Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Shortsleeved Raglan Cardi : Explained


 













When I make a raglan sweater I use a formula to calculate my cast on stitches. Nobody dislikes math more than me, but this is fourth grade math, so I can handle it.

Measure the neck circumference. This is merely a suggestion since I am not making the opening the size of my neck or I would never get it over my much larger head.
Let's just say that 15" is the neck measurement and my gauge is 5 stitches per inch. 5 stitches x15 neck inches =75 stitches. Simple?
If it is a cardigan, this is pretty close to the amount of stitches that will fit neatly around the middle of your neck, and you might be adding more to that number if you are knitting a button band, so there is wiggle room.
A pullover is a bit different. More wiggle room has to be built into the neck opening or the head won't make it through. So I would say measure where the neckline will lie. This is impossible to do alone, and I never have anyone hanging around ready to do this for me, so I just have to guess, or cheat and look at a pattern (!!!). So let's guestimate that we need 3 more inches, or 18" x 5 stitches per inch =90 stitches. You might do ribbing with a smaller gauge or smaller needle (like 6 stitches per inch) since you will want the neckline somewhat closer to your actual neck, and it will still stretch quite a bit, so don't worry. Try it on and see. If it is too tight, use a larger needle and go for it again. A bit of ribbing to rip out is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Make notes!

Ready for the raglan part?
All  TOP DOWN raglans follow this rule, somewhat.
Neckline stitches: 90 divided by 3=30.
Which means 30 stitches for the back, 30 for the front and then 30 divided in half =15 for each shoulder. It almost doesn't matter what your gauge is at this point because you will be knitting INCREASES until the number of stitches on the sleeve parts measure your arm circumference, which depending on how skinny or plump your arms, it is usually somewhere between 12-14 inches.
So counting the stitches on the arm parts, 60 or 70 stitches is when to stop and put those stitches on waste yarn and join the rest of the stitches for the front and back onto a circular needle and continue knitting.
But wait! I have been adding a few underarm stitches to the joining parts recently and never regretted it. I am busty and need that extra width under the arm, so I add 8 between the back and front, on each side. Consequently I must also add those stitches to the sleeve when I come back to the knit them. Knowing that, I go for the skinnier arm measurement (like 13" or 58 stitches ) or I will have way too wide a sleeve and too many sleeve decreases to force into the length in order to make my arms look proper.


So that's basically how I make all my raglans, without having to follow a pattern.
Sorta.
I also make the neck ribbing a few rows deeper in the back than in front, by means of short rows. But that's a fitting thing for my sloping forward back neck, and isn't necessary for more youthful bodies.
In addition, I have finally admitted that hips are a part of my anatomy and I do a series of double increases on each side 'seam' as I knit downward (every six rows or so). This allows for a less grabassy fit. I don't want to know how many stitches I end up with as I reach the bottom hem. Yipes.


17 comments:

  1. nice formula, much the same as mine. except I make INCREASES down the raglan, which I suspect you meant to write.
    best wishes from Iceland
    Frida

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks very much for taking the trouble to write this. I admired your cardigan in the last post and wondered just how it was done.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Obviously, you are a master knitter - this fits you to a T! and gorgeous too, love all the color. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Dave, and the doggies!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You look swell, girl ! ;-)
    Top down cardigans are so easy (espacially when explained by you !!!)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Frida was correct"
    you will be knitting INCREASES until the number of stitches on the sleeve parts measure your arm circumference.

    Duh.
    Sorry for the mistake, which I fixed..
    Melody

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you so much for posting these instructions. I'm thrilled to have them. So kind of you to take the time!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous10:32 PM

    Melody, gorgeous sweater! Not to be too nitpicky, but 5 x 15" neck would be 75 stitches, not 60. However, when you added the 3" ease, your 5 x 18" = 90 sts is right, so the mistake doesn't matter. You make me want to start knitting again!

    Mary G in Chicago

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mary G, thanks for letting me know my math was wrong. I fixed it.
    Melody

    ReplyDelete
  9. Melody - I just saw the post about your knee (yes, I'm a little behind on my blogs...) and am glad to know the procedure is behind you and that you're doing better. Have a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving, and yes, don't overdo as far as that knee is concerned! Leslie :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous3:12 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The spread of online gambling today is actually the sign that stretching gambling on the internet is still rampant and even growing rapidly. Most people do not return to doubt or worry along with the capital that will be used at the city desk. It is always emphasized by the city that if you want to play more safe you actually have to obey the rules. Including regarding capital matters from each account.

    ReplyDelete
  12. American Airlines’ mission statement is “committed to providing every citizen of the planet with the simplest service of aviation to the extensive selection of destination possible.” The statement represents the strategic objectives of the American Airlines business and its prioritization of the purchasers because of the primary users of its services. It also shows that the management recognizes the competition out there by mentioning its expansion motives as a strategic marketing tactic for securing its influential position within the aviation market.
    American Airlines Reservations satisfied with the assistance in providing quality customer service, and people who call
    American Airlines Reservations Number are generally satisfied with the help they receive.
    Now get an American Airlines Reservations Phone Number, Book your Flights with these simple steps. Our customer service 24*7 available.

    ReplyDelete
  13. While using the printer on the off chance that it stalls out in the center of the work, it can raise the temper of the user. We have seen numerous user putting their questions dependent on group printer in error state issue, for instance what do I do if my ordinance printer is in error state?, how would I get my standard printer out of error state, etc. Subsequently, to address every one of these inquiries we have the arrangement and it is referenced underneath.
    printer is in an error state canon

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great share!

    It's more of the technical knowledge cover in this article. Covering everything related to the Dustless Blasting Machine. I think you are doing great job generally of being visible in the machines blogging market.

    We are grateful for that and it;s exactly the kind of thing we recommend to our readers to know the full information of the products.We all have the same amount of hours in a day so put them to good use. So, Here some of the machine information we also added for the customer that know everything on the Blasting Machine and buy machine online.

    Dustless Blasting Machine like - Dustless Blasting Machine Manufacturer, Dustless Blasting Machine in India, Dustless Blasting Machine Price, Dustless Blasting Machines, Dustless Sand Blasting Machine, Dustless Shot Blasting Machine, Dustless Grit Blasting Machine and various others Dustless Blasting Equipment. Keep it works and share with us your latest information.

    In short, there is a lot to learn machine information on this article. It's all got a lot better than before!t. Value that list of thousands but I'll get there.

    Thanks for sharing all of this with us. Have a nice week ahead, and Happy Thanksgiving as well .
    Contact Us at - +91-7413897813 OR Visit at : www.dustlessblastingmachine.com

    Also Check Our Top Products :-

    Sand Blasting Machine | Portable Sand Blasting Machine
    Shot Blasting Machine | Portable Shot Blasting Machine"
    Blast Room | Blast Room System
    Steel Grit | Steel Shots
    Arc Spray Gun | Thermal Spray Gun
    Powder Flame Spray Gun | Wire Flame Spray Gun
    Aluminum Oxide | White Aluminum Oxide

    Thanks & Regards!
    Rahul Sharma.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous4:13 AM

    Wow. Here I am 10 years later finding this amazing advice! Thank you for writing this!

    ReplyDelete

Hello,
So nice of you to drop by. I love your comments, and if you would really like a reply, please email me at fibermania at g mail dot com