Our recommendation might not be what you think!
Baby knitting patterns are a fantastic way to master the basics. The project is small yet contains all the techniques you would use in an adult version, so you get all of that knitting knowledge as fast as possible and without the overwhelm and cost of knitting an adult garment.
This is why we suggest starting with the Iceling Cardigan as you begin your knitting journey.
The Iceling cardigan is a top-down seamless raglan cardigan.
Seamless raglan cardigans allow you to knit all in one piece while you still have the option to modify for length, and when you bind-off, all that's left to do is weave in an end or two and block your garment.
Sounds good, right?
In this video, Carol will also share more about why this is a great place to start.
Tips for knitting your first cardigan
Knitting your first garment is really exciting! Often, the desire to knit our own clothes is why we learn to knit. (I know this was the case for me.) Knitting a garment is no more difficult than another piece of knitting, but there are a few more things going on.
The gauge, or size of your stitches, is really important as that will determine if the finished size you have knit is ACTUALLY the size you intended to make! So don't skip the step of checking your blocked gauge!
I really like starting with a child's size for garments as it allows you to learn all the techniques you need on a small scale. This means that when you move onto an adult size, you can have the confidence to know how it all fits together.
FAQ
How long will it take to knit my first cardigan pattern?
It depends on the complexity of the pattern and how much time you dedicate to knitting, but if you've chosen to knit our Iceling cardigan, many of our students finish within a week and move on to their chosen adult garment. The most important thing is to take your time and enjoy the process!
What materials do I need to knit my first cardigan pattern?
We have project kits for our recommended Iceling cardigan as your first cardigan knitting project. But in general you will need:
- Enough yarn for the size you want to knit it the same yarn weight.
- Needle sizes needed to achieve the pattern gauge.
- Stitch markers are always useful!
- A ruler to measure gauge and lengths.
What are some common techniques I need to know for knitting a cardigan?
Some common techniques you need to know are listed below. Luckily we have all of them in our tutorial section but we also have our this project workshop that will walk you step-by-step through your first cardigan.
What if I don't like the Iceling knitting pattern and don't want to start there?
We have put together a collection of beginner yarn kits right here so you can start right away. Just choose a yarn kit, add your pattern or choose the corresponding workshop and you're off!
Please note all beginner workshops come with both the child and adult knitting patterns!
