2014 Geek-A-Long: Hufflepuff

Welcome to week 25 of the 2014 Geek-A-Long, a mystery blanket knit-along (or crochet-along for you rebels out there)! If you’re new to the GAL craziness, check out the Geek-A-Long FAQ page for more details and information. Then, meet us back here when you’re ready. For the seasoned pros, let’s talk about Hufflepuff.

I’m a Slytherin myself, but even I have to admit that Hufflepuff doesn’t usually get it’s due.  Luckily, Buzzfeed has your hardworking and loyal backs, honey-badgers!

Universal Orlando is opening the Wizarding World of Harry Potter on July 8th, 2014.  For those of you keeping count that is ONLY 16 DAYS FROM NOW.  I’m being cool about it though.  I mean, it’ll be ok, NBD guys.  Seriously though, I want to go badly.  Jac and I would make such good wizards.  I don’t even know why we didn’t get those Hogwarts’ acceptance letters yet.

Sigh.  Pesky owls.

Since my owl got waylaid, I suppose I will need to communicate with Hogwarts like a muggle and just post it to the internet.

An open letter to Universal Studios:

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Megan-Anne, and I am writing on behalf of my sister and myself.  As our Hogwarts owls have been inexplicably delayed we request training at your establishment to hone and perfect the magical powers we are certain we will be manifesting shortly.  In lieu of tution, perhaps you would consider some really nice socks?  We promise not to give them to your house elves.  Also, we write really good reviews, in case you were wondering.

Magically Yours,

Megan-Anne TotallyNotADarkWizard

I’m sure they’ll be getting right back to me on that.  ;)

The Harry Potter squares were some of the most challenging to design, and Hufflepuff was the most challenging of the 4 HP squares.  I will admit that as I was knitting it up, I was worried briefly about the back leg and arm, but once it was all done they looked the way I pictured.

Hufflepuff

© Megan-Anne of Lattes & Llamas, 2014

Needles: Size US6

Yarn: Cascade 220 in 2 sharply contrasting colors.

Gauge: 10 sts over 13 rows = 2″ x 2″ square. Final square is 45 sts by 57 rows.  Please note that in the written pattern I instruct you to knit the rows above and below the active color chart.  These rows are shown on the chart as solid color rows above and below the design.

Download PDF of the color chart Hufflepuff. Cast on 45 sts for each side of knitting (with two strands held together CO 45, for a total of 90 sts on needle).

Work 2 rows of double-sided knitting (knit the facing sts and purl the back sts across).  You may choose to work the opposite color for the first stitch of each row (I do this), which will keep the edges closed. Alternately, you may choose to knit them without doing this and seam the sides when putting the blanket together. There is no “right” way to do this. It is really just what you are more comfortable with.

Follow color chart over next 53 rows in double-sided knitting.

Work 2 rows of double-sided knitting. BO.

Don’t forget to tweet or instagram them at me, @Doctor_Llama, with the hashtag geekalong, so we can all oooh and ah together. We even have a fancy new GAL Participation Button you can put on your blog or your Geek-A-Long posts. You can grab the html out of the side bar or find it here.

If you’re having trouble with double-sided knitting, we have a how-to video here and you can find moral support in the Geek-A-Long group on Ravelry here. We’re even raffling off some sweet prizes for our members at the end of the year! You can learn more about it in the group or on the GAL Benefactors page.

~ Megan-Anne
“My Head of House said I lacked certain necessary qualities…like the ability to behave myself.”

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