Finishing techniques can be a challenge for many knitters, particularly getting a neat finish on sleeves. In this class you will learn some tips for getting a neatly sewn, well-balanced sleeve set into the armhole of your sweaters and cardigans. Working alongside your tutor, you will discover two seaming techniques—one worked from the inside of the garment, one worked from the outside—that will help you to pattern match and get the curved top edge of your sleeve looking beautiful!

Technique Requirements: knit/purl, cast on/bind off, increase/decrease, basic finishing techniques

Please prepare two sleeves and one bodice in advance. You will need complete balls of 2 colors, yarn A and yarn B.

BACK/FRONT
Cast on 75 sts using 5mm needles and yarn A.
Work in garter stitch for 5 rows (i.e., knit every row).
Next row (WS): Purl.
Now working in stocking stitch (stockinette) throughout, continue in stripe sequence as follows:
Rows 1-4: Using yarn A.
Rows 5–6: Using yarn B.
These 6 rows form the stripe sequence and are repeated throughout.
Work straight until knitting measures approximately 10cm, ending with RS facing for next row.
Note which row of the stripe repeat you are on–this will be important for pattern matching and setting in the striped sleeve.

Shape armholes
Keeping pattern correct, bind off 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 69 sts.
Decrease 1 st at each end of next 3 rows. 63 sts.
Continue straight until armhole measures 18 cm, ending with RS facing for next row.

Shape neck and shoulders
Pattern until there are 16 sts on right-hand needle and turn, leaving remaining sts on hold.
Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next 3 rows, ending with a WS row. 13 sts.
Bind off 6 sts at beginning and decrease 1 st at end of next row. 6 sts.
Work 1 row.
Bind off remaining 6 sts.
With RS facing rejoin yarn to stitches on hold, bind off center 31 sts for neck, pattern to end. Decrease 1 st at neck edge of next 4 rows. 12 sts.
Work 1 row, ending with a RS row.
Bind off 6 sts at beginning of next row, pattern to end.
Work 1 row.
Bind off remaining 6 sts.

SLEEVES
You will need to knit 2 sleeves: one in a plain color, and another in stripes as you did for the bodice. Instructions are for the striped version, but please ignore the stripe sequence for the plain version.
Cast on 51 sts using 5mm needles and yarn A.
Work in garter stitch for 5 rows.
Change to 5mm needles.
Next row (WS): Purl.
Now working in stocking stitch (stockinette) throughout, continue in stripe sequence as follows:
Rows 1–4: Using yarn A.
Rows 5–6: Using yarn B.
Work straight until knitting measures approximately 10 cm, ending with RS facing for next row. You can vary the sleeve length if you wish, but take care to end on the same row of the stripe sequence as you did for the bodice.

Shape top
Bind off 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 45 sts.
Decrease 1 st at each end of next row, then on every alternate row 12 times, then on the following row, ending with RS facing for next row. 17 sts.
Bind off.

Notebook and pen/pencil for taking notes. You will also need a knitter's sewing needle, small sharp scissors, and leftover yarn for seaming. These should already be in your knitting kit. Optiona: Knitter's pins.