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Hi There! I’m so excited to be back today with another machine knitting tutorial! I’ve just come out with a brand new 5-part video series covering all the techniques used to make my new top and skirt set design “You Glow Girl“. This pattern comes in 10 sizes ranging to fit a 32-50″ bust and 34-52” hips, which you can find on Ravelry here! If you get the pattern you can make it alongside me in this video series where I walk you through every step. This set is also available as a hand knitting pattern here.
The yarn I use in the demo and pictured here is Lion Brand “Date Nights” in the Lapis color. It is so sparkly and fun and I absolutely loved knitting with it! It also has great elasticity which is perfect for this fitted design.
We start by making the Top, and in Video #1 we make the front of the Top. The techniques I cover are how to cast on and knit mock ribbing, how to knit the increase rows at the bust and customize the length of the top, how to bind off for the underarms, shape the underarms, put the left side and neckline on hold, and how to shape the neckline. I then show you how to knit the short row shoulder shaping, how to scrap off the shoulder and neckline, and lastly how to knit the other side mirroring the shaping and short rows.
In Video #2, we make the back of the Top and I show you how to knit this optional keyhole. I show you how to scrap off half of your knitting to create the keyhole, tips for customizing your keyhole size, how to do the short row shoulder shaping, place your back neckline stitches on hold, shape the back neckline, and scrap off the shoulder and back neckline. I then show you how to rehang your other side and mirror the shaping and holding. Lastly, I show you how to join the shoulders using a 3-needle bind off to prepare for knitting the neckband.
In Video #3, we knit the neckband! I’ve seen a lot of requests for how to knit a neckband on an LK150, and am so happy to be able to show you how it’s done in this tutorial. I cover every detail of how to pick up the neckband of your sweater, including how to pick up selvedge stitches, held stitches, the ratio at which to pick them up, and how to pick up before and after the scrapped off neckline stitches to ensure a smooth transition. I then show you how to knit the neckband and offer tips for fixing dropped stitches. Lastly I show you how to join the other shoulder using a 3-needle bind off, seam the neckband to the inside of your sweater top, and lastly seam the neckband edges together.
In Video #4, we talk about the sleeves! I cover how to knit the two decrease rows at the top of the sleeve on your knitting machine to create the puff sleeve look, how to bind off, and exactly how I seam the sleeves to the Top using mattress stitch.
Lastly, in Video #5 we cover how to knit the skirt waistband. I show you how you can use ravel cord to help you pick up your waistband, how to knit the waistband, pick up and hang the first row of the waistband, join the picked up row, then how to bind off using a backstitch bind off to finish the waistband. I then explain how the skirt is seamed together and lastly offer tips for inserting elastic into your waistband for extra support if you desire.
I’ve also made this set using Lion Brand “Pound of Love” in Maize (pictured right), which turned out super cute as well!
If you would like the pattern for just the top, it’s available that way too. The tops pictured below were made using Knit Picks “Brava Worsted” in Cobblestone Heather and Eggplant. I am wearing the 3rd size in the pattern, and the purple top is made in the 8th size.
I hope you enjoy this new design! To see all of my LK150 machine knitting patterns, check them out here.
Happy Knitting!
💜 Lauren
