How to design a sweater knitting pattern. Step 1 - inspiration
How do you decide what to knit for your next sweater? Pinterest? Ravelry? Yarn store patterns?
One method that I use is yarn first.
Step 1. Pick a yarn
Don't think about anything else except deciding on your yarn. Find a yarn and the rest will flow from that. Last time, this meant a trip to my local yarn store. How tough is that ... yarn store, coffee shop, yarn store ... a whole afternoon of bliss!
Last time, I indulged. Being in a yarn shop is like being a child in a sweet shop (candy store). I want everything!
First I had to look at EVERY yarn in the shop. My own mindfulness! Next, I had to narrow it down so, I picked out half a dozen yarns. Decided then that it will be a summer top so I put back all those warm woolies. Finally, I settled on a (mostly) cotton & silk yarn.
It is Fashion Silk Blend by Rico and, before you ask, no, I'm not on commission! It's a DK, which is good. My previous project was a super chunky and, dare I say it, it knitted up too quickly. I enjoy the process/act/activity of knitting as I find it to be both productive and relaxing at the same time! If you are a psychologist, can you analyse that for me.
My yarn is picked - a little indulgent I know, but this feels like it will be a classic in my wardrobe for quite a while.
So far so good and a bit of thinking to do.
Step 2. Decide style and functionality
Coffee time. I need a break.
Dearest pale-pink Fashion Silk Blend, what kind of sweater will you be when you knit up? The summer is coming here in the Northern hemisphere and I just don't have enough 'good casual' tops. So, that's it. You will be short sleeved, fitted and not too long (cos you are on the expensive end of my range!).
Round neck. Deep round neck.
I'm picturing you in my head as a plain stitch, which doesn't tickle my fancy. So, you will have cables. Cables with fillers, whatever the proper name for fillers is. Oh yeah, reverse stocking stitch (stockinette).
Step 3. How much yarn?
The label says that 400g is needed for an average long-sleeve hip-length sweater, which is 8 balls.
My sweater will be smaller than that so to get a better estimate, I go to Knit Anything to do a rough design and get an estimate of how much yarn I will need.
So,
- www.knitAnything.com
- deep round, half sleeve, fitted.
- Pick cm (instead on inches), DK.
- Pick size 12, snug fit, shorten the length to 59cm.
- Then I Preview the pattern and it estimates that I will need 761 meters (832 yards). Which is 5 balls.
Hmm, 5 balls is not bad for a sweater with 45% silk. That'll come to €45 / £38 / $50. Nope, not bad at all!
I'll buy the pattern later cos I want to go home and knit a swatch.
Step 4. Buy yarn
I buy five balls and my yarn store will put a 6th ball aside for a month for me - JUST IN CASE! Don't think that I will finish it in a month but Knit Anything's estimate says "Here is a better estimate: After you have completed the Back, you will have used two fifths of the yarn.". I will re-calculate then.
Home I go. A good afternoon's work.
Step 5. Knit a swatch
The label says 20 stitches, 30 rows to 10cm/4". I cast on more stitches than that because I'd like to play around with cables.
- I like the blackberry, but boy, is it slow to knit.
- Stocking (stockinette) seems too plain
- Garter, maybe a dash of it
- Cables, yes, I like them
- K1P1 - yes for the ribs
I like those cables. Plain K1P1 will work for the rib as there will be enough detail in the cable.
Next, I need to buy my knitting pattern.
Step 6. Design, calculate and buy your pattern
This sounds like a complicated step, doesn't it? Well, this step is actually very easy. No need for you to get out your calculator or spreadsheet, and it is great value. Just follow the steps in www.knitAnything.com or read a bit more in my next blog, as this one is getting a bit looonnnggg.
Happy knitting,
Martina