Knit Picks Podcast Episode 340 – The Joys of Building A Sweater
by on Apr 8, 2021

An all too familiar knitting crossroad – do I knit a sweater or not. While sweaters can seem intimidating if you’ve never done one before, chances are once you’ve made one, you’ll likely make another.

On today’s episode of the Knit Picks Podcast, Lee and Stacey do a deep dive into sweater construction. Whether you’re new to sweaters or have been making them for years, you’ll likely enjoy this “nerdy” sweater conversation. 

First they catch up by discussing what’s on their needles. Both Lee and Stacey are making patterns from our latest Knit Picks Collections. Lee even shares her latest yarn substitution and talks about color selection.

From pullover and cardigans, to seamed vs seamless, Stacey and Lee review the various styles and constructions of sweaters. Stacey asks the question – what does the word “sweater” mean to you? Is a cardigan a sweater? Together, the two ponder fashion philosophy and ask you to weigh in.   

In the second half, the two ruminate over different sweater collars, sleeves, and shapes. Cowl neck vs. turtlenecks, boat vs crew, and more, they define some terms to help clarify what you might see in a pattern. Stacey loves a good scoop neck where Lee prefers to adapt necklines for varying situations.

Happy Knitting!

Listen, Rate, Review and Share on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get podcasts!

Pullover Sweater Example:

Mentioned in This Episode:
Gannet Hoodie by Kristen TenDyke
Chalet Collection
Vertex Collection
N for November Sweater by Fabienne Gassmann
Comfy
Hawthorne
Aloft
Twill
Stacey’s Sweater Blog
Mister Postman by Kristen Jancuk 
Harley Pullover by Jenny Williams
Lansbury Cardigan by Holli Yeoh
Rustic Tweed 
Oshinkoshin Pullover 
Teasel Shrug by Sarah Shepherd
Cloud Sweater by Sarah Shepherd
Windfall

Timestamps:
0:00 Welcome to the Knit Picks Podcast
0:24 “What’s on your needles?”
6:52 Let’s talk about sweater construction
7:56 “What does the word “sweater” mean to you?”
11:36 Favorite type of construction – seamed vs seamless, top down vs bottom up?
13:21 Raglan defined
16:31 Other shaping – set in sleeves
19:47 Heather and Producer Sarah talk about what’s new at Knit Picks 
21:53 Lee and Stacey are back with more sweater talk
22:15 Shapes of sweaters
24:08 What’s your favorite for pull over sweaters
26:57 Sweater shaping
28:59 Saddle shoulder
32:43 Drop shoulder
35:56 Dolman sleeves
44:39 Credits

Pattern is the U-District Pullover: https://www.knitpicks.com/u-district-pullover/p/52774D
This sweater is a wool, top down, seamless, raglan with a oversized turtleneck
ID: A neutral colored sweater lays with a brown hat, styled with dark pants and a purse.
2 Comments
Tags: Podcast

2 comments

  1. Lisa Clarke / April 15, 2021

    Another enthusiastic YES to flat knit circular yoke sweaters. All of the sweater patterns I have designed are actually circular yoke, and several of them are cardigans. I don’t have an experience with Fair Isle knit flat, because you’re right, that’s probably better steeked. But you can do other kinds of colorwork, including stripes and slip-stich designs. I linked my name to the sweater patterns on my site, so you can see what I mean, if you like.
  2. Sarah / April 11, 2021

    As always, I enjoyed listening. In answer to your question on flat knit circular yoke construction, the answer is yes, of course! Fine Sand and Quick Sand are two rav patterns that come to mind,. What is less common is flat knit colorwork circular yokes, because it is difficult (but not impossible) to get the gauge identical on the knit and purl rows in colorwork. So, for even colorwork, knitting in the round is best, then that scary steering thing!