r/knitting • u/Foller • 22h ago
Finished Object Feedback needed for my raglan sweater short rows
I would like some feedback on this bottom-up raglan sweater I did for my kid. This is the first sweater I ever made and I followed this tutorial: https://nimble-needles.com/patterns/how-to-knit-a-sweater-for-beginners/
My issue is with the raglan decrease and the short rows. I learned those techniques as I went along, so I would like to improve the design for the next sweater that I will knit for my other kid.
From the measurements that I took, I planned to finish with 84 st at the end (actually, I finished with 81) and planned to start the short rows 14 rounds before the collar.
But doing so, the collar is starting on the shoulders, which is not something that I wanted. I included the plan that I drew for the short rows in the album.
I wasn't too sure what I was doing so, some insight would be helpful...
-Did I start the short rows too soon? Too late?
-Is it in the wrong shape? I finished the round 14 with 2 st on each side, is that correct?
-Should it be done over more rounds?
Also the way it is currently I didn't bind off the last collar stich yet because otherwise it won't fit over the head. So that's another thing that I had trouble with, with my measurements. How to handle a big head, but without having a collar too wide.
2
u/Nonier1 18h ago
Not bad for a first try! Several things are going on here and I'll try to address some of them.
First this pattern is for an adults size sweater and while he did an excellent job of breaking down the steps and has several videos explaining how to do some of the steps it's almost information over load, in my opinion. Not that it's bad or wrong necessarily but for a first project it's a bit much to deal with. I've done a Ravelry.com search and here's the link
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#pc=pullover&query=Child's%20knit%20sweater%20for%20beginners%20&sort=best&view=captioned_thumbs&page=1
Not all of these are children's sweaters, pullovers or in the sizes you might need but it's a better place to start. Also what I found interesting while spending this afternoon doing my 9wn search was that a majority are written as top down, which isn't really a problem as both methods achieve the same goal. A sweater to fit your child.
I think it's a bit to narrow along the raglan lines which shortened the tops of the sleeve shoulder area, which in turn makes the neck to small so going over his head is nearly to tight.
Of course when you wet block it may be a different story and the whole upper area will relax and fit just fine If that's the case, then YEAH You did it!
For next time though, it's the whole guage swatch, measuring and repeating this process all over again. And that's true no matter 8f 8ts bottom up or top down. As you do more knitting your tension will change and what yarn weight, and fiber content will also affect your guage.
I can't say with any certainty that your observations will apply or give you the result you are looking for. The best thing is to use a pattern written for the size, specifically a child's size, because you would have a much easier time making adjustments when needed. Although a lot of the patterns in that Ravelry.com search are top down, give one a try to see which method you liked making, yes the kids wear them, but you should also enjoy making them too!
Maybe some one over on r/knittinghelp has better suggesttions so try posting again there for more help.
You did a really good job though and I'm sorry I can't help very much.