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How to knit a sweater for a man

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men’s-sweater
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Yarn - Bernat Softee Baby / light 3 / Net Weight - 120 g / 310 yds (283 m) / 3 balls needed
Needles - 29 in. and 16 in. long circular needles US 5 (or other size needle to obtain the gauge)
Sweater Size - S 34 - 36
Gauge - 17 stitches in 4 inches
Complexity - Easy

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men’s-sweater-knitting-pattern
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Men’s sweater knitting pattern
Step-by-step knitting instructions
Step 1
Cast on 150 stitches (multiples of 5 sts) on two knitting needles to make the loops bigger. That way it will be easier to knit your first row.
Step 2
Before starting knitting your first row in round, make sure that you did not develop any twists and all your loops are straight. If the mistake occurs at this point, you won’t be able to fix the problem later on. The only way might be just to start all over again.
Ribbing – knit 3, purl 2 for 10 rounds.
Step 3
Knit all stitches for 80 rounds.
Step 4
Increase the number of stitches from both sleeve sides before starting sleeves. You should have 160 stitches in total.
Step 5
Slide a half of your stitches on the other knitting needle, long pin, or just yarn to work with those sts later.
Step 6
Continue knitting just half of the stitches (the front piece of the sweater). Bind off 4 stitches from both sleeve sides. Knit all stitches on the right side and purl all stitches on the wrong side for 30 rows.
Step 7
Cast off all the 72 stitches, cut the yarn, secure and hide it.
Step 8
Work the back.
Attach the yarn and bind off 4 sts from both sleeve sides the same as you did for the front piece.
Knit all stitches on the right side and purl all stitches on the wrong side for about 36 rows.
Step 9
Cast off the 72 sts, cut the yarn, and secure it.
Step 10
Cast on 20 stitches for a sleeve.
Knit it for 28 – 30 rows or more depending on a head circumference.
Step 11
Pick up additional 45 stitches.
Knit in round for 8 rounds.
Step 12
Begin to gradually decrease the number of stitches.
Knit two stitches together one time in each row every other round until 55 stitches left.
Step 13
Start to reduce 1 stitch in 5 rounds until 40 sts left (or other number of multiples of 4 stitches).
Step 14
Ribbing – purl 2, knit 2 for 10 rounds.
Cast off the 40 stitches and cut the yarn.
Connect the last and 1st stitches.
Secure and hide the tail of the yarn.
Step 15
Join both shoulder pieces to front and back parts of the sweater.
Step 16
Attach the yarn and pick up stitches for the neck. Pick up as many sts as you can and then decrease it to the needed number in order to avoid holes or other imperfections near the neck line.
Step 17
Reduce the number of picked up stitches to 76 stitches (or other number of multiples of 4 sts).
Knit all the stitches for 6 rounds.
Step 18
Ribbing – purl 2, knit 2 for 30 rounds. Since the wrong side of the ribbing mostly will be visible, it might be desired to knit your wrong side as right side in order to get a better look.
Cast off the 76 stitches.
Cut the yarn, connect the last and first stitches, and secure the tail of the yarn.

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Sweater knitting pattern

Comments

Hi Alona,

Hi Alona,
Using your gauge, I would cast on about 190 sts. Happy knitting!

Thank you sana.. i have

Thank you sana.. i have started to knit & almost finished with the sleeves, only the neck part is left.. and i have adjusted the stitches accordingly. Hope so the final product would be fit and fine.

Hi Alona,

Hi Alona,
When you finish, I would like to see your work. Happy Valentine's Day!

Thank you Sana,

Thank you Sana,
My final product was little bit tight near the arms.
1. How many stitches should I increase after knitting for 80 rounds ? In your case it was from 150 to 160.
2. Next step, binding off how many stitches on both side of sleeves ?
3. Front part & back part how many rounds to knit ?
4. Then for sleeves is it same to cast on 20 stitches & to knit for 30 rounds ?
5. Can you please suggest me the stitches to pick up for armhole ?
6. Lastly to knit the neck part
Please do suggest me each step so that I arrive at the right size
Will be waiting for your valuable reply eagerly

Hi Alona,

Hi Alona,
1. I suggested you to cast on 190 sts, and then increase it to 200sts because if you multiply [40(size) x 20sts(gauge)]/4inches = 200 sts. If that is not enough, then measure his chest circumference exactly and recalculate the estimate.
2. Bind 4 sts also.
3. I suggest you to knit about 34 rows or until you reach the neckline for the front part. Work about 42 rows for the back part. It depends on your row height.
4. You may cast on about 24 sts and knit as many rows as necessary to cover a shoulder. The length depends on the head circumference. Since you work more sts for the body, so the number of shoulder rows should be higher also.
5. The total number of sts for each sleeve should be about 74 sts. So, if you work 24 sts for a shoulder, then pick up 50 additional sts.
6. For the neck you may pick up any number of sts, and then reduce it to 88 sts.
Happy knitting!

Hi, Im knitting with aran

Hi, Im knitting with aran weight. My guage is 20st in 4in. Trying to knit a size medium jumper for my brother. Could you please advise me on how many stitches? Thanks

Hi Rosy H,

Hi Rosy H,
For the medium size sweater using your gauge, I would start with about 170 sts and increased it to 180 sts (step 4). Happy knitting!

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