*And Transfer!
It's time to meet some more of our newest Ravenclaws! First off, KVAustin has provided us this introduction written by her Little Eagle, First Year suzannemm.
I’m 57 years old, so I think I’ve been knitting for at least 50 years. My mom taught me to cast on, knit and purl. She gave me a ball of brown yarn (probably acrylic) and a pair of needles and I remember knitting and ripping and knitting and ripping. I must have been a process child, because I never made anything with that yarn. I do remember at one point, everything clicked. Up to that point the knitting was ugly with every mistake imaginable, and then all of a sudden, everything looked just fine. I learned at that tender age that new skills take practice, but if you diligently put in the time, you will get better.
Most all other knitting techniques I learned from books. My mom didn’t know how to bind off (she only made mittens and just pulled the thread though the last few stitches) and I remember how cool it was when I learned how from her “How To” book. I also remember a stranger at the laundromat helping me when I was trying to teach myself cables when I was 9 or 10. I was missing something, mine looked funny and I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong. The nice lady saw me crying and showed me what I needed to do. (I don’t remember what it was - but she saw it immediately). Score one for knitting in public and the kindness of strangers.
A swatch proving that suzannemm has mastered cables!
I made mostly scarves in high school. Scarves are easy. But then I decided I was going to make sweaters. The first one was for me. It was a tunic length fair isle with steeking for the sleeve scythes. I was too ignorant to be afraid, and it actually turned out lovely. The problem? My mom had gotten acrylic instead of wool yarn (cheaper), and it didn’t breathe. It was too hot and impossible to wear. Strike one. The second sweater was for a boyfriend (yes, the curse did hit) and we matched the yarn color perfectly to what the pattern called for. It was a royal blue, black and white intarsia pattern. (still not afraid) However, neither mom nor I knew the difference between worsted and DK weight. I did a lovely job on the knitting, too bad it would fit a gorilla. Strike two. The third sweater was for a college boyfriend. (yes, yes, the curse again.) It was an aran, lots of cables and I went along swimmingly, except that I had like two inches of the last sleeve left - and I ran out of yarn. I found something that matched close enough. (meh, we were broken up, I wasn’t going to get bent out of shape over it.) I finished up, dropped it off at his house, and never knew if it was ever worn or just thrown out with the trash. Strike Three.
suzannemm's Ancient Runes OWL sweater should not be cursed if this lovely swatch is any indication!
For decades I didn’t knit much. I made occasional mittens, stockings, sweaters, jackets for my family, but mostly I made quilts. While my knitting was so-so, my quilting was very good. The thing that got me back into knitting was a trip to Scotland with my daughter. We bought yarn there and I made two sweaters and they turned out well. Wool yarn, correct weight for the patterns, no boys allowed - it was great, go figure. :) I discovered Ravelry and You-tube tutorials and lace. I was in love again.
About 18 months ago I was at a sock class at my LYS, and one of the other knitters was talking about a master knitters’ certification. I had heard of Master Gardeners, but never of Master Knitters. It piqued my interest so I looked it up when I got home. Oh dear. Another rabbit hole. After poking around and dithering and then talking with my husband, I took the plunge and signed up for the TKGA Level 1 course. Since I was mostly self taught, this would be a good chance for me to see if I was still just a so-so knitter. So far, I have passed the first two levels and plan on seriously working on Level 3 as soon as spring planting is over. I may have been a so-so knitter, but by gum, I don’t have to stay that way! (remember practice?)
A TKGA Master Knitter swatch and project from suzannemm's project pages.
I discovered the Cup quite by accident. I was trying to find a pattern on Ravelry that I had seen months (years?) previously and was casting a wide net with the search function. One of the search results was for someone working on Fox Paws, and they were referencing Slytherin House. What’s this? Harry Potter on Ravelry? My youngest daughter was the perfect age for the books when they first came out, and I had read them with her. Even though I wasn’t in the target age group I had been a fan from day 1, so I had to check this out. (Rabbit holes. The internet is full of them!) It took me several days of poking around before I got up the courage to join. Everything was so confusing at first, so darn much was going on!! Quiddich and classes and sorting and I don’t know what all. I pretty much stuck to the NQFY Lounge for a month before I felt brave enough to visit the Houses. I turned in some classes. I liked how Ravenclaw put all the newbies in the same dorm so I requested to be sorted here - and I got it! :) I have been happily knitting away ever since and I can’t see me ever leaving the Cup. I lurk a lot, but I read lots and lots of the threads regularly and I rarely go to Facebook any more. I am much happier in the Cup. You all speak my language. :)
Welcome to Ravenclaw, suzannemm! We are so glad you have found your people!
Next, Big Eagle lsgarner presents her Little Eagle, Transfer snippybits.
I would like to introduce Snippybits, known in the muggle world as Shauna. She is from Orlando and in fact lives about a 1/2 mile from Diagon Alley, which must make it very convenient for getting school supplies. Her menagerie of familiars include 3 kitties (Phelia, Nyx, and Purrs Brosnan), 1 fox terrier (Gracie) and a Betta.
Like so many, she found the cup when she clicked on a ravatar that included a house name. She followed the path (clicked on the name to see what groups they were in) and found her way to the Cup. After participating in some of July’s activities as an NQFY, she was surprised and delighted to be sorted for the Fall term.
snippybits best expresses what the Cup means to her:
“I think the reason I’m still playing is that the Cup has inspired me to try new things such as dyeing and spinning that I never would have thought twice about. I’m also strangely motivated by imaginary internet points so my productivity level has sky-rocketed. I know a lot of Cuppers are involved in other points groups on Rav, but HP is pretty much the only fandom I follow so this is where it’s at for me.”
Her wackiest project to date is her Cow Basket, made as a gift for her vet for her first baby and their farm-themed nursery. The recipient couldn’t believe it was handmade, so even though she hurt her hand doing it, she’s still happy she made it.
snippybits again, on the experience of coming to the Tower,
“I’ve really enjoyed my time in The Tower so far. I didn’t realize how different another House would feel, but it definitely is. I’m loving the dorm system as I really like the idea of small groups with the same people. It feels kind of like a family. I also like all the storytelling aspects like the Tour and Convocation. I’m a Pottermore Ravenclaw, so I kind of thought I might fit in well here. The Specialist Study threads are also very cool.”
As with all of us, there are still quite a few things on her crafting bucket list. Joining the blanket squares she’s made. Making a lace shawl and a sweater/cardigan/shrug for herself. Learning to use the drop spindle she has acquired.
Many people in the House will be familiar with her already, because she is chatty (her word) and participates in a lot of the threads, including Clairebeasts’s Animal emporium where you can see delightful photos of her menagerie. She actively cheers on our Quidditch players and AS candidates and although her thumb injuries kept her from attempting an OWL this time around, she is going to (carefully) dare a Mission.
Welcome to the Tower, Shauna, it is a great pleasure being your Big Eagle!
Thank you for that wonderful introduction, lsgarner!
