Knit Talk - Ep 61 - Reverse Engineering Bottom-Up to Top-Down Construction (circular yoke edition)

Have you ever wondered WHY a designer knit a garment from the bottom up? Ever wondered if you could reverse it to be top-down?
In today's episode, we're covering the WHYs and the HOWs of garment construction and reverse engineering!
Valentine's Day Knitting Intensive (more about the course): www.unapologet...
Valentine's Day Knitting Intensive (registration): www.unapologet...
LINKS
Episode 60 - Three Interchangeable Collars: • Knit Talk - Ep 60 - Th...
Oceansider Sweater: www.ravelry.co...
#28 Horizontal Cable Sweater: www.ravelry.co...
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[@theknittystew]

I feel like a much more informed knitter after every episode! Thank you so much. Your delivery is so professional yet chill, clear and understandable. Appreciate it!

[@cathyjoly7704]

Thank you for the important reminders about directional patterns! Since my body shape doesn't fit the industry guidelines, I love seamed and set-in sleeve sweaters because they are so easy to adjust for a great fit. I agree that they are hard to find these days. I'd love to convert some drop shoulder designs to have regular shoulders with set-in sleeves, as I've seen a few other makers do, but I haven't learned enough yet. I appreciate your deep dives into all the topics!

[@matthewcoleman8977]

Hi Meaghan, I would like to start off by saying thank you so much for teaching so much about knitting. I am almost done with my nursing school, and knitting has kept me sane throughout the chaos of school. I started knitting as a hobby to keep myself busy and use my hands and ended up falling KNITS over PURLS for it. As I've been looking up your videos, I recently learned that I aspire to be a knitwear designer and even a tech editor myself! I have a long way to go as I would consider myself between an advanced beginner and intermediate. I want to create more modern male targeted patterns while keeping it classic at the same time. I just want you to know how much you've inspired me and I hope to show you my growth from beginner knitter to eventual designer and editor! Thank you so much again!!

[@janegelberg2003]

I made a sideways knit garter stitch sweater years ago that I still wear a lot. The vertical lines are flattering, and the stretch and contraction of the garter provides natural body shaping, although it was knit with none. I knit it in one piece, sleeve to sleeve, and seamed the sides and underarms.

[@loridesrosiers]

Explained really well. I saved this! Thank you!!

[@Adele_YarnCreations]

Much needed video. Just be mindful that the increase rounds might differ from the decrease rounds by one round. Check stitch counts especially when colourwork is involved! The other downside of top down is that increases more than decreases can distort colourwork . I find backwardloop method best. I do this with Marie Wallin sweaters and must admit that it is a challenge for her patterns. I also have to add short rows which is lacking in all her patterns.

[@dianaeussen8799]

Thank you for this great video. This was exactly wat I asked for and more.🥰 I did have a circular yoke style sweater in mind, actualy a colorwork yoke. Most colorwork is revesable, some may not. I wil pay attention to that.

[@suzannecarr5871]

WOW! This was so great and also timely for me since I am knitting Thea Colman's Western Rose pattern. Truthfully, it is waiting for me to get back to it since I have been distracted by other WIPs and I have been a bit intimitated by it all. Sleeves are (mostly) done - just was a bit mystified about how it would all join together and fit. Your explanations and diagram have dispelled the mystery and made me way more comfortable. Thank you. Also, very bummed that I have to work on Valentine's Day b/c would LOVE to join your seminar. Would you consider recording it for those of us who can't make it? I think there would likely be quite a few of us who would be willing to pay to have access to the recording.

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Awesome - I'm so glad it was helpful to you! Yes, we will be recording the seminars, and they will be available for those who register for the class but can't join us live to watch later at their convenience (or re-watch even if they DO join us live)!

[@suzannecarr5871]

@@TheUnapologeticKnitter Registered! (and now I need to apologize to the Unapologetic Knitter that I didn't take the time to read the whole course description b/c I would have seen that!) I am in Maine so might be able to catch some of the afternoon session live!!

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

@@suzannecarr5871 Wonderful - I'm so glad you'll be able to join us for part of it at least! And we'll have those recordings up as soon as we can after the day is done!

[@michellelambton3636]

I would like to learn more about bottom up flat yoked ( let’s call them BUFY’s!) My row gauge lengthens a lot upon blocking…arg! I stand 6’, so getting the right length is a slow process. Love Andrea Mowry’ s work, about to enjoy Hey Sailor…help! By the way, I work at a wool shop in BC, many of my customers would like this info too.

[@michellelambton3636]

I would like to learn more about converting bottom up flat yoked ( let’s call them BUFY’s!) My row gauge lengthens a lot upon blocking…arg! I stand 6’, so getting the right length is a slow process. Love Andrea Mowry’ s work, about to enjoy Hey Sailor…help! By the way, I work at a wool shop in BC, many of my customers would like this info too.

[@alexlimberg1486]

I need top down patterns because I often find myself seeing adorable wool but not really knowing exactly how much to buy for the garment I have in mind. I invariably underbuy! So top down, if I put in the sleeves after the yoke, allows me to use every last metre of wool on the length. Working bottom up means I'm always uncertain if I'll have enough wool left to finish the garment, and then wish I'd made it longer after it's completed.

[@Marilou-g5t]

My first sweater, i followed the directions for the size, yarn gauge, ... in the book and seamed the sweater as directed. After that, i modified the directions to "in the round." I do NOT like seaming! 3 needle bind off is ok. Picking up and knitting is ok. The only sweaters i made were for nieces and nephews that one Christmas. Made a turtleneck dickie for mom, since then, at her request: neck tube in the round, then a front and a back flap. She loves it on cold northern PA winters under her coat to keep her neck and shoulders warm. Looking to make an "easy to get into for poor shoulder mobility" cardigan for my dad, a retired dairy farmer. So i am currently thinking top down raglan. Not sure about knit or crochet... leaning more toward knitting.

[@joanarnold82]

I would love to see how to convert to a flat yoked-top down garment. I have several in mind actually, like the Pink Fizz by Andrea Mowry. One problem that I have with bottom up are when I pick up stitches for sleeves, or ribbing in the case of slipover/vests.

[@carolr4871]

Interesting. I had no idea that some of the design decisions are based on difficulty of keeping gauge consistent and dislike of purling. When I started knitting (50+ years ago), I too had trouble keeping my gauge consistent. I too found purl sts slower and more cumbersome than knit sts. Instead of working everything flat, my solution was to practice, practice, practice. I'm not criticizing anyone. I'm just puzzled by creating workarounds to avoid sts you have trouble with, as opposed to working on those sts until they're as easy as knit sts.

[@RueRiposte]

I prefer flat-knit, bottom-up and seamed patterns. Much easier and - mostly - results in a better fit. I don’t understand the overwhelming popularity of top down, circular needle, construction. I also don’t understand the popularity of circular needles either. I hate circular needles with a passion. So much harder to use. So much harder on my hands - to the point I've had to abandon projects. Unless I am knitting a tube (or something very wide)... nope, no circular needles. And, as a result... I am living in a pattern desert 🧶 🏜 . Unless I can learn how to convert ... I will be out of luck. Great video! 👍

[@anpeeters4933]

Thanks. Interested in convertible bottom up lace cardigan to top down. Pattern I have in mind has sleeves knitted top down in lace pattern but body is knit up bottom up..I want to know why and if i can convert. Drop shoulder sleeves.

[@alexandradegruyter]

🌈🧶❤️