Arm Hole help

#1

I’m a novice to intermediate knitter so forgive me for not using terminology or needing things spelled out for me.

DD asked me to knit her a sweater dress. I know what I want to make in my head but I can’t find a pattern that matches what I want to do. So, I’ve decided to be extremely adventurous and make my own pattern!

I’m going to start from the bottom and work towards the top, knitting in the round. I’ve got it all planned out until I get to the arm holes …

What I’m thinking is to divide the front and back evenly, determining where the side is and bind off a certain number of stitches on either side of that “side” (think a seam when sewing). From there I’d knit using straight needles to work the front and back until I get to the top of the arm holes.

I still have to visualize how to shape the neck; maybe something similar to what I’m thinking for the arm holes?

I’m new to arm holes in general – I usually knit pants!!

Any advice would be great!!! THANK YOU!

#2

The easiest way? Go look at any free sweater pattern that matches the top you want to the dress. Divide your stitches according to the pattern, more or less, and work the same bindoffs at the armscye. (If you put a marker at the correct stitch where the underarm seam would generally be, it makes it easier to count.) You don’t have to use straight needles unless you want to, you can work on your circular needles flat.

#3

You’ve got the right idea. BO about 2-3" worth of sts at the underarms, then work front and back separately.
after that, most patterns have you dec at both edges of the row at the armhole edge, every other row, for about 4-6 times, depends on your gauge. Then you knit straight until the shoulder shaping. Zina’s got a good idea, look at a similar pattern in the same size to give you numbers and how to work the neckline shaping.

#4

Thanks ladies! That really helps me out and I feel so good knowing that I figured something out all on my own! Like I said, I’m a somewhat new knitter and this is a huge step for me.

I’ll let you know how things turn out … after I finish the other 5 (smaller) projects I have going :woot: