Hobbie's House

Hobbie's House "out of business"??? NOT!

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:46:10 GMT

Reports of our “being out of business” have been greatly exaggerated!

In fact, we are doing quite well and nothing could be further from the truth. It’s just been a VERY BUSY past few months on several non-business levels: out of state weddings and graduations, hospital stays, and trips…just to name a few.

However, thought it was hilarious to come across the recent statement, made without the benefit of email verification, that Hobbie’s House of Wizard Wear had been deemed to no longer be in the “wizard wear” business.

The US economy being what it is these days, we are using this down time to develop and diversify. On the other hand, our overseas customers are having a field day! Just completed a prototype for Luna’s tote. We’ve also noticed a definite trend – our knitting patterns are being downloaded at a dizzying pace. We are guessing that everyone is knitting furiously in anticipation of Halloween and the movie release in November. With that in mind, we are preparing additional knitting patterns, in various sizes, for the Team Sweaters, the OOTP cardigan and the striped crewneck.

So….if you have any questions, be sure to write. If you are looking for a Ravenclaw costume, we noticed that someone has both a

vest and scarf [from Hobbie’s House] up for auction on eBay.

The descriptions are poor to totally inaccurate so please ask questions! Our custom made knitwear is not designed to fit anywhere between a teen through medium and large sizes to a 45" chest!

Be sure to ask questions. We identified it in our records as a custom order. There is no way any item we knit, to size, can cover so many measurements. It would not even qualify as a standard sized item.

Also - The trapped bar scarves are NOT wool. They are 100% acrylic.

Send us an owl! We're still standing...

Sleeves please...

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 16:46:47 GMT

One sleeve completed.

The sleeve was attached temporarily, and without the benefit of blocking, to verify the alignment of stripes across body and sleeves.

We often "baste in" the sleeves to make sure they fit perfectly into the armhole - even when there is no pattern involved. It's a sewing thing applied to knitting.

If something is not right, you can fix it before moving on - whether it means re-knitting the sleeve cap or adjusting the position of the sleeve cap in the armhole.

Nearly completed...

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:31:17 GMT

It is always nice to see a project take shape.

Front and back pieces were blocked to size. The right shoulder was seamed - then the neckline stitches were picked up. Neckband knit in the 4 by 4 rib and cast off loosely.

Not to worry. The neckband looks tight but it is not. Tried it on and it slips easily over the head. Nearly all the neckband stitches were open stitches.

Opted to display it on the larger dress form for now. The sweater is getting heavy and the larger dress form is easier on the shoulders and neckband. Once the sleeves are attached and the side seams sewn, it will no longer fit on the large form.

Have any questions?

And now for the back...

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:53:47 GMT

Finished the back of the striped crewneck. Back neck was not shaped. Instead of placing the neckline stitches on a stitch holder, they were knit off on a scrap of contrast yarn - in same weight.

Back can easily be pinned to size and blocked before assembly.

Crewneck Pullover Update

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 17:01:08 GMT

Finally received the "Aloe" Swish Superwash yarn from KnitPicks this week and completed the crewneck front.

Opted to begin the stripe pattern with the light aqua so...for this size, the red stripe does not appear at the neckline.

Writing the pattern as the knitting progresses.

Neckline decreases have been short rowed to maintain the elasticity of the neckline.

Neckline was knit off on a different color yarn so that the pieces can be blocked to size before sewing left shoulder seam and knitting the neckband. May or may not block the bottom ribbed band.

525,600 minutes and counting....

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:43:14 GMT

Men's size 38 "Paid Your Rent" sweater/scarf set up for auction on eBay. SOLD

Finished measurements in inches for the Standard Size 38?

Shoulder width: 16.5

Sweater length: 25.25

Finished Chest: 39

Sleeve length: 25

Nothing wrong with the sweater - it's in perfect, "like new" condition...just returned because it was ordered 3 sizes too large!

If you have any sizing questions, be sure to contact us for details or send for detailed sizing and measurement information.

Close...but no cigar

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 22:45:54 GMT

Update: 1/24/2008

Sample sweater knitting is on hold! Knit up to the green stripe but the sage green simply does not look right. Ordered KnitPicks Swish Superwash color#23873 "Aloe".

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Another trek to find more authentic colors in worsted weight wool.

Finally got away from the blues and found two shades of teal which are closer to authentic but no mint green and the lavendar is a wee bit too intense.

Don't go by the colors you see on line. If you have the opportunity, go to the yarn store...look at the actual colors. Checked out all the Brown Sheep colors today. Here too not all the colors but Platte River Blue clearly makes the grade as a "lavender"

Now that all 8 colors [in Patons, Plymouth, Reynolds and Lopi] are handy, the next step is to knit a sample sweater - probably in a size 8. Not crazy about having to use Lopi.

Two steps forward, one step back...

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:55:24 GMT

It's snowing...again. This time it means business and that usually translates into utter chaos around these parts.

The week seems to be flying by with many projects in suspense. The newsletter is late and the search for the complete set of colors [in wool] for the striped crewneck is on hold.

This is what we have found so far in wool, with Patons Classic merino as the main yarn.
The colors are somewhat brighter than the original [yet create a nice contrast against the light grey mix]but we are looking at reasonably priced wool. Still missing? The pale lavender. As it is, the materials for these contrast colors came to $40+ dollars - on sale. Add at least 4 skeins [+- $20.00] of grey for a small size sweater.

More authentic colors are available in pricier yarns...lighter weights, smaller stitch and row gauge.
It is really frustrating to think that inexpensive, acrylic yarns have a better color selection for this sweater.

Stripe Testing - 2 rows or 4?

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:48:15 GMT

The purpose of this little knitting experiment was to figure out how the stripe pattern would look in Patons Classic wool.

Patons merino knits up like a charm, at a gauge of 20 stitches by 26 rows on #7 needles. It's rare when I can achieve the recommended gauge using the size needles actually called for on the skein band!

I started with a two row stripe, with 8 rows of main color between stripes. Then went with a 4 row stripe and 8 rows in between. BTW, I always knit 2 rows plain after the ribbing. Why? So your patterning begins on a "flat canvas" - no rick-racky look [especially with stripes] along the bottom of the sweater. Also, your design is not hidden in the ripple effect of the gathers created by the ribbing. Of course, if you are knitting with wool, you can always block some of those ripples right out of the body and some elasticity out of the ribbing. In fact, me thinks that the ribbing on the original sweater was knit separately, completely blocked and sewn onto the bottom of the sweater. Note that there is virtually no elasticity to it. DO NOT do this with acrylic yarn!

At this gauge [20STS x 26RS=4"], the two row stripe looks somewhat more in proportion when you consider that you will have to knit 8 different colored stripes to complete one full repeat of the pattern. Double checked on a size 8: knitting with the Patons merino, the row count to the neckline would allow a single repeat of the 8 colors in a 4/8/4 sequence - no more. However....it always boils down to the knitter's preference. ;0)

BTW, 24 rows of 4 x 4 ribbing [on #5 needles] measures 3.25 inches.

Patons Merino knits up smoothly - Just wish they carried all eight colors in the classic wool. Now comes the tricky part: locating all colors, in wool, and in a 3 ply, medium weight yarn. Can't believe I found more authentic colors in acrylic!

Simply out of curiosity...

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:18:40 GMT

After a couple days of temps in the 60s and 70s, this morning brought a beautiful sunrise but right along with it...a stiff breeze, low temps and thoughts of grabbing a sweater or vest.

View Poll: Favorite Wizard Knitwear

A Wizard Wear Newsletter - New for 2008!

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:47:55 GMT

And why not?

It is the best and easiest way to respond to a variety of frequently asked questions which come our way - on a long list of topics!

Sample topics will include:

Our knitting patterns;

How to assemble your knits;

Charted Initial graphs for different sizes in various gauges;

Charts for the striped crewneck pullover;

Taking accurate body measurements;

Tips on modifying a knitting pattern for a personal fit;

The importance of the dreaded test swatch;

Wizard Wear inspired knitting patterns;

Photos of finished sample knits!

Have any topics you would to see covered in this newsletter?

Be sure to send them our way!

Happy Holidays From Hobbie's House!

Sat, 25 Feb 2006 20:30:44 GMT

Happy Holidays from Hobbie's House!

To keep up to date on all "happenings" at Hobbie's House, be sure to subscribe to Hobbie's RSS feed: the "What's New?"

If you have any questions, feel free to send them our way. You can "contact us" using any of the forms found on our site.

We'd love to get some feedback from all wizarding fans on how close to "authentic" we have come with the design for a striped crewneck pullover. We welcome the input of all our visitors - it helps us fine tune any design we offer.

Click here to share your suggestions and ideas by building your own page at Hobbie's House. All costuming enthusiasts and Wizarding fans are welcome to comment.

Thank you,
Hobbie's House of Wizard Wear