Intermediate | 3 hours
Taught by Wendy Bernard
Let’s get started on another classic top-down construction: a cardigan with set-in sleeves. This garment style has smooth, professionally finished armholes, which give the sweater its signature look. Just like the raglan, a top-down set-in sleeve sweater is worked entirely in one piece with no seaming, but this formula is even more versatile since it can be made with or without sleeves. Perfect for women, men, or children, make this sweater with any yarn and at any gauge you like, using just a few measurements as your guide. 
Learn how to:
  • Determine number of stitches to cast on based on your measurements
  • Knit the upper back of the sweater
  • Shape the armholes
  • Pick up stitches and knit the front
  • Join fronts and back and work to the hem
  • Choose and use a fun stitch pattern for the hem

Chapters
Part 3: Starting Your Custom-Fit Set-In-Sleeve Sweater
00:37
Materials
01:31
Getting Started
04:23
09:02
12:09
Finish the Body
08:56
Materials
Here’s what you’ll need:
  • Yarn (any gauge): Wendy uses Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino in Fog (#413)
  • Circular needles (in size to match your desired gauge): Wendy uses size US 7
  • Double-pointed needles (in size to match your desired gauge)
  • The Knitter’s Handy Guide to Yarn Requirements (optional)
  • Stitch markers in several colors
  • Tapestry needle
  • Scissors
  • Waste yarn
  • Calculator
  • Measuring tape
  • Discussion
    Notes
    Your timecode tags and notes for this section
    Transcript
    Top-Down Sweater Knitting
    Part 1:
    Top-Down Sweater Knitting: Custom-Fit Raglan Sweater
    Wendy Bernard
    One of the most common knitted sweater styles is the raglan, which is distinguished by its diagonal sleeve seams. Raglans are perfect for knitting in one piece from the top-down, and in this first class, Wendy will get you started. You’ll begin by taking one simple measurement and working a few calculations to determine your gauge and the initial cast-on number of stitches. From there, she’ll show you how to create the sweater yoke, which involves shaping the shoulders and the v-neckline, and then joining the sweater beneath the armholes. 
    Part 2:
    Top-Down Sweater Knitting: Finishing Your Raglan Sweater
    Wendy Bernard
    In Part 2, Wendy picks up right where she left off: ready to finish the body of the raglan sweater. Wendy will talk you through how to calculate body shaping for your garment so it’s perfectly fitted, then add a hem and bind off. Once the body is finished, you’ll be ready to pick up sleeve stitches and work your way down to the cuff. By the end of this class, you’ll be ready to wear your custom-made raglan sweater. 
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    Part 3:
    Top-Down Sweater Knitting: Custom-Fit Set-In-Sleeve Sweater
    Wendy Bernard
    Let’s get started on another classic top-down construction: a cardigan with set-in sleeves. This garment style has smooth, professionally finished armholes, which give the sweater its signature look. Just like the raglan, a top-down set-in sleeve sweater is worked entirely in one piece with no seaming, but this formula is even more versatile since it can be made with or without sleeves. Perfect for women, men, or children, make this sweater with any yarn and at any gauge you like, using just a few measurements as your guide. 
    Part 4:
    Top-Down Sweater Knitting: Finishing Your Set-In-Sleeve Sweater
    Wendy Bernard
    Now that you’ve finished the body of your set-in-sleeve cardigan, it’s time to finish it up! Wendy will walk you through all of the steps for calculating the sleeve shaping, and will show you how to create the sleeve caps with short rows. Or, if you’d prefer, you can skip the sleeves altogether and turn your design into a fab tank or vest. From there, it’s all finishing touches: add a pretty ribbed band to your cardigan edges and make a self-tying belt to finish it off.