Contiguous Method
The contiguous method is a top-down knitting technique that simulates a set-in sleeve and shoulder seam, offering a tailored fit without seams.
Explanation
The Contiguous Method, developed by Susie Myers, is an elegant way to knit sweaters from the top down. Instead of traditional raglan, where you increase on either side of four markers, the contiguous method uses specific increase rates to create a horizontal shoulder seam before starting the actual sleeve cap. This provides a more sculpted and professional fit, especially in the shoulder area.
Also known as: Contiguous
A set-in sleeve without seams
Contiguous is worked top-down and builds the silhouette of a set-in sleeve without anything being sewn. The shoulder line is shaped with increases that gradually form the sleeve cap as you work downward.
The result is a shoulder that sits like a sewn garment, but in one piece — and with the option of trying it on as you go.
Who it suits
Contiguous is for knitters who want the precise fit of a set-in sleeve without the finishing. It needs more attention than raglan, because the increases do not sit on four fixed lines.
The method is newer than the classic constructions and appears in fewer patterns, but it is well documented.
The name
"Contiguous" means adjoining, and refers to the shoulder and sleeve running together without a join. Susie Myers published the method on Ravelry in March 2013 and shared it with the online knitting community rather than through published pattern collections, so it is best documented in online sources.
Common mistakes
- Treating contiguous like a raglan and increasing on fixed lines.
- Skipping the try-on at the shoulder stage.
Keywords
- contiguous method
- set-in sleeves
- shoulder shaping
Frequently asked questions
What is the advantage of contiguous?
You get a set-in sleeve’s fit without sewing, and can try the garment on while knitting.
Is contiguous harder than raglan?
Slightly. The shaping is more involved than four raglan lines, but the principle is the same: increases that build the shoulder.