I made Craftses!

[reynardo]

For this year's luciusbigbang, I made a scarf for a friend.

More to the point, the story was that Lucius's mother arranged for the scarf to be made for him while he was at school, but somehow it got lost in the mail.

Title: Lost Mail
Author/Artist: reynardo
Cheerleader: Feuerfunke, whom I did not treat with the respect a cheerleader deserves. I'd like to apologise profusely for my complete brain-addling.
Genre: Family
Rating: G
Warnings: Only valid if the recipient has agreed to model it for us!
Materials: Assorted acrylic yarns, one of which was sparkly! Pattern vaguely based on the marvellous harmanhay's "Peacock Dress" feathers, seen here. Also, of course, a letter from Mrs Malfoy to her dear son, and a box to mail it all in. The scarf is knitted in a 10-rows-coloured-2-rows-black sequence, in stocking stitch. The basics of the feathers were knitted in (including bobble stitch for the centres) and then extra detail hand-embroidered over the top.
Characters: Lucius, his mother, mention of a few others
Stitch Count: Huge
Summary: In Lucius's last year at Hogwarts, his mother sent him a scarf to keep him warm. Alas, the owl was lost, or shot, or ... somehow the parcel ended up in the Muggle mail system, and stuck down the back of a desk in the Lost Mail office.
A/N: I hadn't realised how much I would end up being "written out" by University until I sat down and couldn't even write Cute Lucius stuff! So I deliberately went another way. By some strange co-incidence, I wanted to make something special for a dear friend for Christmas. So here it is - or at least pictures of Lucius's scarf, the letter his mother wrote to go with it, and the evidence of the slight ... misdirections the scarf took.

For pictures and the story, click here. And for the text of the letter from his mother, it's under here.

Dear Lucius,

Please find enclosed your Christmas Present for this year. I designed it myself, and had Dobby knit it for you. The fool elf used too hot an iron the middle – he'll be ironing his hand twice a day for the rest of the year to remind him to check the settings next time.

The silver and green stripes are, of course, to match the Slytherin uniform. I do not think even Slughorn will complain about the small addition of the white peacock feathers at the end. The feather design is from a dress I saw at Kedlestone Hall when I last went to visit your Uncle Cygnus and Aunt Druella. They are going through rather a hard time at the moment – apparently Andromeda is threatening to make what can only be described as an Unfortunate Match, and your poor aunt is beside herself. I decided to take a walk around the local countryside to take the air (and give them some time with Andromeda alone), and the Hall is only a mile or so from their house. I am afraid, though, that until I tell you otherwise, you would be best having no contact with your cousin at all for the next little while. Hopefully she will come to her senses before anything … inalterable … occurs.

Please make sure your behaviour as a prefect is impeccable, as there is no doubt that the reputation of our House rests upon you. I am pleased to see that you are on friendly terms with your cousin Narcissa. Be sure to sympathise with her during her family difficulties, without antagonising her. It will make for a much more pleasant start to your married life with her if you can remain friends at least.

Your father has a slight cold and a rash, which he says is due to having to mingle with Muggles in Quarndon while we visited your Aunt. I am rather concerned though – there has been a plague of Dragon Pox in some of the less salubrious areas of London, and while your father swears he has never been there, I prefer to turn a blind eye to his outings. You will discover, dear, that this is often the best way to a harmonious marriage.

…/2



- 2-

I have also enclosed a packet of those biscuits you liked so much when we visited Mulciber in Australia last year. Apparently he will be returning to Britain shortly, with some propositions for "pure-minded Wizarding families". I confess I hope your father does not become mixed up with any of the more extreme groups – they call the wrong sort of attention to themselves.

Make a friend of Horace Slughorn – he may seem to be an ineffectual type, but his skills at knowing the right people for later favours is well worth emulating. You would do well to consider with whom you wish to consort when you leave school next year.

I quite understand your wish to remain at school over the Christmas holidays. Your example will only enhance your reputation in the eyes of the other students. Although I must say that those who will be remaining at Hogwarts with you do not sound like a very promising group. I do not need to tell you by now to pick your friends carefully, but I will advise you to think twice before allowing that new student from the mill town to become a cohort.

Be sure and wrap up well against the cold.

With much love,

Your affectionate

Mother.