#top down knitting

[chocoholicannanymous]

I absolutely love knitting top down in the round. First, there's no row upon row of only purling. Second, there's no grafting. Sleeves? Just leave the stitches resting on a cable until the body's done and then pick up where you left. No seems, no hassle. Looks good too.

[chocoholicannanymous]

I've finished increasing for the shoulders and have divided up arms and torso. Looking good on getting finished in time.

[lphaneuf]

[professorpski]

Projects and Principles from The Top Down

As a new knitter, I appreciate books that combine project patterns and knitting principles. I like to learn why I am being asked to do what a pattern calls for. And as my first--and so far only--sweater was from the bottom up, I like the idea of skipping seaming for the moment. Also, I love those little bobbles on the cover.

This book by Cathy Carron offers over 2 dozen women’s sweater patterns, plus an introduction about the principles of top-down patterns and a conclusion that offers basic patterns for you to take as the starting point for designing your own sweaters. You see here one of the more sophisticated evening sweaters and one of the easier bulky cardigans, plus some small pictures of how Carron explains features like adding a variety of collars, or shaping as you go. Since I have always messed about with sewing patterns, the idea of doing the same with knitting patterns has appeal.

This is one of the knitting books I found in my public library and then decided to buy for myself.

You can find copies online, like here: https://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Sweaters-Top-Down-Fabulous/dp/1579908586/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=carron%2C+cathy&qid=1556647675&s=books&sr=1-9

[aliceinknittingland]

Did you know I designed and made some teeny Christmas sweaters for the teeny Yorkshire terriers of someone a bit famous a Christmas or two ago?

Yup. Bonkers, huh ?

If you'd like a stab at them, the pattern's here 😊

[aliceinknittingland]

Beauteous Boot Socks Knitting pattern by Alice Neal

Gorgeous woollen socks, perfect length for under boots, over jeans, lazy weekend mornings....Knit to your size, following instructions enclo

I have 4 pairs of my own... I struggle to give them away 😉

[aliceinknittingland]

From this...

To this 😊

[aliceinknittingland]

Early morning light.

Back to work today, and lots to catch up on to keep the beards of the world beautiful (a story for another day?) I was very strict with myself this year. Self-employment / running your own business means you can never really walk away and leave it, but the one sacrosanct time of the year - just for me and my family - is Christmas to New Year.

I have so missed knitting, and wanted to feel I'd achieved something in that short time, so I began the simple chunky roll-neck I'd been hankering after. I had 6 balls of wool. I played yarn chicken. I ran out 4 inches from the end of the second sleeve 😭

So, while waiting for a yarn delivery, and before work began again officially, I started this little side project - a stripy sweater for Teddy. He's 8 so it's smaller and quicker.

Guess what I'll be doing after work... 😉