So, I haven’t blogged in a while but I bring good tidings! Or something like that.
Recently, I entered into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry at Ravelry [dot] com. The group I take classes under is called Hogwarts at Ravelry and it consists of a bunch of fabulous humans from all over the world brought together by sheer dorkery and a love of that angsty teen named Harold James Potter.
Now, why the title? Well, I’ve always considered myself a Gryffindor because I’ve had to deal with a lot in my life and have had to have the courage to survive it (if it sounds like I’m bragging I assure you I’m not).
Despite this self assignment–recently I was assigned by Hogwarts at Ravelry into Ravenclaw. I would think I would be disappointed, but in truth and actuality I was excited. I have everything Gryffindor; I have a scarf, blanket, pin, and leather cuff. I don’t need anymore Gryffin things–honestly. So, I bring you my new scarf!
Obligatory myspace pose.
Um—my scarf is fabulous and it has absolutely nothing to do with me. Do you see the colors. I have never loved red heart so much ever. It is red heart soft solids in lt. grey heather and navy if you’re interested.
Now, I improvised this pattern myself and thought, because it’s so simple and might help beginners who love HP, that I would post the pattern and process here at my blog.
So here we go.
Hogwarts Block Scarf Pattern [Revised 9/9/09 due to error]
A/N: Before you begin–blocking is essential for this pattern. Do not be afraid of blocking! It is simple and I will explain it in easy to understand terms.
Materials
1. Any medium (4) worsted weight yarn in your chosen house colors. (You may need only one skein each if it provides you with a little over two hundred yards)
2. I hook (5.50mm)
3. a couple of cardboard boxes that you can rip up or a blocking board
4. a spray bottle
5. sewing pins
6. Measuring tape
7. Something hard (yes, really)
Pattern
Chain 21
Row 1: Single crochet in the first chain from hook and each chain across (twenty single crochet).
Row 2: Chain three and turn (chain 3 counts as 1st double crochet). Double crochet in the second single crochet. Double crochet across (20 DC–this count includes turning chain)
Row 3-10:Repeat Row 2
Row 11: Repeat Row 2. At the end of row eleven pull yarn through the loop on your hook to fasten off. Then with your new color slip stitch into first double crochet.
Row 12 to 22: repeat row 2 nine times and then repeat row 11. There should be 10 rows of dc for each block.
Rows 22 and beyond: Continue to repeat rows 12 through 22 switching colors appropriately, until scarf reaches desired length (I crocheted 15 blocks).
Last row of last block: Do not fasten off. Chain 1 and turn. single crochet in the first double crochet and all double crochets across (20 sc). Fasten off–do not weave in all ends.
Blocking
Blocking is pretty much essential for this pattern due to the fact that as you crochet the blocks come out in different sizes. Blocking fixes this–it also fixes the sides if you find that the turning chains ripple out from the body.
Here is how I blocked and how you can as well!:
Ok, so the first thing to do is find the block that looks the longest and measure its length (for me, the length was six inches). Next you are going to find and measure your fattest block’s width (my fattest block was 5 1/2 inches). Why are we doing this? Well, essentially we cannot make the larger block smaller but we can make the smaller blocks larger and this is precisely what blocking does (evens out the lines and makes the form more precise).
Now, if you don’t have a blocking board–which I don’t–you are going to need a couple of cardboard boxes you can cut up. Basically I just broke down the boxes by hand and laid them out length wise so I created a group of cardboard boxes that reached 7ft.
Now, once you have the measurements of your fattest and longest squares and your improvised blocking boards laid out–it is time to block. Before you begin you might want to set aside a block (I really overuse this word!) of time to do this (it takes about an hour and a half to two hours to do–that is with breaks, mind you).
Ok–so measure each block, wet it well using your spray bottle (mine is pink and was originally used to discipline my cat when she was a wee kit) and using the sewing pins, pin each block to the desired length and width. I laid out the measuring tape beside my scarf for the length and across it for the width when I was pinning so that each block would reach my specifications. You’ll probably want to place a pin every inch or so along the perimeters of each block to keep it in place. Now, if you laid your blocking boards down on carpeting you might actually want tap the pins through the cardboard and into the carpeting (this does not hurt the carpeting!). I’m not saying to nail them in–but push them snuggly through. If you have trouble pushing them through, like I did, find something hard (I used an old tic tac box) to push them in with.
Now, leave drying for about 12 to 18 hours. It must be completely dry when you take it off–if not the blocks will fall back into their original sizes/shapes. In the interim time I cleaned up around the house and studied for the GREs–you pick your own activities!
At the end, remove pins, weave in ends and attach fringe to the ends of the scarf if so desired!
I hope you enjoy!
Jen
