I was doing some knitting pattern math,1 and I thought I’d share it without a lot of context:

Cast on 228 stitches using the “German Twisted” method,2, placing a marker half way, after 114 stitches. Knit 2 inches of knit 1 purl 1 ribbing.

After two inches, switch to stocking stitch: knit 21 stitches, increase 1 stitch, place a marker, knit 72 stitches, place a marker, increase 1 stitch, knit 21 more stitches. You should have arrived at the “half way” marker from before.

Over the next half (115 stitches), space out 14 increases. This doesn’t divide evenly, so try: knit 5, increase 1 stitch and then knit 8 stitches, increase 1 stitch 13 times, or in short hand: K5 M1, * K8 M1, repeat from * 13 times, K5).

The “first half” is the back of the sweater and the “second” half is the front. Increase one stitch before and after the markers on the back of the sweater 7 times, every 1.5 or 2 inches (somewhere between 10 or 20 rows,) depending on how you’d like the taper.

Meanwhile3 insert 3 sets of short rows across the back of the sweater, which should get wider. For the first short row stop 3 inches from the edges, for the second 2 inches, and for the last 1 inch. I’d put an inch or two between each short row, maybe half way between the first three increases.

Notes

  1. I’ve not, to be clear, actually knit this yet, though I plan to soon. ↩︎

  2. As in this video, though there are many videos that may be more clear for you. I’m pretty sure that learned this method from Meg Swansen and/or Amy Detjin. ↩︎

  3. I have to say, that the “meanwhile” part of knitting patterns is always my favorite. ↩︎