The sleeves

We are getting close to the end of our sweater and now it’s time to add the sleeves!

EXPLANATIONS FOR THE PATTERN:

Children/Women:

See diagram A.4 and A.5. The patterns are worked in stockinette stitch.

KNITTING TIP-1:
To avoid the knitting gauge losing its elasticity when working pattern it is important that the strands at the back are not tight. Use a size larger needle when working pattern if the piece becomes tight.

KNITTING TIP-2:
If you want more pattern on sleeves continue with the diagrams in your desired order but remember this will affect the yarn amounts. On the sleeves, position the motif mid-top of the sleeve and count out from there where to start the diagram under the sleeve.

DECREASE TIP (for sleeves):
Decrease 1 stitch on either side of the marker-stitch as follows: Work until there are 2 stitches left before the stitch with the marker, knit 2 together with color light grey, knit the stitch with the marker with color light grey and knit 2 twisted together with color light grey (2 stitches decreased).

Let’s get started!

Children:

Place the 44-44-48-48-52-52-56 stitches from the thread on the one side of the piece on short circular needle/double pointed needles size 4 MM = US 6 and knit up 1 stitch in each of the new stitches cast on under the sleeve using color light grey = 52-52-56-56-60-60-64 stitches.

Women:

Place the 60-64-72-80-84-88 stitches from the thread on the one side of the piece on short circular needle/double pointed needles size 4 MM = US 6 and knit up 1 stitch in each of the new stitches cast on under the sleeve using color light grey = 68-72-80-88-92-96 stitches.

Children:

Insert a marker in the 5th of the 8 new stitches under the sleeve (mid-under sleeve) and a marker in the 27th-27th-29th-29th-31st-31st-33rd stitch (mid-top of sleeve).

Women:

Insert a marker in the 5th of the 8 new stitches under the sleeve (mid-under sleeve) and a marker in the 35th-37th-41st-45th-47th-49th stitch (mid-top of sleeve).

Children:

Start at the first marker and continue the pattern from the yoke. The repeats of A.4 will not fit under the sleeve, so work the remaining stitches with light grey. AT THE SAME TIME, when the sleeve measures 2-2-2-3-2-3-2½-3½-3½ = 3/4"-1 1/8"-3/4"-1 1/8"-1"-1 1/4"-1 1/4" decrease 2 stitches under the sleeve – read DECREASE TIP. Decrease like this every 2-3-2-2-2-3-3-3-3 cm = 3/4"-3/4"-3/4"-1 1/8"-1 1/8"-1 1/8"-1 1/8" a total of 4-3-4-3-4-3-4-3-4 times = 44-46-44-46-48-50-52-54-56 stitches.

Diagram

	=	light grey
	=	off white
	=	anthracite

Women:

Start at the first marker and continue the pattern from the yoke. The repeats of A.4 will not fit under the sleeve, so work the remaining stitches with light grey. AT THE SAME TIME, when the sleeve measures 3-3-3-2-2-2 cm = 1 1/8"-1 1/8"-1 1/8"-3/4"-3/4"-3/4", decrease 2 stitches under the sleeve – read DECREASE TIP. Decrease like this every 4½-4-2½-2-1½-1½ cm = 1 5/8"-1 1/2"-1"-3/4"-1/2"-1/2" a total of 7-8-11-14-15-16 times = 54-56-58-60-62-64 stitches.

Diagram

	=	light grey
	=	off white
	=	anthracite

Children:

When A.4 is finished, work A.5 – count out from mid-top where the pattern should start under the sleeve – the marker-stitch should match the mid-stitch marked on the diagram.

Diagram

	=	light grey
	=	wine red
	=	mid-stitch

Women:

When A.4 is finished, work A.5 – count out from mid-top where the pattern should start under the sleeve – the marker-stitch should match the mid-stitch marked on the diagram.

Diagram

	=	light grey
	=	wine red
	=	mid-stitch

Children:

When A.5 is finished continue with color light grey and stockinette stitch – read KNITTING TIP-2. Continue working until the sleeve measures 17-20-24-29-32-36-40 cm = 9 1/2"-11 3/8"-12 1/2"-14 1/4"-15 3/4" from the division (or to desired length. There is approx. 4 cm = 1 1/2" left).

Women:

When A.5 is finished continue with color light grey and stockinette stitch – read KNITTING TIP-2. Continue working until the sleeve measures 34-33-32-30-29-28 cm = 13 3/8"-13"-12 1/2"-11 3/4"-11 3/8"-11" from the division (or to desired length. There is approx. 7 cm = 2 3/4" left).

Children:

Knit 1 round and increase 4-2-4-6-4-6-4 stitches evenly spaced = 48-48-52-56-56-60-60 stitches.

Change to double pointed needles size 3 MM = US 2.5. Work rib (knit 2, purl 2) for 4 cm = 1 1/2". Loosely bind off. The sleeve measures approx. 21-24-28-33-36-40-44 cm = 11"-13"-14 1/4"-15 3/4"-17 1/4".

Work the other sleeve in the same way.

Women:

Knit 1 round and increase 10-8-10-12-10-12 stitches evenly spaced = 64-64-68-72-72-76 masker.

Change to double pointed needles size 3 MM = US 2.5. Work rib (knit 2, purl 2) for 7 cm = 2 3/4". Loosely bind off. The sleeve measures approx. 41-40-39-37-36-35 cm = 16 1/8"-15 3/4"-15 1/4"-14 1/2"-14 1/4"-13 3/4" from the division.

Work the other sleeve in the same way.

The sleeves are now finished!

Now our sleeves are done and that means Clue #4 of our KAL has been solved! So all that’s left is to fasten strands before you can use your new sweater.

Done with your sweater? We cannot wait to see all your beautiful sweaters! So tag your posts on social media with #dropsalong and #DROPSChristmasKAL, and don’t forget to send pictures of your progress to the #dropsfan gallery!

Need some help?

Below you'll find a list of resources to help you with the sleeves of your Christmas sweater.

Still have doubts? You can leave questions using the form at the bottom of the page and one of our knitting experts will then try to help you!