DIY Network

Taking Shape Taking Shape From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-113

As mentioned earlier, this sweater works for just about any figure type. The trick lies in finding the balance point at which you'd like a short sweater to hang, and then using that point as the line between the opaque and sheer fabrics. (Remember, the sweater should have been lengthened in the opaque, not the sheer, section.) Once you've found the correct balance point for your body and completed the lower portion of the garment, you're ready to start the armhole shaping to help create a modified drop shoulder, which results in a more flattering fit than a regular drop shoulder.

advertisement

Shape armhole
Bind off 22 sts at beginning of next 2 rows (64 sts remain).
Continue opaque fabric to 7-1/2" above armhole bind-off, ending with WS row.

	Short-row shaping (to see a step-by-step demo, click on the video link below) ...
	Media Watch the Video

Shape right back neck
Short row 1 (RS): K15, put next 34 sts onto holder (for center back neck). Turn work (ready to work WS row), leaving 15 sts behind on shoulder for left shoulder.
Row 2 (and all WS rows): K.
Short row 3: K to 1 st from end, then turn.
Short row 5: K to 2 sts from end, then turn.
Row 7: Bind off 13 sts.
Put 2 live sts onto holder with center back neck sts.

Shape left back neck
Return to 15 sts left behind for left shoulder, ready to work RS row.
Row 1 (and all RS rows): K.
Short row 2: K to 1 st from end, then turn.
Short row 4: K to 2 sts from end, then turn.
Row 6: Bind off 13 sts.
Put 2 live sts onto holder with center back neck sts.

Front
Work as Back to 6" above armhole bind-off, ending with WS row.

Shape left front neck
Short row 1 (RS): K22, put next 20 sts onto holder (for center front neck).
Turn work (ready to work WS row), leaving 22 sts behind (on needles) for left shoulder
Row 2 (and all WS rows): K.
Short row 3: K to 2 sts from end, then turn.
Short row 5: K to 4 sts from end, then turn.
Short row 7: K to 5 sts from end, then turn.
Short rows 9, 11, 13, 15: K to 6, then 7, then 8, then 9 sts from end before turning.
Rows 17-19: K 13.
Row 20 (WS): Bind off 13 sts.

Shape right front neck
Return to 22 sts left behind for left shoulder, ready to work RS row.
Row 1 (and all RS rows): K.
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14: Repeat directions for Rows 3-15 of left front neck, working reverse shaping.
This means that you will work Row 2 as Row 3 (above) then Row 4 as Row 5 (above), etc.
Rows 16-20: K13 sts.
Row 21: Bind off 13 sts.
Put 9 live sts onto holder with center front neck sts.

	The sleeve, ready to be sewn into the body of the sweater (note the marker -- it indicates where the sleeve should be attached to the shoulder seam).
	One-half of the sweater body after shoulder and neck shaping.

Sleeves
With cable cast-on and smaller needle, cast on 40 sts. (Place a marker in the middle to help later when you're sewing the sleeve into the garment.)
K 2 rows.
Next (decrease) row: Onto larger needle, *k2, SKP, repeat from * (30 sts remain).
Beginning with RS row, work sheer fabric to 2" from beginning, after pressing (while still on needle), ending with WS row.
Next (increase) row (RS): K2, make 1 (M1), k to 2 sts remaining, M1, k2.
Continue sheer fabric for 3 more rows.
Repeat these last 4 rows, working increases at each end of sleeve each fourth row, to 58 sts.
Continue sheer fabric to 17" from beginning, after pressing (while still on needle), ending with RS row. Shorten or lengthen here.
Next row: With larger needles, bind off. Be sure the stitch marker is still in place at the top center of the sleeve.

Tips: When you're working on the sheer fabric and need to add a new ball of yarn, don't try adding it in the middle of a row. Instead, add it at the edge. And if you're not sure you have enough yarn left to finish knitting a row, stretch the yarn over the area you're knitting. If it stretches across three times, you have enough to make it to the other side.

RESOURCES :
The Knitting Experience: The Knit Stitch
By Sally Melville
©2002, XRX Books
XRX Books
Web: knittinguniverse.com

Berroco Softwist
Suggested retail price: $4.85
Berroco Inc.
Check Website for local retailers.
Website: www.berroco.com

GUESTS :
Sally Melville
Knitting expert, author