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the

k n it t e r s

handy
book
of

Top-Down
Sweaters
basic designs
inmultiple sizes
and gauges

Ann Budd

circular
yo k e

s e t- i n
sleeve

Feather and
Fan Flare

Alpine
Tweed

sa d d l e
shoulder

Zigs & Zags

s e t- i n
sleeve

Golden Ribs
and Welts

H ow to

Use this Book


Instructions for each sweater

For example, lets say you want to make a

styleare divided into child sizes of

circular yoke sweater with a finished chest

26"34" (6686.5 cm) chest circumference,

measurement of 42" (106.5 cm) at a gauge of

womens sizes of 36"44" (91.5112cm)

5 stitches to the inch. According to the adult

bust circumference, and mens sizes of

circular yoke sweater chart on page 12, youd

46"54" (117137 cm) chest circumference.

follow the third row of numbers (for a gauge

The overall sweater measurements are listed

of 5 stitches to the inch) and the fourth

in the box on the first page of the project.

column of numbers (for a finished size of

Of course, depending on the amount of ease

42" [106.5 cm]). For this example, youd cast

you want in the finished sweater, its quite

on 80 stitches for the neck. You may find it

possible to follow a childs or a mans size

helpful to circle or highlight the numbers

for a womans sweater. Each sweater style

that apply to your size and gauge (on a

contains two full sets of instructionsthe

photocopy of the pages if you dont want to

five child sizes followed by the ten adult (five

write in the book) before you begin. When

women and five men) sizes. Keep in mind

there is just one row of numbers, it applies

that the mens sizes have slightly deeper

to all gauges.

armholes than womens sweaters of similar


circumferences would normally have.

All the instructions in this book were


devised by calculating how many stitches

The instructions are broken down line by

would be needed to achieve a knitted piece

line, with each line followed by a chart, or

of specific dimensions, represented by

grid, with the possible sizes (based on fin-

schematics. Refer to the schematics that

ished chest/bust circumference) in columns

accompany each sweater style to check

and the possible gauges (in stitches per inch)

your progress and assure that your piece is

in rows. For each line of instructions, simply

working out to the measurements specified.

find your gauge along the left margin of the

If youre unsure about which size is best for

chart and follow that row across to the col-

you, take a look at the accompanying sche-

umn that matches your size.

maticit is a graphic representation of the


finished garment.

Raglan Sweaters
Sweaters with raglan shaping

The raglan sweaters in this book begin with

are distinctive in the seams between the

stitches cast on for about three-quarters of

front(s), back, and sleeves that form diagonal

the neck circumference. The neck is worked

lines that run from the neck edge to the base

back and forth in rows while additional

of the armholes. Beginning at the neck, the

stitches are cast on at the end of each row

number of stitches on the front(s), back, and

to shape the front neck at the same time

sleeves increase at regular intervals along

as increases are worked along each of the

these lines to give each section a triangular

four raglan lines to shape the shoulders. At

shape. The raglan lines can be decorative or

the base of the front neck, the stitches are

inconspicuous, depending on the type and

joined and the piece continues in the round

sequence of increases used. Raglan sweaters

to the base of the armholes for a pullover;

fit well at the shoulders and lend themselves

the work continues back and forth in rows

well to a close fit or waist shaping (see waist

for a cardigan. At the underarms, stitches

shapings on page 21), such as worked in

for the sleeves are placed on holders and

Weekday Raglan (page 26). The raglan lines

the front(s) and back are joined with a few

provide a nice structure for textural design

stitches cast on to span the gaps, then the

elements, such as the openwork patterns in

body is worked in one piece to the hem. The

A Twisted Little Raglan (page 32) and India

sleeves are then worked in the round to the

Print Henley (page 38).

cuffs and tapered with decreases along the


way. Finally, stitches for the neckband/collar
are picked up around the neck opening and
worked as desired.

F i n i s h e d S i z e : Finished bust/chest
circumference is listed horizontally across the
top of each page.
N e e d l e s : Circular (cir) needles in 16" (40cm)

and 24" or 32" (60 or 80 cm) lengths and a set


of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles (dpn) in the
size necessary to obtain the desired gauge
(and needles one or two sizes smaller for
edgings, if desired).

N o t i o n s : Stitch markers (m); waste yarn or

stitch holders; tapestry needle; buttons for

cardigan versions: typically 5 to 7 for child


sizes or 7 to 9 for adult sizes.
G au g e : Gauge, in 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 stitches/inch
(2.5cm), runs vertically along the left side of
each group of numbers.

r ag l a n s w e at e r s

Adult Sizes
f i n i s h e d b u s t/c h e s t c i r c u m f e r e n c e
36

38

40

42

44

46

48

50

52

54"

91.5

96.5

101.5

106.5

112

117

122

127

132

137 cm

3
gauge in sts/inch

raglan

yarn requirements

4
5
6
7

570

620

680

730

780

830

870

900

940

980 yd

521

567

622

668

713

759

796

823

860

896 m

810

870

960

1040

1110

1180

1230

1280

1330

1380

741

796

878

951

1015

1079

1125

1170

1216

1262
1740

1020

1100

1210

1310

1400

1480

1550

1610

1680

933

1006

1106

1198

1280

1353

1417

1472

1536

1591

1440

1560

1710

1850

1970

2100

2190

2280

2380

2470

1317

1426

1564

1692

1801

1920

2003

2085

2176

2259

1590

1710

1880

2030

2170

2310

2420

2510

2620

2710

1454

1564

1719

1856

1984

2112

2213

2295

2396

2478

30

32

32

34

34

36

36

38 sts.

Yoke
With cir needle, CO:

gauge
sts/inch

28

30

34

36

36

38

40

46

48

50

50

52

44

46

48

50

52

60

60

62

64

66

50

52

54

56

58

72

74

76

78

80

60

64

66

68

70

78

80

84

86

88

Do not join. Rows begin at center front.


S e t- u p row: With WS facing, purl 1 row and at the same time place marker (pm) after 1 st to

denote left front.


Then place an additional marker after the foll number of sts to denote the left sleeve:

4 sts.

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

the knitters handy book of top-down sweaters

f i n i s h e d b u s t/c h e s t c i r c u m f e r e n c e
36

38

40

42

44

46

48

50

52

54"

91.5

96.5

101.5

106.5

112

117

122

127

132

137 cm

Then place an additional marker after the foll number of sts to denote the back:
18

20

24

26

30

32

36

38

42

46

20

22

22

24

24

26

28

34

36

40
48

26

26

30

32

34

36

36

38

38

42

42

44

46

48

42

44

50

52

54

56

58

50

52

56

58

62

64

66

raglan

28 sts.

Then place an additional marker after the foll number of sts to denote the right sleeve:
3

4 sts.

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

There will remain 1 st for right front.


N ote : When working yoke, change to longer cir needle as necessary to accommodate the
large number of sts.

Quick Tips for Circular Knitting

The advantage to knitting sweaters in

ing these stitches every round), reverse


stockinette stitch (purl these stitches

to sew. However, side seams can help

every round), or slip stitch (slip these

to stabilize a garment and encourage

stitches every other round), to cause a

it to hang vertically without twisting

break in the pattern and encourage the

or torquing to one side or the other. To

body to hang straight.

ensure against this tendency, work the


center underarm stitch in a different
stitch pattern, such as garter stitch
(alternate between knitting and purl-

q u i c k ti p

the round is that there are no seams

Sometimes a vertical line of loose

stitches develops at the boundaries


between double-pointed needles.

r ag l a n s w e at e r s

Discover top-down
knitting from the
ground-up
with expert Ann Budd
Ann Budds creative ingenuity continues to marvel

Contents
Introduction: Take It from the Top

S e a m l e ss Y o k e S w e at e r s
Child Sizes
Adult Sizes
Projects

fiber and yarn enthusiasts nationwide, and this

Feather and Fan Flare

latest addition to The Knitters Handy Book series

Fibonacci Rings

is no exception. Answering to a growing interest in


knitting sweaters from the top down and knitting
seamless sweaters that require little finishing, this
essential book offers instructions for designing
and knitting your own one-of-a-kind top-down

Quince-Essential Fair Isle


b y g u e s t d e s i g n e r Pa m A l l e n

Ra g l a n S w e at e r s
Child Sizes
Adult Sizes
Projects

sweaters. Instructions are based on five basic

Weekday Raglan

sweater types (seamless yoke, raglan, modified

A Twisted Little Raglan

drop shoulder, set-in sleeve, and saddle shoulder),


in multiple sizes for both adults and children, and
in multiple yarn gauges. Each of the five sweater
types is conveniently accompanied by three fulllength patterns, one from a featured top designer.

India Print Henley


b y g u e s t d e s i g n e r A n n e Ha n s o n

M o d i f i e d D r o p - S h o u l d e r S w e at e r s
Child Sizes
Adult Sizes
Projects
Unisex Zip

In this volume, knitters will find the elements


that make any Handy Book a must-have: detailed
charts, clear instruction, how-tos for adding
personal design touches, and quick tips to avoid
mistakes and create flawless final garments.

Weekend Retreat
Basket Case Cardigan
b y g u e s t d e s i g n e r K r i s t e n T e n Dy k e

S e t- i n S l e e v e S w e at e r s
Child Sizes
Adult Sizes
Projects

A key reference for all passionate knitters, The

Golden Ribs and Welts

Knitters Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters is the new

Brioche Basic

indispensable knitting resource on your bookshelf.

Alpine Tweed
b y g u e s t d e s i g n e r J a r e d F lo o d

S a d d l e - S h o u l d e r S w e at e r s
A n n B u d d is the best-selling author of Sock Knitting

Child Sizes

Master Class, The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns, The

Adult Sizes

Knitters Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, Getting Started

Projects

Knitting Socks, Interweave Presents Knitted Gifts, Knit-

Cable Love Henley

ting Green, and Simple Style. She is also the coauthor of

Retro Peplum

Bag Style, Color Style, Lace Style, and Wrap Style. She is

Zigs & Zags

a book editor and the former senior editor of Interweave


Knits magazine. Visit her at www.annbuddknits.com.

b y g u e s t d e s i g n e r V r o n i k Av e r y

Glossary
Sources for Yarns
Bibliography

Hardcover with concealed wire-o


7 9, 232 pages
ISBN 978-1-59668-483-6
$29.95 Available July 2012

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