Knitting: Overview of Sweater Construction, part 1: Shoulder Types
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- Sweaters are fun to make, and many people avoid them thinking they are complicated. Here's a video breaking down a few of the basics of sweater construction, with a special focus on shoulder types, so you can know what you're getting into when a pattern says it has set-in sleeves, raglan seams, all-over or even increases, or a drop shoulder........
Let me know what else you want to see!
Links for things in this video, if I can remember them:
many of my set-in short sleeve sweaters I show off were made from Vintage Knits by Sarah Dallas:
www.amazon.com/Vintage-Knits-...
I'm wearing the STRIPES! sweater by Andrea Mowry:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
We have yarn kits on our online shop:
sun-dragon-art-fiber.shopligh...
Other sweaters I'm working on (that I showed in this video):
Jupiter Crop by Caitlin Hunter
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Favorite Flannel by Alicia Plummer:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Elowen from Ready Set Raglan:
sun-dragon-art-fiber.shopligh...
Goldenfern by Jennifer Steingass:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Fallen Cloud Sweater by Lisa Hannes:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Consider subscribing, suggest videos you want to see below, and check out the Sun Dragon Sideshow, Liz and I are always making fun things:
/ @sundragonsideshow
This is THE best video about how to knit sweaters on the internet, even 2 yrs later. I want to buy a pattern and try to knit one but have been so intimidated because I don't conceptually understand how the pattern works, or which pattern might work best for what I want to do. Now I can actually search for patterns that not only produce a cute finished product (so many do!) but also would be fun and not too difficult for me to knit. Thank you so much for teaching knitting class!
It's all YOUR fault. Second Ranunculus in two weeks. I'm now addicted to sweaters. Thank you, so much!!😊
Your note made me LAUGH!😊
I'm a new knitter and have been looking for something like this for a while. This video is so good - thank you for making it!
"how we can make our sweater accommodate our shoulders" ...it's so simple yet the answer to so many of my questions!
This video is answering all the questions that I couldn't seem to find anyone online addressing for some reason so I really appreciate it thank you!
I would not have been able to knit my Ranunculus without you. Thank you kindly.
You are very welcome, glad I can be of help
So happy to have discovered your sweater construction videos! They are very helpful!
I want to knit my first sweater, and your sweater series is so informative. Thank you!
Tbh this is what i’m looking for!! Very helpful!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
thank you so much !! you make things so clear and fun !
I love how you explain it all easy
Thanks so much. Very informative looking forward to be up coming vlogs. ❤️❤️❤️
WOW. This is so clear and instructive. Thanks
Yea are excellent teacher!
Thank you for this video! Super helpful, especially the part were you showed your own sweaters!
Found your podcasts a few weeks ago and LOVE LOVE LOVE them. This sweater construction and the shawl constructions were so very helpful to help me visualize parts that were a mystery! Thank you! Been watching the Sideshow too and LOVE the New shop! So excited I can shop online with you! Thanks for all you do!
Wonderful! Thanks for watching! ❤️
This was such helpful information. Thank you! I am winging a pieced Tunisian crochet sweater and your explanation of the set in sleeves vs dropped down was sooooo helpful😀
One could do a vest with no sleeves as a baby step. I made a vest bottom up front, top down back all one piece with a neck opening. The back was wider at the shoulders than the front The armholes were square not set in. And I was proud at the end of the project and not sure i could do it at the beginning. I sewed the side seams and it was finished. Note, some might hate that the front and back are knit upside down to each other.
Fantastic video. Easy to understand and will help me when I'm looking at patterns. Really well done.
Suuuuper helpful! I was looking for more info in the drop down sweaters and this was perfect. Also, I found what you said it's true, it's always by experimenting that you see what looks good on you and what you prefer. Thank you for this class!
Fantastic video!!! I wish I would have found this a long time ago, not a lot of people seem to talk about pieces at this level. Keep up the great work, it's much appreciated!
Well done and highly appreciated! I’m glad to have stumbled upon your channel!!! Can’t wait to see your other videos!
Thanks Loren!❤️
I am getting ready to self-draft a knit sweater dress. The way you present this information is so clear and helpful. Thank you so much, this makes me so much more confident about designing my own garment.
I’m so happy you made this video, it’s exactly what I needed to know about sweater construction and drafting to design patterns.
Fantastic! All the best as you work on your patterns, I have so much admiration for those who tackle pattern writing, it is a lot of work and such an art form. I am a dedicated pattern follower and appreciate all the work writers do ❤️❤️❤️
This video was very helpful. I have been confused by various sweater styles and how they are made. Your video brought much clarification. Hope I can knit a sweater some day.
finally I found a video that teaches knitting sweater details t tutorial... thank you so much
Rebecca, I admire the your teaching skills, I often come and do searches to find what you would advise. Thanks for the time you take to help.
Again....BRILLIANT. I don’t make garments but I am loving your teaching style & your knowledge, thankyou for giving us the education to make us better at our craft 💖
Many thanks to your past self for making this video!! Excellent information and presentation. This made SO much sense 😅
I loved this very informative video on sweater construction. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us.
Thanks Shirley, and thanks for watching!
This video was so informative, I’ll save it for future reference. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
You’re welcome :)
You are SUCH a good teacher!!
Thanks Jill! Happy to share the knowledge I’ve acquired ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much! I loved how you used different colors to explain the construction of each sweater. I had so many doubts and your video cleared them out! ❤
Thanks Akemi, glad I could help!
I loved your shawl construction video! It helped me so much to understand the formation of shapes just by increasing at certain points. I am learning how to knit a sweater right now and this will be so helpful. All the best to you 💜🧶
This was an amazing video, thank you! I decided to wing it and make my own sweater based off of one I saw at the store (because I'm broke) and I wasn't quite sure what to do with the shoulders and neckline. Thank you! 💖
Glad I could help!
Very good and informative video! Thank you so much on explaining all the terms!Exactly what I was looking for!!!
Glad it was helpful! ❤️
Wow, this really helped to explain all of the technique types of making sweaters. Thank you so much dear!
So glad I could help! ❤️
Great video!!
Great video, clear explanations
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Very informative, very helpful. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!
A very nice theory video which clarifies different sweater types. Have not seen anything with such nice clear info on this subject. Thank you
So glad it was helpful! And thanks for the comments and feedback, I appreciate it :)❤️
Very useful video very well explained, thank you
You are an amazing lady who is so helpful to me and others. I love your passion for Sweaters and for teaching. Take care and and God Bless.
Oh my gosh I ADORE you! This was so incredibly helpful you have no idea! If only I wasn't so far away in Richmond, I'd definitely be paying your shop a visit!! Maybe someday 🥰
If you ever make a road trip, we’d love to see you! Really glad I could be of help :) ❤️
Super cool explained, thank you a lot ❣️I'm a crocheter, there is not a lot sweater for oversized people. But thanks to your explaining, i will make some pattern.
This is one of the most useful video I’ve ever seen! As English is not my first language (I’m Italian) I have to say you have a real gift for explaining. Thank you so much for your help!! Have a great day 😊❤
I love youuuu... ❤ Thank you for teaching this. 🥰
Loved this video 💕💕💕I am working on my first drop shoulder sweater. 😊Marie
Thanks Marie! Enjoy, I love making sweaters! ❤️
This was very helpful. It is clear I prefer bottom up for the structure and I am going to have to amass a variety of patterns before they go out of fashion completely 😊
Thank you, very clear and easy to understand! As a novice I am going to venture into knitting a sweater!
You can do it! I’m a really big advocate for top-down, either raglan sleeves or all-over increase sweaters for first-timers. Take your time, breathe, and enjoy the process! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Amazing video, thank you!
Very informative!
Hi and thanks SO much for this helpful podcast - I am finally cracking the Ranunculus after finding the pattern very tricky to follow. I will add you to my must watch ! and best wishes
from Ali in Australia
Thanks Ali! Glad I can help ❤️❤️❤️ if you’re on Facebook at all we have a group in the Sun Dragon KAL sharing experiences, questions, and progress :)
Wow you are amazing, thank you so much such a great and clear video❤
You're so welcome!❤️
A lot of information but helpful. I’ve come from the world of crochet and have made Raglan and drop sleeves. For knitting my favorite so far is drop sleeve but I like the boxy oversized fit. It’s also easier for me as a newer knitter to understand. Enjoyed this video ❤️
Thanks Jenna! Yes, I find everyone can like different styles, and that’s why making your own garments can be so rewarding! Have you made crochet drop sleeve tops? Lovely!❤️❤️❤️
Very educational... ...love the striped sweater. TY from Lillington, NC.
Thanks Russell! ❤️❤️❤️ Greetings from Western NC :)
Thank you‼️This video is very helpful.
This video is the best and most necessary beginner-sweater knitting videos ever. Grateful!
I am knitting a sweater in the round also, but I have to finish the sleeves and the band.
Thanks, glad I could be of assistance! ❤️❤️❤️
You can do it! “Sleeve island” can feel like it takes a while, but the end is in sight!❤️
It was an very informative and various about sweater, thanks
Very good what you did! Thank you so much ! Be blessed!
You are so welcome
Fantastic tutorial! well structured. on the point.
Just for your information, I knit a raglan sweater from bottom up. It has many advantages to do so. when you are not happy with the collar, you can easily change it into another type. :) you can even "modify" it larger or smaller easily. :)
Thanks for the info! I’m trying out one of my first bottom-up ones right now. Love all the different ways sweaters can be made :) ❤️
Great tutorial! Thank you.
Thanks Anna Maria! ❤️❤️
Thank you!
My goal is to make my first sweater married. I’ve been a crocheters since I was nine. I am now 68 and I want to nap so I am going to make my first minute sweater and I am going to make my first middle stop and I will right now I like the raglan sweater the best, I’ve had to drop down I don’t really like down. I may drop down Crochet for sweaters I like it I’m sure the meeting will be better in that category but like it I’ve got a piece is it in crocheter I like raglan the best I will keep watching you
I subscribed
Thanks for the help. I'm trying to find some steps for doing neck shaping on a flat front panel of a dropped shoulder sweater
New sub. This is a great overview. I'm saving for future reference.
Thanks! ❤️
I think traditionally most sweaters used the pieced option but the sleeves were raglan. I have been knitting for over 40 years & all my jumpers were knit in the flat, bottom up, with raglan shaping on all pieces. If you look back at aran patterns, which most of my knitting was, they were all raglan once. It is only in the last 20-30 years that more 'squared' shaping was done on the sleeved etc. i think drop shoulders may have come in around the same time, give or take. I was delighted when the more squares set in sleeves & the the dropped shoulder patterns appeared. But nothing could compare to the delight when circular needles came in & I could start knitting in the round but top down & bottom up. So much so that I try as much as possible to do all my knitting in the round even when the pattern calls for 2 straight needles. Thank you for these very interesting videos.
Wow thanks very much. It's Janice from Malta in the Mediterranean ❤
Wow, Greetings from all the way over here! Glad I could help :)
Thank you for sharing
Great video. Thank you 💕🌹
Great explanations!
Thanks! ❤️❤️❤️
One thing. I have always been used to raglan sweaters being knit from the bottom up ( since the sixties ref Norwegian knitting). I think the trend in later years has brought the top down raglan 😊
Thank you for this video
Thanks! Glad you liked it, and appreciate the feedback! ❤️
Thank you!!
You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching! ❤️❤️❤️
After knitting bottom up (in pieces) which was the only way to do, for 30+years. Then came knitting in the round. But you still had to sew the sleeves and shoulders together. Always had UFOs as I dislike sewing up. More recently top-down. Finished my first top down and love it., took me only 2.5 weeks. You dont have to sew pieces together.
thanks v much for all the info
You’re very welcome ❤️
I think pieced sweaters were because the knitters were using traditional paired straight needles. Multi needles to knit in the round would have been heavy to handle. When connected needles came about knitters were able to knit in the round on a larger scale with ease of handling, this transformed construction options.
Desde
España muchísimas gracias por tu ayuda,he sido capaz de tejerme el RENUNCULUS
Great video thank you ❤ Can Raglan style be done completely piece by piece? I knit in the round but just bought a vintage knitting machine… and so will be knitting piece by piece sweaters. So daunting but I’m sure it’s not so bad haha!
Hi there! Apologies for the late reply :) Raglan sweaters can totally be done piece by piece and seamed later, with edges along the raglan seams. One of my first sweaters I knit was from a Leisure Arts pattern book knit flat and seamed along the diagonal seams. It involves knowing where the decreases or increases go, but you want diagonal seams on sleeves and front and back pieces at the top ❤️
You are an awesome teacher. Do you teach knitting classes in your shop?
Thank you so much. I look forward to more sweater building instructions.
Take care.
Hi Dee- we do teach at the shop, that’s how this channel came to be!
I just ❤love you !
Please show how to make the stripes sweater that you wear with all the increase in the knitting no seams
THANK YOU
Hi Luisa, I used this pattern by Andrea Mowry:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stripes-32
@@SunDragonTipsTricks
THANKS SO MUCH
Very helpful, Thank you. I took a class's 2.5 years ago after my husband passed away. I missed 1 class and got behind. Then the holidays came. I was sick....covid hit...no meeting with people...so here my sweater sits. I have the neck done, shoulders and not sure where to go. In all I'm stuck. I would like to finish it. Someday.
Hi Teresa, you can do it! What kind of sweater is it, do you have a pattern, or was instruction all in-class? Sometimes I can do virtual lessons, though it is harder now that the shop is pretty much back to regular hours………. Holding you in the Light with so many things happening ❤️❤️❤️
@@SunDragonTipsTricks Thank you, I have the pattern and my notes are written out. Just not sure where to go. I thank you for replying to me. The pattern is the Cullen Tee. By Quincy & Co
I'm very sorry about your husband. Don't feel bad about your sweater, I have one that I started 16 years ago and it's still on the circular needles! I think it's a bottom up raglan, but I'm not even sure at this point. Back then there was an amazing shop right near my house and I could take lessons, go in for tips and help, but no more. There's nothing like that where I now live, but maybe with tutorials like this one I'll eventually be able to figure it out😀
Hello, I love knitting and I’m looking foor a ajour pattern. I saw the grey shirt you shown and I love that pattern. Can you tell me how that’s made? Thanks
Hi, if it’s the one with the lacework in it, that one was knitted in pieces and seamed- it is from a book, here is the link, which is also in the description of this video:
many of my set-in short sleeve sweaters I show off were made from Vintage Knits by Sarah Dallas:
www.amazon.com/Vintage-Knits-Exquisite-Vintage-Inspired-Cardigans/dp/0743224566/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=vintage+knits&qid=1618869217&sr=8-15
👍❤
Nice video! What shoulder shaping is the best for a big bust?
Hi Anine- apologies for the delayed reply, that's a good question I'm not sure I have a targeted answer on- sometimes some bust darts, increases and decreases can help out with big busts regardless of shoulder shaping. My "girls" are of decent proportion, and I find most shoulder shapes are ok, raglan, all over increases especially. Drop shoulder lends itself to a wider torso, which while it might be good for the girls, may make the sweater too wide further down. A lot can depend on the thickness of the yarn you are using too. It may take some trial and error to find what you like best ❤️
I am starting my first sweater. This is helpful but I need help with the Joji long summer cardigan the upper rear shoulder starts in two separate parts, leafy and right…do you have a vide to help with that
Hi Dianne- I don’t have videos on specific patterns, if it’s top-down you may be doing separate sections and joining later? There are also knit groups on Facebook that could be helpful, such as Knit n Chat …… I have done Zoom lessons for $15 a session, but it can be hard to find time for those with my shop back open again…..
This is really helpful. Thank you so much! My question refers to finding a pattern with a specific shoulder that you want to work. In searching for patterns, they don't list what kind of shoulder it is. Maybe you can tell from the picture, but otherwise, how can you tell by looking at a pattern?
Hi Lori- sometimes looking at the picture is the only way to give it your best guess- if you’re searching on Ravelry, a pattern writer may include it in their description, or you can search in the filters: Attributes:Design elements: Sleeve. Some of the choices are about sleeve length, but boxes for Cap, Raglan, Drop, saddle shoulder, set in, all refer to how the sleeve fits into the rest of the sweater (the shoulder)
Are there dpn longer for sweaters? I prefer them for socks over circular. I'm knitting my first sweater and I found some ciculars that I like. I was just curious since I would totally try a fingering sweater on longer dpns. 7 in is the longest I hace seen.
We sell Prym Ergonomic ones in the shop that are 8” (they are not available in all sizes), and I know I can order wooden ones that are 10 or 12” long for Christmas stockings.
I’m knitting sleeves in the round bottom to top. I’ve never done this before. How will I shape the shoulder part to fit?
Hi there! Thanks for the question- these videos are meant to help you understand patterns when you read them, I’m not an expert in creating one from scratch as your questions implies you may be doing. In addition, how sleeves fit in can depend greatly on how the body of your sweater is shaped as well, and the shoulders. My best advice is to try to find a pattern that is similar to what you want to do and use that as a guide. It may take some trial and error along the way. Hope it goes well, enjoy the adventure!❤️
Never knotted top down and done lots of Raglan it very old style and maybe these days its top down but has not alway been
It's true, there are many methods for raglan, including pieced and seamed :)
This was an excellent video. As someone who learned to knit sweaters online during the pandemic, I wish I saw this sooner. So many lessons to learn on fit and construction. When I started knitting sweaters, I only wanted to knit in the round. I did end up making some drop shoulder sweaters, but that also made me less intimidated of flat sweater construction.
You showed a beautiful collection of sweaters. The sweater at 19:00 is very interesting. It looks like color work, but the sleeves look set in. Did you knit colorwork flat?
Hi Enig- that sweater was from a Vintage Knits book, I knit it a long time ago, I believe I must have knit the front and back flat. It's a bit more challenging to do colorwork flat, but not impossible :)
@@SunDragonTipsTricks I can imagine how challenging it would be. Thanks again for your great tutorials. I have knit several sweaters over the past year with differing constructions styles and your series really was the a-ha! moment. As you said, it will help knitters not be too intimidated when following an unfamiliar pattern.
Hi Rebecca, I'm new to your channel and just commented below. I read that you sometimes give virtual lessons, although you are busier with your shop again - a good thing!
I have two projects started 16 years ago (yes!) and never completed. Maybe we could work something out?
Happy to help if I can, though it’s pretty hard to find time now…… for the most part Mondays are my only day with some level of availability, and that changes week to week! If you can email me we could see if something is possible- rebecca@sundragonartandfiber.com
I have a question, how do you calculate the motifs for a yoke? What I mean is how many motifs can go around the yoke. Thanks!
Hi Lu- there are a lot of variables in that question that are unknowns. It depends on where you are placing them (before or after increases, or between them), how many stitches the motifs are, and how many stitches your yoke is. In other words, there’s a lot of math. That’s one of the reasons I love a good pattern with the motifs already worked in, that pattern writer has done a lot of work. The simplest answer, if you are in a section with no increases, is take the total number of stitches (say 100) and divide by the number of stitches in the motif (20 stitches, 5 motifs). If the division is not clean (say 12 stitches, so 8 with 4 stitches left over), spread out the extra stitches (1 extra stitch every other motif?) or maybe put them over the sleeves? Hope that helps. There may be resources out there online if you search. ❤️
Could you talk about calculation for sweaters ?
Hi Johana- do you mean how to calculate gauge or size? I definitely am not a master of making a sweater from scratch, I always follow a pattern even though I’m very familiar with the mechanics of a sweater. I have another video on “magic math” that may help if you have a different gauge than the sweater calls for. ❤️
Hi so with dropped shoulders no back neck shaping?
It really depends on the pattern and the look you are going for- some may still have shaping on either the back to raise it up, or the front to lower it down, it depends on how you like your neck to lie. Sometimes if the neck opening is wide enough, it isn’t needed….
I would like to know increas in raglan top sleaves
That can vary greatly depending on the size you are making and the stitch count- many basic raglan increases are 1 round of increasing before and after the stitch markers all the way around, and one row “setting” the increases in place by just knitting. I recommend finding a good pattern to try this out, such as the Flax by Tin Can Knits.
I really want to see collar construction.
I have another video in this series talking about some basic concepts of collar construction which might help?
I’m struggling with managing holes under the arms for picking up stitches for sleeves 😟
Here is what I do:
Knitting: Sewing holes in underarms, heel joins, mitten thumbs, and more
czcams.com/video/4u0oT0TQPXI/video.html
Can a drop shoulder be knit in the round and then steeked? Just ordered your book and can’t wait.
My book? I haven’t published anything :) I bet the drop shoulder in the round steeked at the armholes would work- I don’t have as much experience with steeking, though it works best with 100% non-superwash wool or other animal fibers.
@@SunDragonTipsTricks the Ready Set Raglan book.
Ah, that is published by PomPom Publishing in the UK, we do carry it in our shop, and I am indeed making a sweater out of it, though I can’t claim credit for writing it :) . I consider it a great reference/starter for raglan-seam top-down sweaters :) ❤️
Which is the left side of sweater in construction?
Hi Charlene- usually when a pattern writer refers to the left side they mean the left side when it is worn, which can sometimes be on the right when you are knitting it. I often hold a piece up to myself or someone else to wrap my brain around that when knitting :)
Hello beautiful work, can you please help me with this pattern on lottie&posie sweet heart cardigan( in pink), I like to make it for 7year old girl please please really appreciate it
Hi Shamree I don’t know that pattern and I’m not able to do virtual lessons at this point, not sure how I can help :/ 🤷♀️
@@SunDragonTipsTricks thank you for your response, it's a gift for little girl who love this , and I can't figure out how to make , if you know who can help me with this pattern I really appreciate it thank you.