Watch this before you knit your first sweater. 👍 #knittingpodcast

In this week's ramble, I'm responding to a tip line submission regarding where to start when embarking on your first sweater-knitting journey in 10 steps. Join me!

03:40 Book Recs
06:40 10 Tips

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[WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

In this week's ramble, I'm responding to a tip line submission regarding where to start when embarking on your first sweater-knitting journey in 10 steps. Join me!

03:40 Book Recs
06:40 10 Tips

[sunrhyze]

While I agree that swatching is essential, and I do make a swatch before every sweater (I've only made three, so barely past the novice stage here), I would like to give a little real-life advice to people who are betrayed by their swatches:

1. If you're a tight knitter like me, you will notice that most pattern designers for some reason are loose knitters. Save yourself some time and start swatching with a needle at least one size larger than the one called for. Life is short.

2. Until you become an experienced sweater knitter (and that's not me), I strongly advise erring on the size of larger rather than smaller, because you can still wear a sweater that's technically "too large, " but the one that's too small is completely useless. I do this by deliberately choosing one size larger than my body measurements and my lying swatch swear is the right one for me, or choosing the size that's at the maximum end of the ease range based on chest measurement (if it says 2 to 6 inches of ease, I never ever choose 2).


One more tip, not related to gauge: if you really want to build your confidence more quickly, you might want to start with a bulky weight sweater, which you will be able to finish relatively quickly, and then while riding the high of that achievement you can work your way down to thinner yarns that will take much longer.

[karendavis]

Something that gave me confidence knitting my first adult sweater - I had knit sweaters for stuffed animals from Knitted Animal Friends by Louise Crowther. They taught me the basic construction of a top down raglan sweater and I got to do it on something small and got the sweaters done quickly. So going to adult size wasn’t as intimidating.

[sarahgugl]

In Switzerland, where I grew up, we had crafting lessons in school. So we learned all of that in the crafting lessons and that was also where and when I knitted my first sweate. In pieces.And I think that is not complicated at all, because you can very easily put the pieces onto a sweater that fits you well and compare the size and the shape and adapt when needed.
Regarding gauge - I hate that part, I really hate it. And I was in the past very often skipping it, resulting in quite a lot of unraveling and starting again ... At the moment - to motivate myself - I am thinking about keeping all my gauge swaps and block them out to the same size (should be possible, since the goal is always that you should reach the 10 x 10 cm or 4 x 4 inches) and sew them together to a blanket. So, in a few years I would have a blanket that reminds me of all my projects I did in the past.

[noelleparris]

Good tips. I would add that people can take the measurements from a favorite garment to use instead of measuring themselves: this has worked well for me especially for the armhole depth and length. I would also add that measuring the upper bust is a good idea if that differs more than a few inches from the full bust measurement. I have three sweaters recently completed that are waiting to be blocked 🙃 It's an important step, I agree, but I don't like doing it!

[Sarah]

I am currently working on my first sweater. I’m following a pattern and very thorough video tutorial by ‘handmade by flourence, ’ the pattern (which is free!) is the ‘step-by-step sweater.’ It is so much easier than I thought it would be, and I’m so excited to soon have my first handmade sweater!

[skyme]

I love how you say don't knit your first sweater flat and in pieces. lol This used to be the way sweaters were usually knit. My first sweater was knit that way--what a disaster it was--from yarn choice, to sizing, to style--ick. I have knit almost all sweaters since in the round--much better. Good advice in your video--I enjoy watching your beginning videos because I teach people to knit--very helpful. I love Elizabeth Zimmerman, and I just ordered the other book you recommended. Thanks!

[letitiaberghammer]

Thanks Taylor this is exactly what I was looking for. I know I've been itching to start and sweater but I have no idea how to prepare for this and now you have given me the tools to get my research right before I jump into that pool. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!😊

[Ksberler]

When I took a knitting class earlier this year as a baby knitter, my teacher recommended starting with a child's sweater. All the same techniques, but much less real estate to cover. I chose the Good Old Raglan by Karen Ohanlan Cohrt and made a sweater for my two year old nephew! It was a great experience and so fun to see him wearing it.

[AnnemarieDouglas]

Just finished and blocked my first sweater based on your recommendation, Tayler - the Felix! I used stash yarn (didn’t want to buy more yarn for a first attempt) in four colors as a color block. Did not meet gauge, although I swatched multiple needle sizes, as I am a tight knitter and got “mathy” with the pattern (i.e. changed up row and stitch counts based on my gauge). My Felix is gorgeous, the sleeve color breaks match the body, my tubular cast on and bind offs are wonderful looking, and the fuzziness from the mohair complements the super wash merino beautifully. Such an awesome experience that I have already cast on a new sweater for my sweetie!

[lauriejarboe]

I love knitting sweaters and I've knit many for myself and others. These tips are excellent for all of us because some of us get lazy about swatching and assuming we're a size 2, 3 or 4. The only thing I would also emphasize is blocking your swatch!!! I took a class from a knitwear designer years ago and she enticed us to knit the swatch because we can also use it to practice picking up stitches, trying out a buttonhole, trying a new bind off which is so much better than ripping out the knitting on the garment. Thank you for your videos, they are always valuable!!

[emmagudge]

Fantastic tips as always.

As someone who seems to constantly make mistakes when knitting I would add in LIFELINES. They have recently been my savour when knitting half fisherman’s rib on a sweater for my 3 yr old. 👍😊

[sofiavest]

Thank you for this video - I don't know whether to laugh or cry at myself. I first learnt to knit a simple square rag in February this year, and then set on my speed run knitting journey with a sample of ribbing, a sample of a snowflake colour work pattern and then (because I didn't know any better) I picked up a sweater project my grandmother had abandoned perhaps 20 years ago. It was knitted in the round, bottom-up, intended for a child, and I have rarely been so confused and with only a sewing thread marking the beginning/end of each round on the body - no markers on the sleeves. I finished it last weekend, and I think it worked out, but I definitely made some mistakes along the way (and some experienced knitters I asked for help told me I was out of luck, because they couldn't help me). Next time I will absolutely be using a pattern 😂❤

[LK-irpg]

Currently going through most of your tips videos for knitting before I start my first real project, a sweater.
I have made a small rectangle with chunky yarn on straight needles previously. And am also an experienced crocheter. Surprising to me, a lot of the technical concepts transfer between knitting and crochet. Importance of gauge, yarn choice, patience etc 😂.
I will be having a baby in July and would like to have a project for those times I’m stuck just sitting for an hours on end during recover. Wish me luck on the sweater. I have high hopes😂

[lifeoutnumbered]

I guess being experienced in crochet and sewing garments it really wasn't all that daunting to me to finally tackle garments. But I am doing "the novice sweater" from petiteknit just to make it as simple as possible to accomplish. I did finally get interchangable needles and I love them.

[Happycat]

If anyone wants a very guided experience for your first sweater (and are fine with making a pretty simple sweater as your first one), Florence Miller from handmade by florence has a step-by-step sweater pattern for free on Ravelry with a youtube video available on her channel walking you through the process

[trixieknits]

I’ve always wanted to make a seater with sock yarn. I prefer small gauge stitches on me because I’m blessed with a 25:57 German build. Lol. I just want a simple plain sweater in sock yarn. I’ve yet to find it.

[debbiedennie]

Thank you Taylor for all the information and support !!
As always a fantastic video ❤️
And until our next pod enjoy your days 😊🥰

[TrixiaDK]

It’s so nice to see, that what my mom took time to teach me, as a young knitter (more than 40 years ago), is still good advice. The only thing I didn’t learn, was to block my knits. I do block my knits nowadays.

I’ll also advise, to make notes on the sketch, that often follows a written pattern, to help you visualise the progress. And I will emphasise, make notes - you can never have to many notes❤

[joanneknox]

Taylor, I always enjoy your Sunday and Wednesday 'chats' but this one, my darling girl, was exactly what the 'stitch doctor' recommended. I learned quite a bit (especially why a couple of my sweaters seemed a bit oversized. 🤣) Thanks so much for taking the time to 'school' us. 😉