Wizard School House Colors

Here again there are many differing opinions as to what constitutes "authentic" shades. Unless you own an original sweater or scarf - the actual items worn in the movies - one cannot assert that a specific yarn color is the actual House color.

Short of having a stash of the very same yarn used to knit these sweaters and scarves, the best we muggles can do is try to match the original colors, as closely as possible.

We researched the colors and selected those we felt were a close match, close enough to produce authentic looking reproduction knitwear.

Please visit our Wizard Wear Yarns page where we discuss yarns which passed the House Colors authenticity test.

Please note that they are suggested colors and where we think there are no accurate matches, we do not list any color at all. We assume that the knitter will locate a yarn, of the same weight and fiber content, as a replacement, in a shade that represents their idea of an acceptable, authentic House color.

Case in point...we use yarn from three different manufacturers just to achieve our idea of color accuracy for the "PoA" styled sweaters.

Patons© Classic Merino wool is by far our favorite, readily available, wool. Found at craft stores such as Michael's and A.C. Moore, Classic Merino is sold anywhere between $4. and $6. per skein. It is not the most economical yarn but why spend your time knitting if the resulting sweater looks home-made rather hand-made?

Round about cost for an adult sized pullover? We spent close to $60. in the Patons© wool to knit up a Misses size 12 "Stripemione" crewneck pullover. Materials for the same sweater in Red Heart© acrylic would cost approximately $12. to $15.00. You're going to spend the same amount of time knitting so why not knit with something that will last a little longer and look so much better?

We also use Lion Brand© Wool Ease, Red Heart© and KnitPicks© yarn for our sample sweaters.

Wool yarns are going to have richer, more authentic looking House colors. The colors look more natural than their acrylic counterparts. Yes, acrylics are easy to care for but wool will last longer.

Our suggestion is to go with acrylic for a costume prop or a child's quickly outgrown sweater. Knit with wool if the sweater is to be worn as a Halloween costume prop and through the winter.

The choice of materials to use belongs to the knitter. Remember that in order for any sweater, vest or cardigan to be the correct size, according to the measurements given in the knitting pattern, it is not the type or brand of yarn you knit with that matters, but the accuracy of the stitch and row gauge.

If you feel your gauge is somewhat off from the suggested stitch and row measurement, be sure to follow the measurements on the diagram.

Happy Knitting!

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