Am thinking of trying to knit a sweater...

[miccisue]

Is knitting from the top down easier than knitting the "regular" way? I'm HORRIBLE at seaming - I've watched the kitchener video a gazillion times, and still can't get the hang of making a lovely invisible seam - other than that I don't mind doing the separate pieces....just thought maybe doing the "top down" thing might be a tad easier.
Anyone got any advice for a first time sweater maker? Any good, easy patterns, etc.?

[Debkcs]

I don't like seaming much either, although the Kitchener stitch isn't that hard for me. I intend to knit a top down sweater for my DGD from the Cabin Fever book "Top Down for Toddlers". Next fall, when my knitting skills are better, I want to make this one for my DIL's Christmas gift.

http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTcathode.html

If you go to Knitty.com, there are a lot of top down sweaters listed.

Have fun!

[Luvmyrottnboy]

Oh yes! Do try a top down! My first successful sweater was a top down because you can try it on as you go. Since then I have made many.

I suggest Stitch Diva and Knitting Pure and Simple patterns. Barbara Walker's "Knitting from the Top" is a great "recipe" book for knitting top down.

I am working on a Knitty pattern now, Mr. Greenjeans" which is a top down cardi with cabling. Surprisingly easy!

[suzeeq]

They're really easy and you can try them on to get the fit right as you go. There's a couple pattern generators at knittingfool.com and thedietdiary.com/blog.

[Ellieblue]

You could knit the back and front in one piece. This saves you from having to do the side seams, and if it is a pullover, it will be mostly k st. Otherwise the stitch you want for the seams is the mattress stitch. If you go to Knitty and check out techniques with theresa there are great pics to explain it

[cinnamon_girl]

I hate seaming as well so I'm going to start a sweater knit in the round after the New Year using Elizabeth Zimmerman's EPS method. It's in several of her books, like Knitting Without Tears, which you can possibly get from the library, if you don't want to buy a copy. It's pretty reasonably prices though and a great read regardless.

Also, I found this site when I was doing some pattern searching - a custom top-down raglan, you just fill in the blanks based on your measurements and knit away (that's the plan anyway, lol)

http://www.woolworks.org/patterns/raglan.html

Happy

[Knitting_Guy]

I haven't tackled a sweater yet but plan to do so as soon as I can afford the yarn. Definitely going with top down.

[DQ]

I think that's the method I will try when I tackle my first one...but I'm waiting until I lose weight

[knitpurlgurl]

luvmyrottnboy - do you have the link to the pattern?

[Plantgoddess+]

I haven't tried top down yet, but have made multiple sweaters from bottom up and really like that. The only sewing is a small opening at the underarm. The Sweater Workshop by Jacqueline Fee uses Elizabeth Zimmerman's formula for figuring stitch count for sizing and shaping.