Unlock the Secrets of Sweater Sizing with the Rose Thrift Knitalong

One of the potential problems with knitting garments that can keep people from wanting to knit them is that they have to fit your body. Not only do you have be aware of what your actual measurements are, which can be hard for some people to face, you also have to make sure you’re getting the right gauge and knitting the right size so that the finished garment will actually fit.

If you’re having trouble wrapping your head around how you might figure out the right size to knit for you or how to alter a pattern to make it fit the best for you, check out the Rose Thrift Cardigan knitalong guidance from Plymouth Yarn Magazine.

This cardigan (you can buy the pattern on Ravelry for $5) is interesting because the back is worked in a lace pattern that has a 12-stitch repeat. That means each change in size is an increase in 3 inches in width on the back and about 6 inches on the front.

If you don’t need all that extra width, you can work different parts of the sweater in different sizes that will fit your body better. The blog post goes through how to think about which parts should be worked in which size, how to swatch in lace, tips for other ideas for altering the pattern and more.

Even if you don’t knit this particular pattern, this post provides lots of great advice for how to think about sweater knitting, sizing and alteration that will no doubt be helpful in the future.

[Photo: Plymouth Yarn Magazine.]

Looking for more knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

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The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check out more knit slipper options in this post all about sailor slippers) and they’re still consistently popular with knitters.

Which makes sense because they are fun and fast to knit, and seeing them go from this giant thing to something that actually fits a foot feels a little magical.

I have always loved felting (in fact my first book was about felting knitting) and it’s always fun for me to see people rediscover this technique.

If you’ve knit enough plain slippers to fit all the feet you know, maybe it’s time to stitch up some tabi style slippers instead.

Maymade Knits has designed these cute tabi ballerina slippers, made with bulky yarn and felted. They’re worked flat at first and then in rounds, and are available in 10 EU sizes (the Internet tells me add 31 to your American shoe size to get your EU size). The designer says the slippers are meant to have a close fit and you should choose a size a little smaller than your foot for the ideal fit.

The pattern includes a video tutorial along with the written pattern.

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry. The same designer has her own version of the striped felted slipper as well, called Sarah’s Striped Slippers. These are worked in super bulky yarn and have a contrasting foot and a striped body. These are knit flat and seamed and there are 7 size options available. Check that pattern out here if you’re looking for a more traditional slipper shape. They also look roomier so you can wear them with socks if you like.

[Photo: Maymade Knits]

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