Picking a size can often be the trickiest part of actually knitting a sweater. Unlike shopping for store-bought sweaters where you can try on multiple sizes, knitters have to navigate through the concept of ‘positive ease’ and how that is affected by construction-type and learn what their preferred fit is for these different styles (usually through trial & error!). And for newer garment knitters, this whole “picking a size” decision-making process can be overwhelming.

So I decided to create a virtual, interactive (and size inclusive) workshop, tailored just for local yarn shops to help knitters learn more about how to find their preferred fit and provide them the opportunity to try on multiple sizes of a garment so they can have a hands-on experience learning about positive ease. Or, if your shop is within an hour or so driving distance from Maine, I can offer an in-person workshop and experience.

In my Find Your Fit Interactive Workshop, I provide:

• A 1-hour, live virtual Zoom lesson (or in-person if you are in/near Maine) and Q&A for your customers, where they will learn tips about ease, fit and deciding on what size to knit; and
• I mail to your shop (or if in-person, I bring with me) 9 different samples of my Layla Cardigan which have been knit in 8 different sizes (ranging from 37″ to 64″), so your workshop attendees can try on these samples in person and learn first-hand which amounts of positive ease they may prefer. I consider this the “try-on sweater party” portion of the workshop!

This unique workshop provides both the education and tips of a typical Zoom class or workshop but paired with the hands-on experience of a size-inclusive try-on sweater party. Having so many different sizes knit up of one design would be very time-consuming for one shop (not to mention the sample knitting expense). So I’ve done all the hard work for you so you can just focus on providing a fun workshop event where your customers can learn more about sizing, ease and finding their preferred fit.

Interested in learning more? Here are some more knitty-gritty details:

The Layla Cardigan Samples

As mentioned above, the pattern I chose was my Layla Cardigan – a seamless, drop-shoulder cardigan available in 10 different sizes and worked in 2 colors of worsted-weight yarn.

I chose my Layla cardigan for this workshop for a few reasons:

1. It has a drop-shoulder construction-style. As you probably know, this type of construction typically calls for more positive ease and a wider range of ease amounts, and thus often generates the most amount of questions from knitters. And because of the wider ease range, there are often multiple sizes that will “fit” – it all comes down to preferred fit, so the opportunity to try on multiple sizes will be so valuable for your customers!
2. It’s a cardigan. So for a try-on sweater party, it’s much easier for people to try-on.
3. It’s a good ‘first sweater’ project. Its simple, seamless construction and silhouette lends itself to being a great first garment project. So the trunk show event can not only be a good opportunity for all knitters to test out different ease-amounts, but it’s also a chance for newer knitters to dive into the world of sweater knitting!
4. Yarn versatility. It calls for worsted-weight yarn (with a gauge of 18 sts = 4″) and you can either use 2 colors and stripe them throughout or use 1 main color and 1 self-striping yarn.

What yarns are used in the samples?

As a yarn shop, I know one of the important questions is what yarn is used in the workshop samples that you will receive. This way the workshop is not only an educational opportunity for your customers, but also a great way for you to sell more yarn. I tried to vary the samples a bit (so that people could see how different yarns would drape), but the overwhelming majority of yarns are by Berroco. Here are the full details of each of the samples:

Interested in participating? Let’s chat!

I’d love to work with you on creating a fun and informative workshop event. Email me and let’s chat! Reach me directly at: info@elizabethsmithknits.com.