Top Tips for Knitting Your First Sweater!
When you are new to knitting, you usually start with smaller projects (such as hats, socks, scarves and mittens) and build up from there. Quite often, however, knitters get stuck in these same, seemingly simple knits for years — even decades — still hesitating to cast on their first sweater. It might seem too daunting, too big a risk or simply too much work, even if they possess all the necessary skills.
But if you have ever knitted a sweater, you know that making one really isn’t any more complicated than making a pair of socks — only the scale is different. And with a bigger project, the reward is also greater. Nothing beats the feeling of putting on a sweater you have made from scratch!
So, to encourage all novices to knit their very first sweater (and to participate in our 52 Weeks of Sweaters KAL), we asked experienced sweater knitters to share their best advice, tips or simply a few words of encouragement on Laine’s Instagram page. Here is what they had to say!
Take it one stitch at a time
The first rule is not to get overwhelmed by the thought of knitting a sweater. As many knitters reminded us, a sweater is worked one stitch at a time, just like any other pattern, and it mainly uses the same techniques.
“If you can do ribbing on a hat or socks, you can do it for a sweater. The same for stockinette, and so on. Just focus on the section that you're working on,” says @kjacksonfong.
Or, as @atelier_mmr points out: “A friend told me: you knit so many hats this year, in that time you could have knitted a sweater! And that made me try it, and it really wasn’t that hard.”
Sometimes, you can feel overwhelmed by the length of a sweater pattern or think you need to understand everything on the first read-through. Most of the time, however, the pattern starts to reveal itself once you begin knitting, and parts that don’t make sense at first will become clear as you reach them.
“Trust the pattern. Sometimes you trip yourself up and add frustration because you can’t see where it’s going. This is when to trust the pattern,” @lapetitemaisonfibers assures.
Choose the right pattern (and yarn)
One of the most important steps in your project actually happens before casting on — or even going to a yarn store — namely, finding the right pattern! @izzyhath suggests choosing a top-down sweater for your first project; that way, you can try it on as you knit. @vjmacg recommends oversized sweaters, so the fit isn’t as crucial.
“Pick a pattern that is interesting and fits your level of knitting. Maybe not a complex cable pattern if you never knitted a cable, and maybe not a full stockinette dress when that bores you easily,” @atelier_mmr says.
Keep in mind, however, that the easiest option is not always the best — it is also important that the pattern inspires you and fits your wardrobe. As @deehardwicke points out, you should choose a pattern that really catches your eye, not just one that looks easy. “If you’re excited to wear it, you’ll learn what you need along the way,” she notes.
Choosing good-quality tools and yarn is also important: pick a yarn you adore, in a similar weight, texture and fibre to the suggested one. “When you love the yarn, every stitch feels special — and you’ll fall in love with the project all over again as your fabric grows,” @deehardwicke says.
Embrace the knitting community
It is also worth remembering that you don’t have to knit your sweater alone! @kamezgam’s first tip for beginners is to knit together with others. “Look for people around you who knit or know where knitters gather — whether online or offline. Knitting communities are usually very open, supportive and willing to share their knowledge. All you need to do is join and find your mentor.”
@ameliaaliceartist recommends joining a local knitting circle. She has never knitted a sweater before, but plans to do so using our 52 Weeks of Sweaters book. “I know that the wonderful ladies that I've met will help me, and have hundreds of combined years of knowledge to share.”
You can also find your sweater-knitting community online. @creativepracticespace’s advice is to participate in a knit-along for your chosen pattern, so you can ask questions and get specific guidance for the next step. YouTube videos are also a knitter’s best friend — if there is a term or technique you don’t know, just Google it, and detailed help will most likely be available.
And if you learn better in person than by watching videos or reading books, @nicoleallmanknits suggests heading to your local yarn shop. In her experience, they are usually full of helpful, kind people who choose to work there because they love helping others with their knitting!
Remember swatching (and other practical tips)
Swatching — knitting a small piece of fabric with your chosen yarn and needles to see if you match the gauge given in the pattern — is always a good idea, but it is especially important when knitting sweaters. As @deehardwicke points out, not only will it help you determine your tension and needle size, it also allows you to get to know the yarn properly.
“Do NOT skip the gauge swatch! When knitting a sock, it might not seem like such a big deal whether you match the gauge or not, but it sure does when knitting a sweater,” @ubiknits says.
@creativepracticespace recommends counting your stitches at various milestones in the process and trying on your work whenever you can. This will help you assess whether the fit is right, and seeing your sweater grow also keeps you motivated.
When knitting your first sweater (or even your hundredth!), you may sometimes have to unravel. @sewinspireduk has a tip that will make this part of the process a little less painful: using a lifeline. “Take a piece of dental floss and run it along the stitches on your needle, and then carry on knitting. If you need to undo, you can take your stitches off your needle, undo your knitting, and it won’t go beyond your lifeline. Pop your stitches back on the needle and away you go!”
Take your time and try again
Most importantly, remember that knitting a sweater is not a race. When @shellygabelly was working on her first sweater recently, what helped her was not feeling rushed. She took her time and didn’t give up — and each time something didn’t work, she saw it as an opportunity to try again.
“Don’t be afraid of your mistakes because they’ll teach you so much!” says @izzyhath, too.
@debbie_k_mcgough was in her late sixties when she knitted her first sweater, and she points out that you are never too old to try something new. Knitting your first sweater is also a project where no one is grading you. As @jeanhal so aptly puts it:
“We are in this together. Knitters United. And if you have to rip back (as I have many times), it’s good you like knitting. Right?”
Whether you're a seasoned sweater knitter or casting on your very first one, we’d love for you to join the 52 Weeks of Sweaters knit-along! Find more information here!
TEXT: MAIJA KANGASLUOMA
PHOTOS: RIIKKA KANTINKOSKI