Spring introductions

Hello to Gryffs new and old! Spring term is upon us, and it’s the perfect time of year for new beginnings, rebirths, and re-introductions!

If you’re new to the blog, we cover the ins and outs of Gryffindor life. We’ll post summaries of the classes when they go up so that you can refer back to a simplified list, we’ll cheer on those attempting OWLS, BROOMS, NEWTS, Quidditch, and inter-house unity projects, we’ll let you know when there are new and interesting things going on around the house, and we’ll call you out to admire some of the amazing projects you've been working on!!

To start the term fresh, we’d like to introduce you to the blog team!

First up: PrincessSerenity
1. How long have you been a crafter, and what crafts do you do?
I've been a crafter for about 10 years. I started with latchhooking and eventually attempted knitting. It took a few tries to stick, but once it did there was no going back. I've been knitting for 4-ish years now.
2. Which of your projects are you most proud of?
I can only pick one? It would have to be my Mud Season Pullover- the first sweater-ish thing I made for myself (successfully too!)

3. What are you most excited for in the coming term?
I am going to be attempting my first OWL this term, wish me luck!
4. Who is your favorite HP character?
From the books: It's Ron. It's always been Ron. (And I always shipped Ron/Hermione)
From the movies: Beside Ron, I loved the actor who played Oliver Wood - his accent ... ~swoon~
5. Why Gryffindor?
Every time I've read the books or watched the movies (which is dozens of time, on both accounts) Gryffindor has just felt like home.
6. What's the one project you can't wait to cast on this term?
My OWL project - I will be making Impressionist Afghan, a birthday or Christmas present for my fiancé (which are both in December, so I have tons of time).

Next: Catsmousehold
1. How long have you been a crafter, and what crafts do you do?
I've been a crafter/artist most of my life, drawing, painting, silversmithing, anything that strikes my fancy. I started crocheting in December of 2010, and started knitting and spinning at the beginning 2012.
2. Which of your projects are you most proud of?
Hmmm...I think my biggest project, it was a Katherine Wheel cotton summer blanket. It is HUGE and HEAVY! And it's also hot orange and hot green

3. What are you most excited for in the coming term?
Knitting a shawl! *eeek!*
4. Who is your favorite HP character?
Just one? MacGonegal, Ron, Harry, Snape - no particular order (except McGonegal, she's my fave).
5. Why Gryffindor?
KITTIES! ROAR!! Chocolate frog cards! ROAR. Did I mention KITTIES!
6. What's the one project you can't wait to cast on this term?
I'm going to be making a tapestry shawl out of yummy cotton for the summer. I just got the yarn. I think it should be simple enough. I just love WRAPS! <3 And this one is very colourful.
Also, I want to finish a few crochet wips that have been hanging about for far too long!

Finally: Derring-do (me!)
1. How long have you been a crafter, and what crafts do you do?
I've always been involved in one craft or another, but I learned to knit about a decade ago. I've been more serious about it in the last five years. I love knitting, embroidery, paper crafts  and pretty much any type of craft that allows you to create.
2. Which of your projects are you most proud of?
My sweater! I finished my very first sweater last term with encouragement from my fellow Gryffs, and I couldn't be more proud of it! I encourage everyone who is afraid to start their own to join the first sweater along going on in the house right now!

3. What are you most excited for in the coming term?
New projects! I’m on a sock kick, so I’m excited to work through about a million new pairs of socks, and make sure that everyone I love has warm and toasty feet!
4. Who is your favorite HP character?
I have to choose? I’d say Neville has always captured my heart. He has a wonderfully complex and interesting story, and was brave as a lion from the very beginning!
5. Why Gryffindor?
I Love the people here, and the way that they’re so happy to brag about one another’s amazing accomplishments!
6. What's the one project you can't wait to cast on this term?
Socks! I've got a hank of my own hand dyed sock yarn waiting to become something beautiful, and I’m eager to start working with it!

Do you have any questions for our blogging staff? Is there anything you’d really love to see us cover? Let us know in the comments!!

Sorting is Open!

Attention all Gryffindors!!

Sorting is open! If you would like to continue on as a Gryffindor player, visit the sorting thread before April 25!

Break Month Fun!

Another term down, Gryffindors! Excellent job last month! Now we're enjoying a quick break month before the next term. Are you unsure of what to do to keep your needles and hooks going? Are you looking for something to do while you wait? Well, here are a few ideas of things that are happening during April that you can get involved with!

April Absurdity: 

This thread in the HPKCHC is all about the many random holidays in April! Check in to find what holiday they're celebrating, craft something themed around it, and earn a pretty badge or two! No points are assigned for this, but it's still a fun way to keep your needles and hooks motivated.

House Movie Night:

The Gryffs are hosting some movie nights this term! The schedule as it stands is:

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Wed. April 10th @7pm EST

Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Part 2 Sun. April 14th @ 1pm EST

Snow White and the Huntsman TBA

Check in, watch the movie with us however you can, and have a little fun over the break! 

W.I.P. It: 

This month Gryffindor is hosting a finish up your works in progress along! Get some of those projects that have been taking up space off of your needles and encourage others to do the same!

(reblogged from http://ijuliapotter.tumblr.com/)

These are just a few of the many opportunities that April offers house-cuppers! If you know of others, please comment! What are you most looking forward to this term?

Interview with Catsmousehold

First of all, introduce yourself! 
Hi I’m CatsMousehold and I live in Canada. I’m a stay at home sort due to various health issues and I Crochet and Knit to keep myself busy. I live with 4 cats, a puppy, a lizard, two parrotlets, a Pearly Conure, a Guinea Pig and the man of the house (MOTH)!

Can you tell us about your duties in the Cup and in Gryffindor? 
I wear two hats currently. I am one of the Inter-House Unity team who promote events between the various houses to get some mixing of people and the making of new friends. I do a bit of writing to add pizazz to the writing for I-HU events and make them a little more exciting :)

I’m also a Hall Monitor in the Great Hall, something I have quite a bit of fun doing! I am more of a back of the scenes person for that. I take the team’s ideas for the Hall and fluff and primp the writing. I poke my nose in now and again to participate in the Question of the week, but the others are more diligent about keeping order and answering questions. I’m always around so anyone can feel free to message me if they are feeling lost :)

What’s going on right now? 
This month (March) Gryffindor is hosting the Inter-House Unity event with Hufflepuff! So I check on that several times a day and try to herd Badgers together with the stack of Lions who are waiting in the wings! (Come on out of your Dens Badgers, we won’t bite! :)

What’s on your needles/hooks? 
Currently I’m knitting my very first ever knit pair of socks! I find it intimidating and being only through about 25 rows of the socks, having had to rip them half out, having had to tink back several rows…several times, they are every bit as daunting as I thought they would be!! But I love the yarn I’m using (Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes by Hermione Jean Creations) and watching where the colours land as the pattern progresses.

I also want to make a bunch of smallish things for at least 6 classes and I’m plugging along with those. I’ve been making blanket squares for Dumalaisuzu’s charity Knit a square, so I’m going to keep working at that.

What’s your favorite project so far this term? 

I think my Woozle is my favourite project this year so far :) I love rainbows and this turned out smashing and I think I did a fair job with the fit and finish. He’s adorable. I often give my stuffies away, but this one is MINE. [Editor's note: prize nominated woozle!]

Anything else you’d like to share? 
Having the house cup prompts gives my crafting a certain purpose and I really like the push. However, I wish there were more catagories that allowed WIPs. I think that the cup started to help folks finish WIPs, but if WIPs are only allowed in detention, one still ends up with the problem of motivation to get the WIPs finished! I have several really big projects that are sitting in favour of doing other smaller projects that I might not otherwise do but really fit “the prompt!”. Anyway you slice it, I love the house cup, and the people! Virtual friends are still pretty darn good friends! <3

Blanket Skills!

This month we've seen some amazing blanket squares from our house! Here are some fun inspirations for those who are always trying to churn out squares!


RayOLR:



DorothyJean:


Pinkleo:



adevinelife:


Naturallyknitty:


Mermaidboo:



jwill:

AmyPC:


cindiknits:


KatieMc1229:


jensta79:


kmroberton:


tesseractivate:


knittingima:


pinklemons:


puffygriffinclaw:


amandajenks:


knitsNhikes:


isgarner:


catmarie:


f1bercat:


cillaspins:


lupingirl:



jensta79:


These are just some of the amazing projects that have been posted so far this month. Keep up the great work, Gryffs!

March Classes

March classes are posted, Gryffs! Here's a concise as possible summary of the prompts for you to refer back to throughout the month:

Charms:
Pick any charm from the Harry Potter universe and craft a project inspired by it!

Herbology:
Option 1: Craft something inspired by the Mimbulus Mimbletonia
Option 2: Create something to protect you from Stinksap, or clean up after it
Option 3: Create something to help you overcome timidity.

DADA:
Craft something inspired by at least two of the 7 colors in the visible spectrum (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)

Flying:
Option 1: Something with wings
Option 2: Something to keep your feet warm
Option 3: Spin/dye sick weight

Divination:
Craft a project inspired by Marcasite (something that blocks out negatives, or looks deceptive)

Potions:
Option 1: Craft something soothing
Option 2: Use stash to work without a pattern
Option 3: Craft something to represent a Wolf's Bane potion.

COMC:
Craft something inspired by a moke

Muggle Studies:
Option 1: Craft something that represents a muggle musical device
Option 2: Craft a protective cover for a musical device
Option 3: Craft something needed to operate a muggle musical device.



reblogged from http://trusthim.tumblr.com/tagged/houseq

Detention Attention

How's your term going, Gryffs?

I'm starting to feel the pressure, since I've made it my goal to submit to every class this month. I'm even hoping to whip a long forgotten WIP into shape, and submit something for detention. If you're looking for some much needed inspiration to dive in to those project baskets and closet shelves and pull out the unfinished objects that have been haunting your knitting nightmares, here are some amazing examples of what Gryffs can do with a little determination!

f1bercat:


PennyIA


KnittingIma:


Knitwit685:


kmroberton:


pinkleo:


pinklemons:


Barknknit


DorothyJean:


Questionable:


Tacolove:



These are just a few of the lovely projects that have been submitted to Detention this month! Take a stroll through the thread for yourself to see some more of the amazing work Gryffs have been doing. What WIPs have you been plotting? Are there any projects you've been thinking of picking back up?