A Few Simple Sweaters for Gift Knitting

When it comes to gift knitting, sweaters can be a bit intimidating. But don’t let that stop you from creating a beautiful and thoughtful gift for someone special. There are plenty of simple sweater patterns out there that are perfect for gift knitting, even if you’re short on time.

One example is Nutmeg, a free pattern from Jennifer Stark. This pattern is worked in bulky yarn, making it a fast knit. The simple instructions and the luscious alpaca yarn used in the sample combine for a lovely, quick knitting experience. This sweater is perfect for those cold winter days and will be sure to keep your loved ones warm and cozy.

Another great option is the Simple Garter Stitch Pullover, a free pattern from Purl Soho. This sweater is worked in a worsted weight yarn and features a classic design that is timeless and versatile. The garter stitch makes it easy to knit, even for beginners.

If you start today, or, you know, soon, you still have time to knit a sweater for a (very) special someone for the holidays. I know I knit Nutmeg, a free pattern from Jennifer Stark, in just a couple of days a few years back. Bulky yarn, simple instructions and the luscious alpaca yarn I used combined for a lovely, quick knitting experience.

The rest of these I haven’t knit but they look relatively straightforward and quick to work up:

Jordana Jacobs’ Essential Sweater is another bulky beauty (the pattern costs $6.50, or dig out the 2010 easy issue of Knitscene)
I’ve always wanted to knit the Garter Stitch Swingy Sweater from Feminasina, but it’s more of a recipe than a pattern, so beware if you don’t have time for math right now
Jennifer Stark has another great looking simple sweater called the Super Birthday Sweater that would be great for other gifting occasions as well
Nati by Lucy Hulett is a super-bulky beauty that’s perfect for new knitters and will run you not quite $5 American (£3.50)
I don’t know if I buy it, but this vintage sweater pattern claims to only take three hours
And if you have access to the book Speed Knitting, the Cap-Sleeved Summer Sweater is a great choice (I think it’s the only pattern I copied before I gave this book away)

Do you have a favorite quick-knitting sweater pattern? I’d love to hear about it.

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When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

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