hi this is the first time i am picking up stitches to add sleeves instead of sewing on at end. is there any advise for how to be sure evenly picking up stitches for front/back and on both sides - very nervous!!!
thank you
Welcome to the forum!
This works out very neatly and may well become your favorite way to work sleeves.
Markers to divide the armhole opening into fourths are a help to pick up the sts approximately evenly. It’s also good to pick a line between the edge stitches and the body of the sweater to use as a lane for the pick up.
Sometimes a crochet hook is a help when picking up sts especially the ones that are thin all along the shaft (no padded handle). You can use the hook to pick up sts then slide the sts off the back and onto a needle.
You won’t always be picking up on row ends as you round the body at the underarm but a ratio of 3sts picked up for every 4 rows works well in most cases. Not too many sts or too few. Of course this depends on your pattern recommendation for stitch number and the sleeve design.
What is the name of your pattern and designer?
thank you for the advise - it is the Easton Striped Pullover by Two of Wands Free pattern # M20282.TWH it says to pick up 46 st.
Very nice!
So if you pick up about 11sts in 2 of the quarters and 12sts in the other two quarters that will give you 46sts. You can always pick up a couple more or a couple less and adjust on the following row.
Since this is a drop sleeve worked flat you just pick up along a straight line and not worry about rounding the underarm.
Enjoy working this new technique and finishing up the sweater!
Thank you so much SalmonMac - this suggestion makes total sense to me and I can visualize what you recommend.
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I find when i do this that the first row ends up a bit too big in the stitches (leaving it a bit gappy), even if i try to work the pick up row with firm tension. I find it better if i do the pick up row on a smaller needle and then change to the correct size working needle on the next row. You might try it on a swatch edge if you have one.
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I agree, use a smaller needle for picking up stitches. Sometimes I’ll mount them with the leading leg in back becasuse it seems to use less yarn. I’m forever adjusting tension after knitting a few rows past the picked up stitches to work out the extra yarn.
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I saw a tip about working a thin thread of contrasting colour (something smooth like embroidery thread) along with the working yarn, then after a few rows, when you want to work the excess yarn out of the pick up row, it’s easier to see exactly where the pick up stitches are and follow the direction of travel of the coloured thread. Then after, pull the thread from one end and it slides out. I’ve done this only once, it was good, other times i forget or convince myself I’ll be able to see the stitches without it. It is easier though.
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I do this with crochet thread when I pick up stitches to add seamless set in sleeves. Usually for a straight row I don’t find it’s needed since it’s easier to see which are the picked up stitches. I also work one full round even before I start with short rows; split yarn becomes a painful thing when I realize I split the yarn and a short row turn is involved.
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