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A Few Simple Sweaters for Gift Knitting

November 28, 2017 by Sarah White

easy sweaters you still have time to knit for the holidays

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) 30(ish)days of gift knitting

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

 

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Fun Tank Top Knitting Patterns

It seems like every summer there’s a new crop of tank top knitting patterns, and what I noticed about a lot of the new releases this year is that they have fun little details that make them a little more interesting both to knit and to wear. 

Like the Sailoress Top from Joji Locatelli, which has a pretty cable worked up the center from and back, with shorter sections of cable work on the shoulders. It uses DK weight yarn and comes in 10 sizes up to a bust circumference of 72 inches/ 158 cm. You can find the pattern on Ravelry. 

Combine lace and cables in an allover pattern on the Mountain Laurel Top from Andrea Gaughan. This sport weight pattern is worked from the bottom up in the count and has 10 sizes. It’s available on Ravelry.

The Vienna Textured Tank Top by Sarah Hatton has wide ribs broken up by eyelets. There’s very little shaping so it’s a pretty easy knit worked in fingering weight yarn. There are nine sizes available and it’s a free download on Ravelry.

Make a tank with a boho vibe perfect for festival season with Mary Beth Temple’s Tropical Sunset Tank Top. Worked in worsted weight cotton yarn, it’s knit from the bottom up in pieces to make it more stable. The coloring changing yarn is perfect for this one, or you can make it solid or work in your own stripes. You can get the XS size free on her blog, and other sizes are available on Ravelry.

Looking for a cropped lacy V-neck top to knit for summer? Jessie Maed Designs has the Sundae Swirl Tank, worked in DK weight yarn in the round with a fun combination of lace and cables. The ribbing under the arms helps give it a great fit. There are six sizes up to a chest measurement of 62 inches/157.5 cm. You can find this one on Ravelry.

How about a tank top with buttons? The Ridge Tank Button Down from Bluebird Pine Shop could double as a vest in cooler weather. This one is made with light fingering weight yarn and comes in 10 sizes. Grab a copy on Ravelry.

An otherwise simple top can be made a little more interesting with the addition of a fun edging, like on Sarah Opie’s Seashell Tank. Worked in fingering weight yarn, it has a whopping 24 sizes and lots of customization options for making it fit the way you want. The edging is crocheted. Learn more on Ravelry.

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