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7 Reasons to Knit Seamed Sweaters

August 31, 2020 11 Comments

This post is brought to you by Knit Picks, which also provided yarn support. Post contains affiliate links. See site policies.

Sometimes it may seem like seamless sweaters are the only way to go, but let's take a look at 7 reasons to knit a seamed sweater - you might find yourself ready to mix up your making!

Last year, I spent a lot of time upping my sweater knitting game. My body was changing as a result of some health issues, and since I was in need of some garments that fit, this presented a great opportunity to not only polish my gauge game, but also to give several sweater construction techniques, using patterns from the 1930s to today.

Knittable in two weekends (really!), a short sleeved, worsted weight cardigan is a quick addition to a handmade wardrobe. Check out Heidi's modified take on the Myrna cardigan using Blue Sky Fibers' Woolstok yarn.
My Stripey Myrna Cardigan

On the sweaters I knit last year

After attending a vintage knitting workshop hosted by @squidneyknits in the spring of 2019, I was inspired to spend the rest of the year (of my personal making time, that is) working on my sweater knitting. In the end, I knit the Fernlace Pullover (1938) twice, the vintage-inspired Myrna Cardigan (2014), and I improvised a short-sleeve sweater for Halloween featuring an intarsia Jack O’Lantern design on the chest. For that one, I used a standard seamed sweater construction similar to the Fernlace Pullover (more on this improvised one in a minute).

Handmade beachwear is so much fun to make! Find tips for achieving a good fit when knitting from a vintage pattern, and take a look at a handmade, 1940s-inspired swim set.
My second Fernlace Pullover, last August.

Eager to see what sort of impact working from vintage knitting patterns for awhile, as well as the knitting retreat, had had on my knitting. I followed up this burst of sweaters by making two more many contemporary knitters who frequent local yarn shops will recognize: the Soldotna Crop & Find Your Fade. Arguably two of the most-knit patterns of the last few years, both feature the currently-common seamless (often top-down) construction. That is, they are knit from the neckline to the hemline, most often before picking up stitches to then knit the sleeves from armpit to cuff.

Read about one knitter's Christmas inspired take on the Soldotna Crop sweater pattern by Caitlin Hunter, including tips for customizing for fit!
My Christmasy take on the Soldotna Crop Sweater

There’s more than one way to knit a sweater!

Yes, I am very impressive with my 2019 sweater making obsession and I definitely only listed the above to make you all know how good I am. Kidding! It’s just this:

A lot of folks would have you believe there is only one way to knit a sweater. Or perhaps they’ll imply there’s one “right” way to knit a sweater because it’s the newest or currently trendiest way of making a sweater in the mainstream knitting community. I don’t know how to break this to you, but a lot of folks are wrong. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Read about how this intarsia jack-o'-lantern sweater came to be, and the joy of making exactly what you want to make, just for you.
My improvised, seamed jack o’lantern sweater.

I once had a neighbor who, upon finding out my job involves knit design, she cornered me asking “why do all of my patterns have me making PARTS of sweaters? I want to knit a sweater, not SEW one.” I guess she missed the boat on contemporary seamless making trends, but that does present me with a great story to segue into my list of 7 reasons why you might want to knit seamed sweaters.

Sometimes it may seem like seamless sweaters are the only way to go, but let's take a look at 7 reasons to knit a seamed sweater - you might find yourself ready to mix up your making!

7 reasons to knit a seamed sweater:

  1. Seams = structure. Seamless sweaters can stretch out and warp badly at the shoulders over time, for instance. Shoulder seams and seams from joining sleeves and picking up a neckline give your sweaters internal structure, helping bear the weight of the garment.
  2. 3 words: free vintage patterns. There are literally hundreds of free vintage knitting patterns to choose from online featuring seamed construction. Free Vintage Knitting is one of my favorite sources for vintage knitting patterns.
  3. Intarsia colorwork is much easier to knit flat (vs. in the round), making it a dream to pair with seamed sweater knitting.
  4. Stripes are easier. You don’t have to worry about compensating for jogless stripes because you’re knitting flat.
  5. Repair is a cinch. If your sweater is showing signs of age, but you’d like to salvage it, you can simply re-seam it to compensate. This process is similar to taking in a roomy garment at the seams.
  6. Seamed garments tend to have a more professional, tailored look.
  7. Hot take: Seaming is fun! I’m sorry, I have always loved grafting my ends with kitchener stitch, and I am one of those knitters who delights in the feeling of magic at pulling closed a mattress stitch seam.

If I missed anything on this list, comment and let me know! I resisted seamed sweater knitting for far too long, and it’s officially my favorite way (of the moment at least! 😉 ) to knit a sweater.

What's up, 2020? Check out this brand new blog post about what Heidi has been up to on Hands Occupied hiatus, and plans for the rest of the year to come, including some surprises!
I didn’t do a blog post about it, but here’s my So Faded Pullover too!
Sometimes it may seem like seamless sweaters are the only way to go, but let's take a look at 7 reasons to knit a seamed sweater - you might find yourself ready to mix up your making!

This post is brought to you by Knit Picks, which also provided yarn support. Post contains affiliate links. See site policies.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: free knitting pattern, knitter, Knitting, seamed sweaters, sweater knitting, vintage sweaters

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. LisaBinco

    September 1, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    You forgot portability. One thing about seamless sweaters is you are caring around the whole sweater, pretty much. With seamed pieces, you are only carting around the left sleeve, say, or the back, at any given time. Great post!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      September 11, 2020 at 3:42 pm

      Oh man, you’re right! I also really like knitting short sleeved, seamed sweaters these days, so the portability is amazing. :) Thanks for the tip! -Heidi

      Reply
    • Michelle

      December 5, 2021 at 9:58 am

      My favourite reason is it always seems like a little bit of an accomplishment every time you complete one of the sections. I break the sweater mentally down into 4 or 5 smaller patterns and it makes it seem a little easier to take on. I’m an impatient knitter. Love this post it was a fun read.

      Reply
      • Heidi

        December 5, 2021 at 12:09 pm

        Aww, thanks Michelle! And I like the way you think – breaking the project down into 4 or 5 smaller patterns mentally helps you feel so much more accomplished too (and I’ll take that feeling all day every day!). 😊
        Heidi

        Reply
  2. Helen

    February 9, 2021 at 5:49 am

    I am currently knitting my first top down sweater and I can already see that it is NOT going to be as tailored looking as a seamed article. Plus, the other comments are so right: portability sucks.

    Reply
  3. Linda

    February 23, 2021 at 5:56 pm

    Ok you’ve convinced me to give it a try. Where can I learn about seaming techniques? I admit to avoiding knitting garments that need to be sewn together when finished. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      March 1, 2021 at 1:35 pm

      I’m currently making a series on seamed & vintage sweater knitting for YouTube for later this spring, but if you can’t hang tight for that, a general YouTube search of the phrase “seamed sweaters” is a great place to start! -Heidi

      Reply
  4. Diane Forster

    April 8, 2021 at 1:38 am

    As an Aussie, we’ve always made seamed items. I really don’t like the look of top down – they look a bit baggy to me.

    Reply
    • Lorraine

      October 30, 2021 at 1:51 am

      I used to hate sewing up after knitting so recently I decided to crochet the pieces together. If I make a mistake or it doesn’t sit right it is undone very easily and it feels like I’m still creating not sewing. I’m an Aussie too.

      Reply
  5. Anne Grant

    May 29, 2021 at 4:50 pm

    I am so happy with this post. I make all of my tops because I am a small person. I have started but never finished a seamless sweater. I have been making my own tops since the age of 5 and I am now 65. I am 4’11” and 97 pounds. I can never find a blouse that fits so make my own tops winter and summer. I use a DK pattern and use 2.75mm and 3.25mm needles most of the time. I found it so hard to make a sweater with no seam and I could tell it was not going to fit. I like all of the arguments given for putting seams in sweaters.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      July 15, 2021 at 11:48 am

      Thank you, Anne! :)

      Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

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Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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