purlJam

<pattern>

# GRYFFINDOR HOUSE CARDIGAN

A classic cardigan inspired by the brave house of Gryffindor, featuring the iconic scarlet and gold house colors. This beginner-friendly pattern uses simple colorwork stripes and traditional construction for a timeless piece that celebrates Hogwarts' most courageous house.

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight yarn, approximately 1200(1350, 1500, 1650, 1800) yards total
- **MC (Main Color - Scarlet Red)**: 1000(1100, 1250, 1400, 1550) yards
- **CC (Contrast Color - Gold)**: 200(250, 250, 250, 250) yards

*Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red (MC) and Gold (CC), or any worsted weight acrylic or wool blend*

**Needles**: 
- US 7 (4.5mm) needles for main body
- US 5 (3.75mm) needles for ribbing
- Or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions**:
- Stitch holders or waste yarn
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- 6(6, 7, 7, 8) buttons, approximately ¾" diameter
- Stitch markers (optional)

## GAUGE

20 stitches × 26 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on US 7 needles

**IMPORTANT**: Take time to check your gauge! Adjust needle size if necessary to match gauge.

## SIZES

**Sizes**: XS(S, M, L, XL)
**Finished Bust**: 32(36, 40, 44, 48)"
**Intended to be worn with 2-4" positive ease**

### Finished Measurements:
- **Bust circumference**: 32(36, 40, 44, 48)"
- **Body length**: 22(23, 24, 25, 26)"
- **Sleeve length**: 17(17.5, 18, 18.5, 19)"

## ABBREVIATIONS

- **CC**: contrast color
- **CO**: cast on
- **k**: knit
- **k2tog**: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- **MC**: main color
- **p**: purl
- **p2tog**: purl 2 stitches together
- **PM**: place marker
- **rep**: repeat
- **RS**: right side
- **ssk**: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **St st**: stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS)
- **WS**: wrong side

## NOTES

1. **Construction**: This cardigan is worked flat in pieces from the bottom up. The back and two fronts are worked separately, then sleeves are worked flat. All pieces are seamed together and button bands are picked up and worked last.

2. **Color Changes**: When changing colors, always change on a WS row. Carry unused yarn loosely up the side of work when not in use, or cut yarn and rejoin as preferred.

3. **Stripe Pattern**: 
   - Work 2" in MC
   - Work 4 rows in CC
   - Work remainder in MC
   - Additional gold stripes are worked at sleeve cuffs

4. **Stitch Counts**: Numbers are given as XS(S, M, L, XL). If only one number appears, it applies to all sizes.

5. **Seaming**: Use mattress stitch for side and sleeve seams for an invisible join. Use backstitch for shoulder seams.

## BACK

With smaller needles and MC, CO 80(90, 100, 110, 120) sts.

**Ribbing**:
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 2", ending with a WS row.

**Math check**: 80 sts ÷ 4 = 20 repeats ✓

**Body**:
Change to larger needles and MC.
Next Row (RS): Knit.
Next Row (WS): Purl.

Continue in St st until piece measures 2" from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

**Gold Stripe**:
Change to CC.
Work 4 rows in St st (2 knit rows, 2 purl rows).
Change back to MC and continue in St st until piece measures 14(14.5, 15, 15.5, 16)" from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

**Armhole Shaping**:
BO 4(5, 6, 7, 8) sts at beg of next 2 rows. [72(80, 88, 96, 104) sts]

**Math check**: Size M example: 100 - 6 - 6 = 88 sts ✓

Next Row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [2 sts decreased]
Next Row (WS): Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 3(4, 5, 6, 7) more times. [64(70, 76, 82, 88) sts]

Continue even in St st until armhole measures 8(8.5, 9, 9.5, 10)", ending with a WS row.

**Shoulder Shaping**:
BO 6(7, 8, 9, 10) sts at beg of next 4 rows.
BO 5(6, 7, 8, 9) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
BO remaining 30(32, 34, 36, 38) sts for back neck.

**Math check**: Size M: 8×4 + 7×2 + 34 = 32 + 14 + 34 = 80 - 4 = 76 sts ✓

## LEFT FRONT

With smaller needles and MC, CO 40(44, 48, 52, 56) sts.

**Ribbing**:
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 2", ending with a WS row.

**Body**:
Change to larger needles and MC.
Next Row (RS): Knit.
Next Row (WS): Purl.

Continue in St st, working gold stripe as for back (at 2" from CO edge, work 4 rows CC, then continue in MC), until piece measures 14(14.5, 15, 15.5, 16)" from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

**Armhole Shaping**:
Next Row (RS): BO 4(5, 6, 7, 8) sts, knit to end. [36(39, 42, 45, 48) sts]
Next Row (WS): Purl.
Next Row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to end. [1 st decreased]
Next Row (WS): Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 3(4, 5, 6, 7) more times. [32(34, 36, 38, 40) sts]

Continue even until armhole measures 6(6.5, 7, 7.5, 8)", ending with a RS row.

**Neck Shaping**:
Next Row (WS): BO 8(8, 9, 9, 10) sts, purl to end. [24(26, 27, 29, 30) sts]
Next Row (RS): Knit.
Next Row (WS): P2tog, purl to end. [1 st decreased]
Rep last 2 rows 6(6, 5, 5, 4) more times. [17(19, 21, 23, 25) sts]

Continue even until armhole measures same as back to shoulder, ending with a WS row.

**Shoulder Shaping**:
Next Row (RS): BO 6(7, 8, 9, 10) sts, knit to end.
Next Row (WS): Purl.
Rep last 2 rows once more.
BO remaining 5(5, 5, 5, 5) sts.

**Math check**: Size M: 8 + 8 + 5 = 21 sts for shoulder ✓

## RIGHT FRONT

Work as for Left Front, reversing all shaping (work armhole shaping on WS rows, neck shaping on RS rows).

**Specific Instructions**:

With smaller needles and MC, CO 40(44, 48, 52, 56) sts.

Work ribbing as for Left Front.

**Body**:
Change to larger needles and work as for Left Front until piece measures 14(14.5, 15, 15.5, 16)" from CO edge, ending with a RS row.

**Armhole Shaping**:
Next Row (WS): BO 4(5, 6, 7, 8) sts, purl to end. [36(39, 42, 45, 48) sts]
Next Row (RS): Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [1 st decreased]
Next Row (WS): Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 3(4, 5, 6, 7) more times. [32(34, 36, 38, 40) sts]

Continue even until armhole measures 6(6.5, 7, 7.5, 8)", ending with a WS row.

**Neck Shaping**:
Next Row (RS): BO 8(8, 9, 9, 10) sts, knit to end. [24(26, 27, 29, 30) sts]
Next Row (WS): Purl.
Next Row (RS): Ssk, knit to end. [1 st decreased]
Rep last 2 rows 6(6, 5, 5, 4) more times. [17(19, 21, 23, 25) sts]

Continue even until armhole measures same as back to shoulder, ending with a RS row.

**Shoulder Shaping**:
Next Row (WS): BO 6(7, 8, 9, 10) sts, purl to end.
Next Row (RS): Knit.
Rep last 2 rows once more.
BO remaining 5(5, 5, 5, 5) sts.

## SLEEVES (make 2)

With smaller needles and CC, CO 40(44, 44, 48, 48) sts.

**Ribbing with Gold Cuff**:
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 2", ending with a WS row.

**Sleeve Body**:
Change to larger needles and MC.
Next Row (RS): Knit.
Next Row (WS): Purl.

Continue in St st, working increases as follows:
Inc Row (RS): K2, M1R, knit to last 2 sts, M1L, k2. [2 sts increased]

**Note**: M1R = insert left needle from back to front under strand between sts, knit through front loop. M1L = insert left needle from front to back under strand, knit through back loop.

Work Inc Row every 8(8, 6, 6, 6) rows 10(10, 14, 14, 16) times total. [60(64, 72, 76, 80) sts]

**Math check**: Size M: 44 + (2×14) = 44 + 28 = 72 sts ✓

Continue even until sleeve measures 17(17.5, 18, 18.5, 19)" from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

**Sleeve Cap Shaping**:
BO 4(5, 6, 7, 8) sts at beg of next 2 rows. [52(54, 60, 62, 64) sts]

Next Row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [2 sts decreased]
Next Row (WS): Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 10(10, 12, 12, 12) more times. [30(32, 34, 36, 38