Heraldic Lion Sweater« Back to List of Costumes

Remember that Weasley sweater Harry got with a gold lion on it? Why not wear one too and show some Gryffindor spirit?

© Laurie Kynaston (pattern) and Kim Salazar (chart)

Materials:

6 skeins Hayfield Grampion DK, "Brimstone" (red)
Note: Each skein approx. 164 yards (Estimated total yardage of MC: 927 yards)
1 skein DK weight yarn in gold OR gold fingering weight yarn, doubled
US4 (3.5 mm) needles
US6 (4 mm) needles
US4 (3.5 mm) 16" (40.6 cm) circular needles

Gauge
22 sts per 4" (10 cm) and 28 rows per 4" (10 cm) using US6 (4 mm) needles

Chart
As we didn't obtain direct permission from its creator, the chart can be found here

Instructions:

Back
Using US4 (3.5 mm) needles, cast on 86 sts in MC.

Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 2" (5 cm), increasing 8 sts evenly across the last row of ribbing. You should now have 94 sts.

Switch to US6 (4 mm) needles and stockinette stitch, and work even until piece measures 13" (33 cm) from beginning. Place underarm markers here (the author used a short length of scrap yarn for the markers). Continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures 21" (53.3 cm) from beginning. Bind off 94 sts. across back.

Front
Work as for back, including marking the underarms and at the same time, when piece measure 6" (15.2 cm) from beginning, starting on the right side (knit row).

Knit 20, work Lion chart over next 54 sts (in CC), knit 20. Remember to twist your yarns when you change colors, to prevent holes. To help avoid that hopeless tangle of yarn when doing intarsia, alternate the direction you turn your work at the end of each row. Work chart through row 61.

Continue with MC and stockinette stitch until piece measures 18" from beginning, end ready for a right side row.

Neck Shaping
Knit 37, attach a 2nd ball of yarn, bind off center 20 stitches, and work across row.

Working both sides at once, decrease 1 stitch at each neck edge, every other row, 7 times (30 stitches remaining on each side).

Continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures 21" (55.3 cm) from beginning.

Bind off 30 sts across each shoulder.

Sleeves (2)
Using US4 (3.5 mm) needles cast on 44 sts in MC.

Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 2" (5 cm), increasing 4 sts evenly across last ribbing row.

Switch to US 6 (4 mm) needles and stockinette stitch, and increase 1 st each side of sleeve every 4 rows 12 times , then every 5 rows 8 times. You should have 88 sts total.

Continue even until sleeve measures 15.5" (39.4 cm) from beginning.

Bind off.

Finishing
Weave in all ends.

Seam shoulders.

Sew in sleeves, using underarm markers to place the sleeves.

Seam sleeves and side seams.

Neck Ribbing
Using US4 (3.5 mm) circular needles, pick up and knit 86 stitches evenly around neck opening.

Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 1.5" (3.8 cm) or desired length.

Bind off loosely in ribbing.