I Made My Very First Sweater From Scratch!
For my
Visual Learners
I am so incredibly excited to show you how I made my very first sweater! If you love seeing things in action as much as I do, you can watch the whole video and my full explanation right here. Just hit play and let’s get started!
Tools & Materials
Step 1: Getting Those Measurements Just Right
Precision is key, but don’t let it scare you! To make it easier, I suggest tying a bit of elastic around your bust and hips to act as a guide.
Make sure to write down:
- Bust circumference (the widest part!).
- Shoulder to bust, waist, and your desired total length.
- Neck width and depth.
- Nape (the back of your neck) to waist.
Pro Tip for Armholes: I used a piece of sturdy paper under my armpit (keep it parallel to the floor!), marked the sides of my arm, and divided that number by two. Perfect armhole depth every time! 📝✨
Step 2: Drafting Your Pattern
Time to get those diagrams ready! (By the way, I love diagrams. My brain just absorbs them so much better than long written instructions. Are you a diagram person too? Let me know!).
- The Front: Draw a rectangle using your bust measurement (plus some “ease” for wiggle room) and your shoulder-to-waist length. Mark your neckline and armholes. I personally love my armholes starting right at the bust line—it’s so comfy!
- The Back: Repeat the process, but use your nape-to-waist measurement. Don’t worry if the back is longer than the front; that’s totally normal for a great fit!
Don’t skip the swatch! Always knit a 10 cm test square first. This helps you calculate exactly how many stitches and rows you need for your specific size. It’s the secret sauce to a sweater that actually fits!
Step 4: Bringing It All Together
We’re starting with the body panels. I used the long tail cast-on method because it’s nice and stretchy.
Stage One: Alternate between the knit stitch (front to back) and the purl stitch (back to front) to create a beautiful stockinette texture.
Stage Two (The Armholes): To get that “L” shape, I cast off stitches at the beginning and end of my rows until I hit my 6 cm mark. It’s a little tricky, but you can do it!
Stage Three (The Neckline): Once you reach the top, you’ll cast off the center stitches for the neck and finish the shoulders individually.
Step 3: Let’s Get Knitting!
Once your panels are done, it’s time for the Mattress Stitch. This is where the magic happens!
It joins the pieces side-by-side so the seam is almost invisible on the outside.
The Neckline: Pick up loops along the edge and use a knit-purl rib for that classic stretchy feel. I used my 3 mm crochet hook to cast off for a clean finish!
The Sleeves: Pick up loops around the armhole and knit down. To get those cute tapered cuffs, I switched to smaller needles and “took in” the knit by knitting two stitches together.
The Crochet Flair: I added a little decorative crochet detail at the bottom using a diagram I found on Pinterest. It adds such a unique, personal touch!
The Final Touch: To keep everything snug, I added a bit of elastic thread to the cuffs using my 2 mm crochet hook. Then, I gave the whole sweater a good wet block to set the stitches.
And Voila!
A custom-made, hand-knitted sweater!
I am absolutely head-over-heels for this make. I’ve been wearing it with my favorite cheesecloth blouse (did you see that video? It’s my most-worn piece ever!). There is truly no feeling like wearing something you made with your own two hands.
Would you try making your own sweater? If you use this guide, please tag me—I would love to see your beautiful creations!
