HaR Apparitions - October 2009

Now, young wizards and witches, it is time to learn the art of Apparition. You must practice very diligently, and when you have practiced, you must complete an assignment showing your ability to Disapparate and Apparate.

Here is your assignment:
Disapparate from Hogsmeade to a destination of your choice. Go somewhere you’ve always dreamed of going! While there, learn a new knit, crochet, spinning or weaving technique or pattern, or create your own pattern based on something that inspired you about the culture you visited. Apparate back to Hogsmeade and spend your class time reproducing the technique or pattern or culturally-inspired project.

Once your project is complete, write a short explanation of where you went and what inspired your project.
The project is worth 10 points, the write-up is worth an additional 10 points. To earn the full ten points, your project must use approx. 200 yards of yarn (about one to one and a half typical skeins). Smaller projects will earn proportionally fewer points, and excessively larger projects may earn more. You may do as many projects as you like, but each must be a different technique or from a different culture.

Having just returned from my trip, I would love to share a bit about my adventures in Transylvania. Yes, it really exists for any who doubted actually a section of Romania. Transylvania's best known resident is one Vladimir Tepes aka Vlad the Impaler or perhaps you know him best as Count Dracula! The original vampire who's biography was written by Bram Stoker.

While there, I managed to visit his former homes, Bran Castle - the most famous one and also the home where it is believed he was born, Casa Vlad Dracul in the town of Sighisoara.

While I did not have the chance to meet Count Vlad, I did prepare in case such a meeting would arise, based on the advice of the locals and crocheted a neck cowl in the Count's colors of black and red to keep my neck warm in the Romanian chill, safe from the odd Vampire attacks and to honor the count with his favorite colors.

Triwizard Challenge -Third Task

Task Three

A champion needs to get through the maze to reach the cup. Make something that is cup-like. Make something that can hold something else. Also the cup was a portkey, make an item used for travel. WIPs and New projects are accepted. If your project is a WIP, please post before and after photos.

A pumpkin that holds a roll of toilet paper

HPKCHC Arithmancy Assignment October 2009

Welcome to Arithmancy!

Please take out parchment and quills.

This month we will be learning the term: ”Binary”.

Binary means: composed of two parts or two pieces.

In Mathematics, a binary function, or function of two variables, is a function which takes two inputs.

For your assignment this month:

Knitters/ crochetters:

1. Two items that complement each other or make a set. For example, matching gloves and scarf. Or a scarf and a hat. (Note: a pair of gloves counts as just one item). Make them as a set. Please explain why you would wear them together. They don’t HAVE to be the same color but they have to match in some way. or

.

When one has two friends in the wizarding world with similiar tastes, to make something for one and not the other could result in problems......

....... especially when one is Narcissa Malfoy and the other works for the Ministry as an auror! So below is my solution, two sets of [Josephine Gauntlets](pattern), one in Narcissa's Slytherin Green and one in Auror Piper Poplartree's favorite color purple!

HaR History of Magic Part 2 - Quidditch Cape

History of Magic

Professor Binns has finally realized he is a ghost, and promptly decided he should retire to do all the things he never did when he was alive. So- it is my privilege to take over for him as the History of Magic professor. As such- I will focus on the APPLIED approach, as to not bore my students into a snoring stupor. :D

APPLIED History of Magic Syllabus

As I KNOW I’m not the only teacher giving homework- I have decided to approach HoM as a gradual course.

Each term, we will study ONE topic in depth. Students will have two projects (and one optional extra credit projects) to complete. Since Quidditch is so popular- the first term will be devoted to this popular subject.

Due dates and points:

• The second project is due by the end of class. It will be worth 15 points.

SHOULD you not be able to complete the projects by the end of class- you may complete them and turn them in before the end of the TERM for reduced points.

Project Two: Quidditch Capes
ANY cape/shawl/capelet pattern will do.

Each project may be made in House colors, or in your favorite professional quidditch team colors.

Assignment #2

Quidditch cape in Ravenclaw Blue also as a gift

HPKCHC DADA Assignment October 2009

Welcome to our first class on Necromancy!

In honor of Halloween this month, let’s focus on the connection points between the worlds of the living and the dead. To complete this month’s assignment, make something that is inspired by: 1) an historical figure that is now deceased 2) an undead creature (zombie, vampire, skeleton, ghost, etc.), or 3) both (now would be the time to make that Zombie Abe Lincoln) Bonus points, as always, for house colors or making me laugh.

Note: Projects may be inspired by a deceased historical figure or undead creature. They don’t have to be actual representations of them

Dragonsinger of Hufflepuff submitting her DADA assignment:

Halloween, derived from Samhain, is the time of year when the veil between two worlds is the thinnest. In my history, was my godmother/aunt, Ita Marie Breslin, who crocheted ever since I can remember. She never used patterns, she just saw in her mind what she wanted and set to work. The gold hat is one she made for my mother years ago. Wednesday, 7 October 2009, 'Aunt' Ita crossed over to the otherside of the veil.



In the past couple of nights since learning this, I sat down and reconstructed the hat as a tribute to her ability, crafting and love.

So I present Breslin's Beret orginally designed by Ita M. Breslin in the 70's. Pattern available here

Triwizard Challenge - Second Task

Task Two

Last time we focused on doing something for someone we loved. The other part of the original task was to swim to the bottom of the lake. This time around, we will focus on the lake itself. Make things that remind us of the lake in some way: things that are the color of the lake; things that have wave patterns in them; or things you can use in or near a lake (swimsuits, coverups, etc)

The champions were required to swim to the bottom of the lake to retrieve thier friends. You task is to make something that has to do with a lake. WIPs and New projects accepted. If it is a WIP please post before and after pictures.

Possable options include but are not limited to

• color of water

Completing Task 2 with a Jiffy shell stitch afghan the color of water, dark blue like the night seas

Triwizard Challenge - First Task

TASK ONE

Since Harry and the other tournament players had to get past the Dragon to grab the egg, we will do an “egg” theme this time around. Players can make either baby items (blankets, sweaters, hats, etc.), items for small children, or actual egg-shaped items.

This can be a WIP or start a new project. If you turn in a WIP please post before and after photos.

Possable items include but are not limited to

• items for small children

• actual egg shaped items

• 
  

Completing first challenge under two options with rubber duckys:

Egg shaped


Items for children

HPKCHC Transfiguration Assignment October 2009

This month we delve into “Cross-Species transfiguration”. The most well-known is the Animagus spell, but there are many other types as well! You must show an ability to Transfigure an object from one species into another. This can be demonstrated by:

3) Knit or crochet a model of your Animagus either as a 3-D toy or a colorwork design.

Form: Fox
Genera and species: Vulpes vulpes
Collective Term: A skulk of foxes
Distinguishing marks: Red fur, green eyes
Animal Characteristics:
Appealing and cerebral and of average size, the fox is a close relative of both the wolf and dog personalities and displays typical canine qualities of loyalty, passion and creativity. Largely misunderstood to be a shy, retreating individual, it's the fox's unique stature as a small carnivore that defines its survival strategy. Because it cannot succeed in the world using brute force alone, it must rely on its sharp mind and engaging personality to garner resources, and it consequently spends a lot of time in its head -- giving the impression that it's trying to outsmart its friends. So the fox is often surprised to learn that its intellectual pursuits are intimidating.

So, the fox tempers its serious nature with a sardonic sense of humor and engaging playfulness while interacting with its eclectic community. It expects others to be as honest about their strengths and shortcomings as it is of its own, and while these high expectations don't make the fox a snob, it expects its friends to first demonstrate their worthiness before returning the favor with loyalty and devotion.
Foxes are typically successful in the work place but their competitiveness and ambition sometimes makes coworkers feel belittled. They would never deliberately take advantage of others, but their single-mindedness often blinds them to their feelings. So they thrive in their own businesses and like to surround themselves with family and friends in these ventures.