Thursday, July 26, 2012

Lime Swing

Here's my friend Ellen modeling my new knit, Lime Swing. She just happened to walk into Knitting yesterday wearing the perfect matching T-shirt, so I grabbed the sweater and put it on her for photos! Fit her like a dream, and I almost gave her the thing.

I am still in love with the Easy Way concept and find that the things I knit from this straight-line method are fast and fun and adjustable. The only thing I don't like is that mostly they are bottom up. I like top down knitting, so I decided to make this one from the top down.
Here's the pattern, size 38,  top down, size 8 needles, worsted weight yarn...
My new way to do this is with a crochet provisional cast on, but it is not necessary. I just like it because I know there will be no ridge at the neck when I put the stitches on for the collar band. And no seam at the shoulder. But if you just want to cast on, you can always pick up stitches for the collar and fronts from the top (cast on) edge of the back. Or use some other preferred provisional cast on.

Cast on 56 stitches and knit garter straight for 6.5". It is important to slip the first stitch of every row to facilitate picking up shoulder/sleeve/collar stitches later.
When you have knit the back 'yoke', put the stitches on hold (or a second circular needle) and join two new balls of yarn and pick up 18 stitches at each shoulder ( the cast on stitches) to begin the fronts. (Leave 20 stitches unknit for the neck)
Knit in garter for 6.5" and then you are ready to cast on the underarm stitches, 24 for each armhole. There will be fiddling, since you will have to decide when to cut one ball of yarn as you join the fronts to the back.  You will have 18+24+56+24+18 stitches total. Keep in garter for a few more rows, like 6 ridges or 12 rows. Switch to pattern stitch.

The pattern stitch I used is garter rib: row 1 (right side) : K. row 2: K2, P2
I increased 2 sts ( m1)every six or so rows along both edges of the center front starting 12 ridges down from the 'shoulder'. (aren't I specific? hahaha) Actually it was one stitch in from the edge.

Knit until you like the length. I did the sleeves next, picking up 54 sts in each of the edge chains of the shoulder ( not the underarm stitches). Knit in pattern for 3 inches or so, (I knit it flat, not in the round this time)  and then begin to decrease every 9th chain ( still keeping the slip first stitch routine.) I got as far as 44 stitches before I ran out of yarn. You could do the sleeves in the round and decide on your own decreases. The stitch pulls in and looks as tho the sleeves are super skinny, but blocking brings everything to its correct size.
Collar: From the front: Pick up one stitch from each edge chain, turn and knit the first row (you're on the back side so it is purled on the front) and then knit in garter ridge pattern for about 3.5". Sew underarm to sleeve, and sew the rest of sleeve. Done and ready for wet blocking. It took me four days to make it....super easy super fast.
  
The armhole is squared off at the bottom, which are the cast on 24 mentioned above.
 The yarn is Fibra Natura Sensational by Universal Yarn, 100% Merino, 90 yards per skein, and this took every inch of ten skeins.



X marks the m1 increases along the front edge. I wanted the fronts to come closer to meeting so the increases continue down to the hem.



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15 comments:

  1. This is beautiful! The perfect sweater!

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  2. Oh I love that sweater! The style is great. I love using one color yarn and adding other stitches for texture, rather than using various colors. I look better in one color too. That lime green is yummy and looks so great on Helen. She is so photogenic and looks so good in knits. I've seen several photos of her in her own knits. She should be a model! Thanks for the "recipe". I will be trying this one for sure.

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  3. Oops I said Helen and I meant to type Ellen!

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  4. Wow - you are an inspiration! I WILL conquer my fears and knit a sweater. I got ordered the book online and between that and your help I will do it!!!

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  5. My favorite color! I'm afraid if you had asked me to model that you wouldn't have gotten it back! ;o)

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  6. The sweater does look like it was made for her!!! Great color!!! And of course, as usual, great job!

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  7. All your talents really flip me out! Not fair giving so many talents to one person! lol Gorgeous sweater!

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  8. Can't wait to try this one! I love the pattern and the color.

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  9. I found this in Pinterest....I LOVE IT! Once I get a few things off the needles, this will be my next project. Thank you for sharing.

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  10. Lovely! What is the gauge, please? I'd like to do it for a smaller size. Many thanks.

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  11. I am looking for a sweater to knit for my sister-in-law...this may be it! Thanks for sharing.

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  12. Thank you for sharing. I saw Rose's sister-in-laws's and decided I need to try this. I started it yesterday and love this pattern! So fun to knit! Thanks again!

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  13. Muito lindo o seu casaco.
    A côr é maravilhosa.

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  14. I love the color. I am a fan of knitted sweater. I want that.

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  15. Beautiful sweater. I am learning how to make this. Thanks.

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Hello,
So nice of you to drop by. I love your comments, and if you would really like a reply, please email me at fibermania at g mail dot com