15 Comments
User's avatar
Debbie Meredith's avatar

I've never knitted a jumper top down. I'm interested in your thoughts on how easy it is compared to the old way of knitting flat from bottom up? Wouldn't mind trying top down for a change.

Expand full comment
Louise Tilbrook ✨'s avatar

I like the fact that you can try it on as you go to adjust length. As a long-bodied person with long arms I often find I need to add extra length as I go and doing it this way round really helps.

Expand full comment
Debbie Meredith's avatar

Thank you for this. Sounds like a great idea, I think I'll give this method a try when I knit my next jumper. I do socks toe up for the same reason, so I can adjust the height of the leg accordingly.

Expand full comment
Linda Teadragon's avatar

Another sweater enthusiast here! I'm currently knitting 'Udal' which is a Kate Davies design for The Birlinn Yarn Company based in Berneray in the Western Isles in Scotland. Meg Rodger brings together the fleece from her own and fellow crofters and makes the most gorgeous yarn.

Expand full comment
Ester Schiphorst's avatar

I’ve been knitting and crocheting from an early age and I don’t like patterns at all. I knit or crochet them the old fashioned way bottom up . And often use the one I love at the moment to remake. I liked to create my own fair isle or intarsia myself. It always has been my way of expressing myself.

Expand full comment
Elaine Hall's avatar

About to get‘this is not a sweatshirt’ from Knitting for Olive on my needles though I expect two strands to be very tricky.

Expand full comment
June Girvin's avatar

Honestly, two strands is fine.

Expand full comment
Sandra Paul's avatar

I seem to be a little obsessed with knitting jumpers at the moment and am currently just finishing the body on the Peak Sweater and next I’ll be on to a Ranunculus! The Field Sweater looks absolutely stunning in the two colours. I hate knitting colour work though as I’m so bad at it, but I always see things that tempt me to try again!

Expand full comment
Amy's avatar

I love knitting sweaters! I'm a fan of the PetiteKnit Oslo in particular, though this year my plan is to frog an old jumper and reuse the yarn to knit the My Favourite Things sweater no. 18, which is a textured sweater in the style of a traditional Aran. I would also like to knit a cable knit Aran sweater, I've knit 2 of them and never quite nailed the fit (though both are wearable and have their place in my wardrobe) so I'd like to try a third time. Oh! And a Riddari or similar Icelandic colourwork is on my list. I made the Petite Knitter Woodfolk last year and love that sweater, but I could do with something warmer and thicker! So many sweaters, so little time! 😂

Expand full comment
Kavitha's avatar

Those are some excellent resources and those are my absolute favorites too. I have knit one Granito and have had weekender in my queue forever and a day now. Your idea of a sweater stack is so appealing but I don't have satisfying armload of hand knits yet. (: So thrilled to find Niyat among your other faves, thank you.

Expand full comment
Emily Conway's avatar

I am also a "top down" person. I love these links and suggestions. Just need more time to knit! Thanks Louise.

Expand full comment
June Girvin's avatar

I love the Field sweater, and the sea glass. I'm planning a Kate Davies sweater at the moment, I just have to decide between Schene and Yompe.

Expand full comment
Logan's avatar

I have knit the Wallaby many times for many in my family but don’t have one myself. Maybe it’s time.

Expand full comment
Kristie's avatar

I vowed to knit my first sweater this year and chose the Flax. Thank you for the tip on the app. That will come in handy! I haven’t started yet so I’m still in the plotting and planning stage.

Expand full comment
Gina Ferrari's avatar

I'm knitting the Jenny Jacket by PetiteKnits at the moment. Complicated enough to make it interesting but most of the actual rows are repetitive enough that they can be done whilst watching TV. I love wearing hand knits although confess that I still feel the cold!

Expand full comment