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.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

Adding a bit of knitting to your fall decor is a lot of fun, whether it’s knit pumpkins or a bunch of adorable knit ghosts like these.

Knit ghosts can be super simple like this free ghost knitting pattern from Trixie Zynch on Ravelry. Using about 50 yards of worsted weight yarn, they’re worked from the bottom up and are super cute as a pair.

This fuzzy little ghost from Forest Knitting Toys is holding a pumpkin and wearing a witch hat, though of course the accessories are optional, as is the fuzzy yarn. The main yarn is chunky and the ghost measures about 10 cm/4 inches tall. It’s worked in the round.

Another fuzzy ghost in more of a Pacman style is this ghost plushie form South Stitch Girls. It’s worked in the round with bulky yarn and includes a sweet little bow you can make in whatever color you like.

The ghost doll from Edith Grace Designs has little arms and a curl at the top of its head. The body is worked flat using DK weight yarn and you could also work it in glow in the dark yarn for extra fun. The body and head are worked in one piece with the arms knit separately.

The Grim Grinning Ghosts from Susan Claudino are super cute and you can knit them in any yarn and gauge you like to make ghosts of different sizes. These are worked in the round with the body done in one piece and the arms are knit separately. The ghosts shown were knit in sock yarn, DK and worsted weight yarn. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Make a ghost with funny striped legs with this ghost shelf sitter design from Claire Fairall Designs. It’s worked in three colors of DK weight yarn, and the letters spelling out boo are made with strips of garter stitch sewn into shape.

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