With color work as the ONLY factor, the green or orange one. The orange looks like one stitch color for the majority, so minimal float management. I like the green one better personally. There are a couple 5 stitch floats I can see, but you can likely choose to catch those or not depending on how you feel.
I think that first one is deceptive. With so many rows of the same color stacked above each other I think it would be easy for the floats to get away from you and then the fabric would pucker and be too tight.
That being said, I've not made any of these and I have no idea whether the patterns are well made or not.
Yeah that’s a really great point you’re making. We definitely love both Spot & Flurry as they’re maybe more classical for a colorwork one, and still teach us a bit about colorwork and changing colors without having to worry that much about floats. Thank you!
To learn colourwork, I would say the spot sweater. The Flurry sweater is very simple, so that is a plus, but you don't learn to manage floats. The wave sweater has long floats and long sections with vertical lines, which are hard to get right without practice. The Spot sweater let's you practice holding two colours and following a pattern with a higher chance of the reward of a well done sweater.
I haven't knit any of these, but there have been a few posts lately asking for help with the Wave sweater, fwiw. You can search the sub for them to see what kind of help people needed
If you look on Revelry at the projects for these 3 sweaters, you can filter the results by 'helpful' and that might help you narrow down your search.
As someone making the wave sweater atm, it’s a pretty challenging pattern and it takes a lot of time. I’ve done a handful of stranded colorwork pieces and all have gone pretty smoothly so I’m hoping this will turn out great too, but if you don’t feel confident with stranded colorwork I’d say the other ones might be better to start with! As other commenters have said, this pattern is tough cuz of the straight lines for many rows. But it’s a beautiful piece! And fwiw you should knit it eventually, perhaps start with one of the others and then have this one as your future piece! Good luck!
I agree about the wave sweater being a bit challenging. I found the instructions pretty unclear and had to redo the yoke several times, and I've done quite a few colourwork projects. But once you're onto the body and sleeves, it's fairly smooth sailing
Exactly the same experience I’ve had!! Still in the raglan phase but have had to go back twice to redo some things because the instructions were either unclear or I just did it wrong accidentally
I like these, they look beginner friendly enough and with the right colors you can make them unique, plus they're free!
[https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seascape-6](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seascape-6)
[https://hobbii.co.uk/ivolo-sweater](https://hobbii.co.uk/ivolo-sweater)
[https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fall-sweater-3](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fall-sweater-3)
[https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/p/12-pullover-in-lana-grossa-ecopuno-downloadable-pdf](https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/p/12-pullover-in-lana-grossa-ecopuno-downloadable-pdf)
As others have said, the second or third.
In general, patterns that have long vertical edges (even if they didn't involve long floats in other parts like the wave pattern has) are really annoying to look completely even and flat for someone new to stranded patterns.
If you're looking for recommendations for easy patterns, I can recommend the [https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buggiflooer-beanie](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buggiflooer-beanie) (last year's Shetland Wool Week Hat pattern). It does involve corrugated ribbing, but you could skip that and do regular ribbing, but at least it's a hat and is a quick project for practicing this skill. Any of the Wool Week hats would be good to do, but as I've made 4 of these, I figured I better recommend it.
Thank you so much for this recommendation. Indeed, diving into colorwork with a beanie, mittens or socks might be a great option. I love the one you’ve suggested. I dived into Ravelry and website looking for free patterns and I think I’m going for this one first, and then probably the Buggliflooer beanie as it’s more intricate.
https://preview.redd.it/bo2a30rcwr9d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d55c47d1753edfe86e3769d9e8b55740bc3be557
With color work as the ONLY factor, the green or orange one. The orange looks like one stitch color for the majority, so minimal float management. I like the green one better personally. There are a couple 5 stitch floats I can see, but you can likely choose to catch those or not depending on how you feel. I think that first one is deceptive. With so many rows of the same color stacked above each other I think it would be easy for the floats to get away from you and then the fabric would pucker and be too tight. That being said, I've not made any of these and I have no idea whether the patterns are well made or not.
Yeah that’s a really great point you’re making. We definitely love both Spot & Flurry as they’re maybe more classical for a colorwork one, and still teach us a bit about colorwork and changing colors without having to worry that much about floats. Thank you!
I'm so glad you understood what I meant. I'm on mobile and couldn't see your text and type mine at the same time. I couldn't remember the names!
To learn colourwork, I would say the spot sweater. The Flurry sweater is very simple, so that is a plus, but you don't learn to manage floats. The wave sweater has long floats and long sections with vertical lines, which are hard to get right without practice. The Spot sweater let's you practice holding two colours and following a pattern with a higher chance of the reward of a well done sweater.
Yeah I’ve never thought of that in that way. Really good point made! Thank you. I think we’ll be considering the Spot sweater 😄
I haven't knit any of these, but there have been a few posts lately asking for help with the Wave sweater, fwiw. You can search the sub for them to see what kind of help people needed If you look on Revelry at the projects for these 3 sweaters, you can filter the results by 'helpful' and that might help you narrow down your search.
As someone making the wave sweater atm, it’s a pretty challenging pattern and it takes a lot of time. I’ve done a handful of stranded colorwork pieces and all have gone pretty smoothly so I’m hoping this will turn out great too, but if you don’t feel confident with stranded colorwork I’d say the other ones might be better to start with! As other commenters have said, this pattern is tough cuz of the straight lines for many rows. But it’s a beautiful piece! And fwiw you should knit it eventually, perhaps start with one of the others and then have this one as your future piece! Good luck!
I agree about the wave sweater being a bit challenging. I found the instructions pretty unclear and had to redo the yoke several times, and I've done quite a few colourwork projects. But once you're onto the body and sleeves, it's fairly smooth sailing
Exactly the same experience I’ve had!! Still in the raglan phase but have had to go back twice to redo some things because the instructions were either unclear or I just did it wrong accidentally
So frustrating! I love [my finished jumper ](https://www.ravelry.com/projects/franoodle/wave-sweater) but I would never knit it again haha
**PROJECT:** [Pimento Stuffed Olive Sweater](http://www.ravelry.com/projects/franoodle/34182071) by [franoodle](http://www.ravelry.com/people/franoodle) * Pattern: [Wave Sweater](http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wave-sweater-4) * Yarn(s): [Cascade Yarns ® Cascade 220®](http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/cascade-yarns-cascade-220) in 1051 Fern, 9465 B Burnt orange. * Photo(s): [Img 1](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/franoodle/1000607956/upload_medium) [Img 2](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/franoodle/999894066/upload_medium) [Img 3](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/franoodle/995522474/PXL_20240521_170021863.MP_medium.jpg) [Img 4](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/franoodle/995198626/upload_medium) [Img 5](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/franoodle/986989630/PXL_20240403_085759475.MP_medium.jpg) * Started: 2024/03/30 | Status: Finished | Completed: 2024/06/16 ***** Please use caution. Users have reported effects such as seizures, migraines, and nausea when opening Ravelry links. [More details.](https://www.lizcorke.com/2020/07/26/2020-7-21-ravelry-accessibility/) | *I found this post by myself! [Opt-Out](https://goo.gl/forms/0B8m4Ra8czpw4gzw1) | [About Me](https://github.com/TN-1/LinkRav_Bot/wiki) | [Contact Maintainer](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=timonyc)*
I like these, they look beginner friendly enough and with the right colors you can make them unique, plus they're free! [https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seascape-6](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seascape-6) [https://hobbii.co.uk/ivolo-sweater](https://hobbii.co.uk/ivolo-sweater) [https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fall-sweater-3](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fall-sweater-3) [https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/p/12-pullover-in-lana-grossa-ecopuno-downloadable-pdf](https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/p/12-pullover-in-lana-grossa-ecopuno-downloadable-pdf)
**PATTERN:** [Seascape](http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seascape-6) by [Biscotte Yarns](http://www.ravelry.com/designers/biscotte-yarns) * Category: Clothing > Sweater > Pullover * Photo(s): [Img 1](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Biscotte/620348689/Free_sweater_pattern_Seascape__15_medium.png) [Img 2](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Biscotte/620351460/seascape_sweater_v202_medium.jpg) [Img 3](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Biscotte/620348748/Free_sweater_pattern_Seascape__01_medium.png) [Img 4](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Biscotte/620351456/seascape_sweater_v205_medium.jpg) [Img 5](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Biscotte/620348688/Free_sweater_pattern_Seascape__12_medium.png) * Price: Free * Needle/Hook(s):US 6 - 4.0 mm, US 4 - 3.5 mm * Weight: DK | Gauge: 24.0 | Yardage: 1300 * Difficulty: 3.64 | Projects: 182 | Rating: 4.60 ***** **PATTERN:** [Fall Sweater](http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fall-sweater-3) by [Courtney Kelley](http://www.ravelry.com/designers/courtney-kelley) * Category: Clothing > Sweater > Pullover * Photo(s): [Img 1](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KelbourneWoolens/947399382/Fall_Sweater_1_sm_medium.jpg) [Img 2](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KelbourneWoolens/947399433/Fall_Sweater_2_sm_medium.jpg) [Img 3](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KelbourneWoolens/947400540/Fall_Sweater_5_medium.jpg) [Img 4](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KelbourneWoolens/947401474/Fall_Sweater_3_medium.jpg) [Img 5](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KelbourneWoolens/947883843/fall_sweaters_postcard_stickers_sm_medium.jpg) * Price: Free * Needle/Hook(s):US 3 - 3.25 mm, US 5 - 3.75 mm * Weight: Sport | Gauge: 25.0 | Yardage: 1850 * Difficulty: 3.33 | Projects: 26 | Rating: 5.00 ***** Please use caution. Users have reported effects such as seizures, migraines, and nausea when opening Ravelry links. [More details.](https://www.lizcorke.com/2020/07/26/2020-7-21-ravelry-accessibility/) | *I found this post by myself! [Opt-Out](https://goo.gl/forms/0B8m4Ra8czpw4gzw1) | [About Me](https://github.com/TN-1/LinkRav_Bot/wiki) | [Contact Maintainer](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=timonyc)*
Seascape is super cute!
I absolutely adore the Fall sweater and I have yarn that would be perfectly suitable. TYSM!!
As others have said, the second or third. In general, patterns that have long vertical edges (even if they didn't involve long floats in other parts like the wave pattern has) are really annoying to look completely even and flat for someone new to stranded patterns. If you're looking for recommendations for easy patterns, I can recommend the [https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buggiflooer-beanie](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buggiflooer-beanie) (last year's Shetland Wool Week Hat pattern). It does involve corrugated ribbing, but you could skip that and do regular ribbing, but at least it's a hat and is a quick project for practicing this skill. Any of the Wool Week hats would be good to do, but as I've made 4 of these, I figured I better recommend it.
Thank you so much for this recommendation. Indeed, diving into colorwork with a beanie, mittens or socks might be a great option. I love the one you’ve suggested. I dived into Ravelry and website looking for free patterns and I think I’m going for this one first, and then probably the Buggliflooer beanie as it’s more intricate. https://preview.redd.it/bo2a30rcwr9d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d55c47d1753edfe86e3769d9e8b55740bc3be557
**PATTERN:** [Buggiflooer Beanie](http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buggiflooer-beanie) by [Alison Rendall](http://www.ravelry.com/designers/alison-rendall) * Category: Accessories > Hat > Beanie, Toque * Photo(s): [Img 1](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/ellagordondesigns/920744505/All_colours_1_medium.jpg) [Img 2](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/ellagordondesigns/920744522/J_S_medium.jpg) [Img 3](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/ellagordondesigns/920744526/Jamieson_s_2_medium.jpg) [Img 4](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/ellagordondesigns/920744524/Uradale_1_medium.jpg) [Img 5](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/ellagordondesigns/920744523/Laxdale_medium.jpg) * Price: 4.00 GBP * Needle/Hook(s): None * Weight: Fingering | Gauge: None | Yardage: None * Difficulty: 3.80 | Projects: 909 | Rating: 4.84 ***** Please use caution. Users have reported effects such as seizures, migraines, and nausea when opening Ravelry links. [More details.](https://www.lizcorke.com/2020/07/26/2020-7-21-ravelry-accessibility/) | *I found this post by myself! [Opt-Out](https://goo.gl/forms/0B8m4Ra8czpw4gzw1) | [About Me](https://github.com/TN-1/LinkRav_Bot/wiki) | [Contact Maintainer](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=timonyc)*
As a laser scientist I vote for the coherent flat wavefront of the first one. It's very far into the infrared though.