NEWS stands for North, East, West, South. This multi-directional garment is formulaic and requires no particular pattern. Each section builds on the previous one. Start with a front and back panel, pick up to build the sides up sideways. Work until it is wide enough. Try it on every step of the way to ensure fit. Continue with sleeves, if desired. Work the sleeves until they are long enough. Do different patterned stitches in each section without worrying about matching gauges. Use up scrap yarn and oddments in the process. From the school of “divide and conquer” or one bite at a time, this construction is so addictive and spontaneous and fun with not a whole lot of preplanning. You’ll find yourself working several at a time!

Technique Requirements: be able to pick up stitches from all edges with ease, have made garments before

With worsted -weight or chunky yarn and appropriate needles, make 2 pieces (they do not have to be identical in pattern nor color). Make one about 2” wide x 3” tall, the other 2” wide but 3.5 or 4” tall (or 1/2 to 1” taller than the other). Bind off both.

Get a working gauge in Stockinette st with yarn you will be knitting with

Homework swatches with their yarn and needles, plus another color or 2 of same weight yarn as the homework (you only need about 30 yards of each color, including those leftover from homework).