Every knitter has that one milestone project they dream about tackling, and for me, it’s always been a sweater. I’ve knit plenty of blankets, socks, hats, and dishcloths but the idea of knitting an actual sweater felt like stepping into a whole new level of knitting confidence. At the beginning of this year, I decided it was time to cast on my very first sweater. I didn’t do it until recently, but I want to share the journey (so far) with you.
The Practice Round: Sigh Pullover
I started with the Sigh Pullover pattern using leftover DK yarn. You start by knitting flat and then join in the round later. Like most firsts, I didn’t get it right on the first (or maybe even the 15th) try — and that’s okay! I thought it would be the perfect low-pressure way to practice sweater construction without worrying too much about the final result. Once I joined it in the round, I realized this wasn’t the sweater I wanted.
While I liked how certain parts of the sweater looked, I didn’t like how it looked where I joined it in the round. So, I ripped it out. It wasn’t a failure, though. It was practice, and it gave me the confidence to try again (and again x14).
The Second Attempt: Flax DK (With My Own Twist)
That’s when I cast on Flax DK by Tin Can Knits, a popular beginner sweater pattern. I’ve never liked the sleeve and shoulder pattern though, so I knew I wanted to make it my own. I made a few modifications to fit my style and keep things simple:
A roll-down neck for a soft, casual finish
Roll-up cuffs that give the sleeves a cozy, lived-in feel
A roll-up hem at the bottom to match the overall relaxed look
Plain sleeves without the patterned detail (sometimes less really is more)
This combination feels approachable while also being wearable, which was exactly what I wanted for my first sweater.
What I’ve Learned So Far
Sweater knitting isn’t as intimidating as I once thought, but it is a practice in patience. In reality, it is a lot like knitting a sock but in larger scale and without the Kitchener of the toe/bottom🙂.
The biggest lesson so far? It’s okay to rip it out and try again (and again). Every row, even the ones that don’t make it into the final sweater, teaches you something about gauge, shaping, and how fabric behaves on a larger scale than socks.
I also realized how satisfying it is to imagine wearing something handmade that you can layer over jeans, leggings, or even throw on for a breezy beach walk. It’s knitting with a purpose.
Sharing the Progress
I’ve been snapping pictures along the way—my “practice” Sigh Sweater attempt and my practice and modified Flax DK on the needles tell as much of the story as the finished sweater will. (Stay tuned—I’ll be sharing my progress photos and finished sweater photos here soon!)
What’s Next
This journey has already changed the way I think about my knitting. Sweaters are a lot less scary than I thought, and even if this first one ends up a little wonky, it will still be a badge of growth and a piece of knitwear I’ll always be proud of.
Have you knit your first sweater yet? Or do you have one on your “someday” list like I did? I’d love to hear about your first sweater stories in the comments below.
Congratulations..I love sweater knitting..the rolled hems sound comfy. I just completed a sigh sweater..ill have the photos in my next post.
Congratulations on becoming a sweater knitter!