Wee Cria KAL — Sleeves and Pockets

Now that you’ve finished the body of wee Cria it’s decision time! Long sleeves or short sleeves, faux pockets or real pockets. The setup is the same for both sleeves choices and both pocket choices, the main difference is the long sleeves and real pockets involve more knitting. I’m going to show you the set up for one sleeve and pocket option, and then on Monday I’ll talk about finishing.

Sleeve setup

Return the stitches held on the scrap yarn to the needle — I used the magic loop technique, but you could used dpns.

Then remove the scrap yarn.

Pick up and knit the underarm stitches as shown in the picture below, starting from the right of the circled section and working across the cast on stitches.

Try to get the centre stitch of the picked up stitches to line up with the purl stitch that marks the side faux seam. If you’re working the long sleeves this purl stitch will continue down the underside of the sleeve.

Picking up stitches

The circle indicates where to pick up the next stitch.

Using the left needle tip place it through the fabric from front to back and then knit into that ‘stitch’ as normal.

Alternative method for picking up stitches: I only use the right needle tip, put the tip of the needle through the fabric from front to back.

Wrap the yarn around the needle and pull the loop through to the front to make the stitch.

The two extra stitches you picked up will be decreased out on the next round, this helps to reduce holes at each side of the picked up stitches. You’ll now be working in the round instead of back and forth like the body of the cardigan. 

Decide which sleeves you’re going to make and follow the pattern directions for your choice. I’ve decided on short sleeves for both of the cardigans I’m making. 

When you’ve finished knitting the sleeve, bind off. I used a regular purlwise bind off, but I did redo it three times before I was happy with the balance between too tight and too loose. It’s not that many stitches either so it’s worth redoing if you’re not happy with it the first time.

Pockets

With the wrong side facing return the held stitches to the needle. 

Then remove the scrap yarn.

Cast on two stitches onto right needle tip. The extra stitches help make the pocket slightly wider than the opening which looks much nicer once it’s sewn up.

Knit across the pocket stitches.

Cast on another two stitches, and purl across the pocket stitches. 

If you haven’t already decided it’s time to choose between faux or real pockets.

I’m doing one of each, though not on the same cardigan! Emerson’s will have faux pockets, but big sister Savanna’s will be real as she’s almost at the age where she needs somewhere to keep her treasures.

On Monday I’ll cover finishing: sewing up the pockets, weaving in ends, sewing on buttons, and blocking. Let us know in the comments if you’ve any questions, and if you’re knitting along with us feel free to share progress photos in the Ravelry thread.