Bofur Scarf Knitting Pattern

Needles: US 13
Wool: 8 ply

(All garter stitch)
Cast on 12 st in blue.
Knit 14 rows.
Change to brown.
Knit 34 rows.
Change to bone/yellow.
Knit 38 rows.
Change to grey.
Knit 38 rows.
Change to brown.
Knit 34 rows.
Change to blue.
Knit 12 rows.
Cast off.
Sew in all lose ends.

WEARING INSTRUCTIONS: If you look at the original image, Bofur wears it wrapped around his neck twice so that you see a band of bone/yellow and a band a grey around the neck, and the brown/blue ends hanging down to a medium length. (Note: my pattern is perhaps a little longer than Bofur's - feel free to shorten any of the sections)

This is the pattern I used for my Supanova cosplay which was based off images of James Nesbitt's costume and some other people's patterns, but in the end it was my own specifications (I altered it many times as I was making it until it came down to this pattern). You may have to change yours too depending whether your needles and/or wool is slightly different. All my wool was synthetic, although I would have definitely used real wool if I had any.

This was my original sketch based off the movie costume:

 

I know a lot of other cosplayers go for vibrancy over accuracy with bright yellows and blues, but the colours Bofur uses are very rustic and subdued, true to his upbringing. He and his brothers are miners, common-folk not from the royal line of Durin. I like to think that either his earthy mother knitted it for him, or else he picked up the skills himself.

I hope this pattern helps any fellow Bofur-cosplayers, or anyone who just wants a Bofur scarf!! If you make yourself a copy, I'd love to see pictures if you can send them to me!! Happy knitting :D

-AlbusOwner

[Click here for post on how I made the hat]
[Click here for extended post on my 2013 Supanova cosplay]

Bofur Hat

Hello there!

So over the past month I have embarked on an epic knitting journey to create my very own Bofur hat!!

As seen below from the recent release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

I decided to do up my hair for the occasion! It was fun threading wire through my own hair to create shape!

 

 I followed the extensive pattern found on ravelry here.

Made by this tumblr blogger knitstruck.

My own tumblr post can be found here.

 One thing that has really surprised me in this project is just how useless wire is when confronted with weight. It was very difficult to sustain the levitation of the ear flaps long enough to take these photos - the bulk of the wool is just too heavy for my poor wire. Even my pigtails had trouble defying gravity.

Here's a terrible picture of the back. This is what happens when you try taking a picture of the back of your head by yourself.

 

Bofur was my favourite character in The Hobbit. From the very beginning he looks a little different to the other dwarves. In contrast to their elaborate beards, he simply has two messy pigtails, and a flipping ridiculous amazing hat. He is not at all proud like the other dwarves, but likes to tease and have fun. The brothes Bifur, Bofur and Bombur are the only dwarves on the quest who are not descended from the line of Durin in the Lonely Mountain. They are poor coal miners.

For me, one of the best scenes in the movie is when they hide in the cave and Bilbo attempts to leave for home. Bofur confronts him, and Bilbo accidently offends him about their lack of a settled home. Despite this, Bofur is the only dwarf who reaches out to Bilbo, and says "I wish you all the luck in the world. I really do." Although not in the book, this scene really established his endearing character.

The completion of this hat has come at just the right time as the weather turns cold in Australia's crazy climate!

I'm definately wearing this hat at the end of the year to the release of the second Hobbit film!! :)

-Albusowner

EDIT: Click HERE for a post on my full Bofur cosplay in June 2013 :D

Tea Time!

 

My little study-project to keep me going!

There's something beautiful in making something tangible after such airy impalpable 'knowledge' being thrown about for so long.

Ahh fibres, you make me happy.

Now I have an excuse to enjoy tea more regularly!

-AlbusOwner

Weasley Jumper Ornaments!

 

This brings back memories from a long time ago when I made these Christmas decorations for a number of my family members! Back then I'd never even heard of double-pointed needles and so I made up my own pattern just by looking at the pictures!

Luckily this time I had some more skill up my sleeves and I was able to follow the pattern fairly accurately.

The design was taken from Charmed Knits by Alison Hansel - a book all about Harry Potter knitting projects! Highly recommended for all true nerds.

I know it's not even nearly Christmas time, but I made these for some fellow-nerds for their birthdays in-between exams and watching the Olympic opening ceremony :)

It seems insane that I have any time at the moment to be doing anything creative. Then again, my major textiles project is due in, like, two weeks.......

Let's not dwell on these things!!

 

-Albusowner

Guerilla Knitting x2

 Yesterday my friend and I hit the local streets to administer a little urban art.

After a few weeks of knitting with nice thick wool and large needles, we finally had our beautifying artworks to sew up along the street. Armed with a large needle, knitting yarn and scissors, we spent some time sewing up our creations whilst avoiding eye contact with awkward neighbours.

 

 

 My friend used black, grey and red wool with an assortment of ribbons tied neatly around the edge, and some fancy metal buttons for extra charm.

 Mine was in my old spot from two years ago. Sadly, the council finally got round to getting rid of my old one, although that's probably a good thing seeing as it was looking pretty manky and falling apart! My new knitting is a combination of wool and synthetic fluffy yarn. I have added some funky buttons of different sizes and colours on each end for extra spunk.

It's great to feel you're making your local area more pretty and interesting!

Living Through World War II

'Living Through World War II' - my PIP (personal interest pathway) project for 2010 at my school. I interviewed three lovely ladies from my church who grew up together through the war, and on the side I knitted some Wristlets:


Very simple rib pattern.

Only ever had time to complete one of my Two-Way Mittens, thats how darn complicated they were:



My 10-minute presentation was probably the longest I've stood up and spoken in front of a crowd - a bit daunting, but totally worth it!! In my stall I had world war two music, lollies, books, and even a dress from my sister's WWII musical a few years back...



Shall now work on completing the second mitten - I never thought I'd actually want to wear them, but they're the best bit of knitting I've ever done :) After that, I might be knitting some socks for the first time :D gotta learn how to turn a heal...

Knitting project and Formal dresses

Lately I've actually been doing some creative stuff... but unfortunately I am finding it very boring.

I am researching women during world war 2 who knitted for their soldier friends, and got stuck half way through a tricky glove pattern on double-pointed needles:
I am now working on some 'wristlets,' the authentity of which I am beginning to doubt with its simple and drastically boring pattern. at the moment it is a block of ribbed knitting... or whatever you call it.


Meanwhile, I went shopping for my school formal dress!! I found a fantastic vintage dress and got it at a very cheap price too! However I have been convinced out of wearing it for its classic look, and am now searching for a more fun modern dress. Better get a move on before all the good ones are gone!!! However this is my exam week, so I may have to wait a while...

Knitting

Well, I'm not a state winner for the Novella Competition, but I still stand a chance of being a shortlisted or "highly recommended" participant. Doesn't it defeat the purpose if they choose who was shortlisted AFTER choosing the state winners though? Strange...

Anyway, today I took a walk with a had and dark sunglasses and stood next to a particular pole, and waiting around suspiciously for everyone in sight to disappear. Who would guess that a Sunday morning would have so many people taking a walk?? After about five minutes waiting, I gave up and took out my 2m long piece of knitting and started sewing it up with trembling hands. After a few stitches however, I started to quite enjoy myself. I loved it every time someone walked past, probably giving me shifty looks and wondering what on earth I was doing, but were too scared to ask. I just kept sewing away, ignoring everyone. One nice man asked me what I was doing, but before I could actually work out what I really was doing (i still have no idea) he suggested it was art, and I agreed. He told me all about his wife and how she likes quilting and thought my little piece was quite nice and bright, and then he went on. As he walked away, I thought about how I would never EVER have such a nice conversation like that with a stranger, and decided I want to try and do more of this geurilla knitting in the future as I enjoyed the whole thing so much.

Doesn't look 2 metres, does it?? Well, I think it was a bit short of it because I was beginning to worry how long I would have to stand there sewing it up... I think in the end it took nearly half an hour, but I loved every minute of it.

I was very impressed with how this bit turned out. "Llama was here" I did that whole little bit in just over half an hour. I drew out the words lightly with pencil, then stitched over them, and then folded back the edges and sewed it onto the knitting. Now everyone can know that Llama who made the first piece made the second one too :)