Now that you know the shapes and colors that look best on you and have the perfect yarn chosen for your sweater it’s time to find a pattern. But how?! There are about a bazillion sweater patterns out there, how can you find that very specific sweater pattern you’re dreaming of?

Here’s a simple way to narrow down the thousands of patterns using ravelry’s search function.

How It Works

1. Start by heading over to www.ravelry.com and sign into your account. If you don’t have an account go ahead and make one (it’s free).

2. Once you’re signed in, click on the “patterns” tab. Then click on “advanced search”.

3. Under the “Craft” tab choose whether you would like a pattern for knitting or crochet.

4. If you’d like, choose one or all of the following options from the “Availability” tab; Free, Purchase Online, Purchase In Print, Ravelry Download or In My Library.

5.In the “Category” tab select the “Clothing” folder.

6. Then select the “sweater” folder.

7. Next choose if you’d like to make a cardigan, pullover or other style of sweater.

8. Under the “Attributes” tag, select “Design Elements”

9. Then select the “sleeve” folder.

10. Then choose the type of sweater you’d like to make. The most popular styles are Set-In Sleeve, Raglan Sleeve, Dolman Sleeve, and Circular Yoke.

11. Next select the “Neck” folder.

12. Choose your desired neckline.

13. Under the “Gender / Age / Size / Fit” tab select the “Age or Size” folder and choose the age or size you’re looking for.

14. In the “Weight” tab select which weight of yarn you’d like to use. The most common weights for making sweaters are highlighted.

And with that you should have a very well defined pattern search. If you’d like to narrow your search even more you can fill out the additional tabs which as much information as you can provide.

NOTE: For more specific stylistic preferences go to the “Attributes” tab and click on any or all of the the following folders; Colorwork, Design Elements, Fabric Characteristics or Regional/Ethnic Styles.

TIP

The more options you select within the search the fewer results will be returned. So if you’d like to narrow your search results be more specific in your search criteria. Similarly, if you’d like to widen the results consider being less specific in your search criteria.