Knitting for men

LizD_2

Can anyone recommend some relatively easy (and modern) patterns for men's jumpers? I'd like to knit one for DH for Christmas, but I've only just started knitting.

Ytaya

There are some men's knitting patterns at https://www.knitty.com - take a look in the archives. They cater for all skill levels!

Rikki

Fishermans rib is a nice easy stitch to knit and makes a lovely mans jumper.

foreign_correspondent

Rikki wrote: »

Fishermans rib is a nice easy stitch to knit and makes a lovely mans jumper.

hmm, but what if the man is not lovely?

LizD_2

Not having much luck finding anything, looking for something plain. DH is quite slim (about a 38/40 chest), so I wonder if a plain, unfitted ladies pattern would work, or are they shaped around the bust?

LizD_2

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

hmm, but what if the man is not lovely?

Luckily mine is!

hev_2

I am always trying to be far more ambitious than I have skill levels, so I will not dare to try and tell you about a pattern.

What I do recommend is go into a friendly wool shop when it is not too busy and look helpless at the lady behind the counter. Be pitiful, ask all the help you can. Some are absolutely angels!

You may have to pay more for a pattern and buy the needles and wool there, but the advice you get is likely to be worth this one off expenditure and you can go back there and look lost when you get to a bit that you find complicated and ask for help (as long as you go when it is not too busy).

Go for the really basic yarns (Aran & chunky knit up quickest). At least, I have had the best results with some really cheap yarn. The 'denim' brand always drops horrifically for me when washed, but the cheap acrylic does fine!

I also suggest getting as much knitted as possible during the first rush of enthusiasm for the pattern. I always peter out, start another project, lose my pattern, find it again and finish it off three years later. I have more half finished projects than I dare tell my DH.

Once you have your pattern, remember, ebay is your friend. And it is surprising what needles etc you can find in a charity shop!

Good luck

Hev

newster

Hope I can recommend this site without breaking any rules. Try the Knitting Pattern Central they have loads of patterns for all sorts of things :-)

LizD_2

Thanks for the links everyone.

I found this one, looks fairly simple and I think DH will wear it.

http://knitting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=knitting&cdn=hobbies&tm=7&f=00&su=p445.92.150.ip_&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.shetland-wool-brokers.zetnet.co.uk/fp2.htm

Would this be fairly easy for a novice knitter like myself? I know the basics, but I've never managed a garment (other than scarves). And could you recommend a suitable yarn, ideally a soft one?

Ytaya

It looks straightforward enough. In 'join shoulders', for the 'cast off together' method, Google 'three needle bind off' and you'll find tons of stuff.

You could do a lot worse than the recommended wool, actually. It's excellent quality and reasonably priced. Failing that, you want a chunky weight yarn that will knit to the gauge given (4 stitches and 5.5 rows per inch on whatever size needles give you this gauge). I'd recommend using a wool or a wool blend, not a pure acrylic. Acrylics tend to get a bit sweaty. If you're going to put the time in to make this for your guy, it's worth investing in some natural fibres!

Cygnet do a superwash wool (superwash means machine washable). I don't know if it comes in a chunky weight. I've used their DK weight for other projects and found it quite nice. Patons Diploma Gold is a nice blend. Sirdar doubtless do one, too. I'd recommend getting down to your local wool shop or John Lewis and having a good grope of some balls (of wool! ). Even if they don't have the exact colour you want, you'll know what they feel like and can order online.

Churchmouse

Can only agree wholeheartedly with Ytaya!! This looks pretty straightforward, and as regards yarn, with the effort involved in knitting this go for good quality yarn, you want it to be worn, and to launder and last well!!:D