Also, could someone recommend a fairly simple cardigan pattern? I’m only really good at knitting and purling (I’m able to do other stitches, it just takes some doing), and I don’t want anything with cables.
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The fiber depends on your preferences. Some people like cotton or acrylic, but I prefer wool or alpaca.
The weight depends on the pattern you choose; some are designed for worsted weight yarns (a common medium weight) while others are designed for sport weight (thinner) or bulky (thicker) yarns.
Do you really want a cardigan pattern, where you’ll have to do button holes?
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall03/PATTsonnet.html The pattern here is a very simple one that can easily be adapted to different yarns. It does require a little bit of math, although the pattern will guide you through it.
If you’d rather do a sweater with no button holes, I suggest one of the following:
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/PATTbanff.html
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall03/PATTbeach.html
http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTtempting.html
And the type of yarn depends on where/when/how you want to wear it.
If you want something warmer for, say, winter, I suggest a wool or wool blend.
If you want something a little lighter or cooler, I suggest a cotton blend or silk blend or bamboo blend.
Generally, sport/Dk weight or worsted weight works well – anything heavier usually ends up making very bulky fabric, and anything thinner ends up making your project take forever because the stitches are so darn small.
I like using Red Heart Worsted (4). It’s pretty easy to work with and doesn’t cost a fortune. If you are new at this kind of thing, you don’t want to spend over $40.00 for yarn. I get my yarn at Wal-mart, the Fabric stores and Micheal’s when it’s on sale. I can make my tried and true cardi for under $10.00. I’m now working on one with double cables that’s taking a lot more time and yarn. I’ve never used the Alpaca or any of the other high end yarns. You can go to Knitting Central or Lion Brand and find all kinds of free patterns. Most simple cardi’s take less than 20 oz. of yarn. But then that also depends on how long you want it and your personal size.
You can use any yarn at all. It’s all up to you. If you like a certain yarn, then use it. But consider all the features of a yarn, and how you intend to care for it. Some yarns look good but don’t wear well, others are harder to clean, and some just sag very badly. So use a good wool or other animal fibre for best results. Silk is beautiful, but tends to be heavy and stretches easily. It would be better when in a blend with some wool.
A cardigan may look best in regular stocking stitch, if you have a really good looking yarn. Texture stitches obscure the yarn qualities. Don’t use too variegated colours as they tend to look messy (to me). Simple is better, in a colour you will wear often.
Google is your friend — us it!! http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/womens_cardigans.php
You should join Ravelry; it is an amazing resource for knitters and crocheters. They have a database of patterns and you can look them up by all the restrictions you want – you can look up cardigan patterns that are free, if you like.
It also has a great yarn database, and can recommend yarns based on what other people have used for that cardigan. But in general, I’d recommend you look at what the pattern calls for, and replace it with something similar. Make sure the replacement yarn has the same weight; the other important factor is its drape.
Wool and some acrylics are sort of ‘scrunchy’ and a bit elastic, and they hold shape well. Other yarns like cotton, rayon, bamboo, some acrylics, and silk tend to be more slinky, not elastic, and they have a nice drape, but they do not hold their shape all that well.
For your first cardigan, going with a cheap and easily available yarn might be a good idea. Try Lion Brand Wool-Ease, or Vanna’s choice – again, just make sure you pick a cardigan pattern that calls for worsted weight yarn (because both of those are worsted weight)./
I just came across this free Berroco pattern. Garter stitch, no buttonholes. It has the added advantage of having a little waist shaping and an easy collar, so it’s simple but still flattering (they’re not synonymous).
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/avocet/avocet_b.html
P.J. Ward
Learn to Design and Knit a Sweater
http://www.KnitSweaterPattern.com
If you’re still a relatively new knitter, you might want to go to a yarn store and have them help you pick out a pattern and yarn. Usually the local shops are also happy to help you along the way if you get stuck with the pattern. They can also help you figure out sizes, gauges, etc. and they can also sometimes help to adapt the pattern if it’s not just right for you. The internet is a great resource, but for a newer knitter, I think having a live person you can sit with can make a big difference.
One person earlier mentioned that you might want to avoid button holes. I don’t necessarily agree, but if you’re nervous, there are plenty of cardigan patterns that don’t require button holes. Or you can simply modify the sweater not to have the buttons.
Before starting on a cardigan, you might want to first teach yourself increases and decreases, as it’s almost certain that your sweater pattern will require them. They’re easy, but learning a new technique on a 4″ swatch might be less intimidating than doing it in the middle of your new sweater. 2 good decreases to know would be:
1. K2Tog (knit 2 together), which creates a right slanting decrease and is something you would use at the end of a row
2. Sl1, K1, PSSO (slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over) which creates a left slanting decrease, and is something you would use at the beginning of a row.
Last tip — if you can find a good pattern, I’d recommend you use aran or worsted weight, and needles not smaller than size 6 or 7. The reason is just that the sweater will knit faster than if you were using smaller needles/thinner yarn. You don’t want to spend a year knitting your first sweater!
Another alternative is to start with a baby or child’s sweater, because they’re small and faster to knit. You’ll always be able to find someone with a child that you can give the sweater to.
One last thing (just because it’s one of my passions). Do not shy away from cables in the future! They’re easy, and keep the knitting interesting while you’re knitting, and can make some beautiful garments.
Good luck with your cardigan!
A worsted weight that is machine washable such as Lion Brand Woolease (only 20% wool and washable) or IF you are allergic to wool then Jiffy worsted weight.
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