Sorry but looking at what you call a set in sleeve it looks more like a dropped shoulder sleeve. It’s sits off the shoulder across the upper section of the arm. It may have some decreases at the armhole edge. A set in sleeve sits where the shoulder meets the top of the arm and not below. The sleeve has a shaped sleeve cap to it. It’s a rarity to see patterns these days with a proper set in sleeve. Most are semi set in with minimal decreasing. If you can obtain a copy on Montse Stanly’s book on Knitting your own design for a perfect fit you will see what I mean. It’s out of print so you will have to find a second hand copy but it is a marvellous reference book and well worth getting
Came here for this - I’ve made both and both are great! But a set in sleeve and drop shoulder and definitely two different things. Also not sure if it’s a requirement, but all the set in sleeve sweaters I’ve done have been sewn in, and not picked up and knit.
@@sosewnknitsyou sent me down a rabbit hole. I live in UK so had not heard of Brooklyn Tweed before. I visited their site and have bought two lovely cardigan patterns with set in sleeves. The patterns are expensive but very worth it. 😊
I’ve knitted 4-6 hours every nite for 30 yrs and have completed maybe 10 things😢. (Frogged/tangled more yarn than you’ve ever used) Seeing your beautiful sweaters makes me even more determined to finish SOMETHING. I appreciate your inspiring talent.
Hello, Mark, I’m from New Zealand, so it’s almost 8 pm Saturday the 18th May here. A respectable time to watch You Tube! I found your sweater video such a revelation. I was all set to knit me up a raglan sweater, but I’m like you, not so little, and I always thought the yoke sweater would be a big wide spread across my front, especially if some pattern or colour work was involved, but nooooo. I’m now looking at yoke sweater patterns. I think that looking at someone else who is wearing their knitting and judging themselves in it, is a great way to convey what they want to say. ( and very brave ) Well done.
I really appreciate this episode! A sweater takes so much time, so thinking about what you feel best in is important. I have a couple of sweaters I never wear and now I'm going to look at them differently. Thank you for taking the time to explain the differences between styles.
All of your examples had very wide necks. When I was a beginner the lack of neck shaping in so many modern patterns really discouraged me as I could not make those jumpers work on my body. Many of the jumpers above would be improved with more shortrows. Beginners should not be made to be afraid of shortrows
I was very afraid of short rows in the beginning. Once I discovered German Short rows that fear went away and I've been able to make much better fitting sweaters with this particular technique!
I love yoke patterns because I usually like their color work designs. But they don’t fit me well - you look great in a yoke. I’ve had to learn to split for the arms a bit higher and then to decrease a bit along the back at that point. Raglans are my favorite style for my best fit. A seamed sweater is fine but for some reason I find it boring to knit individual pieces. BTW that sweater you’re wearing is GORGEOUS.
As someone that used a lot of free patterns since I was a student when I discovered ravelry, a lot of yarn companies have some wonderful free patterns to knit. Yarnspirations and Filcolana are just beautiful.
Thanks for going over these sweater designs! I agree, your yoke halibut sweater looks great on you! Trust your intuition…..you’re drawn to yoke style sweaters, so embrace that ❤️👍🧶
Not all yoke sweaters are worked from the top down. Some sweaters are worked from bottom up. The arms and bodies of the sweaters are worked first, the stitches held on stitch holders and the all pieces joined together at the yoke.
My unpopular opinion is that sweater patterns are underpriced. I'm just starting to design and, to do it right, it's a LOT of work. Great video! I love your breakdown of the different styles and how the construction affects the wear. My favorite style is a set-in sleeve, particularly a tailored not dropped style.
I love the Halibut sweater on you, Mark. All your knits are great. I’m short and a bit fluffy - and usually very warm so I tend to avoid pullovers, but would love to be able to wear them. Like you, I love colourwork yoke sweaters. I think I tend to knit them too large, thinking that will help hide the fluffy bits and I hate the results . I think I’m more a cardigan girl.
Yoke is my first for you, the raglan is my least favorite. For my mature figure, yoke looks best on me as well. I love your presentation in this video and how “real” you are in identifying what makes you gee confident when wearing.
I believe most of the beneficial aspects of yoke sweaters is the design close to the face, which draws attention upward. Drop shoulders, yes I guess are set in, but aren't true set-in sleeves, which are curved at the upper edge and eased into the armholes. There are many kinds of raglans with varying ways of working the increases/decreases. You might well find one that works for you when combined with a stitch pattern that gives a vertical effect rather than horizontal (say, cables). Have you ever worked a sweater using the contiguous sleeve method? Re: shape, wearing a Boxy sweater would drive me nuts. I can't stand the underarm being so vast and far below my armpit. You'd think something oversized would be freeing, but for me it would feel confining. When I'm working a top-down sweater, I use barber cords to try it on as I get near the separation of the sleeves from the body to be sure it that separation point will fit me at the appropriate point under my arms.
When I first started knitting sweaters I gravitated more toward raglans. I have since found my adoration for yoke sweaters. I like the way the shoulder fits as well as the drape
Another very helpful one that I sent out to my guild, that wants to do a sweater KAL but can’t find anything people can agree on. Partly because of the different skill levels, partly age and style…oy. Thanks for taking the time to make these.
The Flax sweater by Tin can Knits is a perfect option for beginners! After downloading the app, it's easy to use the pattern. Simply enter your size and other parameters and from then on, the instructions will just be for your size in terms of stitches, length to be knitted, etc. So easy for beginners! BTW, I love your channel ❤️!
I like the yoke construction best on you - stylish and comfortable-looking. For myself I prefer V-necks (my neck is claustrophobic 😆). I'm originally from the cold North East, where I loved wearing sweaters about 8 months out of the year. I've been in the desert Southwest for 30 years, now, and the thought of putting on a sweater, well, makes me sweat! Even on our coldest days. Gus' cameos are always super welcome!
Hi a few comments from someone who is no expert. My favorite was your yoke, my least favorite was the raglan, but...I would love to see a raglan with either some decoration on top or a plain yarn. Reason I'm saying it, the yoke was so very flattering because it kept the eye up by your face, and was interesting around the neck and shoulders. I wonder if the t-shirt style would be the same with a plain yarn and decoration at the top? Just thinking out lout. Thank you so much for sharing. I don't get to see a lot of men's garments in hand knits. I'm very interested in making some for my husband. I did notice that you and Gus have almost the same hair color.
I think you like the yolk and dropped shoulder styles, which do look great on you. 🎉 because in both styles there is more body ease. This is because the arm/ sleeve begins farther down your body, thus creating a wider body relative to the shoulder width at the top. Any style can be adapted to fit perfectly, but I agree, that for you a yolk or a modified drop shoulder is more likely to fit well without modifying from the “standard measurements” on which published patterns are invariably based. You need a wider body and slightly narrower shoulder. The raglan can eliminate some extra fabric under the arms, that is why it looks good on standard or narrow body types. Hope this helps. There are some great videos and books on how to modify fit. It can be puzzling, but I find that taking a full set of body measurements and comparing them carefully to the pattern’s schematic can help a lot. Then you can combine sizes, if necessary, to get a great drape and fit. You can even put the schematic and “you” on transparent graph paper to see how the finished sweater will look. Since many patterns these days identify the recommended ease, that helps a lot too. Cheers! Happy knitting!
I'm not knitting my first sweater, but I'm not much of a sweater knitter, so there's usually years between sweaters. My current sweater is Niki by Asa Tricosa, and it's the first sweater I've made using her Ziggurat method. It's top-down and seamless, and so far, I'm really enjoying it. It's also my first project using German short rows and bust darts, so I'm learning a lot knitting it. I'd highly recommend her method, and I'll definitely be making another one.
Thank you so much for sharing the detailed information on the different types of constructed sweaters. I haven’t dove into that part of my knitting journey yet but one of the things I hope to do is make a cardigan or a pretty pull over sometime in the future. And thank you for going over the Ravely filter options that was super helpful and some thing I wasn’t 100% aware of give; Gus a hug from Connecticut!!! 😌
Another great video! I agree a set in sleeve looks more like a shirt or blouse pattern. There is a decreasing arm and a sleeve cap on the sleeve. The fit is more anatomical close to the body. Very picky difference but when searching for a pattern it might help guide you to what you want. Love the kitty!!!
Mark check out the Strange Brew Sweater Recipe by Tin Can knits it a great resource.I have been knitting and crocheting for,45 years.I always enjoy watching your podcast
If I may, I would like to explain why you don't like Raglan and how to fix it, so you would like it the best. There are so many ways to knit a Raglan. The best Raglan for men, to show their shoulders would be "0" Reglan. How to knit it? Instead of dividing all stitches in 3 ( 1 part for the front, 2 part of stitches for the back, and 3 RD part of stitches for both sleeves), divide just into 2 parts of stitches when you count for all body stitches and start knitting sleeves with 0 stitches or just 1 or 2 stitches only Raglan lines and every other row to add for 1 stitch from both sides of Raglane line. Take a centimeter and measure the Raglan line from the neckline to the armpit ( it should be no less than ~ 32 centimeters long) and knit a raglan until reaches the armpit. Also, the yolk sleeves will lift your bottom sweater, because you didn't add the stitches under your arm. It always has to be knitted the armpit part, if you want to knit a sweater for an adult. Measure the bottom of your arm, so that's how much of stitches you have to add to your sleeve( sometimes it could be even 20-30 stitches), and then that amount you have to add to the body of your sweater in the same spot. If your sleeves are getting too clumsy, or too big, then when you start working on your sleeve, you can decrease every 4-6 rows for 2 stitches from the middle of the bottom sleeve. I hope I explained the right way, so you understand.
I like your videos, Mark. Your presentation style is so relaxing and thorough. I will agree with other commenters though, your ‘set in’ sleeve sweaters are ‘dropped shoulder’ sweaters. Set in sleeves have a kind of violin shaped shoulder and are often sewn into a pieced sweater. Dropped shoulder sleeves are the straight topped ones you’ve shown. Thanks for your content!
I am about to start my first sweater… it’s an old school 80s inertia pattern with a Smurf… I am so nervous cause it’s really fine yarn (finger weight I think) and super tiny needles… it might take me 100 years to finish, but it is going to be awesome
Some people might prefer patterns worked in pieces from a comfort point, as I do, since it means there's less weight on the needles at any one point, which makes it less strain generally on any muscles and also easier to carry around if you're a roving knitter. I also like pieces since I find them easier to modify for fit as I inevitably must. I do come from a sewing background, so a part of me is all "of course you have to seam" as well.
Great video today, Mark. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I liked how you described the construction of the sweater’s you’ve knit and why you liked them, or didn’t. Because we’re all built uniquely, I think it’s important to find the style that fits best, and it seems like you really focus on this when you choose a pattern and yarn. Edit: At this time of my life a raglan sweater is fitting me the best as I have narrow shoulders and a bigger bust. I’m also dressing more in layers so I’m working on the Vodka Lemonade cardigan by Thea Colman. Thanks again.
I appreciate the well explained examples. I now understand the differences which, will help in making my project choices. I agree with you on the two choices of which sweaters that look best on you. Thank you so much for your videos.
I love your comments on how you feel the different styles of sweaters look on you. I had never thought about this. Now I have to go an try on my different style sweaters and figure out which ones I like on myself and which ones I don’t. I already know that a set in sleeve flatters me. My favorite sweater that I Knit is the Weekender Crew Neck.
Great video, Mark. I really appreciate that there are different styles that make a person feel confident while wearing them or not. I am female, but with exceptionally broad shoulders compared to the rest of me and find it really difficult to make a raglan sweater that fits really well also. I'm literally 3-4 sizes larger across the shoulders and upper arm compared to waist, think inverted triangle, with the top corners cut off, because the wide part isn't just at the shoulders, but across upper bust down to just about the underarm area. I've found that a drop shoulder fits the easiest without major alterations. However, here's something that might work for you, since it works for me when making raglan and even yoke style sweaters. I've found that the fit is better if I cast on for my main 'body' size for the collar. Then I do a rapid increase to the larger shoulder size that is appropriate. When I say rapid increase, this usually means in the first 1-2" after cast on. Then I work that size until just after splitting for the underarm. Then I adjust back gradually to the smaller size (or not). That gives me a neckline that isn't falling open, but also gives me the room across my shoulders and underarms that doesn't leave me feeling like I'm bound or tangled up in the sweater. I have sensory issues with stuff clinging under my arms or on the outer shoulder. I also don't like it when a raglan or yoke sweater get a big bubble just below the collar because the increases called for don't really accommodate my shoulder width. Giving myself a little more room right away below the collar, allow the sweater to drape over my widest area vs. cling and ride up. I also like to choose alpaca, cotton/rayon or bamboo blends because they also drape better and leave me not looking like a line backer. While I think it's fine to look like a line backer, or like I'm wearing a tent. I find that sometimes, I prefer to look a little more feminine given I'm only 5'2" and relatively petite except for the large difference in shoulder width compared to the rest of me.
I am a long time knitter of all things except "sweaters" which I shied away from for years. My first sweaters were drop shoulder and for the life of me they always seemed to bulk up around the seams and look terrible. The sweaters didn't hang well on me either and I thought maybe it was the blends of yarns I was using (cheap) and possibly too heavy? I have lost a lot of weight, but still have heavy arms and most sleeves are not flattering. Thank you for this video, I see that I am possibly needed to make some yoke sweaters in the future! I did make one raglan and just like you said, it was hanging and hugging all the wrong places...sadly. I will rip back and start one with a yoke! Love your videos!
this is so helpful! i have only knit socks and hats and have been dying to knit a sweater but had no clue how to pick a pattern! might have to make my way to around the table to get some yarn...
Thank you thank you. I have never made myself a garment because of fear for a lot of reasons. Your video has given me inspiration to “suck it up” and try. I really appreciate you explaining all the different types so that I may make wise choice for my adventures ❤
I prefer raglan. In the raglan sweater you showed, your increase points were not at the right place for you in the front. Try changing that and see if it fits better. Flax was my first sweater. The instructions and tutorials were great. 🙂
OMG thank you so much for a short-sleeve sweater!! (this super southern TX gal has only migrated to DFW, TX area and still not that cold for myself liking long sleeves) I'm still so nervous about trying my hand at learning knitting though (I really resonated with that "I only crochet" pin you got your friend
Elizabeth Smith is a designer from here in Maine. Her patterns are well written and her website if full of info with tips and videos. I am working on the Spanish sweater at present.
My preferred style among the three sweater styles is the set in sleeve. The yoke style tends to look wider on the body. I feel like the weekender style gives you a slimmer look. Thanks for the info for each style.
Hi Mark- thanks for doing all the legwork for this topic. I find raglans always seem to end up with an oval neckline on me- which I don’t like. For my shape I prefer a combination of circular yoke to begin and then some raglan increases ( eg the Ranunculus).
Thanks for another great video! I prefer knitting sweaters bottom up (think the neckline is better shaped that way) with set in sleves. I don't mind knitting plat and stitching the parts together (that's how I learned to knit) but patterns like that are hard to find.
If you are able to modify the your design to have your armpit holes start higher, you wouldn't have the ride-up problem. It means that you will have to break up the yoke somehow or have a shorter yoke, but it migr be a fun thing to play with on a teddy bear sweater before you try it on a full sweater project.
That's a great idea! Personally I don't mind where they sit because I'm usually not waving my arms around - but in the future if I find a pattern that I'd like to wear in more active settings, I might play around with that suggestion! Thank you 😊
Something I was hoping you'd cover, is finding patterns for a masculine frame and size. Like, when you see pattern sizing for probably 80% of things on ravelry and elsewhere, it's womens sizing. Women's XL does not equal mens XL, and I personally keep running into issues where any size that would fit me, is not part of the pattern. Do you personally only do made to measure patterns or are you resizing stuff yourself before or while knitting?
Mark, Good morning! I want to make a top down yoke sweater for my life partner. He is 6' and normally wears a 2 or 3 XL Tall shirt. What do you think is a good pattern I should look at for him? This was a really good video! Happy Knitting! Robert
This is a great video Mark, thank you. I have a question about the yarn you used in your Field sweater. Which weight yarn have you used throughout and added to highlight the grains in the yoke. It’s so nice I think I’ll do similar.
Thank you! I held a lace weight mohair for the yoke section. Specifically I used Sensai from Ito Yarns- I think the color I used was pool green. And the base of the sweater is DK weight - I used Scout from Kelbourne Woolens in Driftwood Heather. ☺️
The very first sweater that I knit was all patterned from my own measurements. I found a resource on TH-cam and thought it would be easier for my brain to understand! The first sweater that I made from an existing pattern was Norah Gaughan's Denali. The second sweater I made was Stephen West's Painting Bricks.
I recently finished my first sweater ! it was the step by step sweater by Florence Miller it was easy to understand and there's a great video explaining every I managed to make it (with short rows) and it was my third ever knitting project ! (my first was a fisherman rib scarf with chunky yarn and my second was a vanilla pair of socks)
Mark, You are NOT FAT. You are a big guy, and your body is perfect as it is. Women have been body shamed FOREVER. Let's stop. You are prefect for who you are. Not too big, not too small.
[sees when this was uploaded] [also lives in Ohio] Mark, go to bed! (said by a guy who should also probably be in bed) (lovely video by the way. Hi Gus!)
Fortuitous timing! I'm about to start my first set-in sleeve sweater, and it's the Weekender Crew. 😁 Of my shop bought sweaters, my fave is a neat set-in sleeve. I suspect once I've finished one, it'll be true love. Informative and delightful watch as always. Hello Gus ! 🧡 😻
Orange cat question: with all the clips/memes demonstrating Orange cats and their perceived number of brain cells... yours looks like he doesn't fit that picture. Has there been any epic moments where he has either proved or disproved the meme?
That's such a sweet thing to point out! He is definitely a smart cat. He's very very friendly and in many ways acts like a dog: he greets us at the door for belly rubs, he comes when we call his name, and he loves to play!
U crack me up. Flying squirrel. I don’t care for that style either. Every time I see someone in a sweater like this I will have to resist the urge not to laugh visioning a squirrel flying thru the air. Good job
So, for the last couple of days I am not able to play your videos anymore - all I get is the spinning wheel of death. It doesn't affect content from any other creator, so I was wondering if it could have anything to do with the size of your uploads at all? Anybody else have that problem???
I'm so so sorry to hear that! I haven't changed anything with my uploads. I know on youtube you can select what video quality you'd like to see as a viewer. It helps limit how much data you use, etc. I think it can be adjusted in the bottom right hand corner of the each video you play on youtube. Again, I'm so sorry for this issue!
@@MakerMarkKnits Mark, don't worry about it. I am now sure it's to do with TH-cam recently changing their interface back and forth several times. I am not sure if it's rolled out to all users yet, but for me the layout changed several times, and each time the performance of new videos suffered a lot; old videos curiously didn't seem to be affected much. Keep doing what you're doing, you're doing a sterling job. 👍
Sorry but looking at what you call a set in sleeve it looks more like a dropped shoulder sleeve. It’s sits off the shoulder across the upper section of the arm. It may have some decreases at the armhole edge. A set in sleeve sits where the shoulder meets the top of the arm and not below. The sleeve has a shaped sleeve cap to it. It’s a rarity to see patterns these days with a proper set in sleeve. Most are semi set in with minimal decreasing. If you can obtain a copy on Montse Stanly’s book on Knitting your own design for a perfect fit you will see what I mean. It’s out of print so you will have to find a second hand copy but it is a marvellous reference book and well worth getting
Yeah, I came here to say this. A set-in sleeve has shoulder and sleeve cap shaping designed to eliminate extra fabric around the arm pit.
I thought it looked like a dropped shoulder sleeve, too, not set in. Appreciate your remarks!
Came here for this - I’ve made both and both are great! But a set in sleeve and drop shoulder and definitely two different things. Also not sure if it’s a requirement, but all the set in sleeve sweaters I’ve done have been sewn in, and not picked up and knit.
A great example of a set in sleeve I’ve knit many times is the Fort sweater from Brooklyn Tweed.
@@sosewnknitsyou sent me down a rabbit hole. I live in UK so had not heard of Brooklyn Tweed before. I visited their site and have bought two lovely cardigan patterns with set in sleeves. The patterns are expensive but very worth it. 😊
I’ve knitted 4-6 hours every nite for 30 yrs and have completed maybe 10 things😢. (Frogged/tangled more yarn than you’ve ever used) Seeing your beautiful sweaters makes me even more determined to finish SOMETHING. I appreciate your inspiring talent.
I love the passion for knitting, I just love watching the videos. I will try to knit my first sweater. You give great inspiration.
Hello, Mark, I’m from New Zealand, so it’s almost 8 pm Saturday the 18th May here. A respectable time to watch You Tube!
I found your sweater video such a revelation. I was all set to knit me up a raglan sweater, but I’m like you, not so little, and I always thought the yoke sweater would be a big wide spread across my front, especially if some pattern or colour work was involved, but nooooo.
I’m now looking at yoke sweater patterns. I think that looking at someone else who is wearing their knitting and judging themselves in it, is a great way to convey what they want to say. ( and very brave ) Well done.
I really appreciate this episode! A sweater takes so much time, so thinking about what you feel best in is important. I have a couple of sweaters I never wear and now I'm going to look at them differently. Thank you for taking the time to explain the differences between styles.
All of your examples had very wide necks. When I was a beginner the lack of neck shaping in so many modern patterns really discouraged me as I could not make those jumpers work on my body. Many of the jumpers above would be improved with more shortrows. Beginners should not be made to be afraid of shortrows
I was very afraid of short rows in the beginning. Once I discovered German Short rows that fear went away and I've been able to make much better fitting sweaters with this particular technique!
I love yoke patterns because I usually like their color work designs. But they don’t fit me well - you look great in a yoke. I’ve had to learn to split for the arms a bit higher and then to decrease a bit along the back at that point. Raglans are my favorite style for my best fit. A seamed sweater is fine but for some reason I find it boring to knit individual pieces. BTW that sweater you’re wearing is GORGEOUS.
As someone that used a lot of free patterns since I was a student when I discovered ravelry, a lot of yarn companies have some wonderful free patterns to knit. Yarnspirations and Filcolana are just beautiful.
Thanks for going over these sweater designs! I agree, your yoke halibut sweater looks great on you! Trust your intuition…..you’re drawn to yoke style sweaters, so embrace that ❤️👍🧶
This video is super helpful. You are an adorable human! You look great in the yoke sweater!
Is there a cat Vogue magazine that will put Gus on the cover ? Maybe wearing a little cat sweater? Now on to the sweater part.
Not all yoke sweaters are worked from the top down. Some sweaters are worked from bottom up. The arms and bodies of the sweaters are worked first, the stitches held on stitch holders and the all pieces joined together at the yoke.
Hi Mark, I’m not a knitter but I love watching your videos anyway. Your voice is so soothing and soft-spoken. I really appreciate that 😊
I LOVE the flat fish sweater!!! Just for the hal-a-butt.
My unpopular opinion is that sweater patterns are underpriced. I'm just starting to design and, to do it right, it's a LOT of work.
Great video! I love your breakdown of the different styles and how the construction affects the wear. My favorite style is a set-in sleeve, particularly a tailored not dropped style.
I agree with that opinion! It seems that knitwear and crochet design is definitely a labor of love.
Loveliest, most orange cat. 🐈👏👍
I love the Halibut sweater on you, Mark. All your knits are great. I’m short and a bit fluffy - and usually very warm so I tend to avoid pullovers, but would love to be able to wear them. Like you, I love colourwork yoke sweaters. I think I tend to knit them too large, thinking that will help hide the fluffy bits and I hate the results . I think I’m more a cardigan girl.
“Look at this guy, who could be more orange?” 🧡
Saddle shoulder is also worked top down and beginner friendly. It is possible to make sleeveless saddle as well - good for summer.
And again....Thank you for going through Ravelry so slowly. Amazingly helpful.
I made the Flax sweater light with leftover sock yarn. It's a beautiful scrappy sweater project!
Yoke is my first for you, the raglan is my least favorite. For my mature figure, yoke looks best on me as well. I love your presentation in this video and how “real” you are in identifying what makes you gee confident when wearing.
Thank you, Mark, so much wonderful information. I really appreciate the effort you put into this video.
Thank you so much!
I believe most of the beneficial aspects of yoke sweaters is the design close to the face, which draws attention upward. Drop shoulders, yes I guess are set in, but aren't true set-in sleeves, which are curved at the upper edge and eased into the armholes. There are many kinds of raglans with varying ways of working the increases/decreases. You might well find one that works for you when combined with a stitch pattern that gives a vertical effect rather than horizontal (say, cables). Have you ever worked a sweater using the contiguous sleeve method? Re: shape, wearing a Boxy sweater would drive me nuts. I can't stand the underarm being so vast and far below my armpit. You'd think something oversized would be freeing, but for me it would feel confining. When I'm working a top-down sweater, I use barber cords to try it on as I get near the separation of the sleeves from the body to be sure it that separation point will fit me at the appropriate point under my arms.
When I first started knitting sweaters I gravitated more toward raglans. I have since found my adoration for yoke sweaters. I like the way the shoulder fits as well as the drape
Another very helpful one that I sent out to my guild, that wants to do a sweater KAL but can’t find anything people can agree on. Partly because of the different skill levels, partly age and style…oy. Thanks for taking the time to make these.
The Flax sweater by Tin can Knits is a perfect option for beginners! After downloading the app, it's easy to use the pattern. Simply enter your size and other parameters and from then on, the instructions will just be for your size in terms of stitches, length to be knitted, etc. So easy for beginners!
BTW, I love your channel ❤️!
I like the yoke construction best on you - stylish and comfortable-looking. For myself I prefer V-necks (my neck is claustrophobic 😆). I'm originally from the cold North East, where I loved wearing sweaters about 8 months out of the year. I've been in the desert Southwest for 30 years, now, and the thought of putting on a sweater, well, makes me sweat! Even on our coldest days. Gus' cameos are always super welcome!
You definitely look great in yoke sweaters!
Thank you for explaining how to use Ravelry, very useful to us beginners. Much appreciated.
Hi a few comments from someone who is no expert. My favorite was your yoke, my least favorite was the raglan, but...I would love to see a raglan with either some decoration on top or a plain yarn. Reason I'm saying it, the yoke was so very flattering because it kept the eye up by your face, and was interesting around the neck and shoulders. I wonder if the t-shirt style would be the same with a plain yarn and decoration at the top? Just thinking out lout. Thank you so much for sharing. I don't get to see a lot of men's garments in hand knits. I'm very interested in making some for my husband. I did notice that you and Gus have almost the same hair color.
I think you like the yolk and dropped shoulder styles, which do look great on you. 🎉 because in both styles there is more body ease. This is because the arm/ sleeve begins farther down your body, thus creating a wider body relative to the shoulder width at the top. Any style can be adapted to fit perfectly, but I agree, that for you a yolk or a modified drop shoulder is more likely to fit well without modifying from the “standard measurements” on which published patterns are invariably based. You need a wider body and slightly narrower shoulder. The raglan can eliminate some extra fabric under the arms, that is why it looks good on standard or narrow body types. Hope this helps. There are some great videos and books on how to modify fit. It can be puzzling, but I find that taking a full set of body measurements and comparing them carefully to the pattern’s schematic can help a lot. Then you can combine sizes, if necessary, to get a great drape and fit. You can even put the schematic and “you” on transparent graph paper to see how the finished sweater will look. Since many patterns these days identify the recommended ease, that helps a lot too. Cheers! Happy knitting!
I'm not knitting my first sweater, but I'm not much of a sweater knitter, so there's usually years between sweaters. My current sweater is Niki by Asa Tricosa, and it's the first sweater I've made using her Ziggurat method. It's top-down and seamless, and so far, I'm really enjoying it. It's also my first project using German short rows and bust darts, so I'm learning a lot knitting it. I'd highly recommend her method, and I'll definitely be making another one.
I'm new sweater knitting, and have only knit raglan but I really like the look of circular
Thank you so much for sharing the detailed information on the different types of constructed sweaters. I haven’t dove into that part of my knitting journey yet but one of the things I hope to do is make a cardigan or a pretty pull over sometime in the future. And thank you for going over the Ravely filter options that was super helpful and some thing I wasn’t 100% aware of give; Gus a hug from Connecticut!!! 😌
Another great video! I agree a set in sleeve looks more like a shirt or blouse pattern. There is a decreasing arm and a sleeve cap on the sleeve. The fit is more anatomical close to the body. Very picky difference but when searching for a pattern it might help guide you to what you want. Love the kitty!!!
I appreciate that you go through the features of Ravelry every time you demonstrate it in your videos. It's really upped my pattern search.
I actually think the Raglan looks very good on you!
Thank you for this video. I am a beginner and haven’t tried a sweater pattern yet. This explains the different styles very well.
Thank you!
Really like the Capolette. Clean modern lines, very useful addition to any wardrobe
Mark check out the Strange Brew Sweater Recipe by Tin Can knits it a great resource.I have been knitting and crocheting for,45 years.I always enjoy watching your podcast
Extremely useful information presented in a clear, concise way. How did I not know about your podcast before?
If I may, I would like to explain why you don't like Raglan and how to fix it, so you would like it the best. There are so many ways to knit a Raglan. The best Raglan for men, to show their shoulders would be "0" Reglan. How to knit it? Instead of dividing all stitches in 3 ( 1 part for the front, 2 part of stitches for the back, and 3 RD part of stitches for both sleeves), divide just into 2 parts of stitches when you count for all body stitches and start knitting sleeves with 0 stitches or just 1 or 2 stitches only Raglan lines and every other row to add for 1 stitch from both sides of Raglane line. Take a centimeter and measure the Raglan line from the neckline to the armpit ( it should be no less than ~ 32 centimeters long) and knit a raglan until reaches the armpit. Also, the yolk sleeves will lift your bottom sweater, because you didn't add the stitches under your arm. It always has to be knitted the armpit part, if you want to knit a sweater for an adult. Measure the bottom of your arm, so that's how much of stitches you have to add to your sleeve( sometimes it could be even 20-30 stitches), and then that amount you have to add to the body of your sweater in the same spot. If your sleeves are getting too clumsy, or too big, then when you start working on your sleeve, you can decrease every 4-6 rows for 2 stitches from the middle of the bottom sleeve. I hope I explained the right way, so you understand.
I like your videos, Mark. Your presentation style is so relaxing and thorough. I will agree with other commenters though, your ‘set in’ sleeve sweaters are ‘dropped shoulder’ sweaters. Set in sleeves have a kind of violin shaped shoulder and are often sewn into a pieced sweater. Dropped shoulder sleeves are the straight topped ones you’ve shown. Thanks for your content!
I am about to start my first sweater… it’s an old school 80s inertia pattern with a Smurf… I am so nervous cause it’s really fine yarn (finger weight I think) and super tiny needles… it might take me 100 years to finish, but it is going to be awesome
The weekender for sure is a Drop Shoulder.
Some people might prefer patterns worked in pieces from a comfort point, as I do, since it means there's less weight on the needles at any one point, which makes it less strain generally on any muscles and also easier to carry around if you're a roving knitter. I also like pieces since I find them easier to modify for fit as I inevitably must. I do come from a sewing background, so a part of me is all "of course you have to seam" as well.
Great video today, Mark. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I liked how you described the construction of the sweater’s you’ve knit and why you liked them, or didn’t. Because we’re all built uniquely, I think it’s important to find the style that fits best, and it seems like you really focus on this when you choose a pattern and yarn. Edit: At this time of my life a raglan sweater is fitting me the best as I have narrow shoulders and a bigger bust. I’m also dressing more in layers so I’m working on the Vodka Lemonade cardigan by Thea Colman. Thanks again.
Thank you so much!
I appreciate the well explained examples. I now understand the differences which, will help in making my project choices. I agree with you on the two choices of which sweaters that look best on you. Thank you so much for your videos.
A very informative video. Thanks Mark!
I love your comments on how you feel the different styles of sweaters look on you. I had never thought about this. Now I have to go an try on my different style sweaters and figure out which ones I like on myself and which ones I don’t. I already know that a set in sleeve flatters me. My favorite sweater that I Knit is the Weekender Crew Neck.
Great video, Mark. I really appreciate that there are different styles that make a person feel confident while wearing them or not. I am female, but with exceptionally broad shoulders compared to the rest of me and find it really difficult to make a raglan sweater that fits really well also. I'm literally 3-4 sizes larger across the shoulders and upper arm compared to waist, think inverted triangle, with the top corners cut off, because the wide part isn't just at the shoulders, but across upper bust down to just about the underarm area. I've found that a drop shoulder fits the easiest without major alterations. However, here's something that might work for you, since it works for me when making raglan and even yoke style sweaters. I've found that the fit is better if I cast on for my main 'body' size for the collar. Then I do a rapid increase to the larger shoulder size that is appropriate. When I say rapid increase, this usually means in the first 1-2" after cast on. Then I work that size until just after splitting for the underarm. Then I adjust back gradually to the smaller size (or not). That gives me a neckline that isn't falling open, but also gives me the room across my shoulders and underarms that doesn't leave me feeling like I'm bound or tangled up in the sweater. I have sensory issues with stuff clinging under my arms or on the outer shoulder. I also don't like it when a raglan or yoke sweater get a big bubble just below the collar because the increases called for don't really accommodate my shoulder width. Giving myself a little more room right away below the collar, allow the sweater to drape over my widest area vs. cling and ride up. I also like to choose alpaca, cotton/rayon or bamboo blends because they also drape better and leave me not looking like a line backer. While I think it's fine to look like a line backer, or like I'm wearing a tent. I find that sometimes, I prefer to look a little more feminine given I'm only 5'2" and relatively petite except for the large difference in shoulder width compared to the rest of me.
I am a long time knitter of all things except "sweaters" which I shied away from for years. My first sweaters were drop shoulder and for the life of me they always seemed to bulk up around the seams and look terrible. The sweaters didn't hang well on me either and I thought maybe it was the blends of yarns I was using (cheap) and possibly too heavy? I have lost a lot of weight, but still have heavy arms and most sleeves are not flattering. Thank you for this video, I see that I am possibly needed to make some yoke sweaters in the future! I did make one raglan and just like you said, it was hanging and hugging all the wrong places...sadly. I will rip back and start one with a yoke! Love your videos!
Your yoke sweater looks great. You could use the same numbers in the pattern and change the chart to a different design 😊
this is so helpful! i have only knit socks and hats and have been dying to knit a sweater but had no clue how to pick a pattern! might have to make my way to around the table to get some yarn...
I like raglans and set in sleeves, not so much the yoke.
Thank you thank you. I have never made myself a garment because of fear for a lot of reasons. Your video has given me inspiration to “suck it up” and try. I really appreciate you explaining all the different types so that I may make wise choice for my adventures ❤
Nice review of different styles. I have to say the Weekender is not a set in sleeve. It is a Drop-Sleeve.
I prefer raglan. In the raglan sweater you showed, your increase points were not at the right place for you in the front. Try changing that and see if it fits better. Flax was my first sweater. The instructions and tutorials were great. 🙂
You look great and your sweaters are beautiful! I am currently making the step by step sweater. She has video instructions to go with thefree pattern.
I test knit the Capolette. It's a nice easy knit that you can take anywhere. And yes a yoked sweater. Gus is gorgeous.
I’m new to sweater construction, this has been very educational…thank you!!!
Hi Gus!!!!
Thank you for this video. It is very informative.
OMG thank you so much for a short-sleeve sweater!! (this super southern TX gal has only migrated to DFW, TX area and still not that cold for myself liking long sleeves) I'm still so nervous about trying my hand at learning knitting though (I really resonated with that "I only crochet" pin you got your friend
Great information. Gus is the cutest orange kitty ever. ❤
Elizabeth Smith is a designer from here in Maine. Her patterns are well written and her website if full of info with tips and videos. I am working on the Spanish sweater at present.
@user-kd7uw2fi4h I couldn't find the spanish sweater. Is it still on her site?
My preferred style among the three sweater styles is the set in sleeve. The yoke style tends to look wider on the body. I feel like the weekender style gives you a slimmer look. Thanks for the info for each style.
Fantadtic overview!
Hi Mark- thanks for doing all the legwork for this topic. I find raglans always seem to end up with an oval neckline on me- which I don’t like. For my shape I prefer a combination of circular yoke to begin and then some raglan increases ( eg the Ranunculus).
love your kitties
They are good kitties 🙂
Thanks for another great video! I prefer knitting sweaters bottom up (think the neckline is better shaped that way) with set in sleves. I don't mind knitting plat and stitching the parts together (that's how I learned to knit) but patterns like that are hard to find.
I've heard many people say that "bottom up" and "sweaters worked in pieces" are much more sturdy in retaining their shape, which is a real plus.
Thank you. It's very interesting. I love yoke style !
This was very informative. Thank you!
Always love pattern recommendations, so thanks!
This made me really curious to know if you specifically had/have made any sweaters with bulky yarn?
Good to know. Thanks
If you are able to modify the your design to have your armpit holes start higher, you wouldn't have the ride-up problem. It means that you will have to break up the yoke somehow or have a shorter yoke, but it migr be a fun thing to play with on a teddy bear sweater before you try it on a full sweater project.
That's a great idea! Personally I don't mind where they sit because I'm usually not waving my arms around - but in the future if I find a pattern that I'd like to wear in more active settings, I might play around with that suggestion! Thank you 😊
Thank you! ❤Great observations.
I'm interested in trying Cocoknit method for sweater, seems like it addresses some of the fit issues of the raglan. Have you tried that yet?
I may have laughed a little too much when you said “ if you’re going to be playing basketball in this sweater…”
@KimClinger 😆
Something I was hoping you'd cover, is finding patterns for a masculine frame and size. Like, when you see pattern sizing for probably 80% of things on ravelry and elsewhere, it's womens sizing. Women's XL does not equal mens XL, and I personally keep running into issues where any size that would fit me, is not part of the pattern. Do you personally only do made to measure patterns or are you resizing stuff yourself before or while knitting?
Mark, Good morning! I want to make a top down yoke sweater for my life partner. He is 6' and normally wears a 2 or 3 XL Tall shirt. What do you think is a good pattern I should look at for him? This was a really good video! Happy Knitting! Robert
This is a great video Mark, thank you.
I have a question about the yarn you used in your Field sweater. Which weight yarn have you used throughout and added to highlight the grains in the yoke.
It’s so nice I think I’ll do similar.
Thank you! I held a lace weight mohair for the yoke section. Specifically I used Sensai from Ito Yarns- I think the color I used was pool green. And the base of the sweater is DK weight - I used Scout from Kelbourne Woolens in Driftwood Heather. ☺️
Mark: for your first sweater I recommend a heavier weight yarn so it makes up quickly
Me: *knitting 4ply for my first top* I have regrets
Thank you, just wondering what was the first sweater you knitted?
The very first sweater that I knit was all patterned from my own measurements. I found a resource on TH-cam and thought it would be easier for my brain to understand!
The first sweater that I made from an existing pattern was Norah Gaughan's Denali. The second sweater I made was Stephen West's Painting Bricks.
@@MakerMarkKnits Thank you! Looking forward to starting my first sweater this year.
I recently finished my first sweater !
it was the step by step sweater by Florence Miller
it was easy to understand and there's a great video explaining every
I managed to make it (with short rows) and it was my third ever knitting project ! (my first was a fisherman rib scarf with chunky yarn and my second was a vanilla pair of socks)
thanks mark for the pattern suggestions !
Mark, You are NOT FAT. You are a big guy, and your body is perfect as it is. Women have been body shamed FOREVER. Let's stop. You are prefect for who you are. Not too big, not too small.
[sees when this was uploaded] [also lives in Ohio] Mark, go to bed! (said by a guy who should also probably be in bed) (lovely video by the way. Hi Gus!)
Watching in NJ at 2:45am. BOTH of you need to to go to bed! 🙃
3:27 a.m. in Philly. This insomniac appreciates new content!
😆😆😆😴
Fortuitous timing! I'm about to start my first set-in sleeve sweater, and it's the Weekender Crew. 😁
Of my shop bought sweaters, my fave is a neat set-in sleeve. I suspect once I've finished one, it'll be true love.
Informative and delightful watch as always.
Hello Gus ! 🧡 😻
Yay! I hope you have a great experience with the sweater ☺️
Orange cat question: with all the clips/memes demonstrating Orange cats and their perceived number of brain cells... yours looks like he doesn't fit that picture. Has there been any epic moments where he has either proved or disproved the meme?
That's such a sweet thing to point out! He is definitely a smart cat. He's very very friendly and in many ways acts like a dog: he greets us at the door for belly rubs, he comes when we call his name, and he loves to play!
U crack me up. Flying squirrel. I don’t care for that style either. Every time I see someone in a sweater like this I will have to resist the urge not to laugh visioning a squirrel flying thru the air. Good job
So, for the last couple of days I am not able to play your videos anymore - all I get is the spinning wheel of death. It doesn't affect content from any other creator, so I was wondering if it could have anything to do with the size of your uploads at all? Anybody else have that problem???
@plinkiplonk I haven't had any problems watching Mark's videos...
I’ve had no problems viewing videos either. 😊
I'm so so sorry to hear that! I haven't changed anything with my uploads. I know on youtube you can select what video quality you'd like to see as a viewer. It helps limit how much data you use, etc. I think it can be adjusted in the bottom right hand corner of the each video you play on youtube. Again, I'm so sorry for this issue!
@@MakerMarkKnits Mark, don't worry about it. I am now sure it's to do with TH-cam recently changing their interface back and forth several times. I am not sure if it's rolled out to all users yet, but for me the layout changed several times, and each time the performance of new videos suffered a lot; old videos curiously didn't seem to be affected much. Keep doing what you're doing, you're doing a sterling job. 👍