No-seam sweaters

#1

I am making a sweater, front and back separate, but want to knit the sleeves into the body so there are no shoulder seams. I plan on using double ended needles to do the sleeves, so no seams there, and need advice on how to join both sleeves with the front and back and then continue on using circular needles.

I’m sorta using three different patterns right now (bit for this part, bit for that part), and the one I have that explains how to add sleeves to body is in German, and my German is a tad bit rusty. LOL I think I’ve got it sussed out, but does anyone have any advise?

Thanks!

#2

Try checking out the book Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker. (I was able to borrow it from my local library.) She explains how to do all kinds of sweaters seamlessly, not just raglans. She has a couple of ways to do sweaters with set-in sleeves, one involves picking up stitches around the armhole, using short row shaping for the sleeve cap, and working toward the cuff; and the other is done all in one piece, kind of like a raglan. The whole premise of the book is knitting from the top, in the round, so she doesn’t have anything specifically addressing a piece like your’s where you’re doing the front and back separately, but I’m sure it’ll give you ideas on how to make things work – she uses really clever construction techniques.

#3

The Walker book is a top down sweater, Elizabeth Zimmerman’s books and Jacqueline Fee’s The Sweater Workshop explain how to do the same from the bottom up. Why not make the body of the sweater in the round too? Completely seamless that way except for a couple inches at the underarms.

sue

#4

I will, thank you!

#5

Doh! Because it’s too late. LOL – I had started on it from the pattern that indicated front and back, and then found my German pattern for in the round, and I’m very stubborn: I’ll be jiggered if I’m going to unravel 15 inches of perfectly good work. :wall: I’ll adapt. :happydance:

But you’re right – seamless would have been the way to go. Anyone else stubborn like me? :oops:

#6

Does the Fee book have more than just raglans? I haven’t seen that one in person. I seem to remember that one of the Zimmermann books has a set-in sleeve similar to Walker’s. (Can you tell I’m not terribly fond of raglans?)

#7

Does the Fee book have more than just raglans? I haven’t seen that one in person. I seem to remember that one of the Zimmermann books has a set-in sleeve similar to Walker’s. (Can you tell I’m not terribly fond of raglans?)[/quote]

I think they’re all raglans, but there’s several different decreases so you don’t get the raglan seam look. The Handbook for Knitting Sweaters (?) by Anne Budd has yoked ones.

sue

#8

I believe it’s called the Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns. It’s an okay resource, though weighted more toward seamed patterns. I can see how the charts could be handy, but I actually prefer doing my own math. (I like Sweater Design in Plain English by Maggie Righetti for that reason.) I believe EZ and Walker offer yoked sweater instructions as well, BTW.

If I ever go back to knitting sweaters (I’m currently obsessed with socks), I might try a seamed one. My tension is more even and my selvages aren’t as sloppy as they used to be. I’d probably still do the sleeves by picking up stitches rather than sewing, though.

#9

I believe it’s called the Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns. It’s an okay resource, though weighted more toward seamed patterns.[/quote]

I knew my title was wrong, hence the ?, but that’s the one I meant. I just copied a couple of the pages for yoked patterns, though it would be a great resource for someone who wants to have a basic reference for all types of sweaters.

sue

#10

OOOO OOOO! I want to try socks next. I’ve been looking at patterns, but they all seem so scary. Even the Beginner ones I’ve seen have been intimidating.

Any patterns for a total newbie (read ‘I’m a goober’) that you would suggest?

Never mind - I’ve popped over to the Pattern forum and have posted in the sock thread. But thank you very kindly anyway! :heart: