How to add waist shaping to generic raglan sweater

I am knitting a basic DK raglan, boxy sweater, full free pattern available here.

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I’d like to play with adding a bit of waist shaping. I’m wondering how I would do that. Once I’ve separated for the body from the sleeves (the body is knit in the round btw) - would I decrease by a 4 stiches every 4 rows or so? Would I put my decreases on what would be the sides of the sweater, eg 2 decreases right next to each other on either side of the sweater.

And then bloom it back out again by adding back those stitches every 4 rows or so! ?

Does that sound reasonable? Is that how basic waist shaping is achieved?

That sounds like a good way to work the waist shaping. Yes, mark a “side seam” at the mid point under the arms. You can place the increases or decreases one or two sts either side of the markers.
How frequently to shape is going to be a bit of trial and error. It’s a short sweater anyway so there won’t be much length for shaping.
Good luck with it and let us know how it’s going!

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You could also work decreases in the fabric ala waistline darts as for a shaped dress or blouse pattern. I have done that because Im amply endowed & have to add fabric at the front (only) bustline. Although I don’t need it in the hips, I like the effect of going from wide to shaped & back to wide again (bottom up) Plus I add a short row horizontal dart. But the whole thing looks too boxy unless I add the waist shaping. I make the decreases slant toward the side seams.

I don’t work the horizonal dart in the back of course, but I do match the front waist darts. It takes so few stitches & little work, but makes a world of difference to the style impact, imo.

I keep the waist area still rather loose - don’t want to emphasize the old lady thick waist! But even so, a little shaping really makes it look nice, imo. And btw, no matter how involved the pattern stitch is I find a way to make set-in sleeves. Never dropped shoulders. I don’t know why we ever tolerated that. It doesn’t flatter anyone, imo.

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You can’t tell in this photo but I added waist shaping to the “seams” of the garment and also on the front, 1/4 in from each seam. It fits great - still drapes because its cotton DK, but not like a big ol’ box!

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You worked the shaping for a custom fit. Nicely done!

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Love that! Huge success. It looks great with the jeans shorts and deck shoes too, great outfit.

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Nice work!

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