Oh! Loops 2017 Harry Potter KAL

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Who else is participating in Oh! Loops' annual Harry Potter KAL?!

For those of you not in the know, this KAL has been going on for a few years and is one of the most fun a-longs I've ever participated in. I signed up two years ago and loved every second, although I didn't sign up last year because life got away from me and I just didn't have time.

But it's really great: you order HP-themed yarn from Oh! Loops and accordingly get sorted into any one of the four houses for a friendly three-month knitting competition. I, of course, am now in Ravenclaw, which was nothing if not a happy coincidence. I got sorted according to Pottermore not more than a few months ago and discovered I am, in fact, a Ravenclaw. Being a nerd, I'm proud of that. Why? According to Wikia:

"Members of this house are characterised by their wit, learning, and wisdom."

...And I love being categorized by any of the above. Suffice it to say, I'm excited to knit for this house in particular.

The two skeins I picked up are called "Don't Call Me Nymphadora" (an 80/30 SW Merino/Nylon mix) and "Snape Loves Lily" (an 85/15 SW Merino/NEP Tweed combo). I'm not sure what I'll knit with them yet, but I do plan to use them for the challenges, which should be posted soon. The tweed could be used as socks, but I don't want to hide it on my feet; it's too pretty!

If you want to follow along, you can check out the #hpkal2017 or #harrypotterkal2017 hashtags over on Instagram.

PS: Nick and I tried the jelly beans and are both thrilled and appalled to say they taste exactly as described in the movie. I mistakenly picked a yummy-looking pink one that turned out to be earthworm-flavored. I'm still recovering from the trauma.

PPS: Speaking of Ravenclaw, one of my favorite indie dyers (Dragon Hoard Yarn) is putting out Harry Potter advent calendars this year and she's let us choose our houses. You can probably guess that I chose Ravenclaw, meaning I'll get house-centric goodies with my calendar. I'd link you to the calendar to order, but she sold out fast!

PPPS: And in other advent calendar news, I've also ordered an Opal one for 2017. This impulse buy will be my first Opal advent calendar and I'm more than pumped for it to arrive on my doorstep (all the way from the UK for a fairly good price). The 2017 Christmas season is going to be more than enough fun for me!