How to knit and crochet a cardigan sideways
We are still in the preparing status, many steps away from the perfect method to knit or crochet a cardigan (remember? We are here in the top-down cult). Actually, we are walking dancing steps in all possible directions. Perhaps even rolling around on the ground only to jump into the air minutes later. Ahem – maybe I should get some exercise and then proceed with the writing :-DDD
Today I want to present you some (at least for me) uncommon methods to knit a cardigan: sideways….
Working sideways
The pros of working sideways is, there are many possibilities to work beautiful lace patterns which look very different from the normal knitting/crochet direction. The same goes for colour work. In crochet it is possible to make a very body hugging fabric. A big pro (for me) is, for some sideways constructions there is not much sewing necessary. But sadly, there are many cons (perhaps, the reason, why these methods are seldom used). For example, it is not so easy to form a curved neckline and often (mostly knitted) sideways designs have a boxy or generally wide fit.
The sleeve method
As the title says, here we are starting at one sleeve cuff. While working the sleeve gradually stitches are increased. When reaching the upper end of the sleeve, the stiches for the back and front are casted on. Now you are working the body of the cardigan from front hem to back hem till you reach the middle. Here all stitches are cast of (not necessary for crochet). Now we do the same thing for the other half. At least the cardigan is sewed together at the back. This construction results in a kind of shrug-like cardigan. With crochet it is also possible to avoid the back seem and work it completely sideways, as you can see on the upper right sketch.
The sleeve method is mostly used to make a sweater, not a cardigan. Here you can work the thing in one part and only the side and sleeve seams must be closed.
Body-hugging crochet cardigan
A popular method to make a ribbing with crochet is to work single crochet only into the back loop. This method results in a springy rip, which I sometimes use as a hem for my cardigans (the detail of the lilac cardigan on the photo). But instead of using this stitch pattern only for the hem, you can make a whole cardigan or sweater out of it. A cardigan in this rip pattern is started at the one front, then crocheted to the side, the back and it ends at the other front. The curves for armholes and neckline are formulated by decreasing and increasing stitches. The sleeves are crocheted separately and sewn in. I have found this method very intriguing, but have never dared to use it, because of the body-hugging. I am still convinced that it would look bad on me, because I am not super thin (I know… I am working on my mindset) You can find a slightly different but stunning examples of this method on ravelry
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The jacket on ravelry is made with slip stitches instead of back loop single crochet, but the idea is the same: to create a flexible ribbing-like texture. You can find an explanation of the slip stitch ribbing in my free Loch Ness cardigan pattern (the turquoise jacket on the photo)
The mix
Either in knitting as in crochet it is possible to only work a part of a cardigan sideways. Mostly this is done with the body. The yoke is then added later (the sketch in the right bottom).
In crochet it is very common to create the before mentioned single crochet or slip stitch ribbing sideways, but the rest of the pattern upwards. This ribbing must be worked sideways to give the stretch the right direction. I did this for my Loch Ness cardigan and for the lilac cardigan.
But you can also use the sideways method to knit an intricate lace rectangle for the body and then knit the yoke in the round.
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The shrug
Although I stated in the first paragraph, that knitting/crocheting a cardigan sideways is unusual, there is one exception: the shrug. A very easy pattern is to work a rectangle and then sew the end parts lengthwise together to create sleeves. You are knitting/crocheting more or less a short scarf :-D As I was younger I loved this simple design (you can see me a tad younger on the photo), but today I seldom wear this kind of shrug, because it is very short. Very, very short….
So, did one of you already knitted or crocheted a cardigan or a sweater sideways? Did you liked the fit? I am very curious to hear your opinions!!!
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PS: sadly no fiber ramble for me today (I am so sorry @fiberartists ) But again I have a headache after sitting for hour at an eye specialist (I have high intraocular pressure wääääääh)
Thank you so much for the tutorial @neumannsalva! Didn't realise we can work a cardigan/sweater sideways. See, most of the tutorials I come across do not have an arrow like what you drew to make us understand where exactly we are working on. Thank you, thank you! I hope your eyes are better? "High intraocular pressure" sounds painful and heavy. My eyes are sensitive too. Sometimes, the translucent part of my eye gets swollen.
Happy my little drawings helped. But it is really uncommon to work a sweater sideways... :-D
I am not sure if I used the right English term for my eye problem. It is not hurtful. Many people have this without realising, because normally it does not hurt at all. But in some the risen eye pressure destroys the optic nerve (glaucoma) and you can go blind in time. As my mother has this condition (it's hereditable) and migraines make the chance to get glaucoma bigger and my optic nerve shows some signs of degeneration, I now must use medication in hope to prevent this. I secretly hope the migraines will decrease with the medication :-D In four weeks I will know if the medication helps to decrease the eye pressure (which would be good... I still must take these meds for ever and they have horrifying interesting side-effects, but up to now (one week) I seem to tolerate them ok)
So, thank you for caring <3 <3
I hope your problems decrease too. I have never heard of this phenomenon of swollen sclera... but this too sounds not very pleasant. Is there something you can do to alleviate it?
Hey @neumannsalva, how is your eye pressure? Hope the medication is working. Migraines are so no fun. Yup yup, I experience headaches due to strained eyes / increased eye pressure (like when I am too lazy to wear my glasses). And the swollen sclera? (is that what the transparent area is called?), my eyes usually get all itchy and swollen due to dust or if I ate certain painkillers or if too much salt or something of that sort. And worst when my finger decides to rub the eyes (never ever do that!!) I just need to avoid those things and I will be fine :) Sometimes, when it is not too serious, I will take some antihistamine and it will subside within a few hours or so.
Ohhh sorry that I answer so late. And thank you for asking. I will know in some weeks if the pressure decreased. I have to go to the doctor to measure it. Sadly it didn't changed my migraines....
I hope you are well <3
I've never tried this technique, but have seen it used, and you are right, it does look a bit square...
Loved your grey shrug though it looks really lovely, especially that lace finish around the neck.
Thank you :-D I remember that I used two Japanese stitch patterns for the shrug. I always love Japanese designs an craft magazines.
And with the square... this explaines why it is not used so often :-D
Ooooo! I never knitted cardigans and other clothes by this method. I'm probably too traditional :))) I did not even knit them from the top down, but only from the bottom up. maybe I'll ever take a chance and try knitting with a new method :)
I think we all have preferences. I normally knit/crochet from the top-down with a raglan construction. I so love that you do not have to sew many parts and I like to try the sweater on while knitting. Last week I tried out a new technique (I will perhaps write about it after my cardigan series) top-down with set in sleeves which are knitted in short rows. Sadly, I miscalculated my first attempt – it’s too big.
I read about this technique of knitting. this got me interested about too. I want to try knitting so when I knit the next project
Wow lots of ways to create a garment! Thank you for explaining the different techniques and giving the pros and cons. Not sure if I will ever try the sideways method but it sounds interesting. I really love that shrug...I used to wear them a lot when I was younger. I also love the style of the body hugging cardigan. I would have to loose my baby belly to wear that style though. 😅
Thank you and as @shanibeer wrote... there are so many interesting things to knit, crochet or sew, we could perhaps do it fulltime :-DDD
Did you check out the raverly account from Fayalobi (the body hugging cardigan)? She seems not to be active on ravelry anymore, but she has so beautiful and unique designs...
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/FayaLobi?set=&columns=&view=thumbnail&page=&sort=created_&project_status_id=0&search=
I love her cowl sweater
And it would suit you lovely (remember you posted a after baby photo and you look beautiful)
Yes we really could do it full time!!!
Yes her items are so beautiful!! I love a lot of those styles. Awww thank you...I still have quite a ways to go to get my belly back in order. I still have an abdominal split which makes it harder for my stomach to go back to normal.
I tried to make a vest about 20 years ago, working in rounds for the body, but had to give up once I reach the armpits.
Never tried anything sideways... You're so talented and creative!
Creative ok, but with the talent ... I am not so sure - but thank you for the compliment <3
And with this vest ... Did you start with a rectangle for the back and the made half circles for the fronts? Because I tried this pattern too and found it lacking.... The armholes were much too big, and it had a very strange fit
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/119-22-peach-perfection
No, this was a long time ago..but I remember knitting from the bottom up starting with the ribbing, and in one piece. I had a hard time following written instruction, there is always something missing or very difficult to understand.
Now, if I want do work on a project, I get on youtube. I guess I am a visual person, and I don't have to deal with gauge! That's another thing, gauge..I don't find it helpful..
Wow - this advanced beginner right here is learning ALL the cool techniques! You are a good teacher. I have never crocheted a sweater sideways, but it looks SO interesting. I have a pattern for a granny square shrug that I was supposed to make a few years ago.
Eye issues are not fun at all. Hope you feel better!!
Thank you for the complement <3
The sideways construction seems to be not very favoured by the crafting community - besides from making a shrug.
The eye problem is a permanent one but will hopefully be better with the medication (then it should not become a bigger problem) But because my whole family has this eye pressure problems (and besides to going blind) they could aggravate migraines, I thought I have to tackle this problem.
I must give up work and do this full-time. I love that stitch on the shrug, the technique is good, too. So many different ways to arrive at a garment. I wondering about a knitted or crocheted method, where you build the garment piece by piece, each one starting from a previous one. Could you crochet seams together rather than sewing?
oh yes please... We need a patron who not only pays us for being creative, but also for a big wool and fabric stash :-DDD
And with the crochet pieces.... If I make a crochet garment I usually slip stitch the seams together (but sewing works too) For me it easier to make an even seam and is faster and very sturdy.
For a blanket or a shawl there, different methods to connect the pieces with crochet. Normally the method is mentioned in the pattern.
For a granny square blanket there is this connection
or connections between flowers
I think it really depends on the pattern, how you connect the pieces? Do you have a concrete project in mind?
I am thinking about Shortbread II - maybe individually shaped pieces, not regular like granny squares. Do you remember someone called something like madame malenga and her shawls? And @kimmac with her asymmetrical hats? I was thinking about those sorts of techniques.
Sadly I do not know madame malenga shawls ? Do you have a link?
And the spiral hat from @kimmac is knitted, so I guess she sewed it together... but she is much more expirienced than me :-D
@madame-malena free form crocheted wrap
Is this too ambitious for a woman who has only crochet a small square and had to look up how to do the same stitch after three months absence? :-D
Ahhh thank you, now I know what you mean... but I have never done freeform crochet. (Ok I did it one time for an art project and it turned out blähhh. As I understand it you simply crochet as you like, adding stitches in varying patterns, colours, and yarn. There are no fixed rules. To grow such a freeform into a wearable garment is perhaps I bit more complicated. I found many examples on pinterest with the search string 'freeform crochet cardigan'
here is a video how to make a scrumble (the spiral form) (sorry its Dutch I think)
and with the ambitious... You are very accomplished in knitting, so you perhaps have a good understanding of garments. And with freeform crochet you can always claim, that you wanted to make a
wormmonsterwashclothartwork :-DYes, that's right - one of the benefits of being known as an artist is that you can call things anything you like! Lucky accident, it turned out okay - it's a cardigan. Have no idea what you're doing only one sleeve and no neck opening - freeform art symbolising the death of chivalry 😊.
Perhaps an idea is to create a decal or centrepiece for the back (possibly a more simple pattern for the fronts and sleeves, picking up motifs) and then knit or crochet it into a garment. Alternatively, create a garment using intarsia knitting technique - this is what I was originally thinking with the ideas from the Revolutionary Art post.
But I am also taken with your mixed media ideas - perhaps some is knitted/crocheted and perhaps some is coloured with dyes or bleached.
You have inspired me.... I have started a freeform crochet art piece with wood (If I am ready on Monday I will decide if it is utter sh** or art :-D)
With the cardigan worked out of a centrepiece, I remember a free ravelry pattern I always wanted to try, but never did...
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/132-2-wild-flower
and there are some beautiful patterns which mix crochet and knitting, e.g. by Marie Wallin (you perhaps know them already - because of the Rowan magazines)
https://www.ravelry.com/designers/marie-wallin
And at last I remembered this sweater which is a kind of Irish crochet / freeform crochet mix and it is so stunning:
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/0Romavera/flowerpot
ok now I stop… Sorry I got overboard with the pattern suggestions... I so love knitting/crochet patterns. Please feel free to ignore everything.
I really like that turquoise jacket @neumannsalva - and hope your eyes are better soon... Is that why you're getting migraines ? 💓
Thank you <3
And with the eye pressure: it is to high but not so high that it is a direct cause of the migraines (or so the doctor says) Nevertheless it is possible, that the pressure aggravates the headaches (ok... and blindness is not such a good plan) My whole family has this eye pressure problems, so I already knew I will perhaps get them too. But if I start very early with medication surgery could hopefully be prevented (I hope the meds are helping ...)
An interesting approach to knitting a sweater :) And I love your graphics - simple but educational.
Thank you :-D I found it hard to visualize these methods, so I though a little sketch could perhaps help.
I have knit a shrug from cuff to cuff.
And do you like it / wear it a lot? As I started to crochet I was so into shrugs, but sometime later I noticed, that I seldom wear them (although I still think they look beautiful)
My daughter wore it a few times, as did I.