So, at this point in my knitting career I’ve come to terms with the fact that I hate following patterns. I’ll learn a new stitch from a pattern but that’s pretty much it. When it comes to full garments I want to make what I dream up myself. So there it is, a novice designing patterns.
My biggest attribute and my biggest flaw when it comes to my design skill is that once I imagine it, I just want to have it ready made in front of me. This inspires me to get knitting but also lends towards forgetting to document my progress and design aspects. I’m trying to get better at making patterns for the things I design but I also have the handicap of having not really worked off of many patterns so it’s hard to see it from the reader’s perspective. Please let me know anything that would help or that I’m leaving out that a traditional pattern would have! Someday I hope to be good enough at writing patterns that I could sell them, but for now I feel like they have a ways to go.
I also might not be using the most optimal construction techniques as I’m still circular-needle-less and do all of my patterns in the flat, then sew up the sides. I’m sure you could adapt this pattern to circular needles, it’d probably go even faster.
So here it is:
Chunky Off-The-Shoulder Lace Sweater
My knits tend to be trendy, so if you’re looking for something timeless I can’t guarantee that my designs will be fashionable in the coming decades, but for now people will love the fact that you knit something that doesn’t scream “hand knit” or “grandma”.
This knits up VERY quickly. I knit this in one weekend. That’s the upside of chunky yarn and big needles.
I used an alpaca blend yarn from Bernat in the color “natural”, bought at Joann’s here. You could use any bulky yarn for this pattern. I love the color and texture of this yarn, but it actually sheds quite a bit so if I did it again I’d probably choose something else. This design takes about 500-600 yards. Use size 13 needles.
Cast on 61 stitches.
Add 4 rows of K1P1 rib then begin pattern:
Row 1 and all wrong side rows: Purl.
Rows 2, 4, 6 and 8: Knit 1, *yarn over, knit 3, slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over, knit 3, yarn over, knit 1. Repeat from * to end.
Rows 10, 12, 14 and 16: Knit 2 together, *knit 3, yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, knit 3, slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over. Repeat from * to end
Repeat rows 1-16 until sweater is sufficiently tall.
I added symmetrical increases at the beginning and ending of the even rows in order to obtain the trapezoid shape in the diagram. I’m sorry I didn’t record exactly the stitches I used, but I ended up with about 90 at the shoulder total. Then just cast off strait across.
Sleeves:
Cast on 21 stitches
Add 4 rows of K1P1 rib then repeat rows 1-16 above until sleeve is correct length.
Sew all pieces together with a tapestry needle. The amount the sweater is off the shoulder will depend on how much you sew up the neck.
I haven’t blocked this yet, but I intend on doing so.
lovely sweater, well done you!
When I’m writing a pattern I tend to make pages and pages of notes and then afterwards have to decipher random scribbling and try & remember how I did something so I can write it out properly.
That is beautiful! I’ve never tried designing a pattern before, but you have made it look easy!
Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I would like to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and under no circumstances appear to get something done.