Product Description
Written for a mid-gauge knitting machine (I used my LK150). For the hand knitting version of this pattern see my "Peek a Bow" Sweater!
Show the world just how fun and adorable you are in this super cute bow back sweater! Featuring darling puff sleeves and a peek of your back side with a pop of bows, you are sure to turn heads and feel fabulous in this eye catching design. Knit with your favorite worsted weight yarn, you can make this sweater fuzzy and cozy, sporty and sweet, with contrasting or matching bows, or whatever combo you can dream up!
This sweater is designed to be totally customizable to suit your unique preferences and make it your own. The sleeves can be made either long or elbow length, and the sweater length is knitted custom to you. There are also 3 backside options - 3 bows/3 keyholes, 1 bow/1 keyhole, or no keyhole.
This pattern is designed for the beginner machine knitter, with tons of photos and links to video turorials! Enjoy!
"Put a Bow on It" Sweater by Lauren Riker
What Is Being Made
The "Put a Bow on It" Sweater is a machine-knitted pullover available in two sleeve length options: long sleeves or elbow length. The design features decorative bows as a signature detail, making it a charming and feminine garment suitable for various occasions. The pattern includes multiple size options to accommodate different fit preferences.
Craft and Machine
This pattern is designed specifically for machine knitting using a mid-gauge knitting machine. The designer used an LK-150 mid-gauge knitting machine to develop and test this pattern. Machine knitting allows for efficient, consistent fabric production and is ideal for creating structured garments like sweaters with precise stitch definition.
Techniques and Stitches Used
The sweater employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished appearance:
- Stockinette Stitch forms the main fabric body, creating a smooth, classic knit surface
- Mock Ribbing is used for structural details at the bottom hem and along the elbow-length sleeves, providing elasticity and a finished edge without traditional ribbing
- Tension adjustments are strategically used throughout the pattern to create textural variation—different tension settings produce the mock ribbing sections versus the main stockinette body
Gauge and Tension Information
Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern. The target gauge is 19 stitches and 27 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch (equivalent to 4.75 stitches and 6.75 rows per inch). The pattern specifies machine tension settings: T5.5 for the main tension (MT) with worsted weight yarn on the LK-150 machine. For the mock ribbing sections, tension is reduced to T3.5 for the sweater hem and T1 for the elbow-length sleeve ribbing. The pattern provides flexibility by noting adjustments as MT with plus or minus modifications for different machine dial numbers.
Materials and Yarn Requirements
This pattern uses Worsted Weight Yarn throughout. The long-sleeved sweater with three bows requires between 940 to 1,390 yards (860 to 1,270 meters) depending on the size selected, with ten size options provided. The elbow-length version uses approximately 85% of the long-sleeve yardage. The designer's sample was created using Caron "Latte Cakes" yarn in the Cream colorway, demonstrating how variegated or multi-toned worsted weight yarns can enhance the sweater's visual interest.
Difficulty Level
This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an accessible project for those new to machine knitting. The straightforward stockinette stitch base combined with simple tension adjustments for mock ribbing creates a manageable learning experience without overwhelming complexity.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Worsted |
| Pages: | 0 |
| Designer: | Lauren Riker |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
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