Knit & Crochet Sweater Workshop
Knit & Crochet 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!
CROCHET SWEATER WORKSHOP INFO IS BELOW!
Knitted Sweater Workshop Info:
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 beginner's 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.
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 |
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Bulky |
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Worsted |
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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!) |
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| 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! |
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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.
Crochet Sweater Workshop Info:
Are you ready to jump into a fun, big project? Maybe with the help and encouragement of Cleo & your fellow crocheters? We'd love to have you in the next session of our sweater workshop! It's going to be a cozy one.
In this seven week class you'll learn how to crochet a seamless, top-down raglan sweater. All students attending this workshop 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 crochet, and less required crochet homework between classes!)
Students can also find their own patterns to follow, provided they are crocheted 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
Almost Advanced. If you know how to do all of the techniques listed below you know enough to take this class!
You can read about how we determine skill levels here.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
You must already be very comfortable with the chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet, and how to read your stitches to tell what you've done or where you are in a project. Having some experience reading simple patterns is helpful but not required.
PATTERNS
listed in order of difficulty, starting with the easiest/quickest
| Pattern | Yarn Weight | Notes |
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Aran |
This is our top recommendation for this workshop! This pattern is worked with a faux ribbing on the neckline and cuffs that will only be visible from the right side of the work. The pattern has instructions for optional color blocking. It also has a seam running down the back that is not pictured.
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Worsted | This pattern has both a free web version and an ad-free version that can be purchased on the website or through Ravelry. It is worked without ribbing and features a wide sleeve design, but if you'd like you can learn how to modify the pattern to have tapered sleeves in this workshop! |
| Top Down Crochet Pullover by Cleo Malone |
DK |
Designed by Cleo, this pattern is also made without ribbing and is on the lighter side. It can be made with or without the color blocking. We only recommend choosing this pattern if you're already comfortable working with smaller yarn and have lots of time to complete your homework between sessions! |
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 correct yarn to buy on the first day of class! You can also come ahead of time to get help picking out the right yarn and amount for your sweater.
TOOLS - available for purchase at the shop
All students should bring 4–6 locking stitch markers. Hook sizes will vary with your chosen pattern. If you have crochet hooks you think will work, please bring them to the first session. We also have crochet hooks for sale in the shop.
LESSON PLAN
Session 1: Learn how to read a pattern, how to choose the right size, pick out the right yarn & hook for your size, make a gauge swatch, crochet false ribbing (optional), place markers, start raglan increases, and short rows (optional).
Session 2: Continuing with yoke & short rows, troubleshoot increasing, initial fit test. Required homework: finish yoke and be ready for separating for the sleeves.
Session 3: Separating for sleeves, trying on to test fit, continue working on the body of sweater, optional waist shaping. Optional homework: finish body of sweater.
Session 4: Continue working on body. Optional waist shaping. Optional homework: finish body of sweater.
Session 5: Crochet around sleeve openings, plan sleeve style & optional decreasing.
Session 6: Continue working on body & sleeves. Required homework: finish body of sweater & at least one sleeve.
Session 7: final session! final sweater try on, adding optional ribbing to hemlines & cuffs, weaving in ends, how to block.
