Halibut Sweater

Fish sweaters are all the rage, and what is better than a fish sweater for a real or pretend cruise to Alaska or fishing at your favorite spot. Caitlin Hunter of Boyland Knitworks is the designer of the sweater and a resident of Alaska. Alaska is known for halibut fishing and draws many avid fish enthusiasts. The Halibut Sweater has a bold colorwork design.  This is a three week knit-a-long and class experience.

Class: Halibut Sweater by Caitlin Hunter

Skill Level:   Advanced Beginner - Intermediate, with prior stranded knitting experience.

Must Know Beforehand:   Casting on, knit and purl stitches, principles of stranded knitting, increase and decrease techniques, swatching in the round for gauge, knitting in the round for small circumference (neck, sleeves, cuffs) with short circular needles, magic loop technique or DPN’s.

Class Sessions:  

Week One:  Pattern review, knitting from charts, gauge, German short rows, yoke pattern discussion, depth of yoke, choice of chart, management of floats, increases in a circular yoke, management of three colors in a round.

Homework to complete prior to first class:
1. Look at the completed projects for this sweater on Ravelry for color inspiration. Select and purchase your colors. Upon purchase of the class and yarn, you will receive the pattern into your Ravelry account free.

2. Complete in the round gauge swatch. You will swatch to achieve the required gauge: Main
Needle 20 sts and 28 rows /4"; in stockinette. 

Week Two:  Check for fit to divide for body and sleeves, principles and techniques of checking fit for a yoke sweater, body hem options.

Homework to complete prior to the second class:
1. Knit the pattern through the yoke.

Week Three:  Picking up of sleeve stitches, helpful hints for the management of decreases when knitting sleeves.

Meet with Kay for questions, troubleshooting, and encouragement by appointment.

Instructor: Kay 

• Pattern uses two needle sizes: US5 for ribbing, US 6 for main sweater. Designer does not indicate a
  larger needle for stranding in the yoke. These needle sizes may change as you adjust to obtain
  gauge. 
• You will want to start with a total length of 16” for the neck or else a magic loop. Cable lengths will be
  increased as the diameter of the yoke grows. You do not want to bunch your stitches together as
  you do your stranding, as you are more likely to not have a smooth finished yoke. As your stitch
  count grows, so should the length of your cable. You will go up to a 32-40" for the body, and either
  a magic loop or a small circular for the sleeves.
• Cotton waste yarn to hold sleeve stitches
• Tapestry needle
• Tape Measure 
• Scissors 

• Recommended Yarn -Yarn DK-  LaBien Corrie or Corrie Worsted, Rowan Felted Tweed, Rambouillet

• Purchase yarn.
• Measure the chest circumference of a casual sweater you like the fit of.
• Complete a gauge swatch.  (see instructions below).  
• Upon purchase of the class, KPS will place your pattern in your Ravelry library.  You are responsible
  for printing the pattern.   Print and review the pattern.  Bring a physical copy to the first class.   
• Determine the size of the sweater you will be making.

• Cast on 30 stitches.   Knit 6 rows to form a garter ridge hem.  
• Knit body of swatch as follows.  Knit the first three and last three stitches in garter stitch (Knit every row giving edging at sides).  The middle stitches are stockinette.  (Knot one row, purl one row repeat).  Complete for four inches.   Knit 6 rows to form the top garter ridges. 
• Do a dry measure of the swatch for stitches /4 inches and rows / 4 inches. 
• Wet block your swatch.  Do not stretch the swatch but lay out and pat into shape.  Allow to dry thoroughly.  
• Do a blocked measure of the swatch for stitches /4 inches and rows / 4 inches.   
• Gauge for the sweater is 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches.  

Please take a moment to review our Class Polices, regarding cancellations, minimum enrollment etc.