Knitting Level 4: My First Sweater

You have mastered the basics, knit some small projects, and can knit to gauge; now it’s time to tackle your first sweater!

In this class you will create your own version of the Simple Sweater pattern by Tin Can Knits. This versatile pattern can be made in a variety of sizes (newborn - 6XL), so you can knit it for yourself or a loved one.

Students are required to purchase their own yarn, needles, pattern, and notions. Students get a 15% discount on materials purchased for their class.

For this class, you must also have knit, blocked, and achieved gauge with your swatch before your first class. Please bring your swatch to class. If you are not familiar with the concept of gauge or how it affects fabric, we recommend taking our swatching workshop first.

Run time

5 sessions x 1.5 hours. This class runs every other week to allow time to knit your sweater in between sessions.

Project

Simple Sweater by Tin Can Knits.  See our sample on Ravelry.

Skills Taught

• Interpreting garment patterns
• German short rows
• Backwards Loop Cast On
• Picking up stitches
• Finishing techniques

Skills Required

• Cast on and bind off
• Knit and purl
• Knitting to gauge
• Knitting in the round
• Joining a new ball
• Increase and decrease
• Counting stitches
• Following a pattern
• Picking up a dropped stitch

Materials Provided

• Resources page
• Swatching and blocking guide

Supplies to Purchase

• Students should bring a blocked gauge swatch using the larger needles to their first class. They should have achieved gauge. If not, they will need to try swatching on a different sized needle before class.
• Simple Sweater by Tin Can Knits. Pattern available on Ravelry and on the Tin Can Knits app.
• Correct quantity of heavy worsted-aran weight yarn for your chosen size. Light or bright colours are preferable. Suggested:
  • Berroco Ultra Alpaca, Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok, De Rerum Gilliatt, Drops Air, Drops Nepal, Istex Lettlopi, Malabrigo Rios, Novita 7 Brothers
• All Sizes:
  • 1 x 4.0 mm, 16” circular knitting needle (for yoke ribbing)
  • 1 set 4.0 mm double-pointed needles  OR 32” circular needle for magic loop (for sleeve ribbing)          
  • 1 x 5.0 mm, 16” circular knitting needle (for yoke)
  • 1 set 5.0 mm double-pointed needles  OR 32” circular needle  for magic loop (for sleeve)
  • 16 stitch markers, one should be unique
  • Tapestry needle
  • Measuring tape
• Sizes 4-10 years (for body)
  • 1 x 4.0 mm, 24”circular knitting needle    
  • 1 x 5.0 mm, 24” circular knitting needle  
• Sizes Adult XS-XL (for body)
  • 1 x 4.0 mm, 32”circular knitting needle
  • 1 x 5.0 mm, 32” circular knitting needle
• Sizes Adult XXL-6XL (for body)
  • 1 x 5.0 mm, 32” circular knitting needle
  • 1 x 4.0 mm, 47” circular knitting needle
  • 1 x 5.0 mm, 47” circular knitting needle
    

Lesson Plan

Homework before class

• Students are to knit, block, and achieve gauge on their swatches before the first night. 

Class 1

• Study swatches
• Introduction to understanding patterns and common abbreviations.  
• Discuss how to choose a size and what ease is
• Cast on yoke
• Homework: Work until short row shaping.

Class 2

• Short Row Shaping
• Homework: Work until “Separate Body and Sleeves” section

Class 3

• Divide for sleeves and put stitches on hold
• Cast on underarm stitches
• Knit body
• Homework: Finish the body OR put the body stitches on waste yarn/stitch holder

Class 4

• Start sleeves
• Homework: Finish sleeves or knit as much as possible

Class 5

• Pick up the neck ribbing
• Weave in tails
• Troubleshoot problems
• Tips for blocking finished garment