Lookie what I finished!

I have always wanted to make a sweater for myself. Ever since I first learned to knit 17 years ago, as I sat there becomming more and more frustrated with each row because I kept finding mysterious extra stitches, then I would think of how cool it would be to make a sweater I could wear. Then I decided it wasn't worth it because I just couldn't seem to figure it out (I was very young at the time, give me a break).

Then I came across a beginners sweater pattern on Craftster.org, (I just found the link again, here's where I found the pattern http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=152316.0 )and just had to try it out. It didn't go seamlessly (no pun intended), I nearly re-wrote the pattern to get it to fit, but as was stated in the pattern I used it was more if a guide anyway. And it got me to finally make the sweater I've been waiting so long to make. So the only thing I have to say about the pattern was that it didn't fit me. It's still a great guide!



So I'm very happy to FINALLY be able to show off a sweater that I knit! I really like it! It fits me just like I wanted it to, I think I'll wear it everywhere! I bet you'd like to see some pictures of it huh? Well, first you have to look at the first picture I took.

When I tried it on at this point it was apparent that it was going to be WAY too big! So, the next day I frogged the whole thing! :( It was sad, but luckily I hadn't gotten too far. So I started over with smaller needles, and with WAY fewer stitches than the pattern called for, and ta-da! It fit! And I love it.

I made a lot of changes to this pattern. So many in fact that I thought I'd type up my pattern for anyone who may want to replicate this sweater the way I have. I, however have VERY limited pattern writing ability at the moment, so to keep things simple I will just type out the instructions for the size I made, and allow you to adjust for your size. I wear a size 6, and have a 36" bust and 27" waist (I have 5 kids! Not everyone can have a 24" waist forever!) just to give you an idea of what sized person this fits. So, without further delay, here is the pattern that I made:

Top Down Raglan Sleeve Sweater Pattern

written by Michelle of Designs By Michelle

size: Woman's Small

Materials:

Yarn: 1 skein Caron Simply Soft in country blue, one skein of Caron Simply Soft in gray heather.

Needles: one 24" circular needle size 6 US

one 24" circular needle size 8 US

one 32" circular needle size 6 US (for using the magic loop method for the sleeves), OR a set of size 6 US DPN's

one 32" circular needle size 8 US (for using the magic loop method for the sleeves), OR a set of size 8 US DPN's

4 stitch markers

1 yarn needle

Gauge: 16sts/25rows=4" in stockinette stitch on size 8 US needles

Special instructions: Each stripe is 13 rows long, however instructions for color chage are not always indicated. Remember to change colors as needed. Feel free to make your stripes as wide or narrow as you wish, or add cables to a solid color sweater.

Abbreviations:

Kf&b=knit into the front of a stitch, then without sliding the stitch off your needle knit into the back of the same stitch. (one increase made)

K= knit

P= purl

SSK= slip slip knit

K2tog= knit 2 together

M1= make one increase

st st= stockinette stitch (knit all stitches in the round)

St(s)= stitch(es)

MC= main color (blue in this pattern) CC= compilmentay color (gray in this pattern)

Begin

Using size 6 US 24" round needle and MC, cast on 120 sts, join in the round being careful not to twist sts.

working in K2, P2 ribbing place a stitch marker after 39 sts (these sts just worked will be the front), continue in K2, P2 for another 21 sts, place marker (sleeve), continue for another 39 sts, place marker (back), continue again for 21sts, place marker (2nd sleeve).

continue to work in K2, P2 ribbing for 2 1/2" slipping markers as you come to them, break yarn leaving a tail to weave in later.

Switch to CC and size 8 US 24" circular needle. K one round slipping markers as you come to them.

Increase round: Kf&b, *k to 1 st before 1st marker, Kf&b, slip marker, Kf&b* repeat from * to * to end of round.

next round: K all sts

repeat these two rounds 11 times more, K 3 more rounds.

Try on sweater: Slip half of your stitches onto waste yarn or onto another round needle, and try on sweater. If the sleeves meet under your arm then continue, if not you may need to adjust the pattern by doing more increase rounds.

K to first marker, remove it. Slide the stitches between 1st and 2nd marker onto a stitch holder, or waste yarn, slide 2nd marker as usual. K to 3rd marker, remove it, slide stitches between 3rd and 4th marker onto waste yarn or stitch holder, slip 4th marker as usual. continue in st st until piece reaches 3" from underarm.

Begin decreases for waist as follows:

*K1, SSK, K to 3 sts before marker, K2tog, K1* repeat one time more.

K 4 rounds

repeat these 5 rounds 4 times more

K 4 rounds (Try on sweater again, you should be to your waist by now)

hip increase round: K1, M1, K to 1 st before marker, M1, K1, slip marker, K1, M1, K to 1 st before marker, M1, K1.

K 4 rounds

repeat these 5 rounds 4 times more.

Using size 6 US 24" round needle and MC, work in K2, P2 ribbing for 2", bind off loosly.

Sleeves: (make 2)

with 32" size 8 US needle or size 8 US DPNS put sleeve sts onto needle, and pick up and knit 3 sts, place marker, pick up and knit 2 sts under the arm to close the gap. working in the round, K 1 round (50 sts on needle)

decrease round: K1, SSK, K to 3 sts before marker, K2tog, K1

K 2 rounds

repeat these 3 rounds 2 times more (44 sts on needle)

K 2 rounds, switch to size 6 US 32" circular needle, and working with MC work in K2, P2 ribbing for 2", bind off loosly.

Finishing:

Weave in ends

Show it off!

I'd love to get feedback on this pattern if it makes sence and if it works for you if you use it. This just happens to be what worked for me. I hope it'll work for someone else as well!