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by Knit Picks Staff on August 13, 2010
I've ben dragging my heels on finishing my sweater for our online Sweater Class, becuase...well, it's hot and so worsted weight is not all that attractive right now...but I think the real reason is something bigger. I'm always a little slow at the end of a project like this, because I feel a little scared to finish! I've already spent so much time working on this piece, and I suppose I want to extend the anticipation of what is to come for just a few more days...or weeks...or, in the case of some of my UFOs, years! |
Category Archives: Sweater Class
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by Knit Picks Staff on July 29, 2010
Hi Knitters! This final edition of the sweater class is all about finishing. In this week's video and handout, I'll discuss weaving in ends, how to finish your turned hem, closing up the underarms, and working the neckline trim! Whew! Each step goes pretty fast, but make sure to take the time to do these steps right, as a well-finished sweater will look a lot better than one with sloppy finishing. Check out our tutorials on finishing, too--they'll give you a lot of information on how to execute the techniques discussed in this lesson. Finshing Tutorials Another resource I really like and use a lot is Nancie Wiseman's Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques, which is a wealth of information on every bit of swea=ter finishing you could imagine! And without further ado, here's your handout for this week: |
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by Knit Picks Staff on July 26, 2010
The yoke is the most complicated part of a raglan sweater, but I think you’ll find that if you take it slow and workcarefully, it is not very hard at all! The trickiest thing is that the raglan decreases and neckline shaping will be workedat the same time.This is also the most exciting part of the sweater--we arenearing the finish line and for the first time, you’ll get to see your work really start to come together. Pun intended.Let’s get started! Read on for the videos and worksheet: |
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by Knit Picks Staff on July 14, 2010
I am not usually a monogamous knitter, and the recent heat has made my wosted-wool sweater project even less appealing. So I am a little behind myself and I suspect some of you are, too! In the next phase of our sweater designing, we will work the yoke and neckline, which means two sets of calculations that must be worked at the same time! To make that a little easier on everyone,and to give you all some time to catch up, I've divided this section into two lessons. This week's video covers the basic shaping and construction o fthe neckline, and gives ideas for how to decide what knid of neckline you want. Watch the videos below: |
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by Knit Picks Staff on July 8, 2010
Knitters in our Sweater Class are doing some wonderful work! I was really excited to see all the progess and resources that were shared over the last week. Many of us are discovering that sweater knitting can be easier than we though, and even those of us who are not ready to knit a sweater have been able to follow along, ask questions, and bookmark the lessons for future reference! Follow the link above to view the whole class archive. This week, while we're finishing the body and sleeves of our sweaters, I have some reader-submitttedmaterial to share--some progress pictures, some sweater knitting tools, and some design resources! The first is a progress shot from Linda (poodlechick on Ravelery.) She's making a brilliant red seweater with a seed-stitch hem and swatched, cast on, and knit through the waist decreases all in one weekend! Linda is using Comfy in Serrano and I love the way this is knitting up! Next up are progress pictures of the TWO sweaters that Cellogirl is working along with the class. I have to say, she is a knitting overaceiver in the best way! Read on to see what she's done... |
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by Knit Picks Staff on July 1, 2010
I raced through the body of my sweater in order to stay ahead of the class, but even if you haven't finished that sections, you can always start on a sleeve! Knitting sleeeves can be a welcome break from working the torso of a sweater--they are more portable, and smaller, so each round goes much faster and the length gows perceptibly, for a real feeling of accomplishment! In this lesson, we'll go over the math behind sleeve shaping, and discuss some potential modifications that allow you to get custom sleeves! Click the link below for the handout: Lesson 4: Sleeves And check out our videos, where I (somewhat tiredly--apologies! I should maybe not shoot these lessons on Monday!) walk you through the math and show how the formulas in the handout gave me the sleeve I want! |
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by Knit Picks Staff on June 30, 2010
Hi there! As you'll see in this week's video, my sweater is coming along swimmingly! Now that I am deep in the process of working the waist shaping, I am remembering why my row counter is my best friend! This week, we'll be discussing how to calculate the increases and decreases that will shape the torso of your sweater to the finished dimensions you desire. It may be helpful for you to look over and print out this week's handout so that you can follow along with the video lesson, in which I'll be walking you through all the math required in this step. I promise, it's not terribly hard :) Click the link below to get the handout: Lesson 3 - Shaping the Torso And check out the videos below! |
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by Knit Picks Staff on June 30, 2010
Hello, everyone! This week in the Design a Sweater Class, we'll be discussing hem treatments, calculating your cast-on, and begin knitting our sweaters! This is a fun step for me becuase I really feel like my project is underway now! Here's the ribbing pattern I chose for my hem: |
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by Knit Picks Staff on June 30, 2010
Ok, are we all ready to start swatching? Last week we discussed yarn choices and design dreaming, and this week we are going to solidify our yarn choices (if you haven't already!) and find the right needle to get the fabric that your design requires! I've done some extensive swatching (the results of which I share in the videos below) and have settled on knitting my Swish Worsted on US 6 Zephyr needles. Swatching can seem boring when you're itching to cast on a project, but it is one of the most essential parts of the design process, so it deserves a lot of time and attention! In this lesson, I'll be giving tips on how to swatch for the fabric your design needs, and then covering the measuring of gauge from your swatch, and the measurements needed for a succesful knit. All this information ins contained in the pdf linked below, which also has diagrams and blanks for you to fill in with your personal gauge and measurments. Don't worry if you're math-phobic; I've done my nest to keep it simple and to walk you through all the claculations step-by-step! Lesson 1: Swatching and Measuring Read on for more info and Videos... |
