the stranded knitting is off-putting for many, so I need to do some more tests with duplicate stitch. I prefer the results from stranded knitting - the lettering ends up completely embedded, whereas with the versions I've done using deplicate stitch the lettering ends up looking thicker. However, I think the pattern might be more succeesful if I offer it as an easy knit, instead of a stranded and steeked knit. What do you think? More tests? Would any of you like to test the pattern in either or both versions?

Finally I must tell you that my family rocks!! I have received the coveted Jordana Paige bag from my wishlist!! That was a gift from the wonderful Mr. Wigworthy. I also got some beautiful flowers from the boys. Photos in another post (perhaps tomorrow on Monday).

Och Aye The Noo

Is what they say in Scotland. I've very little idea what it actually means, something like 'ooh la la' perhaps? Maybe they say it in the far north of Scotland though, and not in Edinburgh, which seemed to contain more American accents than Scots during our visit last weekend. Elladora said this could have been because it was 'Spring Break' in the US, and lots of American witches and wizards were visiting Scotland on vacation. I'll say!! Our very own Hermione Bagnold, Elladora Madley (who despite being from Taiwan, grew up in the U.S.), and Elladora's fcriend, Vicky all added to the general American sounds. So Lily May Clearwater, who is Scottish, and Emma Gorodok, who is German, and my very dear sister Lizzie and I were able to enjoy a little education in various magical American things. We were especially fascinated by the different potion recipes our American friends shared with us, and found that although we think we speak the same language, actually we really don't!! So I found that 'coriander' is 'solento', and while we enjoy pasties, Americans love to munch mysterious food called 'pound-cake' which doesn't contain any money at all!!

Edinburgh itself is a truly gorgeous city, and if you'd care to visit my sister's magical portal you'll find a series of photos she took of some of those parts which are protected from muggle eyes by enchantments performed in keeping with the Statute of Secrecy, including our very dear Hogwarts Castle (Muggles think it is an ancient monument where Scottish kings and queens of the past lived), and a few places that are particularly dear to Slytherins (e.g the castle dungeons, i.e. 'The Snake Pit').

On the day of our arrival, Lizzie and I relaxed in our room after a long journey on the Hogwarts Express. We travelled in 'first class' - a real treat as we were served food and gallons of tea at the spacious table we sat at, whilst the riff-raff all had to crowd together in other carriages! After recovering from this excess we roused ourselves to wrap the presents we had brought with us for our spoilees Hermione and Elladora. We had special permission from the headmistress to give our kits early as we were meeting our spoilees in person. We took care to take photos before and after the wrapping, so here is my kit for you to see. Elladora will, I am sure, post more detailed photos and descriptions when she has completed her vacation and finished the long journey home to Taiwan.

Elladora's Kit before wrapping:

Unfortunately I have never managed to get a really good photo of the bag, which features owls all the way around. I took this one a few weeks ago before lining it with yellow satin as you see above (Elladora is a Hufflepuff). This photo at least shows the eyes, and you can just see the owls too if you allow your pet mouse to nibble the picture to make a Hagrid-sized version. In real life the owls really stand out and are very cute!

I also took this close-up of the owls on the sock blockers which Mr. Wigworthy made and I painted:

You may have already noticed the strong owl theme in Elladora's kit? Well, I guessed she loves owls when trawling through her projects and favourites early in The Swap - I found many owl-themed patterns there, and she asked for an owl pendant in her wish-list. Then when I gave her the kit, even though she was surprised to discover she had unknowingly manifested a passion for these magical creatures, she showed me her purse - another owl!!

The other items in the kit? Another of my felted knitting wand holders, in Hufflepuff colours and lined with owl fabric, the pendant she asked for, a book (Anne of Avonlea, from her wishlist), a long Knitpicks Harmnony circular for magic loop (Lizzie taught her this during the weekend), the Rivendell sock pattern (in her favourites), three varieties of Muggle Sweets (sherbet lemons, treacle toffees, and mint humbugs), a needle gauge, a yellow tape measure, two balls of yellow sock yarn (not only is Elladora a Hufflepuff, she also loves yellow!) an assortment of yellow and black beads, an owl poster (she asked for stuff to decorate her walls), and finally, this little owl which I named Toblemory (though Elladora may of course rename him if she wishes):

I believe Hermione will also soon post about the kit she received from Lizzie. This was beautifully themed with Hermione's favourite colour blue, conveniently also her house colour!

While I took only a few pictures myself in Edinburgh I did get this one of us enjoying a meal in the little coffee shop where J. K. Rowling first wrote about our beloved Harry. This was before we went to see Hermione in the hotel after her nightmarish journey (read about it at her magical portal).

We had such a good time! It was wonderful to be with fellow knitters and Potter lovers in a beautiful city. Our Swappers are fantastic people, and I love them all!

Especially Aidyn and Calen!!

Seriously Hard House Quiz!!!

1) Fawkes

2) Black

3) Magical Remedy

4) 1971 feet

5) Knitted Cupcakes

6) St. Mungo's

7) Met Tito Pullo, aka Ray Stevenson

8) Fire and Ice

9) One

10) Odin’s bird. Odin is considered the chief god in Norse paganism, the god of battle, magic, inspiration and the dead.

Quidditch Round Two

1. On which day did the Order of the Phoenix come to get Harry?
c. Saturday

2. During all this chaos with voldemort and the Death Eaters, people still had lives to live and Ron's oldest brother, Bill decided to marry Fleur Delacour? Who were the uninvited guests at Bill and Fleur's wedding?
b. Death Eaters

3. Voldemort had seven Horcruxes hidden in different places. Six of them were hidden at the Gaunt shack, Hogwarts, a cave, inside Harry, inside his snake, Nagini and Tom Riddles Diary. Did Voldemort hide the last Horcrux inside the Malfoy's vault at Gringotts?
b. No

4. Why did the Dumbledore's move to Godric's Hollow?
c. The father went to Azkaban

5. Harry and Hermione read a part of "Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore," written by Rita Skeeter. Then they met Dumbledore's brother Abeforth and he told them the same story, just with a few details changed. Which of the following did Aberforth and Rita Skeeter agree on about Dumbdore's past?
b. That Dumbledore was friends with Grindelwald for a while.

6. When Harry and Hermione visit Godric's Hollow, they visit the graveyard to see Harry's parent's graves. Harry walks by a tombstone that we later learn belong to tone of "The Three Broother'. The brother buried there once owned what?
b. The cloak

7. The Trio finds out that Luna had been kidnapped by the Death Eaters , and that they won't give her back until they got Harry Potter. Why did they kidnap Luna?
a. Her father sided with Harry and Dumbledore

8. After Voldemort killed Snape, he left the room and Harry came out from under the cloak. Snape gave Harry some of his memories all the way from when he was a child to just months before. Harry dived into the Pensieve and which of the following did he not see?
c. Snape and Lily having fun in a potions class.

9. On the search of the Lost Diadem, Harry finally gets to takl to the Gray Lady. Who was the Gray Lady when she was alive?
c. Helena Ravenclaw.

10. Which of these is not one of Harry or Ron's children?
d. Victoria

Picture Scavenger Hunt

Lily

Ron

Snape

Luna

Godric's Hollow

Shelved

Now that I am writing a book of knitting patterns I decided I really need to 'up the anti' with regard to the organisation of my knitting bits and pieces. So today Mr. Wigworthy cleaned up some old shelves I painted up many years ago and hung them in the spare bedroom that has over the years come to be called 'Mum's Knitting Room' by all the family! It is where I do most of my knitting and reading and designing.

It is lovely to have the shelves back in use, they've been in the cellar since we moved here 7 years ago! Originally they were some Sunday school shelves that my older brother rescued and hung in his room at my parents house. Later his room was shared by me and Lizzie - I have photos of us in there with various of the little knick-knacks that were important to us displayed on the said shelves. They have moved around with me in the years since, and underwent a total overhaul, including a green paint and stencil job, a few years ago after they were damaged by damp in the cellar of my previous home.

So, today, with my knitting books and patterns now transferred to my knitting room, I have been perusing that literature to get some ideas and inspiration for my book. Believe it or not, one of the patterns is for a lace gown!! Hence, today I have knitted a few little lace samples on really tin, tiny needles, firstly 1mm!!! Latterly I played with knitting an edging on 1.5mm needles. At the moment I'm working in plain mercerised cotton because the yarns I have chosen and ordered to play with sample for the designs have not arrived yet.

Knitting Wizard

Timothy, my middle son, has been learning to knit during the last couple of weeks. Due to the restrictions on underage wizardry he is learning it muggle-style, without the advantage of enhanced speed and such that some witches and wizards use (I actually prefer to do it muggle style myself - it is so relaxing that way). The following picture is of my clever little wizard knitting last weekend. At that stage he just knew the knit stitch, and learned it with a cute little rhyme. Since then he has also mastered purling and is now engaged in making himself a little stocking stitch knitting bag!

Sock Poll

The folk publishing one of my sock patterns in a book this autumn (Lark books) have asked their designers to invite friends (that's all of you!) to do a fun online poll about socks and ... stuff!! The book is to be called 'The Joy of Sox', so it should be no surprise that one of the questions is about playing 'footsie'!!

Alas, I don't know if I am allowed yet to post pictures of the socks I designed for the book, so I'm playing safe and waiting a little longer! Slight clue - I called the design 'Pink Passion', so I'll leave you to guess what colour the socks are!!

In other design news, I am currently in negotiations with Yarn Forward magazine who have asked me to write an article about double knitting to accompany the pattern for this scarf I've just finished:



Also, I have designed and knitted a silk lace bag. The pattern is the first for a book Lizzie has suggested I could write. I will publish this one separately first - it is coming up to wedding season, and I think this would make a great accessory for a wedding outfit:



All this work keeps me so busy that I hope you will forgive me for again not doing the Slytherin quizz?

Quidditch

1. What momentous event was the reason that the members of the Order of the Phoenix felt it necessary to move Harry out of the Dursley’s house?
a. The start of the new school year
b. The Dursleys kicking him out
c. Voldemort’s escape from Azkaban
d. Harry’s upcoming birthday

2. Who revealed the actual date of Harry’s transfer to Voldemort, despite the misinformation the Order had been spreading around that the move would occur on the eve of his actual birthday?
a. Mundungus
b. Snape
c. Yaxley
d. Shacklebolt

3. With the use of Polyjuice Potion (and to confuse any possible attack by Death Eaters), six member of the Order were disguised as Harry and escorted out of Privet Drive, along with the real Harry. Which member of the order did not survive that night?
a. Mad-Eye Moody
b. Nymp0hadora Tonks
c. Hagrid
d. George Weasley

4. Who informed Harry, Ron and Hermione of the bequests left to them in Dumbledore’s will?
a. Kingley Shaclebolt
b. Minerva McGonalgall
c. Arthur Weasley
d. Rufus Scimgeour

5. During the wedding celebration for Bill and Fleur, Kingley Shacklebolt sent a Patronus to tell the guests that the Ministry had fallen, Scrimgeour (the Minister) was dead and the wedding celebration was about to be attacked by Death Eaters. What form did the Patronus take?
a. A lynx
b. An otter
c. A doe
d. A stag

6. Escaping from the wedding to London, our three friends found themselves confronted by a pair of Death Eaters, disguised as workmen. This close brush impressed on them the need to find someplace to hide. Where did they decide to go?
a. The Leaky Cauldron
b. Sirius Black’s house
c. The Dursley’s house
d. Ron’s Auntie Muriel’s house

7. Kreacher’s animosity towards Harry, Ron and especially Hermione (a Mudblood) was well documented in book five, “The Order of the Phoenix.” His initial interaction with them showed that his attitude had not changed. How did they win him over?
a. By giving him clothes and his freedom
b. They didn’t win him over!
c. By giving him something to eat
d. By giving him Regulus Black’s old locket

8. Who did they eventually find was in possession of the locket/Horcrux?
a. Severus Snape
b. Lucius Malfoy
c. Lord Voldemort
d. Dolores Umbridge

9. What did Harry find embedded in the door of Umbrdige’s office?
a. Moody’s magical eye
b. Nymphadora’s purple hair
c. Hedwig’s head
d. George Weasley’s ear

10. After retrieving the Horcrux, they tried to return to their safe place but they were pursued (actually Yaxley tagged along when they disapparated). This meant that the Death Eaters knew their hiding place and they had to go somewhere else. Where did Hermione take them?
a. To Godric’s Hollow
b. To the Forbidden Forest
c. Back to the Burrow
d. To the site of the Quidditch World Cup

Picture Scavenger Hunt
Pciturs linked below:

Mad-Eye Moody
Nymphadora Tonks
George Weasley
The Dursley's House
Kreacher

Posh Witch!!

Having updated my wish list in the sidebar this evening I have realised that it reveals my rather posh taste in things. So, I hasten to assure my dear magical friends, that while I may have expensive tastes, in speech and manner I am a true Yorkshire lass!

Books

I found this great meme on my spoilee's blog and thought I'd do it myself. The crossed out books are ones I've read, and the bold books are ones I intend to read at some point.

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (my favourite read!)
2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4. Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6. The Bible
7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte (set near my home!)
8. Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell (set text for O Level English Lit.)
9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens (set text for O level English Lit.)
11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12. Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy (set text for A level English Lit. - brilliant book, and I hated Thomas Hardy for it!!)
13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14. Complete Works of Shakespeare
15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier (great book!)
16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18. Catcher in the Rye - J D Salinger
19. The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20. Middlemarch - George Eliot
21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25. The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34. Emma - Jane Austen (of course!)
35. Persuasion - Jane Austen (ditto!)
36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis (don't know why this separate from 33)
37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41. Animal Farm - George Orwell
42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (seen the film - loved that)
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48. The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50. Atonement - Ian McEwan (seen the film though!)
51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52. Dune - Frank Herbert
53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen (naturally!)
55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon As my eldest son has Asperger's, thankfuuly not as severely as the boy in this book. I cried a lot!
60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy (Lizzy says this is even worse than Tess for leaving readers in a suicidal state!!)
68. Bridget Jones’ Diary - Helen Fielding (Not as good as the film!)
69. Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72. Dracula - Bram Stoker
73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett (Lovely Yorkshire story!)
74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75. Ulysses - James Joyce
76. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome (My favourite books as a child)
78. Germinal - Emile Zola
79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80. Possession - AS Byatt
81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (I now have this on my iPod read by Patrick Stewart - wonderful!!)
82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker ** this was a good story.
84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87. Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery (I still cry at this one!)
93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks (Hubby's favourite author, not mine!)
94. Watership Down - Richard Adams (Cried buckets!)
95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare (Set text for A Level English Lit.)
99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Slytherin House Quiz

What are your three most favorite colors?
Green, green, and pink!

What are your three least favorite colors?
Black, orange, and red

Your favorite candy is ...
Sherbet lemons (of course!!)

Draco, Lucius, or Snape?
Snape, Snape, Severus Snape

Do you knit, crochet, or both?
Both

What type of kit did you ask for?
Felted

Acrylic—has its uses, should all be burned, best yarn to work with (choose one)?
Should all be burned! Really - it is an abomination against sheep and taste!

Who is the Slytherin Head Girl this term?
Quinn

Name four “extras” you would love to receive in your kit.
Ooh!! A shawl brooch/pin, a knitting book/magazine, anything sheepy, and any smellies.

What are your three most favorite scents?
Lavender, rose and honeysuckle

Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks?
Salty

Which Slytherin is the Keeper of the Crucio List?
Cassandra Puddlemere

Do you really need more stitch markers?
No!!

Dpns, circular, or straight?
Straights - I have less stock of these, and recently broke one of my only pair of 3.75mm straights.

What yarn makes you squee?
Louisa Harding Kimono Angora - I got some recently and it is divinely soft! Sadly now discontinued, so I might have to buy up Texere's entire remaining stock!!

Favorite HP Movie?
Goblet of Fire

Favorite HP character?
Dobby!

Who was your first choice for DADA professor?
Colin Firth (except I couldn't stand to see anybody else get him!)

What is the Slytherin Common Room called?
The Snake Pit

What makes you worthy of being in Slytherin House?
My awesome greatness!!

Sock kit swap

Yes- it's starting again! I'm looking forward to receiving lots of green goodies. I've asked for a kit to make a felted item this time. Late last summer I purchased a magical felting aid from Dervish and Banges during a day out in Hogsmeade and now crave opportunities to use it. It's a fantastic piece of magical engineering - takes any piece of knitting and turns it into heavy felt with no effort whatsoever. Before I got it my felting spells worked very haphazardly so I'm delighted with the reliability of the 'Ecoballs'.

Recently I started knitting a Shetland shawl using some laceweight wool I span a year or so ago. So far I've nearly finished the edging for one side. It's slow work! I'm also working on some special socks to show my House Pride. I showed them to Irma when I was working a shift with her at Hogwarts last week, and she was most complimentary. What do you all think?