Knitting instructions

KNITTING INSTRUCTIONS ON DESIGNING LARGE SIZE KNITS FOR MEN

Knitting instructions

Thank you to everyone who replied via the list and who sent me
personal mail. Since I get the list in Digest and was absolutely
inundated by excellent advice, It's much easier post my reply here
rather than write back to everyone individually. Please do not be
offended by my broadcast of my thanks at the expense of personal
replies.

Your suggestions and knitting instructions were all very valuable. I recap the major points of
feedback, in case others are interested:

1. An Aran in a very large size will be an very heavy yarn-intense
finished garment, and will be extremely warm. It will also cost a
fortune in yarn.

This is exactly what I want. The recipient is looking for an dense
and warm sweater to wear outdoors/indoors through Boston winters, and
in an imperfectly heated Victorian house undergoing continual
restoration.

The cost IS something I'm worrying about. Maybe I will be able to
find a source of suitable real wool when the yarn shops have their
summer sales.

2. Because of the weight of the finished garment and the unflattering
lines on most larger body shapes, raglan sleeves are not advised.

Good point. The weight of the yarn itself would probably distend
the shoulders - especially in raglan shaping. I'm thinking of using a
modified saddle shoulder - perhaps reinforcing with a stable lining
the uppermost tab section of the sleeves where they join the front and
back to make the upper surface of the shoulders.

3. Whatever ease you usually calculate, double it because of the
weight of the yarn and the density of the textured patterns used.
Also, many "short in front" problems are caused by insufficient width,
and are only exacerbated by insufficient length.

More excellent points. I will make sure the width is sufficient.
My spy (Mrs. Recipient) is sending me a dress shirt she made for the
target that fits him smoothly without straining. I'll scale my
measurements up from that.

4. Use the make-a-muslin method described in the Threads magazine
article on large size knitting for women. Don't make this a surprise
gift.

Good advice for obvious reasons. I think the dress shirt solution
will take care of this problem. Because I made an Aran for Mrs.
Recipient that our target has commented on longingly many, many times,
I know that the gift will be appreciated.

5. You don't have to make the front and back identical, many
traditional Arans feature different patterns on the two sides.

A wonderful idea! I am one of those knitters who hates doing
anything twice. If I'm knitting flat I work the two fronts of a
cardigan, or two sleeves at the same time because I detest doing the
second. I'll keep the same proportions and numbers of pattern panels
front and back, but I'll use different cables and whatnot on each
side. I may even do this for the sleeves, but I will use the same
featured center panel on both sleeves so they don't look mismatched.
The rectangular pieces used in saddle shaping should make this easier.

6. The depth of the armscye (armhole from shoulder point to underarm
seam) should definately be deeper than just scaling up proportionally
will allow. You should taper the sleeves to eliminate bulk from elbow
to wrist, but the upper arm set in must be deep enough to keep the
sweater from pulling across the chest.

Will do.

7. Books/Articles that will help

"Designing Knitwear" by Deborah Newton, a Threads book (has the
Threads article in it)

"The Knitter's Guide to Sweater Design" by Carmen Michelson and
Mary-Ann Davis, published by Interweave Press

...article in Knitters, probably by Medrith Glover

...Beth Brown-Reinsel's Knitting ganseys book

M. Righetti's "Knitting in Plain English". <-- highly recommended


Again, thanks to all. I get a lot of enjoyment from being a member of
the vicarious knitting family here. I don't know if everyone realizes
the depth of experience and expertise jointly possessed in this
family, but it is impressive - and best of all, happily shared for
love of the craft.


Kim Brody Salazar kim.salazar@em.doe.gov
Seabrook, MD
Knitting instructions

Gift baskets for all occasions