Finish Back, Begin Front

While I was knitting the back of the sweater, I started thinking about how difficult it would be to teach a new knitter how to seam from the top.

Seaming from the top creates an invisible seam, and I use it everywhere that I can. However, I don't think it is the best method for our first sweater. Therefore, I am going to amend the next step to make things easier and to insure success.

Once we complete row 88, or the piece measures 24.5" from the beginning the text reads:

Bind off 78 sts across the back.

We are not going to bind off. We are going to leave 'live' stitches for the neck and the shoulders.

In order to leave our stitches 'live', we will put them on hold or a holder. Since there are 78 stitches of bulky yarn, the best holder is scrap yarn. 

Scrap yarn is any yarn that is different from the yarn that you are using. It is also called waste yarn. In an ideal world the yarn is the same weight and in a contrasting color. Since you are a new knitter, you may not have contrasting scrap yarn in your basket. If not, just cut a long length of the sweater yarn.

Step 1: Thread a tapestry needle with scrap yarn.

Step 2: Insert the threaded tapestry needle as if to purl  into the first stitch on the left needle. Slip the stitch onto the tapestry needle and down onto the scrap yarn.

Step 3: Continue in this manner until all the stitches are on the scrap yarn.

Congratulations. The back of the sweater is completed. 

It is time to work the front to the neckline. 

Turn to the front of the body. You have all the front stitches on hold on your smaller circular needle. 

Using the larger size circular needle, knit the first stitch. When you knit the first stitch you have attached the yarn. Complete the row.

Work as you did for the back until piece measures 21.5" row 76. Since counting rows is difficult from the beginning for beginners, you can start counting from this row. You will work 26 rows and then we will be ready to shape the front neck.