Knitting patterns for sweaters almost universally start by offering directions to create the back, followed by directions for the fronts and finally the sleeves. The only exception to this order is when there are no seams at the sides; then the front and back pieces are knit together and stitches for sleeves may be picked up around the armhole. So it got me thinking: Why are the directions to knit most sweaters started with the back? The back of a sweater with shaping for the arms is about to happen next. Here's some possible reasons: The back is the largest piece. If it is completed first, the biggest amount of knitting is completed when the knitter has high motivation. Perhaps knitting patterns follow sewing patterns in order of cutting. Sewing projects generally have the biggest part cut first because smaller pieces can be worked into whatever fabric is left. In the case of a sweater the back would be the biggest piece. Perhaps th...
Getting it together one stitch at a time.