So you want to knit a Sweater?

So you are ready to make the leap from chunky hats & cowls to garments. Well here are a few tips I learned along the way. Most of these can be applied to crochet garments as well.

1) Use bulkier yarns. You know how when you were leaning to knit and everyone said use thick yarn to learn the stitches and get that FO gratification sooner? Well same applies to sweaters. As much as you may want to leave that lacy fingering weight sweater for down the road

2)Make a top down or raglan style sweater! It is much easier to learn what fits you if you can easily try it on as you go. I was ambitious and tried a bottom up sweater when I was learning & it was a disaster haha.

3) Choose a simple pattern. Do not go for that super lacy, cabled, colorwork sweater you'e been eyeing. Start with something simple until you get the hang of sweater construction.

4) Do not use expensive indie yarn. For your first few sweaters I recommend using some nice affordable yarns. That way if the sweater does not turn out to be exactly what you wanted you do not feel that guilt of "wasting expensive yarn".

5)Be kind to yourself. Do you remember what your first hat or scarf looked like? Your first sweater or two or three will not be perfect, but every one you make will get a little better each time.

Patterns:

Here are a few beginner friendly sweater patterns! **Ravelry Link **