Modifications, let me count the ways

If you have a basic pattern that you’ve knit and really liked you can begin to make changes that will make it a totally unique sweater. A basic pattern you can trust is a great place to begin your designing journey. We’ve finished our KAL with the Take It From The Top on ravelry. We started with a good basic Top Down raglan pullover, the Take It From The Top, then we made several changes. I have a history of doing that with this particular pattern. This is my fourth rendition.

This is the original Take It From The Top. Straight forward. Great for using textured or coloured yarn.

Number 2 was worked in a rag yarn. It’s stood the test of time. I’ve been wearing it for 15 years. Plainish but totally serviceable.

Now the fun begins. I put a cable pattern down the front and worked waist and hip shaping in it.

For Take It From the Top #4, I did quite a few changes.

Once I got started it was difficult to stop.

1. First I changed the short rows worked just below the neckband to Twin Stitch short rows. Using twin stitches is a new way to work short rows.
2. As I did this I added the Sheepfold Stitch Pattern to the front of the pullover. This is from the Barbara Walker’s Second Treasury book.
3. I used the OpenM1 increases for smaller holes along the raglan lines. These oM1 increases are my very, very favourite increases for a raglan. They make small holes, are easy to work and don’t interrupt your knitting rhythm as your work your rounds.
4. I added a little 6 stitch pattern down the body sides along with waist and hip shaping. (My manikin is really, really skinny.)

5. I also worked a 6 stitch pattern on the underside of the sleeves. This is merely to amuse myself since they aren’t noticeable when worn. They make knitting my sleeves much more enjoyable: look a stitch pattern, oh boy, oh boy, that was fun.

6. The 6 stitch pattern was worked along the bottom border and the cuffs.

Each rendition of this sweater is more elaborate than the last but all started with the same basic Take It From The Top pattern. Do you have a basic pattern you love that you could work some magic on?

Deb

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Author: debgemmellmods

I'm a Knitter. The capital K means every day, everywhere. I'm co-owner of Cabin Fever with my sister Lyn. We have published over 100 patterns and 11 books. I'm also working on a new set of patterns for Any Gauge knitting. Dive into your stash and cast on for a Top Down sweater that fits, or an accessory to use up those odd balls of yarn. View all posts by debgemmellmods