Knitted Sweater Workshop

We teach this lesson plan at our recurring Intermediate & Advanced Knitting Class. Sign up for your first session here to get started on this project!

Are you ready to knit your first sweater? Or maybe you want to get together with the same crew each week for the cozy vibes and knitspiration? Then join us for our fall sweater workshop!

The workshop will guide you through every step of making a top-down raglan sweater step-by-step. All students attending the workshops will choose a top-down raglan sweater pattern that uses dk, worsted, aran, or bulky weight yarn. (Keep in mind that thicker yarns take less time to knit, and less required knitting homework between classes!)

We have several great pattern recommendations listed below. Students can also find their own patterns to follow, provided they are knit top-down, use raglan increasing, and have a stitch gauge no smaller than 5.5 stitches per inch. Feel free to email us any patterns you're interested in and we can let you know if you can use it for this workshop.

We'd love to help you pick out yarn & needles to use for this workshop at our store! This help is always provided in our shop, but we specifically spend time on yarn selection in the first session of the workshop. Students are also welcome to bring their own yarn to use.

Note that if you cannot make it to one or two of the sessions, that's okay! We can help you plan ahead or make up for any missed sessions. We encourage you to sign up even if you can't make it to every single class!

SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
You can read about how we determine skill levels here.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
You must already be very comfortable with casting on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, working knit & purl stitches in the same row before taking this workshop. Knowing how to identify and fix mistakes is helpful to know but not required.

PATTERNS
listed in order of difficulty, starting with the easiest/quickest

Pattern	Yarn Weight	Notes
Classic Cropped Pullover by Cleo Malone	Bulky	This pattern is knit with bulky weight yarn so it goes quickly and it's somewhat easier to fix mistakes, plus Cleo designed it so they know it very well and can easily help you modify it! You also get this pattern for free with the workshop & yarn purchase.
Worsted Pullover No. 1 by Cleo Malone	Worsted	This pattern is knit with worsted weight yarn so it won't knit up as quickly as the pattern above, but still a great weight of yarn to learn with, plus the fabric won't be quite as bulky as the one above. Cleo designed this one too so they know it very well and can easily help you modify it!  You also get this pattern for free with the workshop & yarn purchase.
Cumulus Blouse by PetiteKnit	Worsted	This pattern has a deep V-neck and an I-cord edging instead of ribbed hems. It's pictured with two strands of mohair held together but can be knit in any worsted weight yarn for a warmer fabric (likewise, any of the worsted weight patterns above can be knit with mohair too, but this is not for the faint of heart!)
No Frills Sweater by PetiteKnit	DK	This pattern is very similar in construction to the recommended patterns above but it's knit at a smaller gauge so it will take longer to knit. We recommend this pattern only if you have lots of time to knit the homework between classes, or if you're an especially fast knitter!
Flax by TinCanKnits	Worsted	This pattern is similar to the Worsted Pullover No. 1 pattern above but includes some simple stitch pattern blocking along the sleeves and has a wider neck. It's great for first-time sweater knitters. It's also free!
It's Not a Sweatshirt by Pernille Larsen	DK/Worsted	This pattern is similar to the above but includes a folded hem collar and short row neck shaping. This is a great pattern for those who have maybe knit a sweater or similar project before but want a refresher and to learn a couple extra things.

 

MATERIALS - available for purchase at the shop
The weight and amount of yarn needed will vary with your chosen pattern. We will be discussing picking a size and the best yarn to buy on the first day of class.

TOOLS - available for purchase at the shop
Needle sizes will vary with your chosen pattern. Generally you'll need one or two sizes of a 16" circular needle, one 32–40" circular needle (depending on the size you choose), and 1–2 sizes of double pointed needles, unless you use the magic loop method.

If you haven't already, now is a great time to consider buying an interchangeable needle set! You'll use many of the tips & cords in this class and have nearly every needle size and length combo you'll ever need moving forward. We have several options for sale in the shop!

LESSON PLAN

Session 1: Learn how to read a pattern, pick out the right yarn & needles for your pattern & size, make a gauge swatch, cast on! Depending on timing we may go over raglan increases as well. Required homework: finish neck hem. Optional homework: start raglan increases.

Session 2: Set up markers, learn make one increasing, optional short row shaping. Required homework: work on raglan increases.

Session 3: Continue working on raglan increases, optional troubleshooting. Required homework: finish raglan increases & be ready to separate sleeves.

Session 4: put sleeve stitches on hold, cast on for underarms, try on your sweater so far! Optional homework: finish body.

Session 5: pick up sleeve stitches, work in the round on 16" circulars, double pointed needles, or learn magic loop, sleeve decreasing, optional sleeve modifications. Optional homework: finish body of sweater.

Session 6: finish body, continue working on sleeves, optional troubleshooting.

Session 7: final session! binding off, weaving in ends, seaming underarm holes, blocking info, other finishing techniques, repeat demos, any further questions.