It's a start

The most common question I think I'm asked when people see me knitting is "how long does it take you to knit a sweater?" Easy enough question, however there's no simple answer. Not because a sweater is difficult to knit, but there are a lot of underlying factors to knitting a sweater. With this blog, I'm hoping to enlighten anyone brave enough to venture in here.

I've recently cast on (for you novices that's starting) a sweater for my daughter. I'm going to give you all the information that I use when knitting a sweater, from yarn, to kneedles (yes, I know that's misspelled. I just happen to like it.), the pattern used, and what changes/adjustments I've made to the pattern.

Yep, I'll even add pictures.

So here goes.....

The pattern:  Jess' Birthday Sweater
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash, color is called Shire. I have 6 balls. This should be plenty, with leftover to knit a hat.
Needles: US 6, and US 8. I'm using circulars, the US 6 is 32 inches long and I've using it Magic Loop style. The US 8 is 24 inches. I will probably have to go to dpns for the sleeves or buy a longer circular. Hmmm, that's a thought!

Cast On date: Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012.

Changes to the pattern:

Instead of regular ribbing of (k2, p2), I've done twisted the knit stitches in the ribbing only. Also because my daughter is rather petite, I shortened the ribbing from 4" to 3". For the st st sides, I've added cables, in doing this I won't have to decrease stitches for shaping, and it will allow room for her wear this sweater with layers. I've also added two stitches to the pattern, these are faux seam stitches on each side of the sweater. They will continue on the sleeves. In my eye, this makes a cleaner edge on the sweater especially since it's knit in the round.

Here's what my chart looks like, you can  this is where I make most of my notes. Notes go on here, because this is what I look at most. 

This is how far I've gotten on the sweater thus far (that is Friday 10/19/12)