I’ve been wanting to make the No Frills Sweater from Petite Knit for a while, and I thought it would be a fun project to take on.
This was my fifth sweater, so I’m still very much figuring out what I like when it comes to knitting. I’m starting to get a better sense of the kinds of projects I enjoy, but I’m also trying not to stay too comfortable. I want each project to teach me something new, even if it’s just one small technique or a different way of doing something.
What I Used
Here’s what went into the project:
Pattern: No Frills Sweater by Petite Knit
Yarn: Brave Recycled DK
Color: Rorschach
Amount: 1028 - 2056 yards (940 - 1880 m)
Needles: US 2½ - 3.0 mm and US 6 - 4.0 mm
Size: I knitted up a size Medium
Yarn was purchased from Knit Picks . The flecks of grey throughout this yarn really does give it a unique look!
About the No Frills Sweater
The No Frills Sweater is worked from the top down, with raglan shaping through the yoke. The body and sleeves are worked in the round in stockinette stitch and finished with ribbing.
I found this pattern to be very simple and easy to follow, which is probably one of the reasons I enjoyed knitting it so much. I would definitely recommend it for a beginner who is ready to try their first sweater.
Of course, “simple” doesn’t necessarily mean “quick”! Sometimes when you’re working on a simple sweater, there are phases where you feel like you’ve been knitting the same thing forever. The body can feel like it goes on and on, and then you get to the sleeves and think, “Am I ever going to finish this?” I know I’ve been there!
But I also think those longer stretches are part of the process. Once you get into the rhythm of the stockinette, you can settle in and just knit. And for me, there’s something pretty satisfying about watching all those rows slowly turn into an actual sweater.
The construction also gave me a chance to work on a few techniques that were new to me, which kept things interesting along the way.
This project also traveled with me, which made it even more enjoyable. I love having a knitting project that I can easily take along, and this sweater was perfect for that. A few rows here and there really do add up!
New-to-Me Techniques
One of the things I’m trying to do with each project is push myself just a little outside of what I already know. The No Frills Sweater gave me the chance to try a few techniques that were new(er) to me:
Swapping Out Yarns — Like I did with the Lento Sweater, I used a yarn that met the weight called for in the pattern rather than the specific yarn it mentioned. The pattern calls for a double strand of yarn held together, so I chose to use the equivalent of a DK weight. I’m getting more comfortable with choosing substitute yarns, and I’m enjoying learning what works and what to look for when making a swap.
Knitting the Sleeves Two at a Time! — This was something I tried for the first time on this sweater. Instead of knitting one sleeve and then having to repeat everything for the second sleeve, I worked both sleeves at the same time using the Magic Loop Method. I really liked being able to work on both together and know they would end up the same length.
Adjusting the Length — I also made the body and sleeves longer than the pattern suggested. This wasn't really a change because something was wrong with the pattern; it was simply a personal preference. I’m starting to get more comfortable making these kinds of adjustments instead of feeling like I have to follow every measurement exactly as written. After all, the goal is to end up with something that fits me and that I’ll actually enjoy wearing.
None of these things felt impossible, but they were enough to make the project feel like a learning experience—and that’s exactly what I’m looking for right now.
I’m still very much learning when it comes to knitting, and I think that’s part of what makes it so enjoyable. There’s always another technique to try, another construction method to figure out, or another project that makes you think, “I wonder if I could make that?”
And apparently, the answer lately has been yes!
Five sweaters down, and I’m already wondering what I should knit next. 🧶
