Makin' Super Cute Sweaters Without a Pattern!

So for the past several weeks, I've been attempting to knit sweaters without patterns!  I decided I wanted to knit a sweater with cables, so I went to Hobby Lobby and bought 3 skeins of "Fisherman's Wool".  Little did I realize just how much yarn those skeins contained.  As you will see it was enough to knit 2 sweaters!

SWEATER #1

I started by making a swatch of course.  That is always key, since the whole rest of the process relied on careful measuring in order to produce a really fitted garment.  After the swatch with my first cable pattern selection, I basically knitted a scarf and pinned it on the form.  This became my collar and front panels--a brilliant idea if I do say so myself!

I have no idea how to reorient this photo.  Here is the first piece pinned in place.

One thing I did here was to change the direction of the cable around the back of the neck, otherwise the two front pieces would appear to be going in different directions.

Changing directions of the cable by utilizing diamond shapes.

Then I knit two side pieces at the same time with 2 balls of yarn.  That way I did not have to keep track of how many rows I did, etc.  Both sides ended up the same length without having to think too much.  As I went along, I stopped often to hold it up to the dummy.  When I reached the appropriate length, I shaped the armhole.

I got creative with the back panel, trying to add shaping to the design which is quite flattering (I think) in the final product.

Shaping the back.

The sleeves use the same cable pattern, but are short--stopping at the elbow.  I love this length on me.

Sleeve detail.

I had the most difficulty in trying to set in the sleeve.  Measuring is so crucial here.  I ended up ripping apart 2 complete sleeves and starting over.  I finally made myself a paper pattern piece that fit perfectly and had success in fitting everything together.  Don't get me wrong, I had moments when I was sure it was going to just end up being a vest!

The final product.

I am really happy with the way it turned out.  My initial plan was to have a zipped closure with a deep V-neck, but when I went to the fabric store, I was really disappointed in their zipper choices.  I had really hoped for something "cuter" with an interesting pull.  No such luck.   It's never too late, though, so if anyone knows where to find more unique zippers, let me know!

SWEATER #2

So, like I said I had a LOT of yarn left over.  I started with a wide 4x4 rib at the bottom of the sweater.  My plan here was to knit a front, a back, and I would see whether I had enough for sleeves.  I love sleeveless tops, so it didn't really matter to me.  

The final product.

As you can see from the photo, I did a lovely criss-cross bit at the bustline.  I didn't have a proper edge, so it was actually rolling inward and did not look very good.  I knew I had to take care of that somehow, and I got the idea to add the narrow cable band.  I think it looks really cute!  It definitely adds a more polished look to the neckline.  If I had planned on doing it in the first place, I would have added a slipped stitch edge to aid in sewing it on.

Once I got that far, I tried to imagine what kind of sleeves would be cute.  I didn't have much of a design in mind when I started, just kind of made it up as I went along.  I thought short sleeves with a little keyhole would be adorable!  Here's the pattern piece I made:

Sleeve Pattern.

  

I actually did this sleeve twice too!  Ugh.  The first one I made was a bit too small.  No worries, it's just knitting, not rocket science.  I took it apart and tried again.  The sleeves turned out great!

I did a single crochet around the keyhole, then I did a skinny cable band and stitched that around the bottom of the sleeve.  Voila!  Super cute sweater #2!

I will also have you know that those two took every last bit of yarn I had--I even had to take apart my gauge swatch!  Although, is it a bit weird to have 2 sweaters made from the same yarn?  Well, too bad.  I've always been a bit weird, so I am fine with it. 

All in all, I am VERY happy with my creations!  What's better than making something you actually want to wear?