Book 5

 

Machine Knitting with Busy Bee Basics

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Busy Bee Basics Machine Knitting Designs

Book 5   £2.00     Standard Gauge Machines

 

Cardigans

V neck cardigan for ladies and girls

See below for more design ideas

Girls' V neck cardigan, excellent pattern for beginners as the drop shoulder style is simple to knit and easy to put together. Knitted in Bramwell's Fine 4 ply Acrylic and written for sizes 24"-30", 61-77cm.

Extra information for new knitters - not in the pattern book:

If Bramwell's Fine 4 ply is not available try using Crepe 4 ply Acrylic, Yeoman Panama 4 ply cotton/Acrylic mix or Forsell Shamal 4 ply wool/Acrylic mix. Be sure to match the tension! 

If it is impossible to match the tension, but you can get close enough, you may still be able to make an acceptable garment (only you can decide whether to proceed) but remember that the bands may need to be a few rows longer (or shorter) and the sleeve head may be wider or narrower than the armhole markers. 

With a drop shoulder sweater these small differences can usually be accommodated, just use the armhole markers as a guide when joining the sleeves, the number of stitches to pick up when attaching the sleeve to the body should be used as a guide (you many need one or two stitches more or less) and ensure a smooth, flat seam. 

The classic ladies' V neck cardigan. Knitted in Bramwell's Fine 4 ply for ladies' sizes 32"-42", 81 - 107cm. 

This garment is designed with a square armhole, i.e. a drop shoulder with a cutaway which helps to move the shoulder line nearer to the natural shoulder and gives a better appearance. 

"Square armhole" designs still deserve a place in our wardrobes:

  1. they are simple and quick to knit
  2. they are easier to put together if you have used a different yarn/stitch and can't match the tension exactly
  3. the shoulder line is higher than with a true drop shoulder and therefore much more flattering
  4. the underarm ease allows for a comfortable fit when the cardigan (or sweater) is worn over a blouse or t-shirt.

(Please see the notes above if you cannot obtain this yarn).

Book 5, Cardigans, £2.00

Especially for new knitters - not in the pattern book We know that many of our knitters like to make children's clothes for charity and we are pleased that so many new knitters also find our patterns ideal for this (these knitters donate the finished garments free of charge). Bearing in mind the advice about tension, above, here are a few ideas for ringing the changes.

Many lace patterns knit to a tension similar to that of stocking stitch

Flat ribs, e.g. 4 knit, 4 purl, or similar combination, may knit to a similar tension, but be sure to stretch the rib ever so slightly before measuring the tension square and before setting in the sleeves

Colour changes the thickness and softness of a yarn - you may get the perfect tension in pale blue but not in white, for example. This is a result of chemical changes caused by the chemicals and dyes.

Remembering to check the tension, introduce stripes into the knitting - wide stripes, narrow stripes, graduated width stripes - the possibilities are endless!

Add a single motif to the front of the garment or make single panels of lace on each front of the cardigan

Enjoy experimenting, getting used to the different yarns, finding ways to use up oddments, BUT..........

Please do not change the stitch pattern! The quickest way to a knitting disaster is to try and knit a stocking stitch design in tuck stitch, slip stitch, Fair Isle, or any pattern other than a very, very simple lace design (i.e. stocking stitch with a little hand tooled lace).  Why? Because the tension changes so much. The resulting pieces of knitting will not be the correct size, the pieces will not fit together and, in extreme cases, the finished article will be completely unwearable! 

 

 

Busy Bee Basics

hilary @ busybeebasics . co . uk