In this class you will be introduced to the principles for drafting a raglan sleeve. With contextual examples, reference to body measurements, and demonstration from Natalie, you will be guided through the process of drafting a sleeve to fit the dissected bodice and the wearer, shown how to check the fit of your sleeve head using a calculator, and receive pointers on finishing directions.

Part of the advance reading will include notes on design and styling for those interested in creating their own garment patterns. For those who attended, this will include a partial recap of the sleeves lecture given during October 2020’s Virtual Knitting LIVE!, but with additional notes on raglans. You do not need to do any knitting in preparation for this class, but you are welcome to bring along your own projects, use your personal measurements for calculations, or refer to an existing pattern to support your learning. And afterward you can have a go at knitting a mock-up of the pattern you draft in class!

Read over the handout, which will be posted the week of class.

A scientific calculator (like the one in your phone). Please make sure that your calculator has parentheses/brackets, pi and trigonometry functions;
Pen and paper for note-taking
Pencil and ruler for drafting. Any pencil is fine, but a mechanical pencil is best because it will stay sharp.
Squared or grid paper for drafting, A4 or letter size. If you are working in inches, you will need to get quarter inch (quad or quadrille) paper. Four boxes on this paper should total one inch. If you are working in centimeters, your squared paper should have boxes that are 5mm by 5mm, so that two boxes total one centimetre. If you cannot get hold of a pad of this paper, here are some links so that you can download and print at home:
o Papersnake gives options for centimetres and inches – choose carefully: https://www.papersnake.com/squared_paper/
o Links to printable quad paper: http://print-graph-paper.com/details/1-4-inch and https://www.waterproofpaper.com/graph-paper/grid-paper.shtml
o Links to printable 5mm squared paper: http://www.mathsphere.co.uk/resources/MathSphereFreeGraphPaper.htm and http://print-graph-paper.com/details/5mm