Knit Your First Sweater (4-part series)

Here’s what to expect:

• This will be a 4 class series, designed to guide you through making your very first sweater. You will be knitting a raglan pullover sweater. This includes gauge swatching, picking the right size, raglan increases, knitting in the round, and decreases.
• In the first class, we’ll cast on and get your sweater started together.
• The following sessions will support you as you tackle the trickier pieces (hello, collar, yoke + sleeves).
• By the end, you’ll have a cozy handmade sweater that’s completely yours.

We will be knitting the Step-by-Step Sweater by Florence Miller:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/step-by-step-sweater

Pre-Requisite

Participants should be comfortable with the basics of knitting - long tail cast on, knitting, purling, and the basic cast off.

Materials

Participants can either bring their own materials, or materials can be provided for an additional fee. ImagiKnit in the Castro is a lovely yarn store where the employees can help you pick up your materials. Suggested materials will be sent upon ticket purchase.

Sessions

(1) Choosing your yarn and creating the fabric you want!

Wednesday, November 12 from 6:30-8:30p

Jacinda will review the workshop series and discuss all things yarn and fabric creation! One of the most important and fun aspects of knitting is creating the fabric you want. Unlike sewing where you are purchasing fabric and cutting out pieces and sewing them together - in knitting, you are creating the pattern and creating the pattern in the fabric!

Things we’ll discuss when considering fabric: fiber composition, fiber warmth, drape, density, and weight.

Homework before Session (2)

1. Please complete a gauge swatch
2. Bring a copy of the pattern: print or a digital copy
3. Please read through the pattern

Participants must create a gauge swatch before coming to the second session. Cast on 20 stitches, and knit in stockinette until your knitting is 4 inches long. Wash and dry this swatch.

Please watch this video to learn about gauge:

(2) Gauge + Sizing + Cast on + Collar

Wednesday, November 19 from 6:30-8:30p

In the second session, we’ll chat about the importance of swatching, how to measure yourself, decide on ease to pick the right size for you, and start your sweater! We will cast on together and begin working on the collar.

(3) Knitting the Yoke / Raglan increases

Wednesday, December 3 from 6:30-8:30p

In the first session, we’ll chat about the importance of swatching, how to measure yourself, decide on ease to pick the right size for you, and start your sweater! We will cast on together and begin working on the collar.

Participants will need to have finished the collar before this class.

We will start on the yoke of the sweater and go over M1R and M1L increases. We will go over tips and tricks with stitch markers to help you keep track of your work.

(4) Splitting for sleeves + small circumference knitting + blocking

Wednesday, December 10 from 6:30-8:30p

Participants will need to have finished the yoke of the sweater before this class.

We’ll start splitting for sleeves, and work decreases on the sleeves. We’ll go over options for small circumference knitting - magic loop, small circular needles, or DPNs (double pointed needles).

We’ll go over how to wash and block your knits, and the importance of blocking / care of your sweater!

Who’s it for?

Knitters who’ve got the basics down: Participants should be comfortable with the basics of knitting - long tail cast on, knitting, purling, and the basic cast off (if you’ve taken Knitting 101 with us, you’re ready!).

We’ll provide guidance, community, and plenty of encouragement. Just bring yourself and we'll provide your yarn and needles to fulfill your sweater dreams.

About the Instructor:

Jacinda has recently discovered her love of knitting and fiber arts… and the rest is history! From following a youtube tutorial and making a sweater that didn’t fit, to knitting several sweaters, cardigans, tees, and more - she’s on a journey to create an entire handmade wardrobe. Jacinda loves the nature of slow crafting, where you can enjoy the meditative process, in addition to creating a custom garment tailored exactly for you. She’s eagerly wanting to learn to sew, weave, embroider, and sashiko as well. Unfortunately, she only has 2 hands!

Outside of crafting, Jacinda enjoys snuggling with her cat and dog (though not at the same time, sadly), powerlifting, going on long city walks, exploring city parks, and trying different restaurants and bakeries.

About Sunset Commons:

Carmen and Steven started Sunset Commons to provide a space to connect and build community through arts and craft activities led by talented local artists. Inspired by a love for creativity and a desire to foster connection in the Sunset District, we envisioned a “third space” where neighbors can gather, unwind, and form meaningful relationships. Our mission is to empower self-expression, boost confidence, and offer an inclusive haven for everyone, from introverts seeking a calm environment to those enjoying health-focused traditional teas. Sunset Commons is not just a business - it’s our way of enriching the community we love and to the city we both grew up in.

*Our events are often photographed and filmed so we can share the fun with our community. If you don’t want to be on camera, no worries—let us know before the event.

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