making: knit that sweater
this is one post in a series of technique blog posts. you can also find how to knit cables, how to knit lace, how to work in the round, and knitting socks in this series. each blog post gives a couple of pointers, some helpful links, and suggests a collection of patterns to build up your skills. if you want to spend some time practicing a specific skill, these posts are the ones for you!
sweaters feel like the ultimate knitting challenge, don’t they? i love a good wool sweater, and my personal wardrobe is growing quite a lot these days with them. good wools keep you nice and warm and also less stinky thanks to their antimicrobial properties, which make them perfect for life in the woods or in the city! when it does come time to wash them, use a gentle wool wash and lukewarm water in the tub, then lay them flat to dry. remember to wash your sweaters at the end of the season before storing them away to help deter moths, and depill your sweater as needed to keep that baby looking fresh.
some of my favourite tricks for knitting sweaters are:
swatch swatch swatch! and then trust that math. gauge is so important with garments - being off by one stitch every four inches can suddenly add an extra six inches to your body!
use non-superwash wool so that your sweater doesn’t grow extra-long arms during the blocking process.
if you have a more expensive yarn in short supply that you want to highlight in a project, try mixing it into a colourwork sweater yoke! keep an eye out for a future post about knitting colourwork.
look at all the measurements provided in the pattern’s schematic and read through the pattern once before casting on to get your bearings on the construction and be able to make note on places you want to modify to get your perfect fit. using a favourite sweater already in your wardrobe can help you determine this! remember, it’s not the designer’s job to create a sweater that fits you exactly how you want off the page, but it is their job to write a clear pattern so that you can add in your modifications if needed, or opt for a different sweater if that shaping isn’t going to work as well as you want.
use the pattern’s model as a reference smartly. if you want to get a similar silhouette, check project pages for bodies similar to yours if available to see their sizing and notes on fit/modifcations, and take note about the amount of ease (usually referring only to chest circumference versus sweater body circumference, but it’s a place to start). if you want the same amount of drape or tightness, you’ll need to find a size that has a similar amount of ease as your starting point. also take into consideration other areas of fit, including around your biceps, shoulder breadth, cup size if applicable, and length.
patterns to build up your skills
(click on the photos to get to the patterns)
juniper, cedar, and wee cedar are my personal favourite flexible wardrobe for the family. all feature backs and fronts that are knit flat then seamed together at the sides and shoulders, and sleeves picked up from the armholes and knit down to the cuff in the round. work that back chart at home with netflix on in the background, and the rest will fly by in social knitting situations!
hverir features simple texture and a great raglan fit tailored to every size in its pages. make sure you’re using a highlighter to keep track of where you are in the shaping!
holtasoley will be on and off your needles quickly, and will let you practice seaming in every direction, including set-in sleeves! grab some sweet buttons to complement your yarn choice.
corbin is an awesome option if you like simple cardigans with a lot of drape. make sure you’re checking all the measurements in the schematic and the recommended ease if you want a similar silhouette!
snow skies is a classic cardigan that looks good on everyone.