Knitting Level 4: My First Sweater

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

If you are not familiar with the concept of gauge or how it affects fabric, we recommend taking a lower level class or practicing swatches until you are ready, because achieving gauge is essential to garment knitting. You will be provided with a handout with instructions for how to swatch, or you can contact us for help.

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.

If you want to participate in a sweater class but would prefer to choose your own pattern, please see the Garment Class.

Students are required to purchase their own yarn, needles, pattern, and notions. Students receive a discount code for 15% off of the supplies 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. 

You will learn how to:

• Interpret garment patterns and understand common abbreviations
• Cast on using the backwards-loop method
• Work short rows
• Finish your garment

You should know how to:

• Knit to gauge 
• Knit and purl
• Work in the round
• Cast on and bind off
• Join a new ball
• Increase and decrease
• Follow a pattern
• Pick up a dropped stitch

Beehive will provide:

• Resources page

You need to bring:

• Simple Sweater pattern by Tin Can Knits (available from Tin Can Knits and on Ravelry)
• Worsted/Aran weight yarn in a light or bright colour, enough for your chosen size. Suggested:
• Beehive Wool Shop Stratus
• Berroco Ultra Alpaca
• Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok
• Brooklyn Tweed Shelter
• De Rerum Gilliatt
• Drops Air
• Drops Nepal
• Malabrigo Rios
• Novita 7 brothers

• Students should bring a blocked gauge swatch using the 5 mm (US 8) 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.
• Needles: All Sizes
• 1 x 4 mm (US 6), 40 cm (16") circular needle
• 1 x 4 mm (US 6) double pointed needles (DPNs)
• 1 x 5 mm (US 8), 40 cm (16") circular needle
• 1 x 5 mm (US 8) double pointed needles (DPNs)
• 16 stitch markers, one should be unique
• 1 Tapestry Needle
• Tape Measure
  
• Needles: Sizes 4-10 years
  
• 1 x 4 mm (US 6), 60 cm (24") circular needle
• 1 x 5 mm (US 8), 60 cm (24") circular needle
• Needles: Sizes Adult XS-XL
• 1 x 4 mm (US 6), 80 cm (32") circular needle
• 1 x 5 mm (US 8), 80 cm (32") circular needle
• Needles: Sizes Adult XXL-6XL
• 1 x 5 mm (US 8), 80 cm (32") circular needle
• 1 x 4 mm (US 6), 120 cm (47") circular needle
• 1 x 5 mm (US 8), 120 cm (47") circular needle

Note: This class runs every other week to allow time to knit your sweater in between sessions.

Current Sessions: