The Knitters Bible4

KNITTING A GARMENT

Order of knitting...

The wntten instructions take you through the construction of a garment piece by piece. Garments are usualły knitted in the same order. back. front and sleeves. and often one piece will contain cross-references to another which has already been knitted. if they are both worked the same. For example. for a front it might say work in rib as given for back. When the mam pieces have been worked. the fmishing is done.The pieces are blocked and the garment is madę up with any other details like neckband. pockets or button bands added.

To fit bust 30/32 [34/36:38/40]in (76/82 [87/92:97/102] cm)

Actual size 36 [40:44]in

(92 [102:112]cm) Length 22'A [23:23^]in (57 [58.5:60]cm) Sleeve length 20!^ [21:21 J4]in (52 [53.5:54.5)cm)

I pair size 3 (3.25mm/UKI0) needles. I pair size 6 (4mm/UK8) needles.

22 sts and 28 rows to 4in (lOcm) measured over stockinette (stocking) stitch on size 6 (4mm/UK8) needles.

Usmg size 3 (3.25mm/UKIO) needles. cast on 101 [113:123] sts. Row I (RS) KI. * pl. ki; rep from • to end.

Row 2 PI.* kl.pl;rep from • to end. Rep these 2 rows until nb measures 2in (5cm) from beg. endmg with a WS row.

Change to size 6 (4mm/UK8) needles and work 10 rows in st st

Reading through a knitting pattem for the first time can seem a bit daunting. There's a lot of information given but it also assumes you know a lot, too. Use this pattem as a guide to knitting a garment, from choosing the yam to sewing it up. This is a pattem for a close-fitting stockinette (stocking) stitch sweater with waist shaping, set in sleeves and a turtleneek. The instructions as they would appear in a knitting pattem are set in boxes, the text below explains what is meant.

Sizes

First decide which size you are gomg to make. The important measurement is the actual size. measured as the finished width under the arm. Different designers add different amounts of ease to the bust/chest measurement. depending on the style of the garment. So look at the actual size rather than the size ranges which are often there only as a guide. Refer to the size diagrams that are a sketch of the finished pieces needed to make up the garment Check that the sleeve and body lengths are right for you. If they are too long or too short make ałterations to the body or sleeve shaping (see page 72). Go through the pattem and underline or highlight all the instructions in the brackets for your size.

Materials

Debbie Bliss Merino DK (100%

Men no Wool - I09yds/I00m per I ³/aoz /50g bali)

10 [ 11:12] x 1³/ioz/50g balls in colour 213 Light Blue

AJways try to use the yam recommended by the designer, espeoalły novelty yams which sometimes have a gauge (tension) all of their own. However. if the spmner discontinues a yam. or it is a standard thickness. then another yam can be substituted (see page 128).

The type of yam used to knit the projects in this book are given in the pattem. together with the yardages and tension. The actual yarn used is given on page 158 with suppliers listed on page 159.

Needles

These are the recommended sizes of needles to use.They will give you the gauge (tension) that the garment has been calculated from.

Gauge (tension)

Work a gauge (tension) square befone you begin knitting (see page 31).

Back

Pattems vary. some have an increase row worked evenly over the last rib row. When the rib is complete. pick up one of the larger needles and knit the stitches off the smaller needle. Remember to discard both the smaller needles when you pick up the other larger needle. If the pattem does not tell you. always start stockinette (stocking) stitch (I row k. I row p) with a knit (right side) row.