This is my first sweater! (thank you for your patience with us “newbies” all experienced knitters!!!)
My husband is a “no frills” military guy that likes things plain! He is excited that I am going to try and make him a sweater and said “Honey, can you make it kinda straight and long without that ugly ribbing stuff” !!!
He has been wearing the scarves I’ve made him to death! : - ) He’s currently training in the mts…and has it with him …so I really want to try and honor his request!
soooo any ideas? should I use the stockinette stitch for the whole sweater ? I’ve seen some sweaters (that you buy) that have a kinda rolled edge on them… I bought a 10 ply wool from New Zeeland…wool pak yarns nz b/c it came in 430 yds for one skein! it’s like a rag wool color (greyish/taupe blend)
I like knitting in the round and top-down for sweaters - I’m a newbie too. The Incredible Custom-Fit Raglan is a top-down sweater pattern generator for any yarn - all you have to do is some math.
As for a not-fussy hem, there’s a couple options. The directions for a rolled hem I have in a book say (for bottom up in the round) to knit stockinette stitch for 5 rounds and then a purl round. (to control the roll - make it only as curled as you want it) If you’re going top-down, you would get it the length you want, do a purl round, and then 5 rounds of stockinette and bind off. The nice thing about that option is that the purl round gives you a ridge that you can use to define the bottom, so you can fold it under and hem it.
Thanks Trish! Well, I think I’ve made it more difficult than it needs to be! HA I have been searching the net and found one called Cape Cod Unisex Pullover Sweater that I was thinking of…than I went to the library and got Sally Melville’s books…Book 2 and 3 (they are getting me book 1 for tomorrow as it was checked out) …anyway…I think simple is best for my hubby! so I like your idea of the one row of purl after 5 rounds of stockinette…so that would really be the 10th row? right ? as you knit one row and purl one row for one row of stockinette? right? anyway…I think I could start on the back and start my stockinette “ing” !!! some of these patterns are difficult for me to read…as I’m just learning… I just want to get started and than I can take it up to my knitting store and get them to help me I guess…
anyway, I really appreciate your help! I may attempt your other pattern next! : - )
One row is one row. Knit one row, purl one row does result in stockinette, but each row is counted as one row.
So if you knit 5 rows, then you’d work 5 total rows.
You can also do a hem, if you like. Work a couple of inches in stockinette with a needle that’s 2 sizes smaller, then knit a row when the wrong side is facing you. This will give you a place to fold the hem. Just tack it up with you’re done with some loose stitches sewing the hem up.
Or if you want to be adventurous, you can work the cast-on provisionally and then knit the cast-on together with the row that would line up with it when it’s folded against the body.
Have you ever knit in the round with circular needles? You can do it both top-down and bottom up. You cast on enough for front and back, and instead of turning your work around, you join the first and last stitch and keep knitting, like a spiral. That way, for stockinette stitch, all you do is the knit stitch. (I hate purling!) For bottom up you knit in the round until the bottom of the armholes, and then separate into front and back. For top down (like that pattern generator) you start at the shoulders and do some increases (REALLY easy) then hold some stitches for the sleeves (you’ll pick them up later) cast on a few for the underarm, and continue to knit in the round until the hem. Then you pick up the arm stitches, and knit in the round until the cuff. The nice thing about this type of pattern is that there is no sewing the pieces together.
If you’ve found a pattern you like though, go to it! The people here are friendly and will walk you through the tough parts!
You are right…as I didnt understand, but now I do. Thank you Thank you…to you AND Ingrid! I DEFINITELY prefer the knit stitch!!! Now I can have the bottom I prefer plus enjoy “the journey” !!
Most of the patterns I have found though discuss working the back first and then the front
perhaps I should take another look at the link you forwarded to me…print it out and read it. He is away for a couple more weeks…but I can measure off a sweater I gave him for Christmas that fits him well.
Thank you very much for taking the time to check back and clarify! I really appreciate it!
Making something as heavy as a man’s sweater without ribbing may not be such a good idea for longevity.
The ribbing actually does serve a purpose.
Without ribbing the sweater hangs. All that weight always hanging continually elongates the sweater so that sweater that once fit nicely at the waist becomes a sweater than hangs below the bottom. (Ever see the commercial where the fashion critic asks someone if that’s a sweater or a mini-skirt?)
No ribbing is more workable with a kid’s sweater but adults start getting too much weight for the sweater to bear. It will work for a while but will probably stretch until it’s no longer desirable.
Maybe he could handle a 1x1 ribbing. Sweatshirts have the same type of cuffs and waists.
Also, Mike is very right - ribbing serves a purpose.
I can’t find a free men’s top-down sweater in Ravelry, but Lucky from Knitty.com has a really nice twisted-rib pattern in a worsted-weight yarn. It doesn’t have the smaller ribbing at the hem and cuffs, just a very masculine overall pattern. I looked at the pattern, and it’s just a pattern of knits and purls. (mostly knits) If you wanted to convert it to in-the-round, I’d bet people would help you, although it’d still be bottom-up. At that point, you can do the first 15 inches in the round, and then it’s just the rest that’s a little fiddly.
As for non-free patterns, this is a nice rib (I know, I know, but it’s masculine) in aran weight for $5. This booklet has 3 patterns from child-sized to adult for $3.95
Trish, Mike and Ingrid: Thank you all VERY much for your help! I did purchase the pattern for the Adirondack Pullover and am going to try that one!
I am going to post a new thread with the beginning directions and ask for help getting started though…I understand most …but am confused about a couple things…I thought it was best to post a new thread as it isn’t about the ribbing anymore! HA
thanks again…SO much…I’ve learned a lot from you!!!