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Set-in Sleeves, knit from the top down
Skill level: Intermediate
- Date: Saturday, 7/Mar, 2:00-4:00pm (1 session, 2 hours)
- Instructor: Mary Pat McDonald
- Cost: $25 + HST
A set-in sleeve knit downward has so many advantages over the alternative! There’s no sewing, you can try on as you go so no guessing the length, no sewing, you can perfectly match stripes to the sweater body, you’re able to try on and increase or decrease the sleeve circumference, AND there’s no sewing. Picking up around the armhole and knitting a tube doesn’t work – it’s too bulky. In this class, you’ll learn how to pick up and shape a sleeve cap into the armhole and then knit triumphantly down.
Prerequisites
Students should be comfortable with:
- knitting in the round
- purling
- picking up stitches
- working short rows
Materials
Please bring the following with you to class:
- your homework sample armhole (instructions below) and contrasting-coloured yarn in the same weight OR
- an existing project with an empty armhole ready to receive a sleeve, together with:
- contrast yarn in the same weight, to practice the technique
- project yarn to begin a real sleeve, for when you’ve gained confidence
- needles in the same size as your homework or project, to work in the round (double-points, two circulars, or one long circular – depending on your preference)
- an extra dpn or two
- a few stitch markers
Homework
These swatches result in a sample armhole. Use light-colored, smooth, DK or worsted yarn.
Left Side
Cast on 15 sts and work 6 rows in st st.
- Row 7 (Right Side): Bind off 3 sts, and K to end of row (12 sts).
- Row 8 and all Wrong Side rows: Purl.
- Row 9: BO 2 sts, K to end of row (10 sts).
- Row 11: BO 1 st, K to end (9 sts)
- Row 13: BO 1 st, K to end (8 sts).
Continue in st st until piece is 36 rows (or so) from beginning. Put sts on stitch-holder.
Right Side
This is the reverse of the left side. Cast on 15 sts and work 5 rows in st st.
- Row 6 (WS): Bind off 3 sts, and P to end of row (12 sts)
- Row 7 and all RS rows: Knit
- Row 8: BO 2 sts, P to end of row (10 sts)
- Row 10: BO 1 st, P to end (9 sts)
- Row 12:BO 1 st, P to end (8 sts)
Continue in st st until piece is 37 rows (or so) from beginning. Put sts on stitch-holder.
Joining
Either 3-needle bind off the “shoulder seam” at the top of the samples, or cast off and sew it.
Don’t forget to have right sides facing – since this is an odd shape it’s easy to attach incorrectly. For picking up sts later it’s better if you start the 3-needle bind-off at the armhole edge and work towards the “neck”. Please block the sample so it won’t curl.
