Anker's Make Along - Sara's Hints and Tips
9 Hints and Tips for the Anker's Make Along
We are all getting excited to make a start on our Anker's Make Along. Before you begin read my 9 hints and tips to remember along the way.
1. Tension - make sure you work your tension square in the round to ensure accuracy. Take a look at my video from a previous make along for reference. This was for the Tin Can Knits Flax sweater. This explains knitting a tension square in the round.
2. Mark your size on the pattern, there are nine sizes listed it can be easy to get confused.
3. When joining in the round ensure you don’t twist the stitches. I usually knit one row straight and then join, it’s easier to spot a twist this way. It leaves a little gap which can be easily stitched up at the end.
4. The Anker's Summer Shirt by PetiteKnit is knitted in DK yarn. Our make-along will highlight three yarns - Rowan Summerlite DK, King Cole Cottonsoft DK and Rowan Cotton Cashmere. The quantities for each of these are listed below. To substitute any other DK yarn you need to do the following;
The yarn on the pattern is Sandnes Garn Line, it has 110 metres on every 50g ball. If you are making the large medium you need 300 grams, 6 balls which would be 660 metres.
300 / 50 = 6 balls.
6 x 110 metres = 660 metres.
You will need at least 660 metres of your substitute yarn.
5. Remember to count your rib rows on the yoke, it’s such a lovely pattern that it’s easy to lose yourself and forget!
6. You will start the pattern on your smallest length cable, move onto larger cables or needles as the stitch count increases.
7. When separating the body and the sleeves I find it easier to keep the spare stitches on a contrasting colour of yarn. It helps keep them out of the way.
8. When picking up and knitting stitches for the sleeves I like to add an extra one under the arm and knit two together in the same place on the next round (a tip I picked up from Black Sheep Lucy!). It minimises the small hole that can form if you’re not careful.
9. I have made this garment before and haven’t put the elastic around the neckline. It is well worn and hasn’t gone baggy at all.
Yarn Quantities Ready Reckoner
Sara has worked out the approximate quantities required for the Anker's Summer Shirt in King Cole Cottonsoft Dk, Rowan Summerlite Dk and Rowan Cotton Cashmere:
| Size | Total metres | KC Cottonsoft | Summerlite Dk | Cot Cashmere |
| XS | 550 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| S | 660 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| M | 660 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| L | 880 | 5 | 7 | 8 |
| XL | 880 | 5 | 7 | 8 |
| 2XL | 900 | 5 | 8 | 8 |
| 3XL | 1100 | 6 | 9 | 9 |
| 4XL | 1100 | 6 | 9 | 9 |
| 5XL | 1100 | 6 | 9 | 9 |
Join our latest make along and knit the PetiteKnit Anker's Summer Shirt or Anker's Sweater My Boyfriends Size.