Joining sleeves in the round may seem like a daunting task, but it’s a technique that every knitter should master. It produces seamless, professional-looking results that elevate the finished garment. Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or just starting your journey, this step-by-step guide will provide you with everything you need to know to join sleeves in the round effortlessly.
Before you begin, it’s crucial to ensure you have all the necessary materials and tools. You’ll need the two sleeves you’ve knit, a tapestry needle, and yarn in the same weight and color as the sleeves. It’s advisable to use a tapestry needle with a dull point to prevent snagging or splitting the yarn. Additionally, prepare a small amount of scrap yarn for marking the center stitches.
The first step in joining sleeves in the round is marking the center stitch on each sleeve. Fold each sleeve in half lengthwise and find the middle point. Use a stitch marker or a small piece of scrap yarn to mark this point. This will serve as the starting and ending point for the seaming process. Next, lay the sleeves side by side, aligning the marked center stitches. Bring the right-hand sleeve over the left-hand sleeve, matching the corresponding edges. Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the left-hand sleeve, then into the corresponding stitch on the right-hand sleeve.
Preparing the Sleeve Caps
Preparing the sleeve caps involves several crucial steps to ensure a smooth and successful attachment to the body of the garment. Here’s a detailed guide:
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Determine the Center Points
First, identify the center point of each sleeve cap and the corresponding point on the bodice. To do this, fold the sleeve in half lengthwise and mark the midpoint with a stitch holder or safety pin. Repeat the process with the bodice, aligning the shoulder seams.
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Gather the Cap
Use a gathering stitch to gather the raw edge of the sleeve cap. Start stitching 1/4 inch from the seam allowance edge and sew towards the center point, gradually tightening the stitches. Leave a few inches of thread at the ends and gently pull on the thread to create even gathers.
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Distribute the Gathers
Divide the gathered sleeve cap into four equal quadrants. Pin the quadrants to the corresponding points on the bodice, aligning the center points. Distribute the gathers evenly around the bodice by adjusting the pins as needed.
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Pin and Stitch
Once the gathers are evenly distributed, pin the sleeve cap to the bodice, matching the raw edges. Use a slip stitch or a sewing machine to stitch the sleeve cap to the bodice, starting at the center point and moving around the circumference.
Sleeve Cap Sizing Table
| Size | Cap Length | Cap Width |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 11 inches | 12 inches |
| Medium | 12 inches | 13 inches |
| Large | 13 inches | 14 inches |
Sewing the Raglan Seams
The raglan seams are the diagonal seams that connect the sleeves to the body of the sweater. To sew the raglan seams, you will need to:
- Turn the sweater right side out.
- Match up the raw edges of the raglan seam on the sleeve to the raw edges of the raglan seam on the body of the sweater. Pin the seam in place.
- Sew the seam using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. When you reach the point where the sleeve meets the underarm, pivot the fabric and continue sewing down the side of the sleeve.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the remaining three raglan seams.
Tips for Sewing the Raglan Seams
- Use a sewing machine with a stretch stitch to prevent the seams from puckering.
- Take your time and sew slowly to ensure that the seams are neat and secure.
- If you are having trouble matching up the raw edges of the raglan seam, use a fabric marker to draw a guide line on the fabric.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Turn the sweater right side out. |
| 2 | Match up the raw edges of the raglan seam on the sleeve to the raw edges of the raglan seam on the body of the sweater. Pin the seam in place. |
| 3 | Sew the seam using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. When you reach the point where the sleeve meets the underarm, pivot the fabric and continue sewing down the side of the sleeve. |
| 4 | Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the remaining three raglan seams. |
Connecting the Sleeves and Back
Step 1: Match the Sleeve Stitches and Back Stitches
Lay the back of the garment flat with the right side facing up. Align the open sleeve edges on top of the corresponding back edges, ensuring that the stitches on the sleeve and back match up evenly.
Step 2: Pin the Sleeve and Back Together
Use pins to secure the sleeve and back together along the matching edges. Insert the pins perpendicular to the edges, ensuring they are evenly spaced and do not distort the fabric.
Step 3: Connect the Sleeves and Back Using Your Preferred Method
There are several methods for connecting the sleeves and back:
Method 1: Kitchener Stitch
- This method seamlessly joins the stitches together, creating an invisible seam.
- Use a tapestry needle and yarn to pass through corresponding stitches on the sleeve and back, connecting them one at a time.
Method 2: Three-Needle Bind-Off
- This method uses three needles to bind off the stitches on the sleeve and back simultaneously, creating a slightly more visible seam.
- Insert one needle into each of the three corresponding stitches on the sleeve and back.
- Hook the yarn over the first two needles and slip them off the yarn, then knit the third needle onto the first two.
Method 3: Mattress Stitch
- This method uses a needle and yarn to sew the sleeve and back together, creating a ladder-like seam.
- Insert the needle into the first stitch on the sleeve, then into the corresponding stitch on the back.
- Bring the needle back through the sleeve stitch, creating a loop.
- Insert the needle into the next sleeve stitch and repeat the process, bringing the needle back through the back stitch.
| Method | Visibility | Ease |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchener Stitch | Invisible | Advanced |
| Three-Needle Bind-Off | Slightly visible | Intermediate |
| Mattress Stitch | Ladder-like | Beginner-friendly |
Tip: Practice your chosen method on a swatch of yarn before attempting it on the actual garment to ensure proficiency and avoid any mistakes.
Sewing the Underarm Seams
With the sleeves sewn in the round, the next step is to join the underarm seams. This will connect the sleeves to the body of the garment and create the armholes.
1. Align the Shoulder Seams
Place the two pieces of the garment right sides together, with the sleeves folded inside. Align the shoulder seams of the body and the sleeves.
2. Pin the Underarm Seams
Pin the underarm seams of the body and the sleeves together. Make sure that the pins are perpendicular to the seam line to prevent puckering.
3. Sew the Underarm Seams
Use a sewing machine to sew the underarm seams with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Start sewing at the shoulder seam and sew down towards the armpit. When you reach the armpit, pivot the fabric and sew up the other side of the seam.
4. Reinforce the Underarm Seams
To reinforce the underarm seams and prevent them from stretching or tearing, use one of the following methods:
Adding Sleeves to a Circular Yoke
When working with circular yokes, adding sleeves requires proper preparation and attention to detail.
Picking Up Stitches
The first step is to pick up stitches around the armhole opening. Use a tapestry needle or crochet hook to carefully lift and place stitches onto a circular or double-pointed needle.
Joining the Sleeve
Once the stitches are picked up, join the sleeve body to the yoke by knitting or crocheting together the first and last picked-up stitches. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
Knitting the Sleeve
Continue knitting the sleeve body, following the desired stitch pattern and shaping. Make sure to keep the number of stitches consistent throughout the sleeve.
Closing the Sleeve
When the sleeve reaches the desired length, bind off the stitches using your preferred method. Fold the sleeve in half and sew the underarm seam together, using a mattress stitch or your preferred stretchy stitch.
Adding the Sleeve to the Yoke
Now, it’s time to attach the sleeve to the yoke. Align the sleeve seam with the armhole opening on the yoke. Use a three-needle bind-off or mattress stitch to sew the sleeve into place, ensuring a smooth transition between the yoke and the sleeve.
Joining the Sleeve in the Round
If you prefer to work in the round, you can achieve a seamless join between the sleeve and the yoke by using a grafting technique. This method involves connecting the live stitches of the sleeve to the live stitches of the yoke, creating a continuous loop.
| Grafting Technique |
|---|
| Using a tapestry needle or crochet hook, pick up every other stitch around the edge of the sleeve. |
| Slide these stitches onto a circular needle, creating a loop. |
| Bind off the remaining stitches on the sleeve. |
| Slip the stitches from the circular needle onto a double-pointed needle. |
| Align the live stitches on the yoke and the sleeve loop. |
| Graft the live stitches together using a Kitchener stitch or your preferred grafting method. |
Inserting Sleeves into a Raglan Sweater
Inserting sleeves into a raglan sweater requires a bit more precision than a standard sweater, but it’s still a relatively straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Graft the shoulder seams: Join the shoulder seams of the sweater body and sleeves using a grafting technique or any seam method of your choice.
2.Sew the underarm seams: Sew the underarm seams of the sleeve to the body of the sweater, matching the underarm curves.
3. Set the sleeve cap: With the right sides of the fabric together, align the sleeve cap with the corresponding edge of the sweater body. Pin and sew around the edge, stretching the sleeve cap slightly to fit.
4. Pin and sew the sleeve: Pin the sleeve to the sweater body, matching the side seams. Sew around the edge, starting at the underarm seam.
5. Secure the seam with a ladder stitch: Use a ladder stitch to secure the seam between the sleeve and the sweater body. This will create an invisible and stretchy seam.
6. Graft the underarm seams together: Use a grafting technique to join the underarm seams of the sleeve to the body of the sweater.
7. Weave in loose ends: Weave in any loose ends to secure the seam and prevent unraveling.
8. Blocking the sleeves: Blocking the sleeves will help set the shape and ensure the sleeves are even and symmetrical. Here are the steps to block the sleeves:
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Materials:
Steps:
How To Join Sleeves In The Round
Joining sleeves in the round is a great way to create a seamless finish on your garments. It is also a relatively easy technique to master, once you get the hang of it. Here are the steps on how to join sleeves in the round:
1.
Cast on the number of stitches that you need for the sleeve. This number will vary depending on the size of your sleeve and the yarn that you are using. It is always better to cast on a few extra stitches than not enough, as you can always bind off any extra stitches later.
2.
Knit the sleeve in the round until it reaches the underarm. At this point, you will need to divide the stitches on the needle into two sets: the front and the back of the sleeve.
3.
Place a stitch marker at the beginning of each set of stitches. This will help you keep track of where the front and back of the sleeve begin and end.
4.
Join the front and back of the sleeve together by knitting the first stitch of the front set with the first stitch of the back set. Repeat this process until all of the stitches have been joined.
5.
Continue knitting in the round until the sleeve reaches the desired length.
6.
Bind off the stitches on the needle.
7.
Weave in any loose ends.
People Also Ask About How To Join Sleeves In The Round
How do I join the sleeves of a sweater in the round?
To join the sleeves of a sweater in the round, you will need to follow the steps outlined above. Once the sleeves are joined, you can continue knitting the sweater in the round until it reaches the desired length.
How do I join the sleeves of a cardigan in the round?
To join the sleeves of a cardigan in the round, you will need to follow the steps outlined above. Once the sleeves are joined, you can continue knitting the cardigan in the round until it reaches the desired length.
How do I join the sleeves of a tunic in the round?
To join the sleeves of a tunic in the round, you will need to follow the steps outlined above. Once the sleeves are joined, you can continue knitting the tunic in the round until it reaches the desired length.
