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First Sweater: PetiteKnit's Anker's Sweater


Whether you’ve been dreaming of your first sweater or you’ve never made a garment that fit right, this class will show you how to transform a gauge swatch into the perfect handknit. Join Stephanie for a six-part class that will take you through all the steps of making a masterpiece—and learning not one, but two sweater constructions in one project! The Anker's Sweater begins as a classic yoke sweater (the same constructions as all those dreamy Icelandic colorwork sweaters) and then shifts into a raglan construction. If you can knit and purl confidently, cast off and cast on, you can knit this sweater. If you can increase and decrease already, great, but we’ll cover more ways to do that, too. And if you can knit a hat, you can definitely knit a sweater.

Class schedule:

  • 9/17: Measuring a gauge swatch, calculating size, and casting on
    • Come to class with your gauge swatch finished
  • 10/1: Yoke increases
    • Come to class with the first rib segment (10 rounds) knit
  • 10/15: Raglan increases
    • Come to class with all five rib segments knit
  • 10/29: Sleeve separation
    • Come to class with remaining raglan increases knit
  • 11/12: Picking up sleeves
    • Come to class with body complete and bound off (do not weave in ends)
  • 11/26: Weaving in ends, showing off our knits, lingering questions, and picking your next adventure in sweater knitting
    • Come to class with both sleeves complete and bound off, but ends still loose
If you feel nervous about the amount of knitting we are doing, pick a cotton/wool blend (or whatever fiber you want—just a suggestion for spring) and go with short sleeves (we’ll cover this modification in class). You will have plenty of time to complete an adult sweater, however.


Materials for the first class:
  • Purchase PetiteKnit's Anker’s Sweater (adult) on Ravelry here.
  • Yarn: This pattern is knit in either two strands of fingering yarn held double or one strand of DK yarn. We recommend one strand of DK yarn to keep things simple. See pattern for size measurements; the yarn estimates are listed in grams on the patterns for the fingering option with the yarn held doubled. Here are the yardage conversions for DK yarn held single (recommended): XS: 1028 yards (S: 1100 yards) M: 1157 yards (L: 1285 yards) XL: 1413 (2XL: 1542) 3XL: 1670 yards.
  • Circular needles: Size 6US (4mm) in 16”, 24” and either 32” or 40” depending on the sweater size (hold off buying these until the first class if you’re unsure what length to get or if you want to be sure about your gauge). All sizes will use a size 4US (3.5mm) in whatever larger size you’re getting in the 6US (32" or 40").
  • DPNs: Sizes 6US (4mm) and 4US (3.5 mm) if magic loop isn’t used (we'll explain this concept in class, too)
  • Stitch markers, darning needle, and scrap yarn or barber cords

***Homework for the first class on 9/17:***

Please come to class having knit and blocked a stockinette gauge swatch. If you don't block it, it won't be accurate! We'll measure and calculate your size in class. Since the gauge we're aiming for with Anker's is 20 stitches & 28 rows in stockinette, you can cast on 26 stitches on size 6US needles, knit 32 rows in stockinette, and then bind off. Be sure not to cast on or off too tight—go up a needle size if you’re concerned. For more guidance and photos, Ysolda has a lovely in-depth explanation on how to knit and block your swatch here.


Skill Level: Beginner
Skill Details:
Requirements: Please know how to knit, purl, bind off, and cast on
Instructor: Stephanie
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This class cannot be purchased online. Please contact the store for more information.







Hours

Mon: Closed
Tue: 11–7
Wed: 11–7
Thu: 11–9
Fri: 11–7
Sat: 11–6
Sun: 11–5

Location

1732 Connecticut Ave NW
2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20009