- Decide you want to knit something.
- Decide whether if it’s a particular thing you want to knit or a yarn you want to knit with or a person you want to knit for. If you’re just “I need to be knitting!”, you’ll have to figure that out in the same way (and I. see. you.). Maybe socks or a dishcloth will take the edge off?
- For the purposes of today’s exercise you decide to knit for yourself that sweater that has caused some ... to do of late. It’s just the thing you’ve been wanting for your wardrobe, and it will push you a little on your skills. You are open minded about the yarn. You may be lucky enough to have something that will work on hand or you may be up for buying something. More on that below.
- You check to see if it is written for your size. It is! There is a whole other discussion we can have about what to do when this isn’t the case, but today let’s make it so for the sake of this post.
- You look at the yarn called for: weight/thickness (again, look for a future conversation about this because there are lots of different ways knitters/yarnies talk about yarn, and it can be confusing, so I will try to help), fiber composition, yards/meters per ounces/grams. All of these elements go into making a yarn what it is and into making the resultant fabric that you’ll get from all the knitting ahead of you. We aren’t going to get into color because it is very subjective (and fun), but it’s sort of tangential to today’s discussion. You may possess the yarn in question, or not. We will come back to yarn shortly.
- You look at the skills necessary to make this sweater. Not every designer includes this information (even I’m guilty of this sometimes, perhaps because I have a lot on my mind or because as a general knitting rule I believe that if you can cast on, knit, purl, and bind off, you can knit just about anything), but it sure helps when we do. Have you got the skills? If not, turn to: YouTube, books from the library (do you know about the Libby app or whatever ebook solution your local library uses - particularly great in these pandemic times), knitters on the internet (including reaching out to folks who have already knit the pattern in question), an internet knitting group (the internet is awesome for finding people who are into the same stuff as you, plus knitting), your in-person knitting group (if you have one and it is safe to gather), your LYS (again, if you have one and it is safe to visit*), the designer (who is of course the expert on the actual pattern though may not always be able to answer the question you have about your skills or what yarn to choose and whose labor you should pay for before you start asking them to work for you, assuming your question isn’t one that should be covered in the pattern description), me (I do not have all the answers but will enthusiastically go into why you probably can do it—you have been warned that I will be enthusiastic about why you should give it a go).
- Now you’re pretty sure you’re going to knit this pattern. It has the style you’re looking for, comes in your size, you have the skills to make it, and you think you would like the fabric resulting from the yarn in question (or similar yarn—you may also have a vision of this sweater in a very different yarn, in which case !huzzah, we are now besties! and all this will still apply). Now it is time to figure out the yarn that you are going to use to make YOUR sweater (I don’t even know how to express how excited I am about this part because it is so. much. fun!) with the information we have already gathered.
- The yarn specified in the pattern is what was used to make the sample. That’s the second rule of knitwear design: A pattern is a description of how to make the thing shown in the picture. (The first rule of knitwear design is “Don’t be shitty”.) You may love exactly how that sweater looks and want to knit it up in the same yarn. That is a safe bet for getting as close to what the model is wearing as you can. Then you can fork over your money to the yarnie and get on with buying the pattern and making the sweater. But! What if you don’t have the money (or don’t like those colors or are allergic to wool or just don’t want to use the yarn called for)? This is the question du jour, isn’t it. While there are certainly knitters who have the desire and means to just go for an expensive project, lots of us want or need to do something different...
19 July 2020
The Job of a Knitter (or Yarn Substitution for Fun and No Profit)
24 May 2019
The Sweater with Kathleen Dames | Season Four, Episode Seven : The Split
Today (finally! the technical issues and building construction have been a thorn in my side - I’m so sorry!) we are talking about splitting the sleeves off from the body plus a clever use of the provisional caston *in the middle of the round*. You will love how this simple technique makes finishing your sweaters just a matter of weaving in some ends.
If you haven’t already, visit http://www.kathleendames.com/thesweater to sign up for my newsletter. Be sure to create your project page on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/enwreathed-pullover
Thanks for being here, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen
P.S. Share your project on social media with hashtags #enwreathedpullover and #enwreathedcowl
----------
You can purchase the previous seasons’ patterns (Solstice Cardi, Purly Pullover, Basic Cable, and Premium Cable) from my Ravelry shop any time: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/kathleen-dames-design
-----------
Yarn info:
-Biches et Buches Le Petit Lambswool https://www.bichesetbuches.com/ - the original Enwreathed Pullover and Cowl were knit in the MC: Bleu Noir Foncé (dark blue black) and CC: Gris Clair (light grey)
-Manos del Uruguay https://www.manosyarns.com/ - Kathleen will be using Allegria in Euphoria for her CC on The Heart Wants Pullover
-Swans Island Company https://swansislandcompany.com/ - Kathleen will be using Swans Island Pure Blends Fingering in Oatmeal, which has been discontinued, but Swans Island Sterling Fingering is a great substitute with the same 85% Merino/15% Alpaca fiber content
home: https://www.kathleendames.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kathleendames
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sweater-kathleen-dames/id1079086225
instagram: https://instagram.com/kathleendames/
twitter: https://twitter.com/kathleendames
ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kathleen-dames
music: Cafe Parisien with accordion iStock.com/frobisher
TAGS
sweater, knitting, sweater knitting, the sweater with kathleen dames, kathleen dames, learn to knit, knit a sweater, pullover, enwreathed pullover, enwreathed cowl, colorwork, stranded knitting
03 May 2019
The Sweater with Kathleen Dames | Season Four, Episode Six : The Colorwork
Today I’m sharing some favorite colorwork techniques (two-handed knitting, anyone?) plus the way I do provisional castons. If crocheting a chain takes you out of your comfort zone, my provisional two-tail long-tail cast-on might just do the trick for you.
And one gentle reminder: YOU are the boss of your knitting.
If you haven’t already, visit http://www.kathleendames.com/thesweater to sign up for my newsletter. Be sure to create your project page on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/enwreathed-pullover
Thanks for being here, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen
P.S. Share your project on social media with hashtags #enwreathedpullover and #enwreathedcowl
----------
You can purchase the previous seasons’ patterns (Solstice Cardi, Purly Pullover, Basic Cable, and Premium Cable) from my Ravelry shop any time: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/kathleen-dames-design
-----------
Yarn info:
-Biches et Buches Le Petit Lambswool https://www.bichesetbuches.com/ - the original Enwreathed Pullover and Cowl were knit in the MC: Bleu Noir Foncé (dark blue black) and CC: Gris Clair (light grey)
-Manos del Uruguay https://www.manosyarns.com/ - Kathleen will be using Allegria in Euphoria for her CC on The Heart Wants Pullover
-Swans Island Company https://swansislandcompany.com/ - Kathleen will be using Swans Island Pure Blends Fingering in Oatmeal, which has been discontinued, but Swans Island Sterling Fingering is a great substitute with the same 85% Merino/15% Alpaca fiber content
home: https://www.kathleendames.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kathleendames
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sweater-kathleen-dames/id1079086225
instagram: https://instagram.com/kathleendames/
twitter: https://twitter.com/kathleendames
ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kathleen-dames
music: Cafe Parisien with accordion iStock.com/frobisher
26 April 2019
The Sweater with Kathleen Dames | Season Four, Episode Five : LIVE SHOW
Time for some real-time Sweater talking! Some knitters have asked me questions already, and I will be taking whatever questions you have live Friday, April 26th, at 10:00 EDT. Don’t worry if you can’t join me on YouTube live, as this will become a video the minute it’s over (and then I’ll upload the audio podcast). Questions you have about colorwork, top-down construction, and any other knitting topics are encouraged. I love talking about knitting, so (as always) this should be a lot of fun.
If you haven’t already, visit http://www.kathleendames.com/thesweater to sign up for my newsletter. Be sure to create your project page on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/enwreathed-pullover
Thanks for being here, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen
P.S. Share your project on social media with hashtags #enwreathedpullover and #enwreathedcowl
----------
You can purchase the previous seasons’ patterns (Solstice Cardi, Purly Pullover, Basic Cable, and Premium Cable) from my Ravelry shop any time: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/kathleen-dames-design
-----------
Yarn info:
-Biches et Buches Le Petit Lambswool https://www.bichesetbuches.com/ - the original Enwreathed Pullover and Cowl were knit in the MC: Bleu Noir Foncé (dark blue black) and CC: Gris Clair (light grey)
-Manos del Uruguay https://www.manosyarns.com/ - Kathleen will be using Allegria in Euphoria for her CC on The Heart Wants Pullover
-Swans Island Company https://swansislandcompany.com/ - Kathleen will be using Swans Island Pure Blends Fingering in Oatmeal, which has been discontinued, but Swans Island Sterling Fingering is a great substitute with the same 85% Merino/15% Alpaca fiber content
home: https://www.kathleendames.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kathleendames
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sweater-kathleen-dames/id1079086225
instagram: https://instagram.com/kathleendames/
twitter: https://twitter.com/kathleendames
ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kathleen-dames
music: Cafe Parisien with accordion iStock.com/frobisher
18 April 2019
The Sweater with Kathleen Dames | Season Four, Episode Four : The Charts
For some of us charts are the best, for others they are a big “no”. Today I talk a little bit about different ways to work with charts, clarifying where to start and giving you a little insight into how I think about colorwork rounds. Don’t forget that you are the boss of your knitting!
Remember: Episode Five: LIVE SHOW is coming up next week, so ask your questions now, and I will answer them on the air next week. The best way to ask is by hitting reply on a newsletter email message, but you can also leave comments on episode pages on YouTube or on posts on Instagram/Twitter or on my Ravelry group.
If you haven’t already, visit http://www.kathleendames.com/thesweater to sign up for the newsletter. Be sure to create your project page on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/enwreathed-pullover
Thanks for being here, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen
P.S. Share your project on social media with hashtags #enwreathedpullover and #enwreathedcowl
----------
You can purchase the previous seasons’ patterns (Solstice Cardi, Purly Pullover, Basic Cable, and Premium Cable) from my Ravelry shop any time: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/kathleen-dames-design
-----------
Yarn info:
-Biches et Buches Le Petit Lambswool https://www.bichesetbuches.com/ - the original Enwreathed Pullover and Cowl were knit in the MC: Bleu Noir Fonce (dark blue black) and CC: Gris Clair (light grey)
-Manos del Uruguay https://www.manosyarns.com/ - Kathleen will be using Allegria in Euphoria for her CC on The Heart Wants Pullover
-Swans Island Company https://swansislandcompany.com/ - Kathleen will be using Swans Island Pure Blends Fingering in Oatmeal, which has been discontinued, but Swans Island Sterling Fingering is a great substitute with the same 85% Merino/15% Alpaca fiber content
home: https://www.kathleendames.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kathleendames
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sweater-kathleen-dames/id1079086225?mt=2
instagram: https://instagram.com/kathleendames/
twitter: https://twitter.com/kathleendames
ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kathleen-dames
music: Cafe Parisien with accordion iStock.com/frobisher
13 April 2019
VIDEO: The Sweater with Kathleen Dames | Season Four, Episode Three : The Swatch
12 April 2019
The Sweater with Kathleen Dames | Season Four, Episode Three : The Swatch
Oh, swatching, you are not always our favorite, but you give us lots of good information (sometimes). Today we talk a little bit about different kinds of swatches, including my favorite: the swatch that is also a thing (like the Enwreathed Cowl or one of two sleeves). I also talk a little bit about needles and how you may only need one to knit a sweater (that’s how I do it, anyway).
Remember: Episode Five: LIVE SHOW will be here before we know it, so start asking your questions now, and I will answer them on the air in a couple of weeks. The best way to ask is by hitting reply on a newsletter email message, but you can also leave comments on episode pages on YouTube or on posts on Instagram/Twitter or on my Ravelry group.
If you haven’t already, visit http://www.kathleendames.com/thesweater to sign up for the newsletter. Be sure to create your project page on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/enwreathed-pullover
Thanks for being here, and happy knitting!
xoxo, Kathleen
P.S. Share your project on social media with hashtags #enwreathedpullover and #enwreathedcowl
----------
You can purchase the previous seasons’ patterns (Solstice Cardi, Purly Pullover, Basic Cable, and Premium Cable) from my Ravelry shop any time: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/kathleen-dames-design
-----------
Yarn info:
-Biches et Buches Le Petit Lambswool https://www.bichesetbuches.com/ - the original Enwreathed Pullover and Cowl were knit in the MC: Bleu Noir Fonce (dark blue black) and CC: Gris Clair (light grey)
-Manos del Uruguay https://www.manosyarns.com/ - Kathleen will be using Allegria in Euphoria for her CC on The Heart Wants Pullover
-Swans Island Company https://swansislandcompany.com/ - Kathleen will be using Swans Island Pure Blends Fingering in Oatmeal, which has been discontinued, but Swans Island Sterling Fingering is a great substitute with the same 85% Merino/15% Alpaca fiber content
home: https://www.kathleendames.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/kathleendames
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sweater-kathleen-dames/id1079086225?mt=2
instagram: https://instagram.com/kathleendames/
twitter: https://twitter.com/kathleendames
ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kathleen-dames
music: Cafe Parisien with accordion iStock.com/frobisher