Wizarding Scarf (Harry Potter themed)

Hand Knitted Wizarding Scarf

Apologies for the wait of my first post!! As you may well be aware I designed and created a "Wizarding Scarf" in a similar style to the scarves worn by students in the Harry Potter films "The Goblet of Fire" to the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2". Previously the scarves worn by the students in the films were a basic red and yellow block stripe design with alternating colour tassles. I chose to base the scarf on the latter films due to preference by Peter. The scarf was initially supposed to be a Christmas, however I did not complete it until the end of January as I was not in the UK between September to December. The scarf took about 1 month to complete, however I am still learning to knit as I go, and I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to crafting!

1. To make this "Wizarding Scarf" you will need size 5 - 6mm needles (this may depend on your wool, check the packaging),   two 148 metre skeins (balls) of red wool in shade of choice, (I used "Life Chunky by Stylecraft" wool in "Cardinal" red) and one 148 metre skein (ball) of yellow/ gold wool with the same thickness as the red wool. I could not find the exact colour yellow I wanted, in the correct thickness so I knitted with two balls of yellow wool at the same time to make up the thickness (I used two balls of 100g "Bonus DK by Hayfield" in shade 0978).
2. I started the scarf by casting on 30 stitches of the red wool. I then knitted (using a basic knit stitch) 22 rows before changing to the two skeins of yellow wool for 6 rows. Knitting with two skeins is not difficult, knit as normal making sure both skeins are knitted. In between the yellow lines, you will need to knit 8 rows of red. Repeat this process until you have 9 large blocks of red and 8 pairs of yellow lines.
3. I then added 7 tassles to each end of the scarf. If you do no know how to make tassles there are many useful videos on Youtube, this is easier than explaining. This is how I made the tassles for my scarf; http://youtu.be/Ra2qbqISwsM  .

If you have any problems or queries feel free to contact me. I often required help while making my first scarf, from my mum and knitting extraordinaire Suz Hart.    

If knitting isn't your thing, but you would like a "Wizarding Scarf" of your own, feel free to contact me and I can knit you one for £15 (the cost will cover the cost of the wool and is a bargain for the amount of time it will take to make!). Please specify colours and design changes i.e. whether you want tassles or want to change the size etc.      

Introduction

Hello all :). As you have probably accidentally stumbled across this blog by accident; I am NOT offering advice to fellow unemployed people. I created this blog in order to document my latest crafting & baking "experiments". As I am well aware the days, weeks and months pass by very quickly while depending on Job Seekers Allowance and filling in endless application forms. Therefore as Suz, my totally excellent friend suggested "why don't you start writing a blog about your daily crafts and bakes?!" I thought, why not! Every day I try to think of new things I could create, however some items I have created have taken several days, if not months to complete! My love of baking and cooking in general has been passed down to me from both of my Grannies and my mum. Granny Edna deserves a special mention; due to her kindness, patience and willingness to teach a child from the age of 3 to bake cakes, buns & all things tasty, I still love baking, thanks Granny :D.    

This is my first post, I will add some photos and some examples of my latest "creations".

PS I am learning to knit. I have completed two scarfs this year. I make mistakes daily with my knitting so my mum and Suz are constantly editing it for me. If you are also learning to knit follow my blog for inspiration and "help". The latter will be provided by a friend, Youtube or my mum lol.

PPS I recommend purchasing a copy of "Stitch 'n Bitch Handbook" by Debbie Stoller if you are interested in learning to knit or wanting to improve your knitting skills!