Am thinking of trying to knit a sweater

#1

Is knitting from the top down easier than knitting the “regular” way? I’m HORRIBLE at seaming - I’ve watched the kitchener video a gazillion times, and still can’t get the hang of making a lovely invisible seam - other than that I don’t mind doing the separate pieces…just thought maybe doing the “top down” thing might be a tad easier.
Anyone got any advice for a first time sweater maker? Any good, easy patterns, etc.?

#2

I don’t like seaming much either, although the Kitchener stitch isn’t that hard for me. I intend to knit a top down sweater for my DGD from the Cabin Fever book “Top Down for Toddlers”. Next fall, when my knitting skills are better, I want to make this one for my DIL’s Christmas gift.

http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTcathode.html

If you go to Knitty.com, there are a lot of top down sweaters listed.

Have fun!

#3

Oh yes! Do try a top down! My first successful sweater was a top down because you can try it on as you go. Since then I have made many.

I suggest Stitch Diva and Knitting Pure and Simple patterns. Barbara Walker’s “Knitting from the Top” is a great “recipe” book for knitting top down.

I am working on a Knitty pattern now, Mr. Greenjeans" which is a top down cardi with cabling. Surprisingly easy!

#4

They’re really easy and you can try them on to get the fit right as you go. There’s a couple pattern generators at knittingfool.com and thedietdiary.com/blog.

#5

You could knit the back and front in one piece. This saves you from having to do the side seams, and if it is a pullover, it will be mostly k st. Otherwise the stitch you want for the seams is the mattress stitch. If you go to Knitty and check out techniques with theresa there are great pics to explain it

#6

I hate seaming as well so I’m going to start a sweater knit in the round after the New Year using Elizabeth Zimmerman’s EPS method. It’s in several of her books, like [I]Knitting Without Tears[/I], which you can possibly get from the library, if you don’t want to buy a copy. It’s pretty reasonably prices though and a great read regardless.

Also, I found this site when I was doing some pattern searching - a custom top-down raglan, you just fill in the blanks based on your measurements and knit away (that’s the plan anyway, lol)

http://www.woolworks.org/patterns/raglan.html

Happy :knitting:

#7

I haven’t tackled a sweater yet but plan to do so as soon as I can afford the yarn. Definitely going with top down.

#8

I think that’s the method I will try when I tackle my first one…but I’m waiting until I lose weight :oops:

#9

luvmyrottnboy - do you have the link to the pattern?

#10

I haven’t tried top down yet, but have made multiple sweaters from bottom up and really like that. The only sewing is a small opening at the underarm. The Sweater Workshop by Jacqueline Fee uses Elizabeth Zimmerman’s formula for figuring stitch count for sizing and shaping.

#11

I would definately start with a top-down raglan sweater…super easy! Here is my first one: http://glampyreknits.tripod.com/glampyrephotos/id91.html
The pattern costs but it was really worth it!

Good luck!

#12

Here’s the pattern for Mr Greenjeans - http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTgreenjeans.html

#13

I just finished a V neck cardigan for my son using that site and it fit him perfectly.

#14

I was referring to the woolworks site