Diana Rigf is an English actress known for her portrayal of Miss Hardbroom in the TV series "The Worst Witch". Her performance as the strict and stern teacher in the magical school of Miss Cackle's Academy has made her a memorable character in the show. The Worst Witch is a children's book series written by Jill Murphy, and it has been adapted into various television series and films. Diana Rigf joined the cast in the 1998 TV series, where she played the role of Miss Hardbroom, an intimidating and no-nonsense teacher who is known for her strict rules and disciplinary methods. Diana Rigf's portrayal of Miss Hardbroom is both captivating and convincing. She perfectly captures the essence of the character - her sharpness, cutting remarks, and imposing presence.
A collection of 15 knitting patterns for lifelike animals and birds accompanied by Claire’s sketches and studies of the natural world. The patterns will identify the specific species of bird/animal and Claire’s designs reflect their true markings and colours. The creatures will be photographed in their natural habitats to enhance their realistic appearance.
Also, a tip I ve learnt I use lockable stitch markers within the patterns, so, to make it easy when it comes to joining the small seams, make a note of which colour marker is which red marker for Neck Marker for example. Also, a tip I ve learnt I use lockable stitch markers within the patterns, so, to make it easy when it comes to joining the small seams, make a note of which colour marker is which red marker for Neck Marker for example.
She perfectly captures the essence of the character - her sharpness, cutting remarks, and imposing presence. Her delivery of lines is impeccable, adding a layer of seriousness and authenticity to the show. Miss Hardbroom is a pivotal character in "The Worst Witch" series.
Magical Woodland Knits – An Interview with Claire Garland
I recently acquired a copy of Claire Garland’s book Magical Woodland Knits. I was immediately enchanted by the beautiful image and gold embossing on the front cover. It is a beautiful publication, printed on fine paper and containing creative photos of the complete projects (twelve woodland animals), as well as detailed photos of the construction of each project.
✨Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter to win a copy of Magical Woodland Knits!✨
Upon entering the magical world of Claire Garland’s creations, it’s not uncommon to stumble across a phrase such as
‘Here’s a very quick and simple little cardigan to fit your little Guinea Pig.’
If that’s not enough to draw you in, I can’t imagine what is. 😍
Claire was kind enough to share a bit about herself and her book below. Enjoy!
B: Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself?
C: Hi my name is Claire Garland, aka Dot Pebbles (my online presence). I’m a creative soul, living in Cornwall, UK, who loves to knit and wants to knit forever.
Many years ago, I began designing characterful dolls and their clothes and selling them as patterns online and also in books (I wrote the book Knitted Babes) – from here, I moved on to knitting animals, which I’ve honed in on to try and capture them as life-like as possible – this is where I’d like to stay because I love the challenge and there are so many animals I need to capture.
B: What inspired you to write this book?
C: Since I started to knit the animals and take up the personal challenge to create ‘as life-like a creature as possible from yarn’ I found myself veering towards native, wild UK animals; creatures as small as birds and mice and as big as a wolf. The book commission followed from me posting my makes and promoting my patterns on my Instagram account @dotpebbles_knits
B: What were the most challenging/fun parts of creating this book?
C: The patterns themselves were quite challenging not only to create and invent but also to write down because I was always tweaking the shapes, so it was a very lengthy process, and also fitting in with what was a tight schedule was a little stressful. That said though, it was (and is) immensely fun and engrossing and also rewarding!
B: Do you have a favorite woodland creature? I’m quite fond of the badger!
C: Aw yeah, I like the badger too, especially the way he’s been photographed. But my favourite is the rabbit, mainly because this was one of my first creatures – first I’d ever knitted, and this is the pattern that kind of kick-started my success (wee little mouse is cute too!)
B: When it comes to knitting stuffed animals, what do you think knitters should be aware of? Are there techniques required that aren’t commonly used in garment and accessory knitting?
C: I think the major difference is the finishing. By that, I mean the whole stuffing and shaping part. What you are, in essence creating is a knitted sculpture, so with that in mind, you’re not just knitting, joining, and plonking on a shelf in a toy cupboard (at least that’s not what they are truly designed for); you are instead creatively moulding and sculpting the yarn and the stuffing and giving character and ‘life’ to the finished item.
B: What is your favorite thing to knit?
C: Animals – I’m particularly enjoying my latest ‘Knitted Dolls’ with clothes. I loved knitting the puppies too, for my Domestika Course.
B: What makes this book a great addition to a knitting library?
I am a great collector of cookery books, in particular ones that are beautifully photographed. I’ll probably only ever make one dish from each these books but I just love looking and browsing through them, I find them totally inspiring – if I may I’d like this to be a kind of analogy for my book.
B: I adore this comparison. As an avid collector of books on a variety of subjects, I think that you’ve truly captured the reason that so many of us love to be surrounded by them; the inspiration.✨
If there’s anything else you’d like to share with the readers, please do!
C: I’d like to say don’t be afraid of the patterns. Don’t be put off by the wording or the seeming complexity of the makes. They are created from just basic knit and purl on two needles, so are very doable.
Also, a tip I’ve learnt: I use lockable stitch markers within the patterns, so, to make it easy when it comes to joining the small seams, make a note of which colour marker is which (red marker for Neck Marker for example). I now write a colour-marker guide within my patterns and it’s oh-so useful.
B: What a beautiful book! I’m looking forward to sharing it with my readers.
Thank you!
I am a great collector of cookery books, in particular ones that are beautifully photographed. I’ll probably only ever make one dish from each these books but I just love looking and browsing through them, I find them totally inspiring – if I may I’d like this to be a kind of analogy for my book.
She is seen as the chief antagonist to the protagonist, Mildred Hubble, a clumsy and well-meaning student at Miss Cackle's Academy. Miss Hardbroom often puts Mildred in difficult situations, pushing her to overcome her challenges and grow as a witch. Diana Rigf's portrayal of Miss Hardbroom brings depth and complexity to the character. Despite her initially harsh demeanor, Rigf manages to subtly showcase the character's softer side, revealing her dedication and care towards her students' well-being. Her portrayal strikes a balance between strictness and compassion, making Miss Hardbroom a multi-dimensional and relatable character. Throughout the series, Diana Rigf's performances as Miss Hardbroom have received critical acclaim. Her ability to bring an air of authority and intensity to the character has made her an iconic figure in children's television. Rigf's acting skills and her embodiment of Miss Hardbroom's unique personality have made her one of the standout aspects of the show. In conclusion, Diana Rigf's portrayal of Miss Hardbroom in "The Worst Witch" is a testament to her acting prowess. Her ability to capture the character's essence and deliver a captivating performance has made her a memorable part of the show. Diana Rigf's work as Miss Hardbroom has solidified her place as one of the best actresses to bring the beloved character to life..
Reviews for "Diana Rigf: Embodying the Magic of Miss Cackle in The Worst Witch"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with Diana Rigf Worst Witch. The acting was subpar and the storyline felt flat. It lacked the magic and charm that the original Worst Witch series had. Diana Rigf's portrayal of Mildred Hubble didn't do justice to the character, and I found it hard to get invested in her journey. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this adaptation to fans of the original or to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy series.
2. John - 1/5 stars - Diana Rigf Worst Witch was a complete letdown. The special effects were laughable, and the dialogue was trite and unimaginative. The casting choices were questionable, and the performances were wooden. It felt like a cheap attempt to cash in on the success of the original Worst Witch series. I couldn't watch more than a few episodes before giving up on it entirely. Save your time and skip this one.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - As a fan of the original Worst Witch series, I was excited to see a new adaptation with Diana Rigf. However, this version fell short of my expectations. The writing lacked depth and creativity, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The plotlines were predictable and didn't offer any surprises or twists. While the costumes and set designs were visually appealing, they couldn't make up for the lackluster storytelling. Overall, I was left unimpressed and yearning for the charm of the original series.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - Diana Rigf Worst Witch was a complete disaster. The acting was cringeworthy, and the jokes fell flat. It seemed like the actors were just going through the motions without any genuine enthusiasm. The show failed to capture the whimsical and enchanting atmosphere of the original Worst Witch series, leaving me thoroughly disappointed. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this lackluster adaptation.