The Unexpected Sweater Round Up: Things I learned while knitting a FREE baby sweater.
First of all – everyone should know right away that I am not expecting a baby. I love babies, would gladly take one if God sent one my way. But at this point in my life and after specific worldly intervention it would 100% have to be a Devine Delivery.
Never the less, I cast on a newborn sized baby sweater to add to my work kit. I was inspired to pick a small garment by my friends Tracey and Cameron up at Stix in Bozeman, Montana. They have been using baby sweaters to teach sweater knitting skills. Novel idea! I know how to knit sweaters, and have designed some of my favorite that I wear … but the thought of finishing something cute and quick felt right.
I had this lovely yarn, Ciao by Jody Long that I adore, on hand and in need of attention. I have made a few hats in my Doodle pattern, but I felt like this washable 100% Extra fine merino wool yarn from Italy needed a sweet and simple little pattern that would entice knitters to try a new staple yarn and venture away from the OG stand ins for babies.
I picked the Gidday Baby sweater from Ravelry for two primary reasons. 1) FREE PATTERN 2) SUPER CUTE !!
Like I said earlier, I don’t have an actual baby that I am knitting for. I just wanted something small and sweet. I downloaded the pattern and cast on right away after assessing the color selection that I had on hand. In lue of choosing something creative like the magenta and mint I had my eye on I went with Latte and Navy – very similar to the model pictured in the pattern. The colors are gender neutral and classic. Perfect for a sample garment intended to sell yarn.
Since the two primary requirements were met for my sweater knitting, I cast on and went right to work with the prescribed needle. There is no fancy lace or shaping detail to this sweater, garter stitch yoke and stockinette body. The button band worked in line with the body of the sweater for minimal finishing. This would be the exact recipe for a quick and painless knit. But low and behold… I learned some pretty helpful tips along the way! I have broken them down for you as follows.
Lessons:
- Using one size smaller needle for the garter stitch yoke keeps the sweater from looking to bulky. The weight of the fabric looks nice with the stockinette.
- The yarn over (YO) increases make a lovely detail in the yoke of the sweater.
- Knitting front and back in the stitch just before and after the arm separation keeps those stitches from being pulled and becoming distorted.
- Slipping one stitch with yarn on the pubic side of the sweater before or just after the garter button band keeps the band balanced in the fabric. It prevents the band from feathering out or additionally looking distorted. This was a big one for me!!
- Picking up extra stitches at the underarm when beginning the sleeve will prevent those pesky holes that we end up stitching shut. Now, I do this on my own knitting… but have never seen it written into a pattern before!
- Crochet Buttons… I had so much fun with these that I have a whole post planned. Check back soon!!
This little spur of the moment cast on has been very fulfilling, illuminating and joyful. I had no idea that I would learn so much from such a quick little project. Have you ever been surprised by what you have learned in the process of making?
You can’t really see the slipped stitches next to the garter button band, but they make all the difference in keeping the button band neat and tidy.
Roving Creative Life 