Knitter in Progress

I went to the midnight showing of Half Blood Prince last night. Currently I'm running on about 3.5 hours of sleep so I apologize for any spelling/grammar errors or rambling :) I LOVED the movie--of course I knew I would. It was definitely worth the wait and price of admission. Excellent acting, lots of laughs, and lots of dark moments as well--exactly what I like to see in a movie. Before the movie, Stacey and I worked on Barn Raising Blanket squares in the Opal Tonks colorway and watched the entertainment--the most notable of which was an epic wand battle which included a guest appearance by Luke Skywalker and his lightsaber--too funny! I got over half of a square done before the movie started. I'll definitely be seeing it again in a week or so. The movies just keep getting better and better.

I have been waiting, not so patiently, for months and it is finally here. The Opal Harry Potter yarn has arrived in Colorado and in an unprecedented move for me, I splurged on two of each skein :) **top row(left to right): Hedwig, Harry, Ron and Harry, Ron **bottom row(left to right): Draco, Tonks, Lupin, Dumbledore I have loved Opal sock yarn since I started knitting socks back in 2004 and this yarn is no exception. I love how Tonks and Lupin's colorways are somewhat related. Hedwig looks great too. My biggest beef, I guess, is that instead of a "Harry and Ron" combo colorway why couldn't they have done a Hermione? Or since it's a tribute to Half Blood Prince wouldn't Snape be a logical choice. Not complaining, just sayin' is all. And just because I like looking at them, here's another pic: And another that I messed with using my photo editing software(I can't really tell the difference though?):

Spoiler Alert --although if you consider yourself a fan of the books and haven't finished Deathly Hallows yet--well, I just don't get it. Moving on: I have not talked about Deathly Hallows here because I've really been letting it sink in for a few months. I don't really have any problems with the main storyline. I'm a bit disappointed that Harry didn't die and REALLY disappointed Ginny didn't(as my knitting crew knows). Keep in mind that I am a huge fan of the Mauraders and I really pick apart things about those characters. There are some questions and thoughts that have been lingering in my mind. Remus/Tonks ** did they "have" to get married? That would explain a lot; although admittedly I haven't analyzed the timeline to figure it out(yet). ** what was the point of Tonks as character? Seriously, I thought that when she was initially introduced it was to show some more good in the Black family tree(outside of Sirius) and possibly to show th...

I don't know what it is about stranded type knitting, but it always seems to go so fast. I just love watching the pattern develop and find myself unable to put a piece down, which is exactly what happened with Little Diva's bag. I worked on it at home, at my knitting group, and in the car waiting for Diva and/or Rage to get out of school. Here's the result: Keep in mind that this isn't blocked yet and I still need to crochet the edging/strap and add a lining(which I'm excited about because I want to use paw prints, black paw prints, as an homage to Sirius). The crochet thing is freaking me out a bit, because I suck at crochet--really it's just sad. There is something about it that doesn't click with my brain? I'll have my copy of Happy Hooker in hand while I try to follow the crochet instructions--with me luck ;) **I really want to make a Ravenclaw bag too--I'll have to get that on the list.

Yes, the Little Diva "mommy sweatshop" is working in full force this fall. Besides her cross stitch piece I am knitting her two things for her Halloween costume. You see, my darling daughter wants to be Hermione for Halloween(I couldn't be more thrilled and no I didn't encourage her too much towards this idea ;)). I've already gotten her a Gryffindor robe, a tie, and a uniform--she has an authentic Hermione wand that lights up. I could have knit the sweater, I suppose, but realistically I knew I wouldn't have it done so I bought a black cardigan(a la Order of the Phoenix) and I may duplicate stitch Gryffindor colors on it. I know I'm her mom and just a little biased but she looks TOO CUTE in that uniform--it makes me wish she went to a fancy private school. Since major Halloween knitting wasn't in the picture I figured I could whip up a Hermione hat(for trick or treating in the frozen/rainy/sleeting tundra that is Colorado at the end of October) and th...

I bow before greatness and vision. I'm totally blown away by this -- it makes me want to quilt. And call me crazy(or crazier, if you will) but this looks like it would be really hard and full of minute detail--is that up my alley or what? Don't worry--quilting is not in my immediate future, but this would sure be on the list if it was.

**group picture coming soon after I weave in all these ends: I have not been in an "end weaving" state of mind in the last month which is why these squares go practically everywhere with me but never actually get done. I'm hoping to chip away at them while I wait to pick Little Diva up from school(which started today). Altogether now: Positive/Negative Onto Ravenclaw!!

I've finished one of my Horcrux socks. I love the colorway of the yarn I picked--it looks just like the book cover(although the picture may not show it exactly). These are definitely socks that look better on feet or sock blockers. When I'm all done I'll take a pic with them on. Pattern: Horcrux Socks(available through the Six Sox KAL) Yarn: Jojoland Melody(Y17)

6:34 PM Saturday, July 21 I'm speechless right now.

The sorting hat says that I belong in Ravenclaw! Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose intelligence is surest." Ravenclaw students tend to be clever, witty, intelligent, and knowledgeable. Notable residents include Cho Chang and Padma Patil (objects of Harry and Ron's affections), and Luna Lovegood (daughter of The Quibbler magazine's editor). Take the most scientific Harry Potter Quiz ever created. Get Sorted Now! I never took this quiz--it seems pretty thorough and I'm still in Ravenclaw, hurray!

I'll be offline from now until I'm done with HP7. I don't want anything to spoil this :) Happy knitting, stitching, and reading(if you'll be one of the millions doing so this weekend)! **although I may sneak on briefly tomorrow because I have the Gryffindor squares done and I want to share if I get all the ends woven in

Last night Sheep in the City , The Knitty Professor , and I got to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix . We arrived very early so we could get good seats. It was people watching at its finest, folks. I felt very much as if I was back in the high school classroom. Ah, teenagers--so much angst, so little thought into what clothing actually looks good on you. Then there were the 10 year olds sitting next to us--providing the best quote of the evening "Go Legos" or whatever it was that one kid kept saying--let.it.go. I get it; your mom let you go to movie at midnight and it makes you feel cool to yell things at the screen WAY more times than necessary(this was all before the feature started, mind you). I personally liked one trip I made to restroom where one of a group of young ladies dressed in their Hogwarts slutty attire(did you know that was one of the required uniforms--besides dress robes and the regular uniform?)looked at herself in the mirror and said, "I l...

Tickets: check Deathly Hallows: preordered Reread: HPSS, HPCoS, HPPoA, HPGoF, HPOotP(quarter way) Enjoying the madness: priceless :) I probably shouldn't even mention my Hogwarts Crest Banner, Sirius Black action figure, and wand? I'm a Harry Potter geek and I don't care who knows it!

I was reading Laura's blog last night and she mentioned the Harry Potter Read Along . I am so in! This spring and summer is going to be loaded with Harry Potter goodness. First, there is Alison's book , then Order of the Phoenix on the big screen, and finally The Deathly Hallows will make its appearance heralding the end of the Harry Potter era. It's definitely a time for the HP obsessed to celebrate.