When setting in a sleeve cap, we have to deal with slants and curves. There are "stepped" bind-offs to contend with. At the top of the shoulder, set-in sleeves are plainly visible, so you want it as neat as possible. Learn how to maneuver a set-in sleeve by employing short rows (sometimes referred to as partial knitting) to create a continuous line instead of the pattern's bind-offs. This makes seaming so much easier and smoother. See how picking up stitches and using a crocheted chain is a much easier, better, and less-bulky alternative to sewing. Begin with a drop shoulder sleeve for practice. This “commercial” type of seaming is employed in store-bought sweaters, so why not use a professional method in our hand knits?

Technique Requirements: knit/purl, cast on/bind off, increase/decrease, have knit a whole garment, advanced finishing techniques, short rows, Must have made set-in sleeves from the bottom up before. Must be able to work short rows. Must be able to crochet a chain and to pick up stitches.

• Half a mock drop-shouldered sleeve, MAKE 2: With worsted weight or chunky yarn and appropriate needles, cast on 15 sts. Work in garter st for about 4 or 6 rows, then work in stockinette st for about 1". End ready to work a purl-side row. Do not bind off but leave stitches on needles, have about 2 yards of yarn left.
• One mock drop-shouldered armhole: With same worsted weight or chunky yarn and same needles, cast on 5 sts and work in stockinette st for 20 rows, bind off.
• Left-front armhole: With worsted weight or chunky yarn and appropriate needles, cast on 11 sts, p a row, k a row and p a row—you’re now ready to knit. Bind off 3 sts at beg of row, k to end, p a row—8 sts. * On next row, k2, k2tog, k to end, p a row—7 sts. Rep from * twice more for 6 and 5 sts respectively. Mark last st on shaped side of last row. Work in stockinette for another 14 rows more, leave sts on hold.
• Left-back armhole: With worsted weight or chunky yarn and appropriate needles, cast on 11 sts, p a row, k a row, p a row and k a row—you’re now ready to purl. Bind off 3 sts at beg of row, p to end—8 sts. * On next row, k to within last 4 sts, ssk, k 2 tog, p a row—7 sts. Rep from * twice more for 6 and 5 sts respectively. Mark last st on shaped side of last row. Work in stockinette for another 14 rows more, leave sts on hold.
• Seam the two armholes together at top 5 sts via 3-needle bind-off.
• Sleeve cap: With worsted weight or chunky yarn and appropriate needles, cast on 36 sts, p a row, k a row and p a row—you’re now ready to knit. Continue in stockinette st and bind off 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows—30 sts. * On next row, k2, k 2 tog, k to end to within last 4 sts, ssk, k2, p a row—28 sts. Rep from * twice more for 26 and 24 sts respectively but do not work last p row. Begin Short Rows: p 22 to within 2 sts from end, wrap and turn or w&t, k 20 or to within 2 sts from end, w&t, p 17, w&t, k14, w&t, p 11, w&t, k8, w&t, p 16 closing up short-row wraps, k across all 24 sts closing up short row wraps. Do not bind off but leave sts on needles. Have about 2 yards of yarn left.

1. Same yarn as used for homework, you only need about 5 yards of each.
2. Smooth, contrasting thinner weight cotton than used for homework like sport or dk-weight, you only need about 3 yards of each.
3. Crochet hook same size and a size smaller than equivalent of knitting needles used for homework.
4. Darning needle.
5. Circular or dpn needle the same size needle and a size smaller as worked with for homework.