When I first started knitting, the thought of going from a simple scarf to a three-dimensional garment seemed daunting. I chose for my first sweater pattern the very popular and beginner friendly Harvest by Tin Can Knits. It is a cardigan knit from the top down. The pattern is a good one to start with garment knitting because it teaches basic sweater construction.

I used four skeins of Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio Worsted in the Banksy colorway. Since this is variegated yarn, I alternated skeins to break up the colors. It took me four months of knitting, off and on, to complete. The Harvest pattern is a great beginner’s pattern, but I wouldn’t make it again without some adjustments. I made a size medium, but that size is somewhat too small on me to completely close in the front. If I make a version with buttons, I’ll have to go up a size. Also, the shoulders tend to slip down. That is likely an issue with the top-down construction because there are no shoulder seams to hold up the garment. I’ll have to learn how to add faux seams to give the sweater some stability. For my next sweater project, I’m going to make a bottom-up cardigan that is knit in pieces and then sewn together. Since I also sew, I’m not intimidated by seaming a sweater.

For my first hand-knit sweater, I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out. The yarn was lovely to work with and the colors are beautiful. I’ve always found it difficult to find practical, warm and stylish cardigans at the department stores, so being able to make my own sweaters is just a great skill to have. Plus, I have a garment uniquely my own that no one else will be wearing!