Letting Noro be Noro

Barbara Walker’s “Knitting from the Top” has been in my library for years. It spent a good chunk of time in my knitting bag after I saw Turtlegirl76’s Noro Striped Sweater.

It took far too long for me to finally knit from this book.


When I started this sweater, I learned a new provisional/invisible cast-on, which was fine. I chose the simultaneous set-in sleeves, which led me to questioning the instructions early in the process.

But then I took a deep breath and decided that this is Barbara Walker. She certainly knows what she’s talking about. So I forged ahead.


Of course, the sleeves turned out perfectly. I wouldn’t change a thing.

I chose this path because I prefer set-in sleeves to raglan sleeves. There is no question in my mind that I’ll use this pattern/guideline again. It’s great.


So, after motoring through the torso, I decided that all the sweater needed was enough ribbing to keep the bottom edge from curling. Eight rows of 2x2 ribbing later, the torso was finished.

Same deal on the sleeves


I could have been a lot more careful about starting to shape/decrease the sleeves on this sweater, but at the end of the day the mildly batwing-looking sleeves fit just fine. So I decided not to worry about it.

The last bit of decision-making went with the collar. My one fear was that the collar would flip outward. With a thicker yarn, I felt like this was a potential problem.


I solved the potential problem by switching to 1x1 ribbing for the neckline, allowing for centered double decreases at the corners and making sure the collar laid flat. Success!


Nothing specific to say about the side of the collar. I just liked the picture.

Early in this sweater, I had trouble working on it at night, when my brain wasn’t at full speed. The book is quite similar to Elizabeth Zimmerman-type instructions. Nothing specific, just guidelines. Which is fine.

All in all, I’d call this sweater a huge success. I enjoyed working with the yarn and I think I got a great sweater out of the process. Win-win!

Noro Kogarashi Sweater

Pattern: Seamless Simultaneous Set-In Sleeve “pattern” from
Barbara Walker’s “Knitting from the Top”
Yarn: Noro Kogarashi
Color: 10 (purple/turquoise)
Quantity: 6.5 skeins (just over 1,000 yards)
Needles: US 10/6.0mm, KnitPicks Options
Started: 25 October 2011
Finished: 2 December 2011