Angela the Herbalist - Inheritance Costume Profile (NOT like Angela in the Movie!!!)

Some friends and I planned a birthday party for Christopher Paolini's 30th birthday, on November 17th, 2013. I came to the event dressed as my favorite character; Angela the Herbalist 

[Some minor spoilers ahead if you haven't finished the series yet]

This was a super fun character in the books and I had such a great time designing this costume and recreating her from the awesome descriptions in the story that Paolini penned. 

This costume is layered with some hand made aspects [ie, pieces I made just for this costume], and some store bought [ie, stuff I already had in my closet]. 

Handmade: Emerald green hooded cloak, green/burgundy over skirt [w/ hidden pockets], hip bag/knitting pouch, hanging belt details [bottles/rocks/skulls/beads/mushrooms/frog stools/daggers/darts/etc] 

Since I am a Certified Herbalist, and celebrated my first year as a practicing herbalist this same November, I always felt a particular connection to Angela. 

This lady is not at all what she seems; from the many hidden weapons sneaking out of the folds of her skirts to her age beyond her appearance, from her serious knitting skills to her stealth with a blade. Angela is full of surprises. 

During the party, we had time under the Minoa tree where we shared some kind of art that everyone created. For my 'show-and-tell' I knit a hat, based on a vauge descirption of a hat that Angela is knitting in the final book during a scene where she speaks to Eragon in a stair well. [why is she knitting in a stairwell, you ask? It's a story for another time.] 

The line in the book simply states that she was knitting a blue and white hat with these runes across it: RAXACORI. When Eragon asks her about what the runes mean, she brushes him off, as usual, saying that it would take her too long to explain so he would understand. 

A little detail on some of the props for this costume.

Angela carries a poniard, a short pointy sword [or long dagger], which she uses under Dras Leona when Eragon loses Brisinger and she gives him her main sword, Tinkledeath. A dagger the color of a ruddy sun set. Green and yellow darts. And some glass vials that release a green vapor which chokes the enemy and they fall to the ground with little mushrooms sprouting up on all exposed skin. :shutter: Don't mess with this girl. 

I tried creating the little daggers by just cutting out some cardboard and wrapping the cut outs in masking tape. Then I used chrome spray paint to get the sliver metal look of steel. 

Added acrylic paint decorations and handle, and wrapped some sliver wire around it for more interest.

Angela protecting little Elva.

Don't bother me; I'm knitting. 

Just kidding. Thanks for stopping by! 

Kerry - aka, Angela

Sock Completion!

Yay! I finally finished a pair of socks today that I have honestly been working on for over 3 years... :^\ I started them and got a good ways done on the 'leg' of the sock and realized my gauge was WAY off, so I had to order the right size needles in the right length [because I like doing two-at-a-time-socks] and once they finally got ordered and arrived I didn't start right away and once I did I did not work on them stedily at all...

 

But, they are done now! I finished the toe with the Kitchener Stitch which is a really neat way of grafting two sets of live stitches together and make it look like there is hardly even a seam. I followed the instructions for it in this handy video. But I only watched it for the first sock, doing it step by step with the video. By then I 'thought' I had it figured out so I did the second sock without watching the video... the result? I have a weird seam on that one. So, I was able to take it out and redo it.

 

I gave them to my Mom... She loves them! They fit her perfectly, too! I'm so pleased. :^)

 

 

Have a great week! Make time to create something!

Kerry

 

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"And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."

Psalm 90:17

Beauty in every detail...

Enjoy every inch of God's creation today...

T'will be socks [one day]

 

Does anyone have the thyme?

 

Fingerless mitts [yep, my mom is awesome]

 

Hot Pads

 

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Rustic Treasures 

Fall Inspiration  



 



Dear Knitting, How I've Missed You!

I've been so busy this summer with school and a new job [not to mention Etsy, family, friends; but you know how that is] that I haven't had much time for making much of anything. Just whipping out a little bag here and there, and making a pair of feed bag shorts [inside joke; will clue you in later if your interested!]. But I have not had time to sit and enjoy the process of 'knit one purl one' and watch with wonder as 'something' emerges.

I recently bought a pattern for button down fingerless mitts from knitter, designer and fellow Etsyian, Lynette McPherson, of Fern Wood Wool Works. The pattern has been fun; not quite a beginners pattern, but no doubt easily understood and well explained. She also designs knit socks, leg warmers and even baby mitts and leg warmers!

All I have left to do for this right hand mitt is pick out some buttons to sew on, weave in the loose ends and ...

... finish the ribbing on the thumb.

Then, on the the left mitt! I can't wait to get started and have these this fall and winter to keep my hands cozy at the drafty feed store I work at. I'll post photos of the completed pair when I have had time to finish them. Thanks Lynette, for the beautiful design!

Have a terrific Tuesday.

Kerry