2015 Challenge: Finding New Techniques

I've spent 2014 knitting up a storm.  I have gotten pretty darn good at top down raglans, basic top down socks and various shawls.  For 2015 I have decided to choose projects that would incorporate learning new techniques to expand my knitting knowledge.

My first project in 2015 was to design a pull over sweater for my grandson without using a pattern that was full of cables.  My thought was to have a fisherman type sweater for warmth, durability and wash ability for an 8 year old boy who loves to play outside.

I decided to do  a bottom up so I could have more control over the cabling designs.  I used Lion Brand Wool Ease so it could be washable without any shrinkage.

The sizing came out a bit big for him, but if I hang on to it for Christmas, he may grow by then for a perfect fit.

 

 

I started at the bottom, Cast on 200 stitches on size 5 needles. (This ended up being a bit large for his narrow body, but I think it is nice for boys to have roomy sweaters to allow play!)

 

100 stitches for front, and 100 stitches for the back.  2X2 rib for a couple inches.

 

Centering the cable design and separating each design with purl 2, I used honeycomb for the center, surrounded by claw on each side and then surrounded by a chain design on each side of that.

 

Knitting up to the length desired to under arms, I did a stockinette stitch sleeves, casting on 36 stitches increasing 6 stitches on the first row after the 2 x 2 rib, then increasing 2 stitches every 6 rounds.

 

I then added the sleeves to the body and began the raglan decrease to the neck, keeping as best I could to the cable patterns as they decreased.

 

The neck is 2 x 2 rib for about 4 inches, then folded over and sewn down on the inside, to make a double thick collar.

 

 

Cable Patterns:

 

Chain: (7 stitches worked over 8 rows)

 

1) Sl 1 PW, K5, S1 PW

2) Sl 1 PW, K5, S1 PW

3) C3L, K1, C3R

4) Knit

5) K2, S1 PW, K1, S1 PW, K2

6) K2, S1 PW, K1, S1 PW, K2

7) C3R, K1, C3L

8) Knit

 

Claw: (9 stitches worked over 4 rows)

 

1) Knit

2) Knit

3) C4R, K1, C4L

4) Knit

 

Honeycomb: (32 stitches worked over 8 rows)

 

1) C4B, C4F

2) Knit

3) Knit

4) Knit

5) C4F, C4B

6) Knit

7) Knit

8) Knit

 

 

Guide:

Sl 1 PW (slip one stitch Purl Wise)

C3L: (Cable 3 left: slip next stitch onto cable needle and hold in FRONT of work. Knit next 2 stitches from left needle, then knit stitch from cable needle)

C3R: Cable 3 right: slip next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in BACK of work. Knit next  stitch from left needle, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle)

C4R: (Cross 4 Right: slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle and leave at BACK of work, knit next stitch from left needle, then knit 3 stitches from cable needle)

C4L: (Cross 4 Left:  slip next stitch onto cable needle and leave at FRONT of work, knit next 3 stitches from left needle, then knit stitch from cable needle)

C4B: (Cable 4 Back: slip next 2 stitches  onto a cable needle and hold in BACK of work, knit next 2 stitches from left needled, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle)

C4F: (Cable 4 Front: slip next 2 stitches  onto a cable needle and hold in FRONT of work, knit next 2 stitches from left needled, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle)

 

For my first sweater knit without using a pattern, I think it came out pretty good.  Warren loves my hand made sweaters and wears them all the time.  This one, though, is an original and made especially for him!