Thinking about knitting your first jumper?

Every knitter has that one project that feels like a step up.

It might be a pair of socks, some intricate lace or your first colourwork pattern. For many knitters, though, knitting your first jumper is the milestone that really changes how you see yourself as a knitter.

I've spoken to plenty of customers over the years who happily knit blankets, scarves, socks and other accessories, but quietly admit they've never quite felt ready to tackle a jumper. Somehow, it feels like something "proper knitters" make.

I understand that feeling. A garment has to fit, you'll wear it out into the world, and other people will see it. That can make it feel like a much bigger leap than the projects you've tackled before, even if many of the skills are exactly the same. And trust me you will be capable of all the component parts it's just putting them together that's the challenge.

You've already built the skills

If you've knitted blankets, textured accessories or more involved projects, you've already developed many of the habits that make garment knitting enjoyable.

You've learnt how to read a pattern, keep track of your progress, fix the occasional mistake and trust the process when a project doesn't look like much in its early stages.

A jumper builds on those skills rather than asking you to start again. There may be a few new techniques along the way, but that's true of almost every project. Most knitters don't wake up one morning suddenly ready to knit garments. They simply reach a point where the next challenge feels like the right one.

Always reach out the YouTube for video tutorials if you feel stuck, a word of advice though I always watch UK videos as their terminology is the same as ours. 

What to expect when knitting your first jumper

One thing I've noticed is that many knitters imagine a jumper as one enormous project, when in reality it rarely feels that way once you're underway.

Like any larger make, it grows steadily, one evening, one weekend or one spare hour at a time. Before long, the knitting beside your favourite chair starts to look unmistakably like something you're going to wear, and that's when the excitement really begins.

The reward is different

There's a particular satisfaction that comes with wearing something you've made yourself.

Blankets, shawls and cushions become part of your home, but a jumper becomes part of your everyday life. It's the project you reach for on a chilly morning, take on holiday or throw on before heading out for the day.

Sooner or later someone is almost certain to ask where you bought it. Being able to answer, "I made it myself," is one of those moments that many knitters remember for years. Not because you're looking for compliments, but because it's a reminder of what you've achieved.

Choosing your first jumper

If you're thinking about knitting your first jumper, look for a pattern that genuinely excites you rather than one you think you ought to make. A classic shape you'll enjoy wearing is often a better choice than chasing the latest trend, because you'll be far more motivated to keep going.

If knitting in the round feels like one more thing to learn, don't let it put you off. We covered many of the common questions in our recent blog post, Don't be afraid of circular knitting needles: A practical guide, including why so many knitters enjoy using them and why they're often much less daunting than they first appear.

Our Crew Neck Jumper Knitting Kit is a great introduction to garment knitting. The body is worked in the round, giving you the opportunity to try a technique that many knitters come to love, but if you'd prefer to stick with straight needles, that's absolutely fine too. OR if you're not ready for knitting in the round chose the other version of the Crew Neck Jumper where the pattern knits the body flat, so you can choose whichever method feels most comfortable. Both jumpers use the beautiful Rico Creative Melange Chunky yarn. It's been a corner stone of my range for over a decade with colours to suit every palette. 

If you're looking for another timeless piece, the Raglan Crew Neck Sweater Knitting Kit is another lovely option.

Or, if you fancy letting the yarn do some of the work for you, the Sirdar Jewelspun Sweater Knitting Kit creates beautiful colour changes as you knit, producing a striking finished garment without complicated colourwork and heaps of colours to choose from.

Whichever pattern you choose, remember that your first jumper doesn't have to be perfect.

It just has to be yours.

Is knitting a jumper your logical next step

Every knitter remembers their first garment.

Not because every stitch was perfect, but because it marked the moment they stopped wondering whether they could make a jumper and discovered that they could.

Looking back, the projects I've enjoyed most haven't always been the most technically challenging. They're the ones that taught me something new, gave me confidence and became favourites in my wardrobe.

If you've been thinking about knitting your first jumper, perhaps this is the project to cast on next.

The next time someone admires what you're wearing, you might just find yourself saying four very satisfying words.

"I made it myself."