Sleeves
Sleeves are the arm sections of a sweater or cardigan, which can be knitted separately and sewn on, or worked directly from the body top-down.
Explanation
Sleeves are a vital part of sweaters and jackets. They can be knitted in several ways: top-down (starting at the shoulder and increasing downwards), bottom-up (starting at the wrist and increasing upwards), or separately and sewn on. Sleeves often require even increases to reach the correct shape. Raglan sleeves run diagonally from the underarm to the neck, while set-in sleeves have a horizontal shoulder seam. The Magic Loop technique is popular for knitting sleeves in the round.
Also known as: Sleeve
Shaping downward
Sleeves are worked either top-down from the underarm or bottom-up from the cuff. Either way, stitches are decreased or increased at regular intervals to produce a sleeve widest at the top and narrowest at the wrist.
The shaping is spaced evenly — typically every sixth to eighth round — and placed on the underside of the sleeve where it shows least.
Length and fit
Sleeve length is measured from underarm to wrist, and depends heavily on the shoulder construction: a drop-shoulder sleeve must be shorter than a set-in one, because the shoulder seam already sits down the upper arm.
Sleeves also lengthen with wear, particularly in yarns without memory.
Common mistakes
- Working sleeves one after another and ending up with different lengths.
- Using the same sleeve length regardless of shoulder construction.
Keywords
- sleeves
- sweater sleeves
- arm knitting
Frequently asked questions
Why do my sleeves come out different?
Because gauge varies between knitting sessions. Work them at the same time and they match.
How often should I decrease in the sleeve?
The pattern gives the interval, typically every sixth to eighth round. Decreases go on the underside of the sleeve.