How to Knit a Cycling Jersey

competor/athletic in road cycle racing image by L. Shat from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Wool cycling jerseys, reminiscent of traditional cycling garments, are becoming more popular because they repel water, wick away sweat, and, depending on the knit's gauge, stay comfortable in warm temperatures. Follow these guidelines if you want to keep want to make a wool cycling jersey on your own.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Make Your Pattern

Things You’ll Need:

Measuring tape
Paper
Pencil
Yarn
Knitting needles
Yarn needle

Step 1

Take your measurements using your flexible tape measure, or have someone else take them for you. You will want measurements for your neck, bust, waist, torso length, hips, arm length, back width and shoulder width.

Step 2

Gauge how many knit stitches and rows fit into four square inches; this is known as your gauge swatch. Knit about six square inches of stockinette stitch, then wash and block it into shape to determine your gauge.

Step 3

Determine how many stitches you will need at the waist, hips and bust by using your gauge switch. It's best to plan for two inches less than your measurements so that the jersey will be tight to the body, like a cycling jersey ought to be.

Step 4

Design your sleeves. The best bet is set-in sleeves because they have deeper sleeve caps and allow you more freedom of movement in tighter jerseys.

Knitting Your Jersey

Step 1

Cast on the appropriate amount for your hip measurement, taking into account the number of stitches you determined earlier. Working in the round, make sure to mark your seams so you can begin marking your jersey's waist.

Step 2

Begin shaping your jersey's waist using a waist calculator.

Step 3

Split your knit for arms. When you reach your armpit length, split your jersey and begin to knit flat. Bind off your neck opening.

Step 4

Knit your sleeves by casting on at the sleeve cut off and knitting flat using measurements determined earlier,

Step 5

Seam your jersey using your leftover yarn.

Tips & Warnings

To add in a zipper at the neck, split about six inches from the neck and work separately. When you're finished, sew in a zipper.

Use a fingering or double-knit weight yarn for a lighter jersey. If you need a warmer, heavier jersey, use a wool-bamboo blend yarn--the bamboo will help keep you cool.

Resources

Article Written By Anne Marie LeFevre

Anne Marie LeFevre has been a freelance writer since 2009 and works full-time as a copy editor in New York. She has been published in "Vox" magazine and the "Missourian" in Columbia, Mo. LeFevre holds a Bachelor of Magazine Journalism from the Missouri School of Journalism.

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