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Knitting a Sweater from the Top Down

7/14/2017

11 Comments

 
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Knitting a sweater from the top or collar down unfolds like a puzzle.  The work is done in one piece with only one seam on each sleeve.  The raglan sleeves come out neatly aligned.  The sleeves are knit from the yolk and fit in naturally at the shoulder .  The length of the sleeves is easily adjusted just above the cuff.  Lo and behold! The sweater comes together when the front pieces and the back are joined together and knit as one.  In a final step a border is added by picking up stitches from the bottom of one side up and across the neck and down the the opposite edge.This sweater presented a challenge, and I am so pleased that I met my goal.

After a couple of months of crochet, I decided to take on knitting again.  My mission was two-fold. I wanted to tackle the top down sweater from Ann Norland's pattern in my personal yarn pattern library. (Kid's Basic Top Down Raglan). 

Secondly I wanted to incorporate two skeins of self-striping white, pink, and gray  Sweet Roll into my project.  The sweater will be for my granddaughter, but she will not be able to wear it for several months.
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Ann Norling patterns are usually purchased in specialty yarn shops. I bought mine at the Yarn Barn in Woodbridge, Connecticut. A special feature of this pattern and many others by the designer is that she offers several designs and several sizes while showing the knitting how to adjust stitches and rows for different yarn weights.  With my pattern I could construct, both a v neck and round neck cardigan as well as a v neck and round neck sweater.  The same pattern also showed me how to knit from Dk to bulky yarn.  The yarn for my project was worsted that required size 7 and size 9 needles.  The stitch gauge called for 4..5 stitches to the inch.  While many of Ann Norland's patterns are listed on Ravelry, there does nor seem to be an easy way to access the actual pattern.  The project will work with any top down sweater pattern for worsted weight yarn.  This was the pattern that I had on hand.
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I started my sweater at the collar and yoke by pulling out the pink strand from the center of my Sweet Roll cake.  The pink came to an end, and to complete the yoke I knit one large stripe of white, followed by a band of gray.  Then the  directions called for me to put most of the sweater on spare needles or yarn holders. As I began knitting the first sleeve, the color change to that luscious pink came right the point where the upper part the sleeve starts..  Remember, since this is a top down project, the knitter knits the sleeve at its widest  at the under arm point. I was able to knit in pink all the way down to the cuff where I naturally made the change to white.  I shortened the sleeve length by 3/4 inch because I find that knitted sleeves are much to long for the children in my family.  With this change, I was able to start the white right where I began the ribbing for the cuff.
When I began the second sleeve, I had a decision to make.  If I used the yarns as they came off the cake, the second sleeve would not match the first. The colors were revealing themselves. but where they would stop and start on the sweater remained a potential mystery.   I did not even know where the colors would appear on the body.  My other option was to cut into the yarn so that the second sleeve would have the same length of pink as the first.  Then I could adjust the yarn at the cuff. I had already knitted a traditional cardigan with self-striping yarn in shades of white to light and dark gray.  I let the colors fall naturally, and I ended up with an interesting, but quirky piece.  Therefore, I chose the symmetrical path this time.  I would lose the feature of the yarn that did not require joining, but I would gain control over the color placement. 
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The controlled approach yielded a sweater in which the stripes matched at key points. I adore the kitty cat buttons in pink and gray on a white background.   With some more cutting and  joining I had enough yarn for a hat. I could still make a matching  headband/ ear warmer with a flower  for days when it might be too warm for the hat.  Anyway, you be the judge.  Self-striping yarn is for knitters, too.  I look forward to the time that my granddaughter is big enough to wear my creation.  I know that I will try my hand at other knitted pieces in self-striping yarn.  As a knitter, how do you treat self-striping yarns?  What are your strategies.  Please share your comments and photos.
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11 Comments
Deborah Bradley link
7/17/2017 02:18:39 pm

Really nice. Like to have pattern on

Reply
Jean clarke link
11/13/2017 07:06:00 am

Would love this pattern and wool but don't think we have it over here but it looks lovely

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Heather Goddard
7/20/2017 02:45:42 pm

Would love this pattern please

Reply
Heather Goddard
7/20/2017 08:11:08 pm

I could not find an Ann Norland top down cardi pattern for purchase on line. I purchased my several years ago from a local specialty yarn shop. However with a little searching on Pinterest I found two slightly different but workable options. The first sweater has a looser sleeve, a wider rib, and a one large button closure. The pattern is $6 and can be found at The Brown Stitch- knitting patterns by Elizabeth Smith.

The second option is a free loose fitting cardigan.
Http://blog.nobleknits.com/blog/10/27/lulea-cardigan-free-knitting-pattern.

If neither of these works for you ,trying searching Ravelry's data base.

Reply
rushessay reviews link
10/31/2017 06:55:58 pm

I adore your knitted sweater! I wish I have knitting and sewing skills. I'm really jealous whenever I see a hand-made sweater or dress. I already tried to learn from online video tutorials and I learned that knitting is not for me. I have a little sister and I really want to give her a small gift. And my ideal gift for her is a knitted sweater with pink motif and accessories. I'm sure that she will like it, but I don't how to sew and knit clothes and that makes me sad.

Joyce
8/26/2017 03:13:25 pm

Ilike this cardi.Can i have this pattern

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Joyce
8/27/2017 03:46:26 am

My original source was a printed Ann Norland pamphlet from a specialty shop. I could not find it on line. However I did some research for another reader and found 2 slightly different, but workable options on Pinterest.
The first sweater has a looser sleeve, wider rib, and a one button closure. It costs 6 $ and is available from The Brown Stitch Knitting Patterns by Elizabeth Smith.
The second option is a free loose fitting cardigan http://blog.nobleknits.cm/blog/10/27/lullaby-cardigan-free-knitting-pattern
If neither of these works for you search for child's top down knitted cardigan on google or on the Ravelry data base.

Good lock.

Lillian

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Gemma
8/28/2017 12:11:35 pm

The stripes have come out really great, it looks just like you've changed colours on a row! I've used a self- striping yarn before too, West Yorkshire Spinners Country Birds in Pheasant, and the stripes for that came through beautifully too. Your Granddaughter will look adorable in this!

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Gemma
8/30/2017 01:56:33 pm

The top town strategy made it easy to be precise. After I knitted the first side, I cut and joined to make the sweater body and the sleeves the same. Thanks for the positive feedback

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joyce genovese
9/5/2017 12:45:36 pm

I like to knit this nice garment

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Cynna Gordon | thentherewasfour link
11/17/2017 12:18:20 pm

Oh how adorable! I would love to make my newborn son one.

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