Sweaters

Knitting Sweaters

Keefe Knitting Sweaters Class

Keefe Tech - Wednesdays - September 18 - October 30, 2013 (no class 10/23)

Have you wanted to knit a sweater but were intimidated? Is swatching, picking up stitches, or sewing beyond your comfort zone? Come join other like-minded knitters and have fun learning how to knit sweaters!

We will start each class learning and practicing different techniques used in sweater construction (swatching, sizing, reading patterns, picking up stitches, seaming, etc.). The rest of the class will be spent getting individual help knitting your sweater. Knit for Boston will gladly accept your sweater for charity, if you don’t have another use for it.

If you are new to sweater knitting, we'd recommend starting with a raglan baby/child's sweater which you should have ample time to finish in class. Everyone will be knitting at her own pace. If you finish your sweater before the class finishes, you are welcome start another sweater.

For the first class bring your pattern, yarn, and needles. Please choose one of the patterns listed below and bring the appropriate supplies for the pattern. Feel free to contact the instructor if you have a different pattern you'd like to try or have any questions about supplies.

Please note: All of the patterns listed below are done with worsted or aran weight yarn (one could be done in bulky). You do not have to use the yarn listed in the pattern. If you go to a local yarn store to get your supplies, bring the pattern and the store clerks can help you pick out a suitable yarn. If you go to a chain store, look at the suggested needle size on the yarn and make sure it is within a needle size of the recommended needles for your pattern otherwise you might have trouble attaining gauge. For example, Vanna's Choice yarn knits with a US9 needle. It is a heavy worsted (or aran). If your pattern calls for a US8, US 9 or US10 then this yarn should work. If your pattern calls for a US7 you might have trouble getting gauge with this yarn. If your pattern calls for a US7, US8 or US9 you could use something like Lion Brand's Pound of Love which recommends a US8. Get the idea? (Note some sweater patterns call for two differently sized needles. Focus on the needle size the gauge swatch is knit in - usually this is the larger needle as the smaller needle is used for ribbing.)

Remember that acrylic, cotton, or super-wash wool is best for youngsters to make the sweater easy for moms to wash.

If you are comfortable knitting a gauge swatch, go ahead and make sure you have the right size needles. Otherwise, we will go over that in the first class. If you don't already own the size needles you need for your project, contact me and we can discuss what you can bring to class the first day. It is important that you knit to gauge to end up with the correct size sweater. This might mean you need to knit with a different size needle than recommended in the pattern.

Some of the following recommended sweaters might have lace or other special details. Please only choose one of those if you know how to knit lace, etc. While we will be glad to help you if you encounter a stitch you are not familiar with, time constraints won't let us teach you how to do a technique that isn't familiar to you. Yarn over increases on the shoulder will be gone over in class and don't count as lace :-).

Here are some pattern ideas. Choose one that challenges you but also that you feel you can finish easily in the allotted time. The Ravelry page has additional pictures and information. If you have trouble downloading any patterns let me know. Feel free to choose a different pattern if none of these excite you.

Baby and Kid Sweaters:

Elliot Sweater

This is a classic raglan cardigan. There are only a few stitches to pick up under the arm.

Ravelry and Pattern page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elliot-sweater

Neck Down Cardi

This is a classic raglan cardigan. There are only a few stitches to pick up under the arm. Ravelry page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/neck-down-cardi

Pattern page: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0683.html?iP=1&p=2&ss=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ravelry.com%2Fpatterns%2Flibrary%2Fneck-down-

Little Coffee Bean Cardigan

This raglan can be knit with two colors or one. It requires you to pick up stitches for the button band and collar. Ravelry page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-coffee-bean-cardigan

Pattern page: http://thebrownstitch.com/patterns/free-patterns/little-coffee-bean/

Mossy Jacket

This assymetrical sweater is made with either a bulky yarn like paton’s bulky or a thick worsted like homespun or Vanna’s. It can be knit with one color or with a contrasting color on the collar and band. It requires you to pick up stitches for the button band and collar.

Ravelry page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mossy-jacket

Pattern page: http://fpea.blogspot.com/2007/01/free-pattern-friday-mossy-jacket.html

Daisy Chain

This is a nice cardi for slightly older kids and has optional embroidery. It is knit in one piece but you do have to pick up stitches around the button band and neck. Ravelry and Pattern page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/daisy-chain-4

Naturally Nice Baby Sweater

Simple top down with built in collar. Uses seed stitch which is just alternating knits and purls. It does have arms that need to be seamed, but this is not hard to do. Ravelry page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/naturally-nice-baby-sweater

Pattern page: http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60806A.html

F207 Top Down Baby Sweater

This cardi has a simple lace pattern using only YO, K2tog, and SSK. It does require you to sew up the arms.

Ravelry and Pattern page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/f207-top-down-baby-sweater

Lillie Baby Cardigan

If you are comfortable knitting lace (you need to know how to knit lace for this), this is an easy sweater pattern as there are no seams or stitches to pick up. Ravelry page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lillie-baby-cardigan

Pattern page: http://knitforyourlife.blogspot.com/2009/10/free-pattern-lillie-baby-cardigan.html

Quick Knit Baby Shrug

Super-simple, no seams, no stitches to pick up. It does have a button and either button hole or i-cord loop. Ravelry and pattern download page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quick-knit-baby-shrug

Basic Seamless Raglan Pullover

Simple knit in the round, no seams, no stitches to pick up, no buttons. Student can knit in one color, two, or a variegated or striped yarn. Ravelry page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-seamles-raglan-pullover

Pattern: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1btZw72BE7aG7y7dAj3zM5qkyeV_aWfEHngNMuAVECpg/edit?hl=en_US

Sunrise Stripes Pullover:

Simple pullover with optional stripes. Knit in one piece with a few stitches picked up below sleeves.

Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sunrise-stripes-pullover

Pattern: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90743.html

ADULT SWEATERS:

Easy Top-Down Raglan: Seamless, one-piece sweater.

Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/top-down-raglan-cardigan

Pattern: http://www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/patterns-by-laura-chau/cosmicpluto-knits-top-down-cardi-new-and-improved/

Simple Raglan Cardi: Raglan Cardi which will require mattress stitch seams and picking up stitches.

Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-raglan-cardi

Pattern: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10199.html