So I’m not a total beginner at knitting, I’ve knitted scarves, hats, and a sweater before but the sweater that I knitted was a tutorial I saw…that’s kind of the only way I know how to knit, is by visually seeing and hearing someone. But I’m now starting a project on an oversized sweater but I’m really confused at reading the knitting pattern.
So first of all, how do you know whether to knit with straight or circular needles when knitting something like a sweater? Like is the term WS used only with straight needles?
Second, what does this mean: Break A. Change to MC and cont in pat
Third, when it says Shape Armhole or Shape Neck, does that mean I have to pick up stitches with my needle? And how do I know when to cast off when moving on to the next instruction?
I can put a link of the sweater for someone willing to help, thank you:)
Yes, if you could post a link (or at least the name of the pattern) that would be a HUGE help!!!
Some patterns are written for you to work from the top down. Those would need to be done with circular needles. Other kinds can be done on straight or circulars.
Straight or circ: If you’re knitting in the round you need circular needles (or double pointed needles but you’re not asking about them) and you can knit flat on circs also. Many of us use circs for just about everything. How many stitches you have when knitting flat can determine whether you need circs also. If you have lots of stitches it may not be possible to get them all on straight needles and the length you get with a circ will make it possible to knit it in one piece. Circs also allow the bulk of the project to rest in your lap so that it’s not so heavy to hold and is easier to work.
RS and WS: Right side means the side of the project that shows (the outside of a sweater, for example) and wrong side means the inside (the part of the sweater worn next to you) and so yes, it applies to knit flat or knit in the round projects.
Break A. Change to MC and con in pat: You’re changing colors but the pattern you’re working stays the same.
Shape Armhole or Shape Neck: The instructions in your pattern will be needed to answer this one, at least for me, so yes, please post your link - and thank you for offering. Sometimes getting a link or pattern name is like pulling teeth.
You could use straight needles. My first sweater was knit on straight needles. I’ll not do it again by choice. I personally have a strong preference for my interchangeable circular needles. I avoid any circular needles that have a cable that looks like it belongs on a weed trimmer because they will coil up no matter what and are hard to work with.
Sew in Sleeves. Sew side and sleeve seams, taking care to match color change.
There are no dumb questions. Learning how to read these patterns takes time and learning what to look for and what different things mean. Important things sometimes seem to be hidden even from experienced knitters.
After the sections for “Shape Armhole” and “Shape neck” there are direction that tell you how to do each. Instead of picking up sts, you’ll be casting off and decreasing sts for each of these sections.
That’s a very nice looking sweater.
