Knitting: Overview of Sweater Construction, part 1: Shoulder Types

[@sarahwenger1284]

This is THE best video about how to knit sweaters on the internet, even 2 yrs later. I want to buy a pattern and try to knit one but have been so intimidated because I don't conceptually understand how the pattern works, or which pattern might work best for what I want to do. Now I can actually search for patterns that not only produce a cute finished product (so many do!) but also would be fun and not too difficult for me to knit. Thank you so much for teaching knitting class!

[@NancyLiedel]

It's all YOUR fault. Second Ranunculus in two weeks. I'm now addicted to sweaters. Thank you, so much!!😊

[@lynnerobyn]

Your note made me LAUGH!😊

[@shelbyrose2791]

"how we can make our sweater accommodate our shoulders" ...it's so simple yet the answer to so many of my questions!

[@jaygoldstein6844]

This video is answering all the questions that I couldn't seem to find anyone online addressing for some reason so I really appreciate it thank you!

[@mariapittman]

Thank you what a joy to watch and learn. You give me courage to think about a sweater soon:)

[@neilahalter9663]

Thank you for such good explanation on sweaters are made. Looking forward to more videos. Have a good day.

[@sandras2479]

Absolutely brilliant tutorial! You’re a natural teacher! Thank you so much❤

[@jillw2607]

You are SUCH a good teacher!!

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks Jill! Happy to share the knowledge I’ve acquired ❤️❤️❤️

[@TheGingerNinjaKnitsandJournals]

I would not have been able to knit my Ranunculus without you. Thank you kindly.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

You are very welcome, glad I can be of help

[@hellomsyarn]

I want to knit my first sweater, and your sweater series is so informative. Thank you!

[@journeybear3089]

Best video ever! Exactly what I was looking for!

[@alexyes4290]

This is one of the most useful video I’ve ever seen! As English is not my first language (I’m Italian) I have to say you have a real gift for explaining. Thank you so much for your help!! Have a great day 😊❤

[@scrapperchris6461]

Found your podcasts a few weeks ago and LOVE LOVE LOVE them. This sweater construction and the shawl constructions were so very helpful to help me visualize parts that were a mystery! Thank you! Been watching the Sideshow too and LOVE the New shop! So excited I can shop online with you! Thanks for all you do!

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Wonderful! Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@jennyMosorio]

So happy to have discovered your sweater construction videos! They are very helpful!

[@eastlynburkholder3559]

One could do a vest with no sleeves as a baby step. I made a vest bottom up front, top down back all one piece with a neck opening. The back was wider at the shoulders than the front The armholes were square not set in. And I was proud at the end of the project and not sure i could do it at the beginning. I sewed the side seams and it was finished. Note, some might hate that the front and back are knit upside down to each other.

[@jeffreyrauen2393]

Fantastic video!!! I wish I would have found this a long time ago, not a lot of people seem to talk about pieces at this level. Keep up the great work, it's much appreciated!

[@heidikarpa2278]

Many thanks to your past self for making this video!! Excellent information and presentation. This made SO much sense 😅

[@htkh]

I'm a new knitter and have been looking for something like this for a while. This video is so good - thank you for making it!

[@mariehansen2534]

You are an amazing lady who is so helpful to me and others. I love your passion for Sweaters and for teaching. Take care and and God Bless.

[@elenaforlanger]

Why is this so interesting? I normally have the attention span of a goldfish but I realised around minute 8 that I was still 100% invested in what you were saying. I can't figure out whether it is the knitting or your stitching style.

[@jilllindfield2187]

Again....BRILLIANT. I don’t make garments but I am loving your teaching style & your knowledge, thankyou for giving us the education to make us better at our craft 💖

[@rebmedina2835]

I love how you explain it all easy

[@claraphiri4180]

This was such helpful information. Thank you! I am winging a pieced Tunisian crochet sweater and your explanation of the set in sleeves vs dropped down was sooooo helpful😀

[@shirleycoonce8726]

I loved this very informative video on sweater construction. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks Shirley, and thanks for watching!

[@XxXfoxspiritXxX]

I am getting ready to self-draft a knit sweater dress. The way you present this information is so clear and helpful. Thank you so much, this makes me so much more confident about designing my own garment.

[@maryherbert9082]

Fantastic video. Easy to understand and will help me when I'm looking at patterns. Really well done.

[@audreyburman3023]

This video was very helpful. I have been confused by various sweater styles and how they are made. Your video brought much clarification. Hope I can knit a sweater some day.

[@shahussin5019]

finally I found a video that teaches knitting sweater details t tutorial... thank you so much

[@ashleykhan447]

I’m so happy you made this video, it’s exactly what I needed to know about sweater construction and drafting to design patterns.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Fantastic! All the best as you work on your patterns, I have so much admiration for those who tackle pattern writing, it is a lot of work and such an art form. I am a dedicated pattern follower and appreciate all the work writers do ❤️❤️❤️

[@mixedandknot5911]

This video is the best and most necessary beginner-sweater knitting videos ever. Grateful! I am knitting a sweater in the round also, but I have to finish the sleeves and the band.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks, glad I could be of assistance! ❤️❤️❤️

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

You can do it! “Sleeve island” can feel like it takes a while, but the end is in sight!❤️

[@joajune]

Suuuuper helpful! I was looking for more info in the drop down sweaters and this was perfect. Also, I found what you said it's true, it's always by experimenting that you see what looks good on you and what you prefer. Thank you for this class!

[@susansiegel3511]

A very nice theory video which clarifies different sweater types. Have not seen anything with such nice clear info on this subject. Thank you

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

So glad it was helpful! And thanks for the comments and feedback, I appreciate it :)❤️

[@TrudySchwartzBurrill]

Rebecca, I admire the your teaching skills, I often come and do searches to find what you would advise. Thanks for the time you take to help.

[@yliberal6355]

Wow, this really helped to explain all of the technique types of making sweaters. Thank you so much dear!

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

So glad I could help! ❤️

[@ewakraft5770]

Super cool explained, thank you a lot ❣️I'm a crocheter, there is not a lot sweater for oversized people. But thanks to your explaining, i will make some pattern.

[@Peppper530]

Your explanations were so clear and easy to understand thannk you sooo much!

[@tadpole53]

This was an amazing video, thank you! I decided to wing it and make my own sweater based off of one I saw at the store (because I'm broke) and I wasn't quite sure what to do with the shoulders and neckline. Thank you! 💖

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Glad I could help!

[@nancygianakas3258]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Very informative, very helpful. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@zealiabella8553]

I loved your shawl construction video! It helped me so much to understand the formation of shapes just by increasing at certain points. I am learning how to knit a sweater right now and this will be so helpful. All the best to you 💜🧶

[@yvonnebogues7801]

I think traditionally most sweaters used the pieced option but the sleeves were raglan. I have been knitting for over 40 years & all my jumpers were knit in the flat, bottom up, with raglan shaping on all pieces. If you look back at aran patterns, which most of my knitting was, they were all raglan once. It is only in the last 20-30 years that more 'squared' shaping was done on the sleeved etc. i think drop shoulders may have come in around the same time, give or take. I was delighted when the more squares set in sleeves & the the dropped shoulder patterns appeared. But nothing could compare to the delight when circular needles came in & I could start knitting in the round but top down & bottom up. So much so that I try as much as possible to do all my knitting in the round even when the pattern calls for 2 straight needles. Thank you for these very interesting videos.

[@chuyaoli2724]

Very good and informative video! Thank you so much on explaining all the terms!Exactly what I was looking for!!!

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Glad it was helpful! ❤️

[@verena1242]

Thank you for this video! Super helpful, especially the part were you showed your own sweaters!

[@rachelar6]

Thanks for the help. I'm trying to find some steps for doing neck shaping on a flat front panel of a dropped shoulder sweater

[@jeannakelly4174]

A lot of information but helpful. I’ve come from the world of crochet and have made Raglan and drop sleeves. For knitting my favorite so far is drop sleeve but I like the boxy oversized fit. It’s also easier for me as a newer knitter to understand. Enjoyed this video ❤️

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks Jenna! Yes, I find everyone can like different styles, and that’s why making your own garments can be so rewarding! Have you made crochet drop sleeve tops? Lovely!❤️❤️❤️

[@adele735]

thank you so much !! you make things so clear and fun !

[@lfieldhouse]

Well done and highly appreciated! I’m glad to have stumbled upon your channel!!! Can’t wait to see your other videos!

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks Loren!❤️

[@muoimuoifernandez2122]

It was an very informative and various about sweater, thanks

[@paolosinging]

This video was so informative, I’ll save it for future reference. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

You’re welcome :)

[@lindacornelius3451]

My goal is to make my first sweater married. I’ve been a crocheters since I was nine. I am now 68 and I want to nap so I am going to make my first minute sweater and I am going to make my first middle stop and I will right now I like the raglan sweater the best, I’ve had to drop down I don’t really like down. I may drop down Crochet for sweaters I like it I’m sure the meeting will be better in that category but like it I’ve got a piece is it in crocheter I like raglan the best I will keep watching you I subscribed

[@russellpaschall3586]

Very educational... ...love the striped sweater. TY from Lillington, NC.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks Russell! ❤️❤️❤️ Greetings from Western NC :)

[@alisonfergusson4979]

Hi and thanks SO much for this helpful podcast - I am finally cracking the Ranunculus after finding the pattern very tricky to follow. I will add you to my must watch ! and best wishes from Ali in Australia

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks Ali! Glad I can help ❤️❤️❤️ if you’re on Facebook at all we have a group in the Sun Dragon KAL sharing experiences, questions, and progress :)

[@marciamcdonagh5820]

Thank you, very clear and easy to understand! As a novice I am going to venture into knitting a sweater!

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

You can do it! I’m a really big advocate for top-down, either raglan sleeves or all-over increase sweaters for first-timers. Take your time, breathe, and enjoy the process! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@melindanagy-sinka2807]

Very useful video very well explained, thank you

[@akemiarcher7931]

Thank you so much! I loved how you used different colors to explain the construction of each sweater. I had so many doubts and your video cleared them out! ❤

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks Akemi, glad I could help!

[@libbywickwire4964]

Oh my gosh I ADORE you! This was so incredibly helpful you have no idea! If only I wasn't so far away in Richmond, I'd definitely be paying your shop a visit!! Maybe someday 🥰

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

If you ever make a road trip, we’d love to see you! Really glad I could be of help :) ❤️

[@faridehfarahdel3084]

Thanks so much. Very informative looking forward to be up coming vlogs. ❤️❤️❤️

[@eastlynburkholder3559]

Great video, clear explanations

[@janemarriott3389]

WOW. This is so clear and instructive. Thanks Yea are excellent teacher!

[@gunr40]

Wow you are amazing, thank you so much such a great and clear video❤

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

You're so welcome!❤️

[@johanafebres1120]

Very good what you did! Thank you so much ! Be blessed!

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

You are so welcome

[@jettgibbs338]

This was very helpful. It is clear I prefer bottom up for the structure and I am going to have to amass a variety of patterns before they go out of fashion completely 😊

[@juliepalmer8809]

Thank you‼️This video is very helpful.

[@HarryMendowza]

Tbh this is what i’m looking for!! Very helpful!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Great video!!

[@firstlast4043]

Fantastic tutorial! well structured. on the point. Just for your information, I knit a raglan sweater from bottom up. It has many advantages to do so. when you are not happy with the collar, you can easily change it into another type. :) you can even "modify" it larger or smaller easily. :)

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks for the info! I’m trying out one of my first bottom-up ones right now. Love all the different ways sweaters can be made :) ❤️

[@asmileisspecial]

Amazing video, thank you!

[@Eligosol]

One thing. I have always been used to raglan sweaters being knit from the bottom up ( since the sixties ref Norwegian knitting). I think the trend in later years has brought the top down raglan 😊

[@janicegrima6593]

Wow thanks very much. It's Janice from Malta in the Mediterranean ❤

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Wow, Greetings from all the way over here! Glad I could help :)

[@mja320]

Very informative!

[@jessicaneal8553]

Great explanations!

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks! ❤️❤️❤️

[@sinemis1989]

I love youuuu... ❤ Thank you for teaching this. 🥰

[@beccogiallo]

Great tutorial! Thank you.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks Anna Maria! ❤️❤️

[@nisebiggs6572]

Great video. Thank you 💕🌹

[@teresaparmelee3319]

Thank you!!

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching! ❤️❤️❤️

[@sherryedwards9571]

Thank you!

[@Whirledpeas00Knits]

Loved this video 💕💕💕I am working on my first drop shoulder sweater. 😊Marie

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks Marie! Enjoy, I love making sweaters! ❤️

[@blancacasimiro5008]

Desde España muchísimas gracias por tu ayuda,he sido capaz de tejerme el RENUNCULUS

[@viccelidilu]

I just ❤love you ! Please show how to make the stripes sweater that you wear with all the increase in the knitting no seams THANK YOU

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Hi Luisa, I used this pattern by Andrea Mowry: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stripes-32

[@viccelidilu]

@@SunDragonTipsTricks THANKS SO MUCH

[@magicalumbrella7151]

I think pieced sweaters were because the knitters were using traditional paired straight needles. Multi needles to knit in the round would have been heavy to handle. When connected needles came about knitters were able to knit in the round on a larger scale with ease of handling, this transformed construction options.

[@adiayarnarts2567]

New sub. This is a great overview. I'm saving for future reference.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks! ❤️

[@judithtaylor6916]

After knitting bottom up (in pieces) which was the only way to do, for 30+years. Then came knitting in the round. But you still had to sew the sleeves and shoulders together. Always had UFOs as I dislike sewing up. More recently top-down. Finished my first top down and love it., took me only 2.5 weeks. You dont have to sew pieces together.

[@muffsmerino]

Great video thank you ❤ Can Raglan style be done completely piece by piece? I knit in the round but just bought a vintage knitting machine… and so will be knitting piece by piece sweaters. So daunting but I’m sure it’s not so bad haha!

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Hi there! Apologies for the late reply :) Raglan sweaters can totally be done piece by piece and seamed later, with edges along the raglan seams. One of my first sweaters I knit was from a Leisure Arts pattern book knit flat and seamed along the diagonal seams. It involves knowing where the decreases or increases go, but you want diagonal seams on sleeves and front and back pieces at the top ❤️

[@deekay1641]

You are an awesome teacher. Do you teach knitting classes in your shop? Thank you so much. I look forward to more sweater building instructions. Take care.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Hi Dee- we do teach at the shop, that’s how this channel came to be!

[@needlesandyarn]

Thank you for this video

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Thanks! Glad you liked it, and appreciate the feedback! ❤️

[@teresaparmelee3319]

Very helpful, Thank you. I took a class's 2.5 years ago after my husband passed away. I missed 1 class and got behind. Then the holidays came. I was sick....covid hit...no meeting with people...so here my sweater sits. I have the neck done, shoulders and not sure where to go. In all I'm stuck. I would like to finish it. Someday.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Hi Teresa, you can do it! What kind of sweater is it, do you have a pattern, or was instruction all in-class? Sometimes I can do virtual lessons, though it is harder now that the shop is pretty much back to regular hours………. Holding you in the Light with so many things happening ❤️❤️❤️

[@teresaparmelee3319]

@@SunDragonTipsTricks Thank you, I have the pattern and my notes are written out. Just not sure where to go. I thank you for replying to me. The pattern is the Cullen Tee. By Quincy & Co

[@beccogiallo]

I'm very sorry about your husband. Don't feel bad about your sweater, I have one that I started 16 years ago and it's still on the circular needles! I think it's a bottom up raglan, but I'm not even sure at this point. Back then there was an amazing shop right near my house and I could take lessons, go in for tips and help, but no more. There's nothing like that where I now live, but maybe with tutorials like this one I'll eventually be able to figure it out😀

[@CraigsOverijse]

Never knotted top down and done lots of Raglan it very old style and maybe these days its top down but has not alway been

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

It's true, there are many methods for raglan, including pieced and seamed :)

[@mmm.mmm.mmm.]

thanks v much for all the info

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

You’re very welcome ❤️

[@karengrammieknitterbug7902]

Thank you for sharing

[@merijnsmals1169]

Hello, I love knitting and I’m looking foor a ajour pattern. I saw the grey shirt you shown and I love that pattern. Can you tell me how that’s made? Thanks

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Hi, if it’s the one with the lacework in it, that one was knitted in pieces and seamed- it is from a book, here is the link, which is also in the description of this video: many of my set-in short sleeve sweaters I show off were made from Vintage Knits by Sarah Dallas: www.amazon.com/Vintage-Knits-Exquisite-Vintage-Inspired-Cardigans/dp/0743224566/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=vintage+knits&qid=1618869217&sr=8-15

[@aferikabeat]

Thanks for this video. Question for you -- you say drop shoulder/set in sleeve sweaters tend to be made bottom-up. Why is that? Is there a reason they are less commonly made top-down? I've only ever made raglan sweaters myself and want to try a drop shoulder construction, but I'm not excited about making one bottom-up, since I like the ability to try on the sweater as I get near the finish to determine the final lenghts.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

I think it may be because there is less shaping at the start with bottom up on these styles- if you start top down you need to make one side of the neck and then the other for the front, then attach them together, and for drop shoulder make one side then the other and then attach them together. I have seen it done, it’s more work. I agree bottom up is sometimes hard to gauge length.

[@lorihansen8674]

This is really helpful. Thank you so much! My question refers to finding a pattern with a specific shoulder that you want to work. In searching for patterns, they don't list what kind of shoulder it is. Maybe you can tell from the picture, but otherwise, how can you tell by looking at a pattern?

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Hi Lori- sometimes looking at the picture is the only way to give it your best guess- if you’re searching on Ravelry, a pattern writer may include it in their description, or you can search in the filters: Attributes:Design elements: Sleeve. Some of the choices are about sleeve length, but boxes for Cap, Raglan, Drop, saddle shoulder, set in, all refer to how the sleeve fits into the rest of the sweater (the shoulder)

[@aninehartog3950]

Nice video! What shoulder shaping is the best for a big bust?

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Hi Anine- apologies for the delayed reply, that's a good question I'm not sure I have a targeted answer on- sometimes some bust darts, increases and decreases can help out with big busts regardless of shoulder shaping. My "girls" are of decent proportion, and I find most shoulder shapes are ok, raglan, all over increases especially. Drop shoulder lends itself to a wider torso, which while it might be good for the girls, may make the sweater too wide further down. A lot can depend on the thickness of the yarn you are using too. It may take some trial and error to find what you like best ❤️

[@johanafebres1120]

Could you talk about calculation for sweaters ?

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Hi Johana- do you mean how to calculate gauge or size? I definitely am not a master of making a sweater from scratch, I always follow a pattern even though I’m very familiar with the mechanics of a sweater. I have another video on “magic math” that may help if you have a different gauge than the sweater calls for. ❤️

[@Enig_Mata]

This was an excellent video. As someone who learned to knit sweaters online during the pandemic, I wish I saw this sooner. So many lessons to learn on fit and construction. When I started knitting sweaters, I only wanted to knit in the round. I did end up making some drop shoulder sweaters, but that also made me less intimidated of flat sweater construction. You showed a beautiful collection of sweaters. The sweater at 19:00 is very interesting. It looks like color work, but the sleeves look set in. Did you knit colorwork flat?

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Hi Enig- that sweater was from a Vintage Knits book, I knit it a long time ago, I believe I must have knit the front and back flat. It's a bit more challenging to do colorwork flat, but not impossible :)

[@Enig_Mata]

@@SunDragonTipsTricks I can imagine how challenging it would be. Thanks again for your great tutorials. I have knit several sweaters over the past year with differing constructions styles and your series really was the a-ha! moment. As you said, it will help knitters not be too intimidated when following an unfamiliar pattern.

[@dollylove237]

I’m knitting sleeves in the round bottom to top. I’ve never done this before. How will I shape the shoulder part to fit?

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Hi there! Thanks for the question- these videos are meant to help you understand patterns when you read them, I’m not an expert in creating one from scratch as your questions implies you may be doing. In addition, how sleeves fit in can depend greatly on how the body of your sweater is shaped as well, and the shoulders. My best advice is to try to find a pattern that is similar to what you want to do and use that as a guide. It may take some trial and error along the way. Hope it goes well, enjoy the adventure!❤️

[@kikizag]

I have a question, how do you calculate the motifs for a yoke? What I mean is how many motifs can go around the yoke. Thanks!

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Hi Lu- there are a lot of variables in that question that are unknowns. It depends on where you are placing them (before or after increases, or between them), how many stitches the motifs are, and how many stitches your yoke is. In other words, there’s a lot of math. That’s one of the reasons I love a good pattern with the motifs already worked in, that pattern writer has done a lot of work. The simplest answer, if you are in a section with no increases, is take the total number of stitches (say 100) and divide by the number of stitches in the motif (20 stitches, 5 motifs). If the division is not clean (say 12 stitches, so 8 with 4 stitches left over), spread out the extra stitches (1 extra stitch every other motif?) or maybe put them over the sleeves? Hope that helps. There may be resources out there online if you search. ❤️

[@muoimuoifernandez2122]

I would like to know increas in raglan top sleaves

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

That can vary greatly depending on the size you are making and the stitch count- many basic raglan increases are 1 round of increasing before and after the stitch markers all the way around, and one row “setting” the increases in place by just knitting. I recommend finding a good pattern to try this out, such as the Flax by Tin Can Knits.

[@diannecarter1754]

I am starting my first sweater. This is helpful but I need help with the Joji long summer cardigan the upper rear shoulder starts in two separate parts, leafy and right…do you have a vide to help with that

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Hi Dianne- I don’t have videos on specific patterns, if it’s top-down you may be doing separate sections and joining later? There are also knit groups on Facebook that could be helpful, such as Knit n Chat …… I have done Zoom lessons for $15 a session, but it can be hard to find time for those with my shop back open again…..

[@beepbopboop3221]

Are there dpn longer for sweaters? I prefer them for socks over circular. I'm knitting my first sweater and I found some ciculars that I like. I was just curious since I would totally try a fingering sweater on longer dpns. 7 in is the longest I hace seen.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

We sell Prym Ergonomic ones in the shop that are 8” (they are not available in all sizes), and I know I can order wooden ones that are 10 or 12” long for Christmas stockings.

[@JannetCScarlett]

Can a drop shoulder be knit in the round and then steeked? Just ordered your book and can’t wait.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

My book? I haven’t published anything :) I bet the drop shoulder in the round steeked at the armholes would work- I don’t have as much experience with steeking, though it works best with 100% non-superwash wool or other animal fibers.

[@JannetCScarlett]

@@SunDragonTipsTricks the Ready Set Raglan book.

[@SunDragonTipsTricks]

Ah, that is published by PomPom Publishing in the UK, we do carry it in our shop, and I am indeed making a sweater out of it, though I can’t claim credit for writing it :) . I consider it a great reference/starter for raglan-seam top-down sweaters :) ❤️