How to Hand Embroider a Knit Sweater

Hey, everyone! Today I'm sharing how I hand embroider these knit sweaters using the chain stitch. They're perfect for Fall or as a baby gift!
Follow me on Instagram @southernsewingcompany
Find the full blog tutorial here: www.southernsewingco.com/post...
P.S.: If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I’ve personally vetted and loved. Southern Sewing Co. is reader-supported. Affiliate links help me to offer this content to you for free :)
Supplies:
-Knit Sweater: amzn.to/3LFSIz6 I've purchased several of these from Amazon and they're great! For Sara, she is using a 4-5T
-Yarn: Here, I'm using a 5-weight Big Twist Gentle skein of yarn from Joanns. www.joann.com/3.5oz-bulky-acr...
-Yarn Darning Needle: I purchased Dritz, but this brand on Amazon is also great! amzn.to/3rENCfC
-Water Soluble Pen: amzn.to/3tnV0fR
-Sulky Stabilizer: 8.5" x 11": amzn.to/3PIESNs
-Scissors: amzn.to/3tl6Ass
-Tracing Pad (optional): amzn.to/3rE9CHB
Find an easier-to-see 'chain stitch' tutorial on this video here: • How to Hand-Embroider ...
FYI: If you have cute handwriting...you can completely skip the Canva and stabilizer part! This isn't necessary...just a tool for those of us that don't have cute handwriting.

[@lwb1965]

Always love watching your videos! Thanks! Have a blessed day!!

[@southernsewingco]

Thank you so much!! ❤️❤️

[@Farmhousebytheriver]

Thank you so much for the detailed tutorial from start to finish. Amazing work and I hope my sweater for my new granddaughter is half this good. Have a wonderful day.

[@southernsewingco]

Thank you for the comment! I always worry I talk too much but I’m glad to know it helps someone! I know your sweater will be beautiful!

[@kyleericataft245]

I’ve watched many tutorials- this is the best one I’ve come across!! Thank you 💕

[@southernsewingco]

You are so welcome!

[@terrimarini1]

I have been looking for this tutorial!!! Thank you!!!!!

[@southernsewingco]

😍you’re welcome! Glad you found me!

[@zmcwardy254]

Brilliant tutorial and so easy, I'm thrilled with my first attempt. My daughter has great writing so she did washable fabric marker straight onto the jumper and then I did the chain stitch letters on top and it looks great! Thank you.

[@southernsewingco]

I’m so glad to hear this! I’m so jealous of your daughters great hand writing 😂

[@user-wq3md4wt9r]

Wow. Excellent video! I’ve made a few so far but have been struggling and this gave me such good tips!!

[@southernsewingco]

Yay! I’m so happy to hear this!

[@samiammccoy8867]

Thank you for doing this video....the best one so far that i have seen. Thank you for sharing your gift.....:)

[@southernsewingco]

You’re so welcome!! Thanks for you comment ❤️

[@cherylboyd5548]

I love this will be ordering everything I need today. 😍

[@southernsewingco]

I can’t wait to see your sweater!

[@normameade6255]

Thank you for sharing the information..you did a wonderful job on instructions

[@southernsewingco]

Thank you!! ❤️. I’m glad you liked it!

[@sarahmclendon9521]

Great tutorial! Thank you so much!

[@southernsewingco]

You're welcome!! Thank you for watching!

[@user-st1hm9en3n]

Thank you finally found a stitch I can do and it works great on beanie. Thank you ❤ NZ

[@southernsewingco]

Yay! I love hearing this ❤️

[@suzannebanks2045]

Love this and your directions, and excited to make 6 of these for our grands for Christmas! But curious if this yarn shrinks... I don't want this to be a garmet they can't machine wash or dry. I researched acrylic yarn, and it depends on the site, some say yes it shrinks, and some say no. Thank you so much!

[@southernsewingco]

Hey!! I'm a terrible laundry person. I literally throw everything in the washer and dryer lol. I haven't had any issues with shrinkage BUT I do see the yarn look more worn after washing. Maybe it's the drying?? Hope this helps! Thank you for watching! I hope you'll let me know how your grandbabies sweaters turn out!

[@medicineballetxo]

Thank you! I am making this for my nephew!

[@southernsewingco]

Yay! You're so welcome. I hope this helps!

[@eeeejay1000]

Sooo helpful. Thank you!

[@southernsewingco]

you're welcome!🌻

[@allisonpaul2189]

Such a good tutorial thank you.

[@southernsewingco]

You are so welcome! Thanks for your comment!

[@Roslynwint]

Your tutorials are amazing thank you! What would be the washing instructions you would give to customers to ensure the sticthing lasts? X

[@southernsewingco]

You’re awesome, thank you! Double check the sweater tag…but I flip inside out, wash in cool/cold (I’ve seen yarn coloring run 😬😂), then tumble on low.

[@victoriabruce6064]

This is fantastic. I’m learning to embroider currently and saw this sweater idea and love it for Xmas gifts. I just bought Sulky and am already in love. Can I ask why you didn’t just print right onto the Sulky?

[@southernsewingco]

Yay! I’m so glad to hear that! I have done this in the past, and when washing away the stabilizer the ink bled into my embroidery work 🫣🫣😬😬. So since then I’ve been too scared to!

[@hannahkirkhope2448]

Love your videos :) can i ask please how you decide when to use an embroidery hoop or not? TIA

[@southernsewingco]

Hey! It varies honestly lol. For swaddles, I do all the time! Sweaters, usually not because I can just maneuver more quickly without one!

[@amy4566]

🧶💗Loved this tutorial. Ty!

[@southernsewingco]

You’re so welcome!! Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@Farmhousebytheriver]

How far down from the collar should you place a name for an adult? Trying to make matching mama and baby sweaters 😊

[@southernsewingco]

Hey! I haven’t exactly measured to say for sure! But I’m usually trying to make it right across the chest and in line with the armpit area!

[@user-ym7vu6cv5k]

Great video!! Love how you did your “A”s etc. did you say you have a link for the sweater!?

[@southernsewingco]

Thanks, Erica! Here’s a link for the one in the video: amzn.to/3UcWxkB

[@user-rg6ef4oe7z]

Excellent job!!!! I want to start but I don’t know where can I buy sweaters 🤔

[@southernsewingco]

Thank you!! Check the description box- I added a link to where I buy them on Amazon. I’ve bought several and they’re really great quality!

[@jenniferburns7926]

Can you please link the stabiliser you used I can’t find it anywhere 😩 lovely jumper xx

[@southernsewingco]

Here you go! amzn.to/47jKSDT

[@joseemathieu2617]

Very nice work i wonder did you ever embroider a onesie and if so do you have a video thanks 😊

[@southernsewingco]

Hey!! This is actually next on my list! I’ve got a simple idea to just back stitch on a onesie that I’ll be releasing in the next week or so!

[@joseemathieu2617]

@@southernsewingco ohhh ok thanks for the info love your video

[@gladysprentice9637]

Thank you very much

[@user-ld3ew5fk1h]

What’s the best size needle to use? Would a #13 or #16 work better?

[@southernsewingco]

Hey! I think it really depends on the yarn. I would go with a 13 and see if the yarn fits through ok. I bought a variety of sizes and can’t quite remember which one!

[@gladysprentice9637]

Hello, thank you for sharing. Where do you get the sweters? Thank you

[@southernsewingco]

Hey! Sure! Here’s a link: amzn.to/3OtFMxT

[@clareharper6766]

Hello! I have tried using stabilzer and I really have a difficult time pushing through it. Is your needle pointy on the end? I think I am using too blunt of a needle. Thank you for the video!

[@southernsewingco]

Hey! I know one of the down sides to this sticky stabilizer vs. others I use in different videos is that ‘sticky’ aspect does make it difficult to push through! Plus paired with a thick sweater lol definitely try a sharper needle! I think it would definitely help.

[@juliaa7492]

love your video however I’m wondering why don’t you print straight on the stabilizer?

[@southernsewingco]

Hey! You definitely can print directly on to this stabilizer which is awesome! However, I have had problems in the past with the ink running into my embroidery thread as I washed it away. I’m a little gun shy now about it and just choose to use the wash away marker just to be safe 😂

[@semracelik9751]

Thank you for your tutorial. Wher can I get this jumper🙈🙈

[@southernsewingco]

You’re welcome! Here’s a link on Amazon! I’ve ordered these several times and they’re wonderful. amzn.to/3GMUXOi

[@DeathCabForAlyssa]

This is such a great tutorial, I want to do this for my nieces birthday, I hope I can manage! Thanks so much for posting these!

[@southernsewingco]

Yay!! You got this!

[@gladysprentice9637]

Hello! Can you please tell me where can i buy the sweater? Thank you ❤ thank you for sharing

[@southernsewingco]

Hey! Here’s a link for the knit sweaters: amzn.to/48ulCvi the Mark-B-Gone has been the best water-soluble pen that I’ve found! amzn.to/3RHbJU0

[@stephaniegibbons612]

Watched a few of these videos - why do people not use a hoop when working with knits?

[@southernsewingco]

Hey! I’m always worried it will over stretch the knit. Plus it’s such a thick material, I just assume to opt out of a hoop.

[@heiditrubacz9878]

where do you get the pain sweaters? So hard to find!

[@southernsewingco]

Hey! I get these off of Amazon. I've been really pleased with each one! They're so soft. Here's a link: amzn.to/3LFSIz6

[@BiggMeggg]

Ugh I definitely should have done this for the Christmas tree costume. How difficult would it be to do this once sewed up? I mean I can unstitch it if I have to cause it’s not perfect 😂

[@southernsewingco]

Your Christmas outfit was adorable!!!! It may be a little difficult to stitch once something is already out together unless you’re okay with sewing all the way through?

[@aliciarobinson9593]

Is it okay to still hoop this, or is this a project that’s easier to do not hooped?

[@southernsewingco]

I think it’s a personal preference! I had a hard time getting mine to fit in the hoop, so I did without.

[@stephanie_totten]

How long did it take for you to stitch?

[@southernsewingco]

Depending on the name- these take between 1-2 hours. The start and stopping takes the longest I think. If you can get at a good angle and move through the stitches quickly, it moves along a lot better!

[@annift3020]

Hi, I just had my first baby and would like to knit her name on a sweater. Haven't knitted my entire life so wanting to ask what are the materials I would need please? Thank you

[@southernsewingco]

Hey!! Thanks for reaching out and congratulations on your baby! That's so exciting! While I'm not quite sure how to knit, I can help you hand-embroider! For this tutorial, I purchased a knit sweater and then embroidered my daughter's name into it. Here's my blog post with supplies and information:www.southernsewingco.com/post/hand-embroidered-knit-sweater-tutorial If you're looking to knit your own sweater, I know KZbin has many helpful videos to get you started! Hope this helps

[@annift3020]

@@southernsewingco thank you for replying! ❤️ Yesss, hand embroidery- just what you did in this video. Lol thank you! 🤗

[@southernsewingco]

@@annift3020 you’re welcome!

[@corijansen4693]

Why can't I get my name to print from Canva?! So silly. Any advice?

[@southernsewingco]

Oh no!! Are you working from your phone or computer?

[@corijansen4693]

@@southernsewingco from my computer. Has to be a simple mistake.

[@corijansen4693]

Figured it out! Thanks for your content! Love it

[@southernsewingco]

Oh good! Glad you got it figured out! Thanks for watching :)

[@suchitaraje4710]

U are not showing properly. Timepaass only.

[@southernsewingco]

Hey! Thanks for your feedback! I always try to keep videos as short yet as detailed as possible. I will definitely keep your comment in mind as I create future content!