As you may know, I’ve been knitting for a few months. I want to make a sweater, but know I’m not ready. Does anyone know what the blank in this sentence could be filled with: You’re ready to knit a sweater when you can knit __________ with no trouble.
You're ready to make a sweater when
I knit my first top down raglan sweater when I’d only been knitting 3 mos. They are really easier than you think. 
I think it really depends on the type of sweater. I guess you could do like I did with socks and knit baby first.I did a pair of baby socks before trying normal socks as kind of a practice.
I think as long as you’re familiar with the techniques used there’s no problem tackling a new type of project.
You’ve been knitting a few months? You’re ready.
You mainly need to be able to count.
Knit a baby sweater, they can’t complain, but knit it for someone else’s baby just in case they do complain.
If you can knit, purl, yarnover, and follow directions, you’re ready to knit a sweater. And make sure you keep it when you don’t want to wear it any longer, because someday you will fondly look back on all the mistakes you made and the knowledge that it was your first sweater. 
Have fun!
I agree with everyone else. Knitting a sweater is no harder than knitting a scarf as long as you know how to read a pattern. There are tons of easy sweater patterns of every style out there. Check Ravelry and get started.
Try a baby or doll sweater (all my stuffed bears have sweaters)
first, just to get the hang of sweater construction and to get it done quickly. Although adult sweaters can have lots of shaping in them, many don’t so the miniature sweater construction is the same as an adult sweater.
I’m not sure how long I’d been knitting, but my second real project was a top down raglan with a cable down the front. Outside a stuffed toy for my niece, I’d only knit practice pieces before that.
I would pick a pattern that you really want to do, and some yarn you really want to work with. It’s a shame that Knit.1 magazine went out of business-- they had great stuff for younger knitters (it was for teens - 30ish). But these books might have something you’d like:
Find Your Style
Not Another Teen Knitting Book
Knit Grrl
Knit Grrl 2
Punk Knits
Pretty in Punk
But to answer your question-- if you can knit, purl, increase, decrease, cast on, cast off and count, you’re good to go. If you’ve done something like socks or mittens, you really do know everything you’ll need for a first sweater.
I think it’s wonderful that you want to knit a sweater already. Of all of the knit objects, that seems to be the one thing everyone thinks of when you hear the word “knit”.
My first sweater was a baby sweater I found in a book with matching booties. It was very easy (no button holes) and taught me to pay close attention to the detail in the directions.
If you feel you’re not ready, work on something else while you go over easy sweater patterns until you find one that you feel you can understand. Make that your next project.
And by all means, be sure to keep us posted of you progress and PICS!
Try it. What’s the worst that could happen? You don’t like it? It takes too long? Doesn’t fit? Then you frog the whole darn thing and make something you do like.
I made one sweater when I started out, just to try it. I think every knitter should at least try one. You may find you like to knit nothing else. I like to knit socks because it’s cost effective, fast, practical and everyone loves them. Find your niche by trying everything. Go for it!
… maintain consistent gauge. The rest is all in the pattern!
Cheering you on!
Hi
I am also a new knitter (started in June) and would love to knit a sweater (or a jumper as we call them here). Maybe we could do a 1st Sweater Knit-Along? I would take the advice given here and start with a baby sweater and would prefer to knit in the flat as I have not mastered circular needles yet.
What do you think?
irishmam
You should look at some of the patterns in Knit.1 magazine. I haven’t tried any, because I’ve never done a sweater, but I looked at a few of their patterns. I only have straight needles, but I might try a sweater if it’s knitting in the flat after I get some other projects done.
My first sweater (at 3 mos) was #9724 here:
http://www.knittingpureandsimple.com/page2.html
Baby sweaters are a great place to start if it makes you feel more comfortable.
I bought a book with mostly sweaters in it as kind of a motivator. And I also have a book with an adorable baby sweater that I decided that I must make. I’ll try making that baby sweater after I learn to cable. Then I’ll make a full one for my mom :).
corey412, unfortunately, knit.1 has gone under.
Be sure to keep us posted on your progress and take many pictures. I’m excited for you, your first sweater. I wish one of my daughters wanted to learn to knit.
Don’t worry! I’ll probably be asking a LOT of questions! Thanks for all the help everyone! I will definitly be trying a sweater now! Right after I learn to cable!
It sounds like you [I]are[/I] ready. If you don’t know any of the techniques needed, you can learn as you go.
Go for it!
[B]You are ready to knit a sweater when you can READ A PATTERN & FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.[/B]
(this isn’t a joke…reading a pattern is the most challenging thing that knitters face!)
When you are new to knitting garments, it is very important to STICK TO THE PATTERN and the directions. Do E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G she tells you to do.
If she says “knit the 5 pieces, and then seam the 5 pieces”…[I]knit the 5 pieces and seam the 5 pieces. [/I]Scary? Learn how to seam. Don’t try to find a way around any particular skill, like seaming.
If you learn to knit AS PER PATTERN, you will get a good feel for garment knitting. Modifying patterns will come later. Most knitters do end up modifying at one time or another.