This 8-week online class tackles the most complicated, yet most tailored, sweater silhouette—the set-in sleeve. Geared for knitters who want to free themselves to draft their own patterns (and confidently make alterations to existing patterns), Ann Budd and Jeane deCoster will teach how to design a set-in sleeve sweater from scratch based on any body size, any yarn, and any gauge. 

Think of this as a college-level class on sweater construction. The class will focus on construction techniques with basic design options—pullover or cardigan, crewneck or V-neck, boxy or shaped lower body. However, what you learn in class will prepare you to design any bottom-up set-in-sleeve sweater in pieces based on your own size, your own yarn, and your own design options, using the downloadable PDF worksheet over and over.

During the 8 zoom sessions, you’ll learn the basics including the importance of gauge swatches, construction details, and finishing techniques. The lessons you learn will allow you to create sweater patterns of your own and free you from the restriction of someone else’s instructions!

To take this class you need to know:

• basic knitting skills—how to cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, bind off, and follow written knitting instructions
• basic math skills—how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide (all with the aid of a calculator, of course!)
• The basic silhouette of a set-in sleeve garment

You will get:

• 8 zoom classes (up to 16 hours) of online instruction over 8 weeks
• A reusable PDF workbook containing detailed construction calculations for any size and any gauge
• A reusable PDF knitting pattern template for any size and any gauge
• 4 reusable PDF schematic templates for filling in your desired sizes, stitches, and rows—one each for a sleeve and for boxy, A-line, and shaped bodies
• 5 additional downloadable PDFs—including how to accurately measure gauge, a gauge swatch worksheet, a formula for calculating evenly spaced increases and decreases, how to center a stitch or color pattern, and how to seam shoulders, sleeve caps, and sleeve and side seams
• Step-by-step instruction on how to do the calculations and how to use the worksheets
• Weekly opportunities to ask questions and receive personalized guidance
• 100 years of knitting experience from Ann and Jeane

You will learn:

• Generating your own set-in sleeve sweater pattern based on your size and your gauge
• Knitting a truly representative gauge swatch
• Translating gauge (stitches and rows per inch) to numbers of stitches and rows
• Calculating a V- or crew neckline of any width and depth
• Calculating rates of decreases or increases to form perfect tapers on necklines and sleeves
• Calculating a sleeve cap to fit any armhole depth and any upper arm circumference
• Seaming the pieces of a set-in sleeve sweater like a pro
• Picking up stitches for neckbands and button bands
• Adding your own design elements to future sweaters

Although the title includes the word “camp”, rest assured that no campfires, tents, or sleeping bags will be involved. You’ll enjoy each class from the comfort of your own home.

The course will include 8 weekly zoom classes, each up to two hours long. The first class will take place Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 9 a.m. Pacific Time (10 a.m. Mountain Time, 11 a.m. Central Time, 12 p.m. Eastern Time). The remaining 7 classes will take place at the same time on consecutive weeks, ending March 14, 2026.

Each class will be recorded, and the recordings will be available for at least one week following class.

Class Schedule

Class 1 (Saturday, January 24)
In this 2-hour zoom meeting, Ann and Jeane will discuss the tailored fit of set-in sleeve sweater construction, determining your desired finished size, and knitting (and measuring!) a reliable gauge swatch.

Class 2 (Saturday, January 31)
Fill out the worksheet for the lower back; begin knitting the lower back

Class 3 (Saturday, February 7) 
Fill out the worksheet for the upper back through shoulder shaping; finish knitting the back and begin the lower front(s)

Class 4 (Saturday, February 14)
Fill out the worksheet for the front neck; finish knitting the front(s)

Class 5 (Saturday, February 21)
Fill out the worksheet for sleeve caps and sleeve tapers; begin knitting sleeves

Class 6 (Saturday, February 28)
Recap and questions and answers; continue knitting sleeves

Class 7 (Saturday, March 7)
Discussion of future design options; finish knitting sleeves

Class 8 (Saturday, March 14)
Blocking, neckband, front bands (for cardigan), seaming techniques; finish sweater

Instructors

Ann Budd has been knitting for more than fifty years. She was on the editorial staff of Interweave Knits for twenty years and edited dozens of knitting books for Interweave Press. She is author and co-author of sixteen books, including the popular Knitter’s Handy Book series that provide knitting instructions for multiple sizes and multiple gauges. In the past few years Ann has focused on online sweater design classes and has developed a successful and well-regarded zoom platform.

 Jeane deCoster studied fashion design in college and has long been fascinated with how to make and fit garments—and how you look while wearing those garments. While her program covered a lot of custom pattern making for cut-and-sew designs, the idea that the pattern and the knitted cloth are produced at the same time revolutionized the way Jeane thought about handknitting and the close relationship between fit and looking/feeling good.

Cost

$495

Contact

Contact Ann at annbudd@annbuddknits.com if you have any questions or concerns.