Inquiring minds want to know...

Well actually I want to know. I want to know how you feel about patterns!

Let me explain....

You’ve probably already figured out that I love designing raglan sweaters. I’m just drawn to the whole process and the fact that there is very little, if any, finishing to be done. I also like the way they fit and can be modified. Raglans tend to have a bit more growing room for little ones that rarely wear the same garment for more than one season. They can also be made to fit a bit more snug for a more mature design simply be doing shorter raglan sections.

My question to you is about sleeves. There are so many different ways to do sleeves and it seems everyone has a preference. Raglans appeal to me because I can work the neck and bodice and then do the sleeves right away. I’d rather just get them done and move on.

Typically raglan sleeves are done on DPNs so there’s no seam to sew. That’s the whole point of a top-down raglan...no seams. But, that said, some of us still don’t particularly care for DPNs. I use them, I’m comfortable with them, but they still aren’t my favorite knitting tool. I tend to force myself to use them when I do raglan sleeves just because I feel like I’m supposed to.

This time I caved and just knit them flat. I’m faster doing them this way and I’ve never had the popular aversion to the purl stitch so what the heck. Its only 2 small sleeve seams and the rest of the sweater is still done in the round. I did need to use DPNs at the neck until I had enough stitches to go around my circular but that was only for about 2 inches.

So, keeping in mind that you can’t please everybody all the time, I was thinking I may be able to please most of the people some of the time....

How would you like to have the option of knitting your raglan sleeves flat or in the round? If I included directions for both variations in a pattern would it appeal to you?

Speaking of sleeves I’m working the sleeves for the orange twist. I’m really hating that I decided to do this sweater flat. The front and back are both done so the sleeves are all that stand in my way to getting it done. I’ve cast both sleeves onto a circular so I can work them both at the same time. It seems like its taking forever but at least when they’re done...they’re done.

Comments

[Dear Hubby]

I can't knit in the round or flat. But I do have an opinion. DOA Frigidaire $1000 refridgerators suck.

[Mary Lynn]

I like the idea of choice but I would do it on DPN's or circs (employment ML as necessary). Cool sweater.

[Mamma]

I've only made one top down raglan and it was your pattern, Tater's Cotton Cardi (I made matching ones for my two girls. They've been done for two weeks now, but I haven't gotten a good picture yet to put on my blog.)

I enjoyed making the sleeves on dpn's, they don't bother me, but I can see the practicality in knitting them flat as well. I'd try it just to try the process.

Your designs are flawless, if you write it people will knit.

[poops]

I like a choice, and as long as it doesn't make the pattern too cumbersome, I say put them both in.

I'm a fan of DPN's though, so that's how I'd do them.

BTW, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your sweaters and I'm going to make them both. Just so you know.

[Ceci]

Options in patterns are always a great idea! I personally would rather use DPNs but I'll always vote for having a choice. :)

[Elizabeth M.]

I've chosen to work my sleeves flat on two top-down raglans when they were cardigans, worked back and forth in one piece, rather than cut open. I was afraid that my gauge might change a bit (or more than a bit) because I know my purl rows are a lot looser than my knitting rows. So, in order to keep it consistent throughout the piece, sleeves worked flat and then seamed. On pullovers, though, I do the sleeves in the round. I like double points but I'm sure that everyone who doesn't has already mastered some variation of Magic Loop.