Ready for a cozy little project? Let's talk about making a knit off-the-shoulder sweater! This guide is all about showing you how to make a stylish sweater that's not just warm but also shows off a bit of flair. We'll walk through the basics, from choosing your yarn to knitting it all together.
Knit Off The Shoulder Sweater Tutorial
Material:
- Yarn
- Knitting Needles
- Stitch Markers
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
- Measuring Tape
- Scrap Yarn or Stitch Holders
- Gauge Swatch Materials
- Blocking Supplies (Optional)
Gauge Swatch
- Create a gauge swatch according to your yarn label. To achieve a 4x4 inch square, the example used 21 stitches by 27 rows.
Bust Measurement & Calculating Stitches
- Measure above your bust and subtract 2 inches to account for 'negative ease,' allowing the sweater to stay on your body when worn off the shoulder.
- Use the equation to calculate your stitch count.
- Example: The bust measurement was 38.5 inches; after subtracting 2 inches, it became 36.5 inches. Round it to the nearest even number, so you'd start with 190 stitches.
Neckline to Armpit Length
- Decide the length between your neckline and armpit to your preference. The example used 5 rows.
Arm Measurement & Calculating Stitches for Sleeves
- Measure your upper arm circumference, add two inches for a loose fit, and use the same equation to calculate the number of stitches for the sleeves.
- Example: The arm circumference was 9.5 inches; for a looser fit, you add 2 inches, making it 11.5 inches. Calculate the stitch count for the sleeve and make sure it is an even number.
Creating the Sweater Top
- Transfer 30 stitches to a tapestry needle with scrap yarn.
- Cast on an additional 30 stitches, making a total of 60 stitches for one sleeve.
Positioning the Armholes
- To position the second armhole, subtract the total number of stitches for both armholes from the initial body stitch count.
- Divide that number by 2, which gives 35 stitches for each side.
Separating for Sleeves
- Knit the required number of stitches (e.g., 35 stitches from the previous step), then transfer 30 stitches onto scrap yarn and cast on an additional 30 stitches. Repeat for the other sleeve.
Knitting the Body
- Continue knitting in the round to your desired body length.
- Leave an extra 3 to 4 inches for the ribbed hem portion.
- Finish the body with your ribbing method of choice (e.g., a 2x2 rib stitch).
Completing the Sleeves
- Pick up the 60 stitches (30 casted on plus 30 from scrap yarn) for one sleeve.
- Knit in the round to your desired sleeve length, leaving an extra 4 to 5 inches for the ribbed hem.
Finishing Touches
- For the neckline, pick up the initial body stitch count (e.g., 190 stitches) with a 24-inch circular needle and knit the rib stitch folded neckline.
- Cast off with an elastic cast-off method to ensure ease of movement.
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