Making a cardigan with squares is a great way to show off your knitting skills. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned knitter, this project is sure to be enjoyable and rewarding. Here’s how to get started:
Prepare Your Supplies:
Before you start knitting your cardigan, you’ll need to make sure you have all the necessary supplies. You’ll need some yarn, needles, scissors, and a tapestry needle. You should also have a ruler or measuring tape handy so that you can measure the pieces of your cardigan as you go. Make sure that the yarn is the same weight throughout the entire project for consistent results.
Learn The Basics Of Knitting:
If you’re just starting out with knitting, it’s important to learn the basics before you start your cardigan. You should know how to cast on stitches and how to knit basic stitches like garter stitch and stockinette stitch. You should also practice increasing and decreasing stitches so that you can shape your cardigan as needed.
Cast On The Squares:
Once you’ve gathered all of your supplies and practiced the basics of knitting, it’s time to cast on your squares for your cardigan. Measure out how many stitches you need for each square and cast on accordingly. Make sure that each square has an even number of stitches so that they will be easier to join together later on in the project.
Increase And Decrease Your Stitches:
Once all of your squares are cast on, it’s time to shape them into a cardigan shape. This will involve increasing and decreasing stitches in certain areas of your squares. Practice increasing and decreasing stitches until you feel comfortable doing this without looking at instructions or patterns every time. Once each square has been shaped correctly, it’s time to join them together into one piece!
Join The Squares Into One Piece:
Now that each square has been shaped correctly, it’s time to join them together into one piece. To do this, use a tapestry needle and yarn to sew each square together using a whip stitch or mattress stitch technique. Make sure that each square is securely sewn together so that it won’t come apart when wearing or washing your cardigan! Once all of the squares have been joined together, weave in any loose ends and trim away any excess yarn before admiring your beautiful finished product!
Sew On Buttons And Edging:
Once the cardigan pieces are finished, it’s time to sew on the buttons and edging. Choose buttons that match the size of your squares and edging that complements the color of your yarn. Use a needle and thread to attach each button securely. For the edging, use a crochet hook or knitting needle to create a crochet border around each square.
Weave In The Loose Ends:
As you work on your cardigan, you’ll have some loose ends from when you first started. To secure these ends in place, use a tapestry needle to weave them into nearby stitches. This will help ensure that everything stays secure and won’t unravel over time.
Block The Cardigan Pieces:
Before you can assemble and sew the pieces together, it’s important to block them first. Blocking allows each piece to relax into its true shape so that it will fit together properly when sewn up later. To do this, soak each piece in cool water for about 20 minutes then lay flat on a blocking board or towel until completely dry.
Assemble And Sew The Pieces Together:
Once all of your pieces have been blocked, it’s time to assemble them into one cohesive cardigan! Lay out all of your squares on a flat surface so that they are arranged in their desired formation for the cardigan body and sleeves. Then use yarn and needles to stitch them together along their edges until everything is connected securely.
Enjoy Your New Cardigan:
Congratulations! You’ve now finished knitting your very own cardigan with squares – what an accomplishment! Be proud of all of your hard work as you slip into this cozy garment for years of enjoyment ahead!
FAQ & Answers:
How Long Does It Take To Knit A Cardigan With Squares?
It depends on how experienced you are as well as how complex your design is – typically anywhere from one day up to several weeks depending on these factors!
Can I Use Machine-Washable Yarn?
Yes, absolutely! Just be sure to choose one that specifically states it’s machine washable so that it won’t shrink or stretch when washed in hot water later on down the line.