Sweater Design

Schedule

Dates:  February 5, March 18, 25, April 1, 15, 22 (Tuesdays)

Times:  11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (mornings)

Location:  Woven Art, 325 Grove Street, East Lansing, Michigan

Phone (517)203-4467

Dates:  March 28, May 9, 16, 30, June 13, 20 (Fridays)

Times:  1:30-3:30 p.m. (afternoons)

Location:  Rae's Yarn Boutique, 2004 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan

Phone:  (517)336-9276

Class Registration

To sign up for this class:  Call the location where the sessions you are interested in are being offered.  Please contact me if you would like to be placed on a waiting list to take this class at a later time or at an alternate location.

Description

6 sessions

Cost:  $90

Skill level:  Intermediate to advanced.  I’d prefer that you know how to knit and purl before you take this class.

(click on picture to see variations)

This class leads you step by step through designing your own custom fit sweater, using any yarn you like.  You’ll start with a gauge swatch and a set of measurements taken from an existing garment.  Involves a bit of math, but you’re encouraged to use a calculator!  And best of all, there are no seams of any kind, so there is very little finishing!

After completing this class, you should be able to design more sweaters with different features – drop shoulders, V-necks, cardigans.  You should also be able to make changes to existing patterns. 

Project

In this class, you will knit a totally seamless, round- or v-necked sweater.  The set-in sleeves (any length from short to long) are picked up and knit from the top down.  Berroco Smart Cotton (no longer available) was used for the navy blue model.  Berroco Pronto was used for the purple model (shown).

Materials

• Yarn – This really depends on the size and sleeve length of your sweater.  The navy blue model used about 800 yards of a heavy yarn (450 grams).  Another short sleeved sweater using a lighter weight yarn also used 800 yards (350 grams).  So, get approximately 800 yards for a short sleeved, medium/large sweater (about 38” around).  Add a few balls for long sleeves or for a larger size.  Get extra and save your receipt.  Try to get something that lets you see the stitches – not too textured.
• Needles – appropriate to the yarn chosen, but bring everything you have in case you need to adjust the needle size.  You'll need one circular needle between 24" and 40" in length, and a second circular needle of the same size, 16" in length.  Optional:  additional circular needles two sizes smaller for borders.
• You must bring in one or more sweaters that fit you well – we’re looking for something that fits you nicely across the shoulders and comfortably around the body, necklines you like, sleeve length, etc.  You will use the measurements from these samples to write the pattern for your sweater.    
• Needle gauge
• Flexible measuring tape
• Blunt darning needle
• Sharp tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holders
• Coilless safety pins
• Scissors
• Calculator

HOMEWORK (to be completed before Session 1)

• Please complete a gauge swatch before the first class – AT LEAST 4 inches by 4 inches in stockinette stitch (* Knit one row, purl one row; repeat from *).  Make sure you like the feel of the knitted swatch so you don’t have to re-do your swatch in class.  If it feels too loosely knit, try a smaller size needle.  If it feels too firmly knit, try a larger size needle.

Session 1 Topics

• Designing your sweater
• Measurements
• Gauge swatch
• Measuring gauge
• Starting your sweater
• Working the lower sweater body
• Adding a new strand of yarn
• Estimating yarn amounts

Session 2 Topics

• Dividing the back and front
• Calculating armhole shaping

Session 3 Topics

• Calculating neck shaping
• Neck shaping

Session 4 Topics

• Shoulder shaping
• Short rows
• Joining the shoulders

Session 5 Topics

• Picking up stitches
• Neckband
• Weaving in ends
• Laundering knitted items

Session 6 Topics

• Working the set-in sleeve cap
• Calculating sleeve decreases

Payment

• The student will be responsible for the cost of any materials required.

• Check with the desired class location for payment details.

• Payment for classes at my home in Haslett can be by cash or check made payable to Sarah Peasley, due at the first class session.

• No refunds will be given after the first class session.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this class, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  I’m always happy to help you with any questions or problems that arise from my classes or from patterns by Sarah Peasley, Handknitter.  I am committed to seeing you through to the end of your project!

Next recommended class

Try Introduction to Entrelac for something different!