Quidditch Ideas - What? Socks!

What about feet? You can make socks for charity, no problem, but can you do it in a month? If you can, I want to see pictures! With that said, here are some very cool free patterns.

Knit Socks:

• Monkey are cool in stripes, solids, or variegates!
• Skew turns Gryff stripes into the socks at left!  Cooh, right?
  
• Hedera are lovely in any yarn, and it's an easy-peasy lace repeat!
• Thuja uses a heavier yarn for fast and warm results.
• I know from personal experience that Sunday Swing Socks are elegant and easily memorizable.
• I'm sure our favorite heroine would approve of Hermione's Everyday Socks!
• The Leyburn Socks are gorgeous.
• I love the Froot Loop pattern!
• The Yarn Harlot's Earl Grey pattern is classically elegant.
  
• Don't you think Dumbledore would approve of the Fawkes pattern?

And for my fellow crocheters:

• These Crochet Socks were used for the Sock! Sock! Sock! Challenge (at which, incidentally, Gryffindor kicked butt!).
• The Ultimate Crocheted Socks echo many common elements of knit socks: toe up with a gusset and heel flap.
• If you don't mind seeming, try the Turkish Origami Socks for a twist!
• I like the Bistro socks!
• The Bleached Herringbone socks demonstrate the versatility of crochet stitches.
• DROPS design is known for elegant designs, and this pattern is no exception.
• I like these Häkelsocken - what a cool name!
• These Violette de Paris socks are simply beautiful.
• The Heklesokker are worked from side to side!
• Toes Up Socks are simple and easily adjustable.

That's it for this round!  Until next time:

Quidditch Ideas - What? Cowls!

Hullo, Gryffies! Here's another list of quick Quidditch projects. We all love cowls for their ease and speed, and they are economical when it comes to using yarn, so why not make a few cowls instead of scarves for charity?

First, the knit patterns.

• The Birthday Cowl is a quick knit using worsted weight.  (I made one for myself using DK weight!)
• Use bulky weight for a Quickie Cowl.
• The Darkside Cowl is elegant, but totally unisex.
• DK weight makes a light but warm Spiral Cowl.
• Burnished Leaves is delicate and feminine in a sport weight.
• You can use any yarn for the Malabrigo Neck Thingie.
• The Gloria Cowl calls for fingering weight, but it would be simple to use a heavier yarn.
• Use a variegate bulky for the Chickadee Cowl - fun and colourful!
• I love A Noble Cowl.
• Simplicity is a good thing as evidenced by Cap'n Crunch.

Unfortunately for us crocheters, there are far fewer patterns to choose from!  Here are a few I liked:

• The Convertible Cowl is simple and easy.
• Any yarn would work for the One Row Lace Cowl.
• Try bulky for the Crimson Ridge Cowl.
• The DK weight using in the Cardiff Cowl keeps the fabric nice and light.
• The Calm Cowl is so versatile!
• I love the Crosshatch Cowl.
• Baby, It's Cowled Outside!
• The Flexi Cowl looks like a good candidate for changing the gauge!
• The Wiffley-Waffley Cowl almost looks knit!
• Who says charity clothes have to be boring?  I'm thinking Ringo is both fun and practical!

Alrighty, then, Gryffindor!  Love you all, and I'll be back with more patterns next week!  :)

Quidditch Ideas - What? Hats!

Okay, so WHAT can you make?  Let me see if I can break this down a bit.  :)  For this post, we'll talk HATS!

Everyone thinks of hats.  In fact, so many people immediately think hats that sometimes charities run short of things like socks, scarves, gloves, blankets, and other things.  So do consider that before you make hats!  ;P  Many of the charities listed above accept hats.  So, some free hat patterns (Ravelry links):

• Hermione's Cable & Eyelet Hat (she did make hats for the House Elves, after all!)
• Turn A Square is simple and easy, and good for leftovers!
• Thorpe is warm and cozy, and, being top down, is great for stretching your yardage!
• Felicity is simple and elegant.
• This lace-edged woman's hat is lovely, and perfect for cancer patients.
• Shroom will work up FAST and warm!
• How about A Better Bucket?
• The Star-Crossed Slouchy Beret is on my list of must knits!
• Foliage works with multiple yarn weights!

Oh no, she's forgotten crocheters!  Not true!  How about:

• The Husband Hat is simple and clean.
• Want a lace hat?
• Divine Hat is pretty pretty.
• I love the Nubby Brim Cloche!
• A free, crochet take on Koolhaas?  Try the Diamond Ridges Hat.
• I love this puff stitch crochet beret!
• The Gulf Shores Hat is a perfect chemo hat.
• The Shell Brimmed Cloche is elegant!
• The Flowerpot Hat is darling!
• Kirsten is reminiscent of Thorpe!

Baby hats!  :D  Oh, fiddlesticks, I can't choose!  Take a look!

Oh, just for fun, a few headbands:

• The Quick Winter Headband is crocheted using your choice of stitch!
• Everyone loves Calorimetry!
• Learn entrelac with Quant!
• I love the grace of the Blue Leaf Headband.
• Bamboozled is surprisingly easy, and a great way to get comfy with cables.
• Isn't Portsmouth elegant?
• A lovely fair isle headband!
• The Hilda Headband is very pretty and queenly.
• I love the Lattice Cabled Headband!
• This Basketweave Headband looks nice and simple.

That's it for this round, Gryffs!  Keep crafting!  Maybe, just maybe, we'll earn the House and Quidditch Cups both this year!

Quidditch Ideas - Who?

Good morning, Gryffindor!  Wow, it's been too long, hasn't it?  I hope your week and month are going well!  I wanted to share some nice patterns, and give you ideas of what to make and where to send.  This is the first in a series of posts.  :D

First, WHO can you give to?  Any local charity is good, or perhaps your local hospital, homeless shelter, old folks home, church, or even Goodwill!  ;P  Other ideas include:

• Isis' HoH Challenge 
• Knit A Square 
• Caps for Good 
• Bundles of Joy (Rav link)
• The Salvation Army (US link) and Salvos (Australia)
• The Comfort Doll Project 
• The Special Olympics Scarf Project 
• Secours Catholique 
• Blankets4Canada 
• Mother Bear Project
• Afghans for Afghans
• Super Scarves
• Operation Christmas Child (US) and (UK)
• Angel Tree
• Apparently, your local fire fighters or police may carry "comfort" stuffies around when responding to calls, for children.  Call them up and ask!
• Need more ideas?  Check out Wikipedia's list of charities!
• Have a favorite charity that isn't listed?  Post a comment and let me know!  :D

My charity of choice is Operation Christmas Child.  My church runs an AWANA program, and every fall we host a regional shoebox drive!  It's incredible to watch, but I am usually scrambling to participate!  This year, I intend to be ready when shoebox time comes around!  ;)

Next post, I'll be listing some handy (and free!) patterns you can use.

Roar, Gryffindor!