Hogwarts Castle Domed Roofs

Well, I've finally finished the crocheting part of the roofs. Whew! Now I need to add the fabric at the bottom of the cones. Here's some shots of the whole process.
(As usual, all the images are clickable to get a larger view of the shots).








The first shot shows the stages the cone goes through. First I had to make the cone, (which wasn't easy for me to figure out!) I finally got some posterboard, made a cone shape, cut the excess, and then used that as a template for the plastic canvas. I also had to make a ring of plastic canvas which is at the base of the cone. This part should slip into the castle towers, having the cone be the only visable part when done.

I made the crocheted sleeves using a shell stitch this time. The castle instructions called for a different type, but it was very pourous and the plastic canvas showed through too much and I didn't want to have to fill in all the holes, (like I did with the castle walls), because that takes up way too much time. Besides, I thought the shell stitch looked more like roof tiles.

I took two shots of putting on the sleeve over the last cone so you could see how it fits on. I need to stitch down this last sleeve, (just using the same colored thread and a yarn needle), so that the sleeve stays put.

Then I will need to add the fabric trim at the bottom. The blue cone is already done. The two inner towers will have the blue roofs. The four outer towers will have the linen marl colored roofs.

Once this is done, I still need to figure out a way to have the cones stay atop the towers and not slip into them. I'm thinking of using S hooks (although my hubby says the castle shouldn't have any sharp objects on it.) Maybe pipe cleaners bent into S hooks? I don't know. Still thinking this one out.

I need to make one more roof and that will be for the Great Hall part of the castle which you haven't seen yet. It is not a dome shape, but a pitched roof shape. It will also be removable.
I can't wait to get that part done so you all can see this room!
It's lined with the same House-Shield fabric I lined the Snape bag with. Very cool!

Then, I will need to attach the castle walls to the outer towers. (Another challenge), as I want to make the front gate wall open up so a child can "enter" the grounds and it will be easier to play with the dolls inside the towers. I'm thinking again of some type of hooks which can allow the front wall to become detatched on one side. I don't know how yet. Still thinking about it.

The castle walls are pretty heavy and may need some shoring up as well. Maybe wire or wood dowels inserted between the fabric and crochet. But then I need to worry about sharp objects again.

Hmmm, this is really a work in progress, isn't it? I feel like the builders of the Leaning Tower of Pisa who had to keep altering their plans as the ground shifted while it was being built, and their tower slowly sank into the mud. LOL!!!!

Thread Snape bag

Thread Snape Bag
These images are clickable.

This bag is made out of number 10 crochet thread. I made a grid similar to the potholder grids, and then crocheted the word SNAPE on it.

Then I decided to make a snake winding its way from across the top, throught to the bottom, (between the ending and beginning of his name), and around the bottom.

I used cat's eyes for the snake eyes. You can just buy them at any craft store. Just make it so the pupils are vertical.

I lined it with Harry Potter fabric.

The handle I made by doing a macrame square knot twisting around, It looks very snake-like. I am very happy with that.

For the bottom, - I was reading the last book and then it hit me. I had to make it a spider's web and put a spider on it too. The spider is very realistic. A Halloween decoration. It has a sort of velvateen fuzz to it. I really hope Snape is not an animagi spider. That would be really gross! But for someone who lives on "Spinner's End" and zapped flies in his room as a child, it may be very likely.

I haven't stopped working on the castle. I have all the towers done and the walls. I even made a Great Hall too. I need to make the roofs now. The flash on my camera doesn't work so I'm not sure I can take pictures all winter. I usually bring the items outside and photograph them in the sun. But now the deck is covered in snow.

Hope you enjoyed looking at the purse. After the castle is done, now that the movie is out, I would like to make a Voldemort doll. And I think I will need to make a Ron and Hermione too. Eventually.