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KNITTING SIDE TO SIDE
I knit side to side to get the vertical stripe - horizontal stripes are less flattering to women. When you make a jacket in this way you can begin at the wrist and knit right across to the other wrist, but if you are using colour patterns they will not truly match up, so I prefer wrist to centre, with a knitted seam joining the work at the centre back. But it is equally possible to start at centre and work to the wrist. The simplest design I ever made was a sweater constructed of four rectangles. The front and back were knitted from side to side and joined from waist to armhole. The sleeve rectangles were folded with the seam underarm and sewn into the armholes. Stitches picked up round the bottom gave the waistband. At the top I stitched about a Third in on either side to give a slash neck. When knitting from side to side I manage the sleeve increases along the row rather than up the edge. Depending on the style required and the weight of wool I increase at about 2 or 3 inch intervals gaining 6-10 stitches along the row. This will only work if you are using the sort of banded patterns that allow the increases to be absorbed into the design but it does give an easier lie to the sleeve. I don’t always use rib at cuffs and hem. The use of rib in traditional garments is to give a close fit for working sweaters. A patterned cuff and waistband can be just as attractive and harmonious with the main body design. I use a temporary cast-on and this makes it easy when I come to add the borders. |
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