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Fandom Knit/Crochet-Along 2018: Let’s Get it Started!

It’s Kickoff Time!

The time has come to begin the FKC Summer 2018 Knit/Crochet-Along! We’ve been planning for weeks, and it is time to start stitch

ing.  If you haven’t already downloaded or printed out your pattern, be su

re to go back to the original KAL/CAL page to find the links.   Our awesome pattern options are: Reyna (knit), Secret Paths (crochet), and Power Wave Scarf (knit or crochet versions).

Suggested Schedule

I’m seriously not big into having a lot of “rules,” and this is our first K/CAL, so I’m definitely learning as I go to a large extent, but I thought it might be helpful to have a general timeline for working through the shawl patterns.  Of course, you can work at your own pace, faster or slower than this suggested schedule.  I just thought it might be helpful to break the patterns down a bit to help people stay on track.  So, we have an 8-Week timetable, which is designed to make it a comfortable pace for people to keep up.

So, here’s what I had in mind for each shawl:

Reyna

  • Week 1 (May 25-May 31): Cast-on through Row 28
  • Week 2 (June 1-7): Rows 29-48
  • Week 3 (June 8-14): Rows 49-72
  • Week 4 (June 15-21): Rows 73-104
  • Week 5 (June 22-28): Rows 105-136
  • Week 6 (June 29-July 5): Rows 137-140
  • Week 7 (July 6-12): Catch up (if needed) and Bind-off
  • Week 8 (July 13-20): Weave in loose ends and block

Share your work! Post to the Fandom Knitting & Crochet Facebook Group.

Secret Paths

  • Week 1 (May 25-May 31): Rows 1-8
  • Week 2 (June 1-7): Rows 9-18
  • Week 3 (June 8-14): Repeat Rows 5-9
  • Week 4 (June 15-21): Repeat Rows 10-18
  • Week 5 (June 22-28): Repeat Rows 5-9
  • Week 6 (June 29-July 5): Repeat Rows 10-16
  • Week 7 (July 6-12): Catch up (if needed) and Edging
  • Week 8 (July 13-20): Weave in loose ends and Block

Share your work! Post to the Fandom Knitting & Crochet Facebook Group.

Power Wave

If you are making either the knit or crochet versions of the Power Wave Scarf, I’d suggest just trying to hit the half-way mark by the end of Week 4.

Sharing & Support

Throughout the process, no matter the stage, I highly encourage you to share and get support in the Fandom Knitting & Crochet Facebook Group.  We’re in this together, after all, so if you need help, have tips, or simply want to share pics of your progress, be sure to do so! I’d love to see it (and so will the rest of the group).

I can’t wait to see what everyone creates!

 

 

Fandom Spotlight: Harry Potter

Our spotlight is on Harry Potter! Find knitting and crochet patterns, yarns inspired by the books and films, and fandom gear!

Harry Potter House Colors Yarn

Harry Potter-Inspired Knitting and Crochet Yarn, Patterns, and Fandom Gear

Our very first Fandom Spotlight feature here on the Fandom Knitting + Crochet blog is Harry Potter themed.  So, what’s a Fandom Spotlight?  Well, it is a collection of knitting, crochet, yarn, and fandom gear related to a particular fandom.  Different fandoms will be featured, but I thought I’d start with a big one, and there aren’t many fandoms bigger than Harry Potter.

So, if you want to knit, crochet, yarn shop, get yourself some Hogwarts swag, this is my go-to guide.  I’ve rounded up some of my absolute favorite Harry Potter goodies, and I hope you enjoy!

(This post contains affiliate links.)

Harry Potter-inspired Knitting and Crochet Patterns

Harry Potter Knitting and Crochet Patterns

While these patterns and are not officially associated with Harry Potter, the inspiration can be seen if you are looking. 🙂 Here’s a round-up of some of my favorites to knit and crochet (some are my free designs, and some are fabulous patterns from other designers.)

Harry Potter-inspired Knitting Patterns:

Harry Potter-inspired Crochet Patterns:

Harry Potter house colors yarn.

Hogwarts-worthy Yarn

Here’s a sampling of some of the coolest Harry Potter-inspired yarn.  There are so many wonderful dyers that use The Boy Who Lived and his world as their inspiration, and there are also some fabulous solids that work well for the classic house scarves.

1 (1)

Hogwarts House Colors

For the house scarves and the beanies, I really like Lion Brand’s Heartland Yarn.  They have perfect combos for Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff fans.

  1. Gryffindor: Redwood & Yellowstone
  2. Ravenclaw: Lake Clark & Mammoth Cave
  3. Slytherin: King’s Canyon & Mount Rainier
  4. Hufflepuff: Yellowstone & Black Canyon

5 Specialty Yarns Inspired by Harry Potter

  1. Maurader’s Map by HeartlandHues on Etsy
  2. Hogwart’s Castle by thesexyknitter on Etsy
  3. Tonk’s Hair by SixandSevenFiber on Etsy
  4. Lovegood by GooseyFibers on Etsy
  5. Master Has Given Dobby a Sock by RetoldYarns on Etsy
Harry Potter-themed yarn and patters to knit and crochet.

Harry Potter Gear – Fandom Product Finds

I know I can’t pass up an awesome Harry Potter item! I, of course, need to show off my fandom while going about my day, so I’ve rounded up some of my favorite products to share with you.

  1. Harry Potter Project Bag
  2. Hufflepuff Trucker Hat
  3. Marauder’s Map Notebook
  4. Polyjuice Potion Mug
  5. Harry Potter Paperback Box Set, Books 1-7

Want to See a Fandom Spotlight of Your Favorite Book, Series, or Movie?  Let Me Know!

If you want to give a suggestion for a fandom spotlight round-up of patterns, yarns, and products, comment here or let me know in the Fandom Knitting & Crochet Facebook Group.  Also, please keep in touch! Join the email newsletter list to get the latest updates on yarn and fandom goodies!

How to Present your Craft Business – Appearance, Branding & Photography

Create an attractive knitting or crochet shop, website or blog by focusing on appearance, branding and images.

Craft Business Tips – Branding, Images & Photography

Continue reading “How to Present your Craft Business – Appearance, Branding & Photography”

Crochet Pattern: Wizard School Spirit Beanie

Hogwarts house colors hat crochet pattern

Hogwarts-inspired Hat Crochet Pattern

This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosure policy here.

Harry Potter hat crochet pattern

Recently, I shared a free knitting pattern for the Wizard School Spirit Beanie.  It went over well, so, by popular demand, here’s a crochet version.  It is a bit different – this version is a little “slouchier,” which I think works nicely with the crochet stitches.  It retains the same Hogwarts Houses inspired design, this time worked up in Slytherin and Ravenclaw colors.

One tip as you are working on this – you don’t need to cut yarn on the color changes.  You can just carry the strands up with you.  Those strands will only show on the inside, and it will be all good from the outside and save you time weaving in unnecessary ends.

The pattern is a pretty easy one to work up, but you will need to know now to crochet in the back loops and the third loops.  If you aren’t familiar you can check out the tutorials I have linked here:

Crochet Wizard School Spirit Beanie (2)

The Pattern: Crochet Wizard School Spirit Beanie

  • Get the printer-friendly PDF download right HERE.
  • Pin for later to your Pinterest boards HERE.
  • Save to your Ravelry queue right HERE.
  • Read on for the free pattern below.

The samples I made are in the child (Slytherin colors) and adult sizes (Ravenclaw colors).  After working with the Heartland yarn, I decided to modify the recommended yarns to all Heartland, so the pictured Slytherin beanie isn’t in Heartland, but I assure you, it will look fabulous worked up in the Heartland shades.

Sizes:

To fit: 0-6 Months (6-12 Months, Toddler, Child, Adult)

Materials:

Lion Brand Heartland Yarn in Main Color and Contrast Color

For the Hogwarts-inspired house colors, I recommend:

  • Ravenclaw: Glacier Bay or Lake Clark with Mammoth Cave
  • Slytherin: Kings Canyon and Mount Rainier
  • Hufflepuff: Yellowstone and Black Canyon
  • Gryffindor: Redwood and Yellowstone

Size H-8 Crochet Hook

Yarn Needle

Gauge:

Approximately 15 stitches and 7 rows = 4″ in HDC

Abbreviations and Terms:

  • MC – Main color
  • CC – Contrast color
  • St – stitch
  • Ch – chain
  • HDC – half-double crochet
  • Back loop – work only through the back loop rather than the front and back loop of that stitch.
  • Third loop – work in the loop directly behind (and slightly below) the back loop.
  • ss – slip stitch
  • tog – together
Harry Potter Crochet Hat Pattern

Instructions:

Instructions are written for the smallest size with the larger sizes in the parentheses.

Band:

With MC, chain 8.

Row 1: HDC in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across.  Turn.

Row 2: HDC in the back loop of each HDC across.  Turn.

Repeat Row 2 until the band measures 14 (16, 18, 19, 20) inches from the beginning.

Join the band with slip stitches to work in the round.

Hat ‘Body’:

Round 1: Working with the yarn still connected from the joining, you’ll now be working around the top edge of the band.  Chain 2.  Work HDC stitches evenly around the band.  You’ll want approximately 40 (48, 56, 64, 72) HDC stitches (or another multiple of 4 around there).  Join with ss.

Round 2: Ch 2. Work HDC in each HDC around.

Repeat Round 2 1 (1, 2, 2, 3) more times.

* Switch to CC

Work through the third loops of each HDC for 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) rounds, joining with a ss at the end of each round.

*Switch to MC

Work HDC through the third loops of each HDC around. Join with ss.

*Switch to CC

Work through the third loops of each HDC for 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) rounds, joining with a ss at the end of each round.

*Switch to MC

Work 1 round HDC through the third loop of each HDC around.  Join with ss.

Work 1 (1, 2, 2, 3) rounds of HDC through both loops as in normal HDC, joining rounds with ss.

* Switch to CC

Work through the third loops of each HDC for 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) rounds, joining with a ss at the end of each round.

*Switch to MC

Work HDC through the third loops of each HDC around. Join with ss.

*Switch to CC

Work through the third loops of each HDC for 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) rounds, joining with a ss at the end of each round.

*Switch to MC

Work 1 round HDC through the third loop of each HDC around.  Join with ss.

Work 0 (0, 0, 1, 2) rounds of HDC through both loops as in normal HDC, joining rounds with ss.

Decrease for Crown:

Round 1: (HDC 2, HDC 2tog) around.

Round 2: (HDC, HDC2 tog) around.

Round 3: HDC 2tog around.

Round 4: HDC 2tog around.

Finishing:

Fasten off.  Cut yarn, leaving a long tail.  Draw through the remaining stitches to close and secure the top of the hat.  Weave in all loose ends.

That’s it! You have yourself a lovely Crochet Wizard School Spirit Beanie! Now go ahead and make one in each house color. 🙂

Let’s Connect!

If you like this pattern, I would love for you to follow my blog via email, which you can do by entering your email address over on the sidebar.  It will give you the latest patterns and updates from Fandom Knitting & Crochet. Also, check me out on Facebook – Fandom Knitting & Crochet or even join my awesome Facebook Group!  I really enjoy getting to meet and interact with fellow crocheters and knitters!

On Instagram? Share any of your Fandom Knitting & Crochet makes with me over there @fandom.knitting.crochet.

What to Sell: Creating Products for your Knitting or Crochet Business

What products to make for your knitting or crochet business – finished items, patterns, and content.

What to Sell for Your Knitting or Crochet Business

Continue reading “What to Sell: Creating Products for your Knitting or Crochet Business”

15 Fantastic Fandom Patterns to Knit & Crochet

Free pattern round-up of fandom-inspired projects to knit and crochet.

(This post contains affiliate links, which are just recommendations of things I love from Amazon.)

Here at Fandom Knitting and Crochet, we love all things Fandom.  I find so much inspiration in the work of the talented knitting and crochet designers that also embrace the fandom-life.  This is a round-up of 15 of my favorite fandom-inspired free patterns, both for knitting and crochet.  Some of them are intricate and take some intermediate skills, while some are super quick and simple to complete.

Some of these patterns are very literal fandom patterns, while others are more loosely inspired by the source.  Whichever interpretation you prefer, there’s something for your fandom-loving heart on this list.  (Personally, I’ll take a little of both!)

I’ve provided the designer info and a link to accessing the free pattern.  If you don’t already have a Ravelry account, you’ll want to sign up for one.  It’s free and it is amazing.  I have way more projects saved in Ravelry than I could knit and crochet in hundreds of lifetimes, but it is a wonderful place to find, share, discuss, and document your knitting and crochet.

So, here we go! I’ve divided into knitting patterns first, then crochet.  Continue reading “15 Fantastic Fandom Patterns to Knit & Crochet”

Wizard School Spirit Beanie – Knitting Pattern

Make these house pride beanies to show off your Wizard School Spirit.

Hogwarts-inspired Knit Hat Pattern

This post may contain affiliate links. 

Here, we are nothing if not proud representatives of our Hogwarts houses! I am a Ravenclaw, of course, while my husband is a Gryffindor.  I have two boys, and I would like to think they follow in our footsteps, but they are a Slytherin and a Hufflepuff.  It’s just undeniable.

So, Ravenclaw or not, I really like the Gryffindor house colors, so that is the one I started with for this pattern.  The maroon and gold look great together, and they are usually a pretty good indication of a Potterhead.  I decided to work up the Hufflepuff next, because that used the same gold from the Gryffindor.  So, those are the lovelies in the photos.

Of course, you can make any size in any color combo you’d like.  The pattern is a classic beanie – not too fitted, not too slouchy, worked in stockinette stitch as an homage to the Prisoner of Azkaban-era house scarves from the films.  (I am not in any way affiliated with the books or films.  I am just a fan.  So, these are not “official” in any capacity.) Officially awesome, though.  Haha.

So, these are a fun, quick knit with a little striping.  You can work them in the round (like I did) or flat and seam them.  Just be aware that if you work flat, you’ll need to knit the “right side” and purl the “wrong side,” as is the case with stockinette stitch (which is knitting each round if in the round).  

Also, because of the stripes, you’ll want to make sure your seaming game is strong if you are working flat because you’ll want the stripes to line up.  Seaming isn’t bad at all, though.  I like this method: Mattress Stitch.

Wizard School Spirit Hat Knitting Pattern
Beanies in house colors – knit.

Pattern: Wizard School Spirit Beanie – 5 Sizes

  • Download a print-optimized PDF of the pattern HERE.
  • Pin this pattern for later HERE.
  • Add to your Ravelry queue right HERE.
  • Read on for the free pattern below.

Materials:

Worsted Weight Yarn (Medium 4 Weight) in two colors.  I recommend these combinations of Vanna’s Choice Yarn:

  • Gryffindor-inspired: Cranberry + Mustard
  • Hufflepuff-inspired: Mustard + Black
  • Slytherin-inspired: Kelly Green + Silver Grey
  • Ravenclaw-inspired: Navy + Taupe

Circular 16-inch (41cm) Size US 8 Knitting Needles. *If you are making the smallest size beanie, you may want to use a longer circular needle to work the magic loop or work it flat.

Yarn Needle

Pattern Sizes:

To fit sizes 0-6 Months (6-12 Months, Toddler, Child, Adult)

Gauge:

Approximately 15 stitches and 18 rows = 4″ in stockinette stitch

Abbreviations:

K – knit

P – purl

st – stitch

R – round

tog – together

M1 – make 1 by knitting into the front and back of the stitch

Stripe Pattern:

Begin stripe pattern 4 (4, 6, 8, 10) rounds after the increase row after completing the ribbing.

With Contrast Color: Work 2 rounds

With Main Color: Work 2 rounds

With Contrast Color: Work 2 rounds

With Main Color: Work 4 (4, 6, 8, 10) rounds

With Contrast Color: Work 2 rounds

With Main Color: Work 2 rounds

With Contrast Color: Work 2 rounds

Work the rest with the Main Color

Striped house colors beanie knitting pattern.
Stripe pattern for house pride beanies.

Instructions:

Cast on 48 (52, 56, 60, 68) stitches.  Join to work in the round.

Work (K2, P2) ribbing for 1.5 (2, 2, 2.5, 3 inches).

Increase round: Increase to 52 (56, 64, 68, 76) stitches by adding 4 (4, 8, 8, 8) stitches evenly on this round.  Do this by completing a M1 every 12 (13, 7, 7-8, 8-9) stitches in the round.  (It doesn’t have to be perfectly evenly distributed, just try to space out the M1 stitches.)

Work the Stripe Pattern (given above) in stockinette stitch until the piece measures 5.75 (6, 6.5, 7, 9) inches.

Decrease to shape the crown:

Round 1: (K2, K2tog) around. 39 (42, 48, 51, 57) stitches.

Rounds 2-3: Knit.

Round 4: (K1, K2tog) around. 26 (28, 32, 34, 38) stitches.

Rounds 5-6: Knit.

Round 7: (K2tog) around. 13 (14, 16, 17, 19) stitches.

Finishing:

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail.  Draw the yarn through the remaining stitches using your yarn needle.  Secure.

Weave in all loose ends.

That’s it! Now make another one in a different house color or size!

Knitting Pattern Harry Potter Hat

If you’d like to make more fandom-inspired knitted or crocheted items, check out my pattern round-up: 15 Fantastic Fandom Patterns to Knit and Crochet.

Looking for more patterns?

Check out my other knitting patterns right here.

Let’s Connect!

I hope you enjoy this pattern and have as much fun making these Wizard School Spirit Beanies as I did!  If you want to stay up-to-date on all the latest patterns, knitting, crochet, and fandom goodness, please sign up to follow the blog.  You can enter your email over on the sidebar. 🙂

I also have a Facebook page, which I’d love for your to follow, as well as a really fun group, which you can check out here.

On Instagram? Share any of your Fandom Knitting & Crochet makes with me: @fandom.knitting.crochet.