Magical knitting

I received my copy of Charmed Knits by Alison Hansel a good few weeks ago. In fact, I had been eagerly awaiting this book as I have been promising a Harry Potter sweater for some years. My copy arrived while the sun was shining and after a quick glance through I put it aside for the time being and looked forward to browsing it more seriously when the weather turned cooler and my thoughts turned to autumn/winter knitting. However, here we are in mid-July and knitting with bamboo tape just is not doing the trick, the rain has been really unbelievable and here in North Wales it is actually pretty darn chilly, I need something a little more comforting than bamboo tape to work on in the evening and so I retrieved Charmed Knits from its resting place for a more in-depth perusal.

I have already cast on and indeed completed the back of the Weasley Sweater. I am using the Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed as dictated by the pattern. This yarn is lovely to work with, soft and comforting and my goodness it knits up quickly. I did have trouble getting hold of it though and had to resort to overseas in the end but I am sure it could have been easily substituted it for something more readily available.



The sweater in the book is modelled by a child and I am knitting for a child but should you wish to size this up then do not fear because in fact the pattern is sized from toddler right up to adult XXL, which I think is a rather brilliant idea. Indeed many of the other patterns offer a similar spread of sizing and also tell you which size is shown on the model. How I wish other pattern books would offer that information, the bamboo tape I mentioned earlier? Been ripped out twice already due to sizing issues, pretty sure the model in that book is either of extreme giant proportions and has been mysteriously shrunk to normal size for purpose of photograph or there are an awful lot of pins behind her!



The multi-sizing and wide variety of patterns make this a great family knit book whether you are a Harry Potter fan or not. Included are patterns for a soft toy (owl of course), a cape, which would make a lovely dressing gown, several bags, simple shawl pattern, a great ribbed (Quidditch) sweater, long socks, short socks, various hats, scarves and mittens. There are also patterns for Christmas ornaments and this lovely "school sweater" which reminds me so sharply of the school sweaters knitted for me by my grandmother. Indeed the Weasley Sweater also makes me feel rather nostalgic as I recall a much loved initialled handknit in 1970's brown and pink. Somehow I can still remember how that sweater felt and it is a good feeling, I was so pleased to have that sweater, to know that someone had made it just for me and put my initial on the front to make it completely unique.



As this Weasley Sweater grows I hope that my son will get that same feeling from wearing it and I guess it is memories like these that make us knit for others. People seem to have so much "stuff" nowadays but perhaps that makes the handmade all the more precious, I was thrilled to see how happy Dylan was with his new socks. Although we are careful not to overdo gifts to the children at Christmas and birthdays, family are very generous and we find it very hard to keep this in check. This Christmas in particular I felt very conscious of all the "stuff" so it is lovely to know that a hand knit can still mean something to a child in a time when we can buy five pairs of socks for £2.50 in Asda.



To sum up, a well thought out and useful pattern book, not just for Harry Potter fans. Now, I am off to stand in from the tumble drier for a while just for the warmth. I refuse to put the heating on in July and I am already wearing a most unseasonable but terribly useful sweater.

Comments

Charity said…
We're the complete opposite of you weather-wise! It's hot and dry and sunny, and I'm still longing to knit a sweater, even if it's too hot to really start. :0) I recently ordered this book myself, and am so looking forward to having a good look through.
Anonymous said…
I'm so glad you reviewed this book. I never gave it second thought when I saw it was a Harry Potter book. Knowing it has so much more to offer makes me think twice.

It's been hot and humid here; I think I would trade you in a second!
Anonymous said…
I've been wanting to make that Weasley sweater for a while now too.
Sue said…
I will definately have to try and grab a copy of that book somewhere here in Oz. So far no luck in finding it, perhaps later in the year it will come out. I am sure my son and daughter would love to own a HP sweater, or scarf of socks. It is good to know that you used Jo Sharp wool as it is readily available here so perhaps I could use that too. I cant wait to see how yours turns out.
Flavaknits said…
Ooohh, Harry Potter Knitting, I must get this book (to go with the HP story books in my book case!) It may persuade my two that there are knitted items they can wear, although I'll probably have to use cotton!
New Lanark Mills sell Harry Potter Sweater kits , but its 100% pure wool which can be a bit "itchy" especially if you're 6 years old.
This "summer" weather is quite awful - hope it will improve soon.
Krawuggl said…
I really had to Laugh about your sentence with the tumble drier, cause that´s what I also often do an laundry days when it´s cold. (A very good other place is the kitchen oven!) And I love your thoughts about handmade gifts, to me they mean always such a lot, but also nowadays there are many people who are unfortunately not appreciating them. So are we old- or the new newfashions?
Have a wonderful time with your new knitting, hope the weather stays sunny as today for a while,
best wishes, Suzi
Anonymous said…
We are having a cool rainy day hre ourselves, although not sweater-cool! Hot and humid next week again. There is no happy medium, is there? I can't wait to see the Weasley sweater. Ever since the first movie we've coveted all things Weasley in this house, the sweaters , their clock..well, their whole house!
Bethany said…
I just started reading your blog and you are my new inspiration! I am an incredibly slow learner to knitting, having taught myself, and hope to do what you do someday!
I would love to see your pottery too!
(the first pony my daughter learned to ride was from Wales... and his name was Wales, of course!)
Kelly said…
My children were peering over my shoulder the instant that book arrived here - such a long wish list they put together. Glad to hear the sweater goes quickly - I tried a house scarf last year and it seemed endless.
Linda said…
The sweater looks like it will be a great knit. I so agree with needing to knit cold weather stuff!
picperfic said…
I do hope it warms up for you soon. Today, the sun is shining an cambridgeshire, the first proper day of sunshine for ages, long may it continue! Thanks for the synopsis of the book, it sounds a useful addition to my books!

Popular Posts