Women's Sweaters

"Someone Told Me You Can Get Free Knitting Patterns for Women's Sweaters on the Internet -- Is That Really True?"

Yes, it's REALLY true -- it is possible to locate free knitting patterns for women's sweaters all over the Internet. The catch is this: some of the websites offering these free patterns are not that great -- so you need to learn what to look for, and what to avoid.

"Well, I'll Bite -- What Do YOU Look for in This Type of Website?"

One of the things that I tried to do is find a website that has a number of different pictures. The reason for should be obvious: before I choose a knitting pattern, for example, for a woolen women's snowflake ski sweater, I want to know what it will look like before I begin. I can't tell you how many of these free knitting patterns I have discovered, only to find out that the finished product looks absolutely HORRENDOUS.

And not just any photograph will do -- I need to see several pictures. For example, if it's a pattern for a woman's babydoll sweater, ideally I need to see at least one picture showing what the it will look like when it is finished, and at least one up-close photograph showing the detail of the stitching, buttons, collar, etc. While I know that not every knitting pattern website has this many photographs, even one or two pictures can be helpful.

"When You Are Looking for a Knitting Pattern Website -- What Else Do You Think Is Important?"

In addition to photographs of the completed items (and detailed shots, as well) I think that any website offering free knitting patterns for women's sweaters should also provide you with a detailed explanation of all the stitches that will be used in the construction of the sweater item. This is especially useful for the beginner, who may not have learned advanced techniques.

Another thing that a good pattern website will provide you with is notes about any potential problems that you might run into -- for example, if they are providing you with knitting directions for a women's plus size angora sweater, and if it is necessary to keep your stitches loose, or to turn the item inside and out at a certain point in its construction, this kind of information should be included.

When I am visiting a website offering these free knitting patterns I also try and make note of any supporting e-mail address, street address, telephone number, etc. That way, if I decide to begin work on that project and experience difficulties, I have some way of getting back to the person who has posted that information.

This can become very important: I once downloaded a free knitting pattern for a 100% cotton woman's sweater -- only to find that the directions did not specify the size of needles to be used! Obviously, this was an oversight on the part of the compiler, and a quick e-mail not only clarified my question, but reminded them that they needed to revise their directions and repost them on the web.

"Do You Suggest That I Print out the Pattern, or Simply Save It As a File on My PC?"

Actually, I do both. I will usually download a pattern, let's say for a tall woman ski sweater, make sure it is saved on my PC -- and then print off a copy so that I can have it near me when I actually began knitting (after all, I don't normally sit at my PC and knit!). Another thing that I will sometimes do is try to capture images of the displayed photographs of the finished item. If necessary, I can print those off as well -- or as an alternative I can simply leave them as a downloaded file for future reference.