Are sweaters typically knitted in the round or are they knitted flat and then sewn?
If sewn, are there videos on how to sew the panels?
I once knitted a doll sweater which I did in the round neck down, except for flat to form front and back panels by the arm holes. To do the arms I picked up stitches around the panels and completed the arms in the round. However, patterns in magazines seem so be knitted flat then sewn.
Well, what’s usual depends upon who you ask, maybe. It’s quite possible to convert many sweater patterns to knit in the round. Some people prefer one way and some prefer the other. Do you want to knit it in the round? If so it might be best to find a pattern written to be worked in the round for your first go at it. You can of course ask here and get help converting to in-the-round if that’s what you decide you want. Personally I much prefer skipping the seaming. Yes, there are videos to show how to sew it all together, I think Amy has at least one here. Mattress stitch is probably the most common way to do it.
There is no “usual” way to do them. Both types are available and what you choose is partly personal preference. I’ve made several sweaters and they’ve all been seamless because I don’t like seaming. You could start with baby sweaters and see what you prefer.
I wouldn’t convert the pattern. There are so many patterns I’d just find a similar one that uses the method I prefer. And yes, mattress stitch is the best way to seam sides. 3 needle bind off works best for shoulders.
I agree. There are both types available, and each has it’s advantage. Knitting in the round or knitting all the pieces at once (for a cardigan) saves seaming but makes each row very long.
As Jan said, 3-needle bind-off for the shoulders, and mattress stitch for the sides makes all the difference in the look of a seamed sweater.