Preparing for a New Term

Therealkarity of Ravenclaw here with a proposal for Muggle Studies Option 1: Knit or crochet an adult sweater.

Pattern: Aquitaine Pullover
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted, 100% Merino, color way Tuareg.

I will knit the body first and then knit the sleeves two a time before moving on to the yoke.

Challenges: This will be a challenging project for me for several reasons. I have never successfully knit anything larger than a pet-sized blanket. None of my OWLs have been completed in the given timeframe. Classes always prove to be a distraction for me.

{swatch photo will be here}

Midterm: Out of the six skeins I have, I will need 5 of them, the sixth being there if I need a bit extra. I will achieve 50% when I reach the 19" needed for the body. This should also be about 2 and a half skeins used up. When I pass this, I will know I have reached 50% and be eligable for my midterm points in October.

This shouldn't be so hard...

When I did the first waist decrease on my sweater, both times, I wasn't thinking or something because reading "continue knitting in pattern" translated as "keep the cable but decrease the amount of sts between cables" which is not how it should be. If I was looking at the magazine earlier I would have figured it out. I don't have to take it all out, I can go back to the first decrease. It's just really frustrating.

I think this sweater is going to teach me to learn patterns extremely careful.

What NOT to do...

When I was knitting my sweater yesterday I realized that I had completely missed a cable about 5 rows back. I attempted to put a lifeline in 8 rows back and just make up the difference. However. Somehow I didn't do it right. What ended up happening when I got down to the lifeline row was it that it was hung up with no way to fix but to take out the lifeline. Every knitter (and crocheter? I have no idea what lifelines are like in crochet or if you even use them..) knows that to take out a lifeline is a horrible thing. But there was really nothing else I could have done.

So I thought.

What ended up happening was I had to take out the entire 4.5" of sweater (aka, 166 sts) that I had knit. I should have waited for other Ravenclaws to get back to me and help. One pointed me in the direction of instructions on how to fix a cable without taking out entire rows. The other showed me how to put in a lifeline which I already knew how. I think the lifeline deal was more I was already upset when I put it in so that didn't help..

So what happens now is I have to redo all the work I did on my sweater. And get to 50% in a month instead of two.

June Monthly Plan

June 1-15: Knit solely on the OWL. Get it to 50%.
June 16-19: Start working on the shawl.
June 20-26: Continue working on the shawl. Start socks for the Nut challenge. Maybe finish them, I’m not sure yet because this is also birthday week for me.
June 27-30: Make Gemini Kittens. Finish any incomplete work on OWL and classes. If all done, work on Quidditch.

And here’s what is planned for classes.

Ancient Runes: Have a Heart, also for the Shawl-a-long with everyone else in the Tower who’s doing a shawl this month.
Herbology: Nutkin, also for the Ravenclaw Nut-a-long.
DADA: Gemini Kittens

ETA: And my plan of the day - finish the current OWL skein I’m on!

OWL Proposal: Aquitaine Pullover

Therealkarity from Ravenclaw submitting her proposal for a Muggle Studies OWL, Option 1: Knit or crochet an adult sweater. I will be making Aquitaine Pullover using Malabarigo Worsted in Tuareg. The pattern calls for US 10s which I will be using.
and my swatch up close:
I will be knitting the body first followed by the sleeves two at a time. This will be my first attempt at a sweater. The challenge of the complex construction of this garment is sure to keep my interest. Knit as one piece, my skills will be tested I will prevail!

You can see the official proposal on the HPKCHC forum here.

Spring OWL - Rule Changes

The new rules for OWLs this term haven't been up more than a couple days and I'm already annoyed. Not with the new rules but the reactions the rules are getting. The two new rules are

1) Swatching is mandatory.

2) 50% by June 30th.

It used to be 33% by the end of month two and I have reached the 33% but never finished. So I'm a little worried but not too much. I'm absolutely in love with the sweater I'll be making. What I don't like is how everyone is bitching about how they have to swatch. Swatching doesn't always have to mean to get the correct gauge. I swatched last term for my bat shawl because I wanted to see how the yarn would work out to be. That's what I think swatching is really all about. I don't do it much - just for my larger projects.

But I still think people should realize that the OWL examiners aren't out to make things harder - they want to see us succeed.

OWL update: 33%

I was able to get my 33% completed but I didn't get to turn it in for the 50 points because my internet was down. It kinda upsets me but oh well. I can't do anything about that. If I'd KNOWN it was going to be down I would have made sure to have it finished the day before. I still wanted to put it up here so everyone can see how pretty my shawl is turning out.


Most of March is going to be working on my shawl. I want to get it done but I also don't really have that much I want/need to make right now. Well.. besides socks. The only other thing I really want to do is figure out how I'm going to use up the rest of my Red Heart yarn short of sending what I have left to Bubbles.

OWL Proposal - Winter 2010

I actually forgot to blog about a few things because I've still been buried in my Kingdom Hearts fandom. For the Winter 2010 of HPKCHC, I've decided to make my first ever lace shawl. Its also my first big project (big being bigger than hats/scarves/gloves/etc.)

Therealkarity from Ravenclaw submitting her proposal for a Charms OWL.

1. Identify the pattern(s) you will be using (original designs encouraged).

I will be making the Wa-na-na-na-na-na-na-na bat shawl in Knit Picks Gloss, colorway black.

2. Photograph of the yarn(s)/needles/materials involved.


In this picture you can see the yarn I will be using for my OWL, my Nickel Plated Interchangable needles from Knit Picks, a printed copy of the pattern, stitch markers, and few other items like a tape measure and sissors that I think I might need.

3. Two or three sentences describing the planned crafting sequence and analyzing any areas of potential difficulty or new skills learned.

I have never knit a big project before so sticking with it is going to be the first challenge I'll face. This will also be my very first shawl and lace project. My hope is that with the compleation of this shawl, my confidence in my own knitting will improve and I'll be proud to wear it out in public.

4. Photograph of your swatch or explanation of why a swatch is not needed. Please note that "I never swatch" will not be accepted as an explanation.

Gauge is not terribly important for this project because it can be adjusted during blocking. In the above picture you can see where I tested out the yarn and needles I would be using to get the feel of them.

HPKCHC OWL Proposal

So.. My fellow Ravenclaws convinced me that there's no harm in trying to do an O.W.L., even if I don't think I have time for it. We're natural overachievers so of course I agreed. XD I'm submitting my proposal later in a few minute but I decided I'd also post it here.

therealkarity of Ravenclaw submitting her Arithmancy O.W.L. proposal.

1. Identify the pattern(s) you will be using (original designs encouraged).

Lace Beanie by Lion Brand x2
Rosalie by megi x2*
Hermione's Cable and Eyelet Hat by Jackie Lauseng x1
Watch Cap by Lion Brand x2
Ellen's Knit Hat by Ellen Harpin x1
Kitty Hat by fluffyhelen x1
Slouched Tuva Hat by Turvid x1

*Ravelry link

2. Photograph of the yarn(s)/needles/materials involved.

Yarn:
Needles:
3. Two or three sentences describing the planned crafting sequence and analyzing any areas of potential difficulty or new skills learned.

I am normally a slow knitter. To complete 10 hats in two months will be a great accomplishment for me. Some of the hat patterns have stitches I'm not completely used to yet, like cables. I'm hoping it will help me get used to cabling a bit more.

4. Photograph of your swatch or explanation of why a swatch is not needed. Please note that "I never swatch" will not be accepted as an explanation.

I have swatched for the first hat. My gauge is about half an inch off and I will fit the gauge before I start knitting. If I need to include swatches for the others, let me know.

Thank you so much for considering me!