Ranunculus - what’s all the hype about,

I don`t like that pattern. It has been over-hyped, same as petite knit patterns

There are nicer patterns out there

ClicketyClick

My one and only time of knitting from the top down was for a small child. It turned out lovely but the dam thing wouldn't fit over her head!

Did you do a stretchy cast-on? It can be quite important to choose cast-on/cast off carefully.

All the other made-up measurements were right according to the pattern

My one and only time of knitting from the top down was for a small child. It turned out lovely but the dam thing wouldn't fit over her head!

I see that it is very popular; it must be for a reason. I think because all the detailed pattern is done at the beginning, then it is smooth sailing with stockinet stitch afterwards. I actually like a looser neckline, since I tend to get overly warm. Maybe I will give this pattern a go!

I have only once done a sweater in the round, and while there is a lot of yard sitting on your lap at the end, I was thankful not to have to sew it all together!

I've just ordered yarn for a plain sweater, Titchwell by Rowan, so am impatiently waiting. No knitting shop in my town, so need to purchase on line.

Romola

Or do you know how I could have done it, Doodledog?

Yes, but the most 'professional' way involves knowing that you might want to do that in advance. You cast on using a provisional cast-on - basically keeping the stitches 'live' so you can knit from them later. There are various ways of doing this, and YouTube has explanatory videos.

Then, when you've finished the sweater, you go back and knit up the neck the way you want it. Sometimes even top down jumpers have instructions to add the neck rib at the end, in which case you just pick up the stitches as instructed and make the neck the way you want it.

A boat or slash neck can just be sewn up further towards the centre before picking up for the rib, you can add rows if the existing one is too low for your liking, but my favourite is a loose cowl, as they cover the original, so any tinkering with that can be hidden.

Lovely jumpers, not long, nice neck.

Trying to reinvent the wheel . I’ll stick with actual buttercups and traditional knitting which works for me.

Just done a Google search as I hadn't come across Ranunculus as a knitting term. I found the sweaters reminded me of the Sloppy Joes we had as teenagers - plenty of room and knitted in chunky yarn, but the Joes had a lovely deep warm collar you could pull over your ears in cold weather. No draughts because of the ribbing!! My mum knitted one for each of the three of us, and we loved them. Guess what I'm knitting at the moment!! Wish I still had her pattern, though - sigh

Or do you know how I could have done it, Doodledog?

The thing about knitting a jumper from the top down is that altering the neckline is nigh on impossible. I gave away what should have been a lovely jumper because the neckline didn't work for me.

I think my teenage DGD might wear it, but it looks too draughty for me!

I agree about the wide neck. I always have to alter the neckline on jumpers that have them. Boat necks are the worst. I do have a lot of knitted cowls and triangular scarves (worn with the point at the front) that I can wear with them, but I prefer one-step dressing (eg dresses rather than skirts and tops), so tend to just adjust the pattern to make the neck more suitable.

Cowl necks are easy to add to wide necklines, and often suit boxy patterns. Just use the number of stitches you have, pick up as instructed for the rib and knit for 18 inches or so. Depending on the style you can change needle size in the middle to bring the coal in a bit, then increase it again after a few rows. If it's a top-down pattern, use a provisional cast-on and add a new neck arrangement at the end.

Thanks for asking the question. I've just got back into knitting after a long time and after reading that the Ranunuclus is the most purchased sweater pattern on Ravelry, decided to give it a go. There's videos included in the pattern, so hopefully I'll be able to keep up. I'll let you know how I get on.

I thought it was about the flowers too.

Having looked at the pattern, I'm not really keen. It's too wide and boxy for me too.

I understand some of the terminology but also think the description has been translated into English from another language (Japanese) and sounds a bit clunky.

Not my style at all! Far too boxy and the neck is really wide. I don’t see the point of a sweater if it doesn’t keep your neck warm🙄

I've had a look at that pattern. Weird shape. This is not a pattern for beginners. I do like Ravelry, it's great to see all that inventive craft.

Love it Esmay

Me ,too !
I rhought that it was going to be all
about flowers .
Instead knitting patterns .
When it comes to knitting patterns a black chasm.of complete incomprehension opens .
I wish that it were not so .
My mother was an exquisite knitter of fairisle and lace .
These were talents that she didn't pass on to me . She told me that I was hopeless .
Pregnant for my first baby my mother in law introduced me as her daughter in law who couldn't knit .
A deathly hush fell over the room .
And looks of incredulity passed over their faces followed by disapproving clucks .
But when she mentioned that I could sew and better still embroider -honour was saved .
Those were the days !
Years later when I attempted to help my mother with her watercolours she flung the paints and brushes at the conservatory windows and had a wobbler.
Wicked me ,I smiled to myself as I recalled those unpleasant knitting lessons .

Suck it up, Buttercup

Me too Jax 😂

I though this thread was about the flowers!

Fingering weight yarn is an American term, it is equivalent to 4 ply in UK. I don't knit, but took a look at the pattern. There are YouTube tutorials about ranunculus knitting patterns that may be helpful if you feel like giving it a try.

A friend of mine has made several. They are useful, I think - they can be worn over t shirts in winter, and on their own when the weather's warmer.

Fingering weight yarn = American for 4 ply

Twisted rib is where you knit the stitch in front, then the next stitch and drop them both off the needle at the same time (see YouTube)

Short rows are designed to shape (the back of the neck usually) but anything where you want a rounded shape. Again, there will be tutorials on YT, but it is easy - basically you knit so far along a row, turn the work, wrapping the yarn round the last knitted stitch, and go back again, so that part of the pattern has an extra row in it. The pattern will keep you right if you just do what it says without thinking about it too much.

No, you don't have to learn to knit again . I don't think it is a complicated pattern, although I haven't knitted it myself.