We’re all superheroes for knitting right? Especially knitting sweaters! You can easily adapt just about any sweater pattern to become a superhero sweater! Opt in the super hero colors, add an intarsia symbol, maybe just go ahead and knit a cape! I adapted Megan Goodacre’s Hollywell cardigan (find on Ravelry!) to meet the needs of wanting a Robin Sweater.
I knit this back in 2014 and am now writing about it in 2021 so forgive me for any foggy details! I used Lion Brand Heartland in 3 different colors.
Red- Redwood 3 skeins / Green- Everglades 1 skein / Yellow- Yellowstone 1 skein
I used needles sizes US6 and US5 and here is a picture of my gauge. A gauge 💯 helped me make this sweater happen because it was designed for sport weight and I was using worsted weight. I know, I’m a rebel.
To take inspiration from Robin’s costume I wanted to dominate the sweater with red, have green sleeves and a yellow hood which would be like his yellow cape. Follow this same method to create your superhero sweater. Does your superhero have different color sleeves than the body of their costume? Then copy that! Are you knitting a Batman inspired sweater? Maybe add bat ears to your hood! Going for Captain America? Choose one of his costumes and simplify them to see how it’d work for your sweater! You don’t have to simplify, but sometimes it’s nice cause then the detail you want to emphasize gets to take center stage. Like my Robin symbol for example! I was able to create that by making up a chart and then I duplicate stitched the yellow after I finished the sweater.
Again like I mentioned earlier I was going rogue and using the wrong size yarn for the sweater. My gauge and personal measurements landed me right around the smallest size for the pattern- I’m usually a large or xl in most sweater patterns so this is just me letting you know if you find a pattern but the yarn requirement is wrong- you might still be able to use it! I did run into issues sometimes and had to pivot and re-adjust to get things right but it was worth it because the sweater turned out great!
Here are notable updates I wrote about while working on the sweater:
2.12.14- started this on 2.9.14 and I’m already working the pocket
2.24.14- just finished my first skein of red yarn!
3.4.14- After the first decrease that was worked I continued to decrease every 9th row (RS) 6 times. The next 9th row after my last decrease I began increasing again.
3.11.14- I’m about halfway or a little over halfway done with the body of the sweater. I might start increasing every 7th row instead of 9th because it might end up longer than I intended. Probably should string some yarn onto the sweater so I can try it on!
3.25.14- Started on the sleeves yesterday, couldn’t find my size 5 DPN’s so I did a CO of 44 with size 4’s. I prefer a fitted sleeve so I’m adjusting the numbers to accommodate that. After 2” it was 13 rows (future reference) then knit 1 round still in yellow and on 4’s then switch to size 6 and green! Side note: when you transition colors right after a rib like I did in this sweater you can knit the first row in the same color as the rib then switch so you have a cleaner looking line!
4.21.14- I took my knitting to Kings Island to work on the sleeves while waiting in lines! I’ve also now worked up my chart for the “R”
Later on 4.21.12- Attached the sleeves! It’s a little hard to work a raglan and have two colors. It’s a lot of twisting and carrying some color to keep it all together.
4.24.14- I ran into an issue with not factoring in the right math for full body raglan decreases so now I’m aggressively decreasing to not have a top/yoke part that is crazy long lol.
4.28.14- finished!!!
I think I’d love to do this again. Maybe choose Buzz light year, or Captain Marvel or Wonder Woman. So many great choices out there! I can also say over the course of 7 years the Lion Brand Heartland yarn has held up really well! It pills sometimes but I just use a sweater shaver and it’s back to new! I also love that I can just throw it in the wash!
Main takeaway: YOU can knit a sweater inspired by ANY of your superheroes. Heck, make you a sweater with a dissent necklace inspired by RBG. All it takes is a little time to get creative with some colors and maybe a chart or two! Knitting is fun and not meant to be taken too seriously. 🥰
Xoxo- Robin
