Sweaters are not scary! Why do knitters fear sweaters and trying new techniques? No knitting technique is too hard to be mastered. It just requires one to attempt the technique and then practice it.

I am challenging you to select a project that has a technique you've never done before and are even afraid to try. Do this everytime you pick out a new project. This is how you build your skills as a knitter. If you're a new knitter who has only knit scarves, it's time to try something new. New knitters should really only knit two scarves; one to learn on that comes out looking like a trapezoid and one that comes out bea-u-tifully. Then, it's time to move on, or you'll get stuck in the scarf rut.

Now for some myth busting.

Myth: Cables are a technique for intermediate/experienced knitters.

No, if you can knit and purl, then you can cable. Of course, as with anything, some cable patterns are more complex than others. I recommend starting with a pattern that has just a basic cable. My first cable project was a pattern by Berroco. This is a great first project because the pattern has been written so that you don't have to worry about decreasing the cable at the armhole. They've worked it out so the cable is continuous up to the shoulders. If you want to try something a little more complex, try Mariah. It has a basic cable, but also a trellis cable that requires reading a chart.

Here's how a basic cable works. There's an even number of stitches that you are cabling. For example, it will say CB6. This means to work the cable over the next 6 sts. Slip the next 3 sts onto a cable needle (cn). The cn should be behind the other two needles, in other words held to the back. This is because of the "B" in CB6. If it said CF6, you would hold the cn to the front. Now knit the next three stitches (not the ones on the cn). Now knit the three sts on the cn. That's it, you just cabled. Easy, huh? Wondering why you didn't try that a long time ago?

Myth: Shaping a garment like a sweater is really hard.

Once again, if you can knit and purl, you can shape a sweater. For a first time sweater, I suggest a pullover with no waist shaping, just armhole and neck shaping. Until you get to the armholes, it'll be just like a really big scarf. Select a stitch pattern, like stockinette stitch, that is simple so that as you decrease it will be easy to continue the stitch pattern. If you're worried you won't finish a sweater, start small with a baby sweater.

Standard armholes are done by casting off a few stitches at the beginning of two consecutive rows. If you've made a scarf, then you've cast off. Simple. Then decreases are made by knitting two stitches together (k2tog). This is just like knitting a stitch, but instead of putting your needle through one stitch, you put it through two, then wrap the yarn around the right needle and pull it through just like knitting. Because of the direction this stitch will slant, you want to use this type of decrease (with right side facing) for the right armhole. For the left armhole, use ssk (slip, slip, knit). Slip the next two sts knitwise onto the right needle. Insert the left needle downward through these two slipped stitches. Wrap your yarn around the right needle and pull it through, just like knitting.

Tip: Always work your decreases and increases two sts from the edge. Many times patterns don't state doing so. They assume you know (it took me a few sweaters before I was in the know). Doing this will create cleaner edges, better edges for sewing in seams and just looks nicer. An example of a row would be: K2, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.

More techniques to come! If you have a special request for a technique, please post a comment and I'll give it a shot.