It’s always fun to knit with other people, so we are hosting a knitting social. This time around we’re making the 8,000 Feet Hoodie from Interweave Knits Weekend.
Last week, I talked about my yarn choices for the colorwork in the hoodie and did my gauge swatches. This week it’s time to choose my size and start knitting.
I’m knitting the size 43. So, how did I come to that decision? It’s pretty easy. I just measured the widest part of my chest and then added the amount of ease I wanted. My chest measures about 39.5 inches. I want this sweater to fit loosely enough to wear over a t-shirt as a light jacket, so I want a positive ease, meaning I want it to be bigger than my measurement. The size 43 will give me about 3.5 inches of ease. This is almost the same amount of ease as shown on the model in the magazine.
With the size chosen, it’s time to cast on and start knitting. You are knitting from the neck down on this sweater, so you’ll be placing marker to set up the raglan stitches which create the shaping at the yoke of your sweater. Then you’ll be doing an increase on either side of each marker. The increase you are using is called a Make 1 (M1) and can be done either Left or Right. A M1R is done on one side of the marker and and M1L is done on the other to create a really neat looking raglan.
Now, I always have a hard time remembering from project to project which way M1R goes and which way M1L goes. So, I keep a little cheat sheet or just write a note on my pattern that says,
M1R – pick up back to front, k in front
M1L – Pick up front to back, k in back
The Knitting Daily Glossary is a great resource when you need a refresher on how to do a technique. It’s important to make sure you do your M1s in the right order, so pay attention while you are knitting these.
Just one other note, for some reason the abbreviation sl m in this pattern threw me. It took a few minutes to realize it’s just slip the marker, duh!
Next, I’ll be doing the cable cast on to add more stitches to the front of the sweater and shaping the raglan.
I know a few of you have written to say you are going to be knitting this sweater with us. Have you purchased you yarn yet? We’d love to see what you chose, especially for the colorwork. Have you started knitting yet, any problems so far? Please share your photos with us in the Flickr group. If you haven’t started yet, don’t worry, we’d love to have you jump in anytime.
I haven’t bought yarn yet. I have to wait until I have finished my current sweater, Oranje!
I am racing up the second sleeve of my sweater so I can join you! (I won’t buy the yarn until I’m done. )
Yarn should arrive at my house shortly. Will keep you posted – and hope you are prepared for my dumb questions ( learnt knitting in German and some abreviations are just beyond me, sorry…)
I ordered my yarn the other night. I had a heck of time picking the colors for the colorwork because I didn’t want to go so bright. I should be getting the yarn soon and hopefully be able to start next week. With what you’ve posted here, it seems so challenging. I’m sure I’ll be asking a lot of questions!
Can’t believe I have yarn on the way. Good thing you live so close, I am sure I will have lots of questions.