Featured HPKCHC Podcast - The Knit Girllls

We have a great podcast to tell you about this week!  It's called The Knit Girllls and you can find it on iTunes, their blog, blip and YouTube.  It's hosted by our fellow HPKCHC member, Laura (aka LaLa), and Leslie (aka udontcallmeles).

The show is a lot of fun and both Laura and Leslie provide their viewers with all sorts of useful advice and information.  It's a great podcast to watch while crafting since they are very good at keeping their audience entertained and you may be inspired by them to try a new technique or pattern.

We asked Laura if she was willing to do an interview with us for the blog and, luckily for us, she agreed!  Here are the questions we asked her and her responses ...

When did you start this podcast and what motivated you to start it? 

We started the podcast back in April of 2010. At that point the knitting video podcast world had one other video podcast (Round the Twist) and we thought we could offer a different perspective.

What types of topics do you discuss in your podcast? Do you have a format you usually follow or just go with the flow? 

We have segments, but they tend to flow into one another versus being very structured. In our podcast you can find what knitting we are working on, what we have finished, what we are spinning, a viewer q and a segment, a book review, what we are reading, and our favorite things. We also tend to do a weekly giveaway.

What type(s) of crafting do you normally do and how long have you been doing them? What are your favorite colors and fibers to work with?

I’ve been knitting since I was 8 and spinning on a wheel for around 6 years. I love working with natural fibers and exploring new breed specific yarn. Purple is by far my favorite color while Leslie’s is red.

Which HPKCHC house are you in and what year are you? Have you ever been part of one of the other houses? If so, when and for how long? 

I always forget what year I am, so terrible. I think this is at least my 7th term. All terms prior to this one were with Gryffindor and now I’m with Slytherin.

Are you working on an OWL, NEWT or a mission this term? How’s it going? 

I’m currently working on a potions OWL and processing a 3 pound Cormo fleece. It’s going well, and I hope to make my 50% mark by the end of this week. [Note: this was a few weeks ago] I’ve never been able to hit the 50% mark on any of the other OWLs I attempted and failed.

Which of the projects that you’ve turned in for something HPKCHC-related was your favorite to work on and why? 

I always love Quiddy. It allows me to pick out some smaller projects that I may not have thought to make. The world cup prompts this term have been really fun and motivational!

What’s your favorite part about being in HPKCHC? 

I find HPKCHC a very inspiring place to be. It allows me to see patterns I may have glazed over in a new light. Members of the group (no matter what house) are always so helpful and kind.

Head Girls Interview Series Part 4- Slytherin

Hi, and welcome to the last in our series of Head Girl interviews. Every Thursday for the last three weeks we we have sat down with one of the Head Girls in the Cup. One of the most wonderful things about the Cup is that we get to have fun and get to know others that are as crazy about crafting and Harry Potter as we are. We hope that these interviews provide you with a way to get to know other players and hopefully enhance the connections and friendships we all share.

This week we are sitting down with Slytherin Head Girl, peanutzmom. So grab a cup of tea and your latest project and get cozy while we talk to her about how she found the Cup, what she jobs she has held, what it feels like to be second in command, her favorite past projects and more.

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KMNash: How did you find the Cup?

peanutzmom: I had only been on Ravelry a few months when I joined the Odd Ducks Swap group. During a Magical Creature Swap, I noticed one of the swappers had a Slytherin Ravatar. I’ve always been a huge HP fan, so I post stalked her and discovered the House Cup!


KMNash: How long have you been playing the Cup?

peanutzmom: Forvere! No, really, I had to go look it up and saw that I discovered it in July 2009, and the Fall 2009 Term was my first one as a Sorted player. I think that makes this my 15th Term?


KMNash: What year were you when you joined staff, what jobs have you held?

peanutzmom: I had been playing about a year when I joined the staff. My Mama Snake left during the Event That Shall Not Be Named, and I volunteered to fill in. Since then, I’ve been a Mama Snake, Prefect, and Head Girl on Slytherin Staff, and I’ve been an OWL Assistant and a Professor for several different classes on House Cup Staff.


KMNash: What is a Head Girl, what are some of your jobs and things that are expected of you?

peanutzmom: I feel that Head Girl is the HOH’s support person. I keep an eye on the Common Room and certain Threads, head up the Sunshine Committee, and pretty much do whatever else suenosdejmi asks me to do!


KMNash: What are some of the unexpected trials and joys of your current position? (things that are harder to deal with then you thought, and things that are even more fun then you thought)

peanutzmom: Hmmm, I think the hardest thing is having to mediate when people inadvertently or accidentally hurt each other’s feelings. I like all of my Snakes to get along, and it makes me sad when they don’t! Interacting with all of the new Snakelets each Term is super-fun, and I always look forward to it!


KMNash: You are kinda next in line for the “throne” as it were, do you think that you would take on Head of House if asked or do you think you would prefer to stay Second in Command?

peanutzmom: If it became necessary, I would gladly step up to the HOH position.


KMNash: What would you say is the greatest change to your crafting since joining the cup, what have you improved on the most, be it style or a specific craft or time management etc?

peanutzmom: I try bigger and more challenging things, thanks to the House Cup! I doubt I would have ever attempted lace, beads, short rows, Magic Loop, socks, and about a dozen other things if it weren’t for the support I’ve found in the House Cup!


KMNash: How active are you with OWLS and NEWTS and other Advanced Studies options?

peanutzmom: I love OWLs and Missions, but NEWTS still scare me…..


KMNash: Do you have an OWL or NEWT that was especially hard for you to complete?

peanutzmom: Hahaha! I’ve had a lot of incomplete OWLs! My biggest challenge (which, unfortunately, is still a WIP) was my As You Wish blanket. It was only my second or third attempt reading lace charts, I snapped my wooden circulars THREE times, dropping random stitches each time, and there weren’t any completed FOs on Ravelry for me to look at when I got stuck on something. Hopefully, I’ll be more successful when I pick it back up for a Detention OWL the next time that option rolls around…


KMNash: Of all your turn ins to the cup, this term and past, what are some of the ones you are most proud of and what were they turned in for? (providing links to project page or picture would be wonderful)

peanutzmom: Hmmm, I think that would be my Charms OWL! It was my first attempt using laceweight yarn, only my second or third attempt at lace stitches, and my first attempt reading a chart. On top of that, I hand dyed the whole thing when I finished. It’s still my favorite shawl!


KMNash: When you tell others about the cup what are some of your funnest memories to talk about?

peanutzmom: Oh, we Slytherins can be wacky! I love our spontaneous -alongs (the fun fur thong-along was classic), and we have a tendency to egg each other on to do crazy things!


KMNash: Do you have any pointers or comments you would like to say to everyone about anything?

peanutzmom: Just enjoy, relax, and have fun! You can be as laid-back or as crazy as you choose to be. Remember, in the bigger scheme of things, this is just a game for Imaginary Points!

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And that ends our series on the Head Girls. I hope that you all enjoyed getting to know them better. Remember if you need help getting an idea for a class or working something you made into a class the Knight Bus is ready to help. Also if you are one of the Proud 65, remember you have till the 27th to get out on the Quidditch pitch and score for Gryffindor.

Head Girls Interview Series Part 3- Hufflepuff

Hi, and welcome to the third in our series of Head Girl interviews. Every Thursday for the last three weeks we we have sat down with one of the Head Girls in the Cup. One of the most wonderful things about the Cup is that we get to have fun and get to know others that are as crazy about crafting and Harry Potter as we are. We hope that these interviews provide you with a way to get to know other players and hopefully enhance the connections and friendships we all share.

This week we are sitting down with Hufflepuff Head Girl, Chellbelle. So grab a cup of tea and your latest project and get cozy while we talk to her about how she found the Cup, what she jobs she has held, what it feels like to be second in command, her favorite past projects and more.

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KMNash: How did you find the Cup? 

Chellbelle: MY LYS friends were playing and I’m a huge HP fan and it sounded like a lot of fun.


KMNash: How long have you been playing the Cup? 

Chellbelle: Since Fall 2011.


KMNash: What year were you when you joined staff, what jobs have you held? 

Chellbelle: I joined staff in a small role before my third year. I have held several jobs including a HuffleCleaner thread, HECKmistress (helping fit projects to classes), Academic Prefect (in charge of all Advanced Studies), and currently Head Girl.


KMNash: What is a Head Girl, what are some of your jobs and things that are expected of you? 

Chellbelle: Head Girl is the second in command. I am generally the right hand to the Head of House as well as overseeing Quidditch, Puffopoly, and our Badge Badgers. I also keep a check on our students to see that they are meeting their minimum requirements for sorting priority.


KMNash: What are some of the unexpected trials and joys of your current position? (things that are harder to deal with then you thought, and things that are even more fun then you thought) 

Chellbelle: I’m not sure that I had any particular expectations for the role so nothing jumps out as out of the ordinary. It just feels like a continuation of helping out my fellow staff and students in Hufflepuff. The behind the scenes in the House Cup staff room gives me greater insight to many things regarding how things operate which I think gives me an ever greater understanding when advising our staff and fellow students.


KMNash: You are kinda next in line for the “throne” as it were, do you think that you would take on Head of House if asked or do you think you would prefer to stay Second in Command? 

Chellbelle: There is generally a succession plan in Hufflepuff and as such when the Head of House steps down I will step into that role.


KMNash: What would you say is the greatest change to your crafting since joining the cup, what have you improved on the most, be it style or a specific craft or time management etc?

Chellbelle: I definitely have a better sense of how long something will take me complete. I’m also more likely to finish things although I didn’t have a huge WIP list when I started in the Cup. I’m always game for trying something new or that I haven’t tried so that hasn’t changed too much since joining the Cup. I do feel that I get exposed to a lot more variety so that means that I want to try more things than I may have without the Cup environment.


KMNash: How active are you with OWLS and NEWTS and other Advanced Studies options? 

Chellbelle: I am active personally and in our threads helping other students. I have worked on some form of Advanced Studies in each of my terms and generally attempt to do a Mission along with an OWL/NEWT.


KMNash: Do you have an OWL or NEWT that was especially hard for you to complete? 

Chellbelle: Most of my OWLs and NEWTs that were completed were challenging but not to the point of killing myself. I have had two unsuccessful OWLs of which one was stopped due to a pattern not working out after the old change deadline and one where RL just made it impossible to work on. That OWL is planned as part of a detention OWL in the upcoming Winter term.


KMNash: Of all your turn ins to the cup, this term and past, what are some of the ones you are most proud of and what were they turned in for? (providing links to project page or picture would be wonderful) 

Chellbelle: I’m proud of how well the Digger Jacket came out for my son who wore it for two seasons. I’m also pretty proud of my spindle spinning OWL as well.

KMNash: When you tell others about the cup what are some of your funnest memories to talk about? 

Chellbelle: Nothing comes to me off the top of my head but that’s probably because there have been many.


KMNash: Do you have any pointers or comments you would like to say to everyone about anything? 

Chellbelle: Have fun and challenge yourself.

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And here is where we will end till next weeks interview. Remember if you need help getting an idea for a class or working something you made into a class the Knight Bus is ready to help. Also if you are one of the Proud 65, remember you have till the 27th to get out on the Quidditch pitch and score for Gryffindor.

ROAR

Friday Featured Class: Charms

Hi there, today we are slipping into Charms, seeing who has a good handle on the Riddikulous charm. Finding things that make you laugh can be hard sometimes... and then sometimes not so hard at all. Hehe.
Just wait till you see a few of the ways people tickle their funny bones.


Gryffindor

PurpleSnowDrop made a flower sweater for a turtle. Very cute, and giggle inducing.

PuffyGriffinClaw made a "Yoda" hat. Funny it is, I think.

Hufflepuff


boogiemonster made an adorable puffy version of a DALEK, t see a creature so dangerous and scary reduced to a squishy, huggable puff just brings on giggle fits.

Crochetnw brought a purple sheep to class...now that is a funny thought, wool we don't have to dye.

Ravenclaw

nightrae made a mustache that tickles the lip and the funny bone.

Omeletsmom brough back memories of the Three Stooges for me with this banana peel

Slytherin


loneilteaches made this cute, and giggle worthy Frog Prince.

seakame knitted chickens to "sit" on eggs. Chicken shaped egg cozy, cute and funny.

These are just a few of the amazing turn ins in Charms class this month. I recommend you stop by the class, you might get some ideas and you never know when a good laugh might save the day.

There is only a couple days left in this month, make sure you get that one class requirement in for your sorting. Remember if you need help getting an idea for a class or working something you made into a class the Knight Bus is ready to help. Don't forget partials count, and if life has just stomped all over your crafting this month, talk to AmyPC and let her know, she might be able to give you a excuse note.

Only a couple more days left if you have not got your class in yet. Also if you are one of the Proud 74, remember you have till the 29th to get out on the Quidditch pitch and score for Gryffindor.




ROAR

Head Girls Interview Series Part 2- Ravenclaw

Hi, and welcome to the second in our series of Head Girl interviews. Every Thursday for the next four weeks we are going to sit down with one of the Head Girls in the Cup. One of the most wonderful things about the Cup is that we get to have fun and get to know others that are as crazy about crafting and Harry Potter as we are. We hope that these interviews provide you with a way to get to know other players and hopefully enhance the connections and friendships we all share.

This week we are sitting down with Ravenclaw Head Girl, OneNeedleKnitting. So grab a cup of tea and your latest project and get cozy while we talk to her about how she found the Cup, what she jobs she has held, what it feels like to be second in command, her favorite past projects and more.


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KMNash: How did you find the Cup?

OneNeedleKnitting: Bijou3owl, a Hufflepuff, did this purely ridiculous scarf, which I came across when I was knitting the same pattern. I found the Cup through her page and never looked back. (well, mostly- I didn’t realize you couldn’t sign up during the term and when I looked in on January 1st, I actually read the rules and then waited patiently for the next term)


KMNash: How long have you been playing the Cup?

OneNeedleKnitting: Since Spring 2011, so this is my 13th term.


KMNash: What year were you when you joined staff, what jobs have you held?

OneNeedleKnitting: I joined the Ravenclaw staff as an adorable second year as Quidditch Captain and held that position for a calendar year or more before moving into a Prefect role, which I also held for ages, before being asked to be Head Girl.


KMNash: What is a Head Girl, what are some of your jobs and things that are expected of you?

OneNeedleKnitting: The Head Girl is the second in command in the House. When people want to start new threads or are confused about things or there are moderating issues, I handle them when the Head of House is not readily available to handle it. I also give input on House Staffing decisions, when the time comes.


KMNash: What are some of the unexpected trials and joys of your current position? (things that are harder to deal with then you thought, and things that are even more fun then you thought)

OneNeedleKnitting: I think the hardest part about being on House Staff in general is figuring out where to draw the line in any situation. We try to be PG, but, does that mean “crap” is offensive? This person seems to continually have the same problem, how many times do offer help before we send a PM suggesting some other resources that aren’t The Tower? Nailing down standards is tricky with a group as diverse in age, background, and country of origin as this one.

My favorite part of the position, I think, is that I invented my own badge to award people, the Bacon of Awesome.Here are all the Bacons awarded thus far. It’s a purely subjective award for something crazypants or funny (often both) that just tickled me the right way.


KMNash: You are kinda next in line for the “throne” as it were, do you think that you would take on Head of House if asked or do you think you would prefer to stay Second in Command?

OneNeedleKnitting: My reign as Head of Ravenclaw House will be as glorious as the golden dawn over the battlefield that lies strewn with the broken needles of our vanquished house foes.

Uhhhh ahem, wait, I mean, yes, I would happily serve my House as Head of House, if the Leadership Team decided I were the best candidate for the position. :-D


KMNash: What would you say is the greatest change to your crafting since joining the cup, what have you improved on the most, be it style or a specific craft or time management etc?

OneNeedleKnitting: Before I joined the Cup, I only knit. Now I can competently crochet (two blankets and some amigurumi to my name!), spin a bit, done some koolaid dyeing, and even a bit of tatting. Time management has taken a massive hit, overall :-D


KMNash: How active are you with OWLS and NEWTS and other Advanced Studies options?

OneNeedleKnitting: I have 10 OWLs, which is pretty good, and that was an average of one a term until I failed two straight (oops). I wanted to complete the set before doing a NEWT, mostly because it functions as a useful excuse to avoid having to plan during the term for a project to start in the break month.


KMNash: Do you have an OWL or NEWT that was especially hard for you to complete?

OneNeedleKnitting: Uh… the ones I’ve failed, for sure :-D. Besides that, no one in particular sticks out.


KMNash: Of all your turn ins to the cup, this term and past, what are some of the ones you are most proud of and what were they turned in for? (providing links to project page or picture would be wonderful)

OneNeedleKnitting: I once squished a quintaped, which was pretty memorable.

Oh, wait, did you mean projects specifically? I’m pretty delighted by the lab rat I made for Erulin9, one of my best friends, as a graduation present for graduation from medical school this semester.

KMNash: When you tell others about the cup what are some of your funnest memories to talk about?

OneNeedleKnitting: Hmm… I think it’s really just the support you get in Ravenclaw. We’re so positive and helpful for every situation and offer such complete sympathy/encouragement/enthusiasm for everyone that it’s hard to beat. There have been great moments- like when DrusillaWormwood made everyone into Egyptian gods- but the fact that I can report getting cheering for translation projects, therapy for a phobia, running a marathon, and family problems with my grandma speaks to how much Ravenclaw is there for you.


KMNash: Do you have any pointers or comments you would like to say to everyone about anything?


OneNeedleKnitting: About anything? ProTip: You have to push the little lever down on the toaster when you put the bread in, or it will be very slow to toast.

KMNash: Thank you so much for you time, advice and for showing us your beautiful work. Thank you for all the hard work you put in to everything you do. 

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And here is where we will end till next weeks interview. Remember if you need help getting an idea for a class or working something you made into a class the Knight Bus is ready to help. Only a couple more days left if you have not got your class in yet. Also if you are one of the Proud 74, remember you have till the 29th to get out on the Quidditch pitch and score for Gryffindor.

ROAR

Common Room Recap

Hello and welcome to another common room recap! This week there were 19 pages of Gryffindors (and friends!) chatting.

Jensta79 shared these beautiful views from outside her tent over the weekend. A few days later, she started joining her latest NEWT blanket, and finished it too.

Then, there was some clarification over what a Bowtruckles OWL entails.

Mio kicked off a blanket joining day, with a few updates.

It was pointed out that next term is only a few weeks away, words which brought surprise and the need for planning.

Don't worry everyone, Trevor has been found. Again. You'd think Neville graduating would have meant Trevor was lost less often on Hogwarts, but it appears not. At least he's a cute toad!

KMNash unfortunately lost her favorite yarn needle.

There's a handy post linked here that talks about what parts of a weaving project count for yardage.

Twinimama shared this adorable dragon amigurumi she made.

There was an informative discussion on how younger people playing for the Cup and how much help and guidance it would be good to give them.

Several people shared their inspiration for their screen names on Ravelry. (In case you were wondering my name, WatrPriestess, is a Sailor Moon reference because my favorite character was Sailor Mercury, who controlled water.)

Classicsjen has a handsome new family member! Congratulations!

PurpleSnowdrop added to her stash, though with the plans already in store for it I don't think it'll be there long.

Roseinstitches shared a blanket she finished test knitting for mio and plans to turn in to Flying class.

Unofficial Stats - Headmistress Challenge

According to our Gryffindor unofficial stats spreadsheet, we have 26 Gryffindors that completed the Headmistress Challenge (HMC) and have each earned 15 points (plus potential bonus points), which is a total of 390 points!  Here are the current unofficial standings (before bonus points) for the HMC ...

    Gryffindor - 390 points

    Hufflepuff - 285 points

    Ravenclaw - 285 points

    Slytherin - 240 points

We're currently in the lead for the HMC!  ROAR, Gryffindor!  Let's all turn in a HMC project so we can add to those points!  

Here are some of the awesome projects that Gryffs have turned in for the HMC ...

LadyJennifer made this adorable tutu dress for her daughter

FoxyQueenMum knit these "Berry Special Gloves"

AndiSocial is all ready for a tea party with this cute dress

DesertScarfAce made some adorable bibs and burp cloths

spinningkittle crafted this incredible little hedgehog cozy