I was getting so tired of the never-ending bottom rib of the top-down pullover that I was really tempted to leave it for later and start the sleeves. They seemed so much more intriguing.

Despite the temptation to jump ahead, I finished the ribbing but left the bind off for later. I’m still not sure about the length so I’ll leave that decision for later.

For the past two days I started and ripped out the sleeve three times. So while the sleeve is definitely intriguing it has been a bit more challenging then anticipated.

These set-in sleeves use wrapped short rows to shape the sleeve cap. To start off, a row of stitches are picked up around the whole armhole from the bottom front. Next, markers are place at the top of the cap to mark off where the short rows will be worked (one on the left top and another on the right top). The short rows are then worked between the markers, back and forth from the top of the cap to the bottom

of the armhole. Once at the armhole the sleeve continues to be knit in the round until the cuff.

This all seems easy enough, except that the wrapped short rows on the front are looking pretty sloppy and large. There are a combination of demons that are causing me grief. At this point the sweater is starting to get heavy to move around, the stitches seem to get stretched out by the long tips of the circular needles, and the yarn has a tendency to stretch if worked too many times.

So for the past few days I’ve been researching wrapped short rows and search my grandmother’s needle collection for a circular with smaller tips. I’ll make another attempt tomorrow.

I think the best reference for short rows is in “Knitter’s Book of Finishing Techniques” by Nancie Wiseman. I found the following online references, which are ok but not quite so detailed.

DnT, Inc.

Sweaterscapes

By the way, I’m glad to see that Krista Jo of KnitWit is blogging again.