04.02.06
I’ve Been Sorted!
Dear Blog Readers,
Hi! I’m writing to you from the Three Broomsticks pub in Hogsmead (they just got wireless internet installed). You might wonder what the heck I’m doing here. Well, last week I got news that I’d been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a continuing education student! I guess it’s a new program they’re trying out. Anyway, I spent the weekend packing up all my stuff: textbooks, wand (10-inch rosewood, alpaca core, that I got at a wand shop called Lantern Moon — Olivander’s was closed), and Hogwarts attire such as, I don’t know, handmade Hogwarts-appropriate socks!
I have been working on these socks for the last couple weeks in anticipation of my possible admission and subsequent departure on the Hogwarts Express. I received the yarn from my former secret pal, Carry, who sent it to me in hopes of pushing me off the fence upon which I was teetering between sock knitting and sock rejecting. The push was quite effective, and by the time the owl delivered my letter from Dumbledore saying I was in, I was already nearly finished. I absolutely love how they came out: they fit perfectly, they are super comfy, and I think they look pretty terrific, if it is not unbecoming for me to say so myself.
Anyway, I got to Hogwarts yesterday and was, fortunately, sorted into Gryffindor. I’m not sure whether the fact that I was already wearing the socks swayed the Sorting Hat at all. However it happened, I’m glad it worked out — things would have been rather awkward if I’d been sorted into, say, Slytherin. Still, I’m sure students from any house wouldn’t have been able to help being impressed with these babies: they’d ooh and ahh over how, when I got to the heel, I cut out the yellow stripes so I could make the heels entirely red; that worked so well that I wish I’d done it on the toes, too. Maybe if I ever make another pair. No doubt they’d also remark upon the tidiness of the short rows and the remarkable way in which the stripes match up perfectly on both socks (and all that without magic!). Anyway, I needn’t have worried about being sorted into another house, because here I am in this picture sitting on the stairs to Gryffindor Tower with my books and wand, ready for my first lessons!
Okay, I know what you’re all wondering: have I met Harry Potter? Readers, not only have I met him, but we are totally besties! We spent last night hanging around the common room (yes, with Ron and Hermione too, of course), and it wasn’t at all awkward that I’m 15 years older than they are! I snapped this picture while putting my feet up by the fire as we all listened to Harry go on in an overly angsty way about something or other. Man, that boy needs an editor! “Sometimes less can be more, you know,” I want to say to him or to anyone who has influence over his dialogue and behavior.
Anyway, I miss you all, and I hope I’ll still have plenty of time to post from my new home. Now that Hermione has taught me how to bewitch my knitting needles, you won’t believe the FOs I’m going to be cranking out!
Love,
Rachel
P.S. Yeah, Snape is a baddy, but I am going to try to corner him and tell him I saw him in the muggle movie Sense and Sensibility and I know he has a gentlemanly side.
* * *
Hi everyone, it’s regular, non-delusional me. Sorry about the post above — I admit it was a little silly/dorky/cheesy/insufferable. But the fact is I genuinely love the Harry Potter books* and am delighted beyond words to have Gryffindor socks. To have been all cool and “whatev” about them would have been disingenuous. I promise, though, that “Letters from Hogwarts” will not become a regular feature of this blog. You don’t have to take me off your Bloglines.
*This in spite of my general adherence to the rule “nothing is any good if other people like it” (at least in terms of pop culture). Matt’s commitment to this principle is so strong he has it printed on a t-shirt.
Areli said,
April 2, 2006 at 9:04 pm
That’s pretty cute! Your socks, too. Harry Potter is so much fun, you don’t outgrow him.
Manda said,
April 2, 2006 at 9:21 pm
hahah.. that’s one of the best blog posts I’ve read in a long, long time. :) yay for Harry Potter & Gryffindor socks :)
Ashley said,
April 2, 2006 at 9:24 pm
The socks look great, but what I really want is one of those t-shirts :)
Shelagh said,
April 2, 2006 at 9:51 pm
Are you kidding? I bet people would ADD you to their bloglines if they knew you were going to have occasional letters from Hogwarts! Brilliant letter, photos, post!
Great socks! So are you a converted sock fan now?
Laura said,
April 2, 2006 at 10:06 pm
You are too funny. I love the photo of the socks with Harry, et al.
I am highly impressed with the socks! You didn’t need to do practice socks. You’re already an expert.
Liz said,
April 2, 2006 at 10:17 pm
What an entertaining post, I enjoyed it! I have that yarn sitting on my desk taunting me. I am not “allowed” to start my socks until I finish my second sockapalooza sock… What am I doing commenting, must knit sock. :)
Leah said,
April 2, 2006 at 10:18 pm
Rachel dear, the socks look lovely, and if you master bewitching your knitting needles, promise you will share!
Chris said,
April 2, 2006 at 10:35 pm
Oh, Rachel, they are divine! And I quite enjoyed your post and clever photos. :)
Sachi said,
April 2, 2006 at 10:52 pm
Oh, do remember to send us an owl when you can. Fantastic job on the socks!!!
Beverly said,
April 2, 2006 at 11:19 pm
Love the socks, love the pix, love the post! Thanks for the giggle!
Crimson said,
April 3, 2006 at 12:08 am
Long-time lurker (through Bloglines!) and I just had to say that I loved this post. The socks are fab, and I’m totally jealous that you got your acceptance letter. I think my owl must’ve gotten lost …
Rain said,
April 3, 2006 at 4:27 am
The socks are wonderful and I love the accompanying story.
stitchnsnitch said,
April 3, 2006 at 7:55 am
LOVE your sox!!!
--Deb said,
April 3, 2006 at 8:04 am
Great post–very entertaining. And, of course, the socks were great, too!
Allison said,
April 3, 2006 at 8:24 am
I love the socks, I do. In fact, I’m thinking of getting some of that yarn and making my first pair of socks!
But your post overshadows the beauty of the socks. It’s hard to fully appreciate an FO when you’ve fallen off your chair laughing :) As someone who re-reads all the books in the weeks leading to amazon same-day delivery of every new Harry Potter, I *so* understand.
Beth said,
April 3, 2006 at 9:57 am
I’ve been lurking since the olympics, great blog. :) Fabulous foray into the world of socks as well! I haven’t quite gotten to the point of casting on my first pair, but I think they’re coming soon.
Paloma said,
April 3, 2006 at 9:59 am
That was so cute! I enjoyed that post so much! I absolutely adore the HP books too, I swallow them up as soon as a new one comes out.
Kelly said,
April 3, 2006 at 10:08 am
hehehe love it! Yours socks turned out FABULOUS!!!! Your one lucky ducky!
Carry said,
April 3, 2006 at 10:59 am
GREAT job on the socks!! They turned out totally fabu!
So, my question is, who is more clever, you or Hermione?? (or, in other words, who gets stuck helping the boys more with their homework?)
Casey said,
April 3, 2006 at 12:20 pm
Oh, this is such a cute blog! I’m so glad you got accepted to Hogwarts school of Withcraft and Wizardry! I’m so jealous – glad you got in to Gryffindor! Did you knit any socks for Dobby yet? :) (or did he knit YOU any? run!)
Shelley said,
April 3, 2006 at 1:13 pm
Harry looks as though he is desiring a pair of Gryffindor socks himself…you’d better watch yours closely. If the disappear, check with him ;o)
Mintyfresh said,
April 3, 2006 at 2:14 pm
Who knew that professing your love for Harry would bring all these people out of the woodwork!
Congrats on finishing such an excellent pair of socks, Rachel!
Wonderland Knitter said,
April 3, 2006 at 8:39 pm
I LOVE your posts! And the socks look great! The photo with you, Harry, and the group is pure genius!
Alex said,
April 4, 2006 at 12:00 pm
Could you do me a huge favor and pick up some Fizzing Whizbees for me while you’re in Hogsmeade? And maybe a bottle or two of Butterbeer? Thanks so much!
Rachell said,
April 4, 2006 at 7:33 pm
Your post made me laugh so hard! I’ve been reading your blog for awhile and I thought this post would be the awesomest time to make an introduction.
You’re Gryffindor socks rock by the way. :)
Amy said,
April 5, 2006 at 7:05 am
I’m back! Boy have I been missing out on your blog postings. The sheep for modesty was genius! I swear, that was one of the funniest blog posts I have ever read.
Thank you for you sweet words of encouragement re: Yarntopia. I really hope you can make it over to our neck of the woods when you come to Texas.
Amy
NessieNoodle said,
April 5, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Yikes! Stipes! I am totally in love with the way you did the toes on these socks- very silly-
I love reading your blog!
thanks for stopping by mine-
Isabelle said,
April 7, 2006 at 10:40 am
I love the photo montage about Harry Potter! It is a montage, right? LOL
Great “magic” socks too!!! :)
emily said,
April 11, 2006 at 7:30 pm
I love it! Thanks for the HP post…you made my day :D
And your socks look so comfy! Great job.
Mary said,
May 10, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Your Harry post had me snorting with laughter at work. Thanks for getting me in trouble.
Seriously, that is the coolest post in a knitting blog yet. Your socks are gorgeous; would you mind divulging the brand/color of yarns you used for them?! :-)
Kim said,
January 18, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Awesome post and awesome socks! I am particularly impressed at your chatting with Harry and the crew – can you get me into Hogwarts too?
yuvee said,
February 6, 2007 at 7:10 pm
That’s one wicked post! Thanks for sharing it with us muggles ;)
Miss Scarlett said,
February 17, 2007 at 7:36 pm
I love it!
Very fun and lighthearted post.
The photoshopped pic is a great touch.
And I agree – Snape does have a gentlemanly side.
Miss Scarlett said,
February 17, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Whoops – forgot to add how much I liked your wand details: rosewood, alpaca core, Lantern Moon.
Delicious!