Goodacre - Knitting Sweaters

Knitting
Sweaters

by Megan Goodacre

A member of Penguin Random House LLC

Publisher: Mike Sanders

Associate Publisher: Billy Fields

Development Editorial Supervisor: Christy Wagner

Cover Designer: Laura Merriman

Book Designers: Rebecca Batchelor and Laura Merriman

Production Editor: Jana M. Stefanciosa

Indexer: Celia McCoy

Layout: Ayanna Lacey

Proofreader: Cate Schwenk

PRODUCTION, LONDON

Digital Producer: Alex Valizadeh

Senior Digital Producer: Miguel Cunha

DIGITAL OPERATIONS, DELHI

Head of Digital Operations: Manjari Hooda

Producer: Rahul Kumar

Assistant Editor: Etika Kapil

DTP Designer: Manish Bhatt

Operations Assistant: Tauhid Nasir

Introduction

The sweater. For many knitters, its the ultimate goal. It can also be an imposing one. Ive spoken to so many knitters who earnestly inform me, even as a hat or pair of socks is flying off their needles, I could never knit a sweater. To that I say, Oh yes you can.

Knitting a sweater is wonderfully fulfilling, from beginning to end. Planning the sweater, choosing the perfect yarn, sculpting the fabric, blocking each piece to perfection, and weaving in that last endeach step in the process adds up to a profound sense of accomplishment. And imagine the thrill that comes when someone says, I love your sweater! and with a rush of pride you can say, Oh this? Thanks! I made it myself.

Whether youre a newer knitter who has successfully tackled some other projects and now want to make your very first sweater or an experienced sweater knitter looking to pick up some new techniques, this book is for you. In the following pages, I explain how to choose the right yarn, share suggestions on selecting the right size and shape sweater to flatter your body, teach you how to tailor a pattern to fit just right, offer pointers on finishing your sweaters perfectly, and much more. You also learn advanced techniques like working short rows and setting in a sleeve, and youll conquer your fear of sewing pieces together. All the lessons are accompanied by clear, step-by-step photos that show you just what you need to know.

Feel free to jump in anywhere and start looking for inspiration. Before casting on, do look at , especially the Flatter and Fit and Knitting Like a Pro chapters, which are chock full of helpful tips and tricks.

As you browse the patterns in this book, I hope youll feel among friends, with keywords like simple, comfortable, classic, and elegant. The patterns have just enough knitterly detail to make beautiful garments without demanding extreme technical skillsperfect for knitters who already know the basics and want to create something more. Even after many years of knitting and many sweaters, I still enjoy the simple patterns the most. These are the sweaters that, when I first put them on, feel immediately like home.

Acknowledgments

This book took shape over many long days and nights, but of course it wasnt a solo act. Im grateful to my family, who continue to be unphased by the knitting paraphernalia spilling from our homes every orifice. When you say to your friends in complete seriousness, You cant sit there. Thats where the knitting is, thank you for that. Charles, thank you for doing all the cooking; you amazed us with your perfect challah braids on the first try.

A huge thank you to the folks at Alpha Books for letting me write another book! In particular Christy Wagner, my editor, and Laura Merriman, the designer who made this book look as good as it does.

Thank you to the knitters who brought the sweaters to life and knit as fast as I could put words on the page: Deborah, Donna, Jacey, Jan, Jlene, and Pam. And of course, my mom, who would have knit all 20 if I had asked, and who taught me to knit in the first place.

Thank you to my models for their poise and patience: Alex, Amy, Blake, Evan, Iris, Jlene, and Rebecca.

And of course, one of the great pleasures of putting this book together was getting to work with such beautiful yarns. Im very grateful to the yarn suppliers for their generous contributions: Americo Original, Berroco, Blue Sky Alpacas, Brooklyn Tweed, Cascade Yarns, The Fibre Company, Knit Picks, Lornas Laces, Madelinetosh, Malabrigo, The Plucky Knitter, Quince & Co., Skacel, Swans Island Company, and SweetGeorgia Yarns.

And finally, thanks to all my knitting peeps out there, online, on Ravelry, in my classes, and in the yarn stores, for your kind words and encouragement. Happy knitting!

For my boys (all three of you). You dont knit, but you make me laugh, you feed me, and you keep me sane.

PART 1

learning to knit sweaters

CHAPTER 1

before you begin

In This Chapter

sweater skills

If you can cast on and off, knit, purl, decrease, increase, and sew a simple seam, you already have all the skills you need to knit almost half the sweaters in this book!

Add picking up stitches, making a cable, and working in color, and youre well on your way to stitching some very sophisticated knits. And believe it or not, if you can measure and do a few simple sums, you can be your own designer and create your own unique knitted pieces!

The following table outlines the skills you need to knit the sweaters in this book.

Required Knitting Skills