How to knit a seamless sweater.

To knit a seamless sweater is not a complex project. But sometimes it can become a small nightmare if your gauge swatch does not match recommended one. All of us are different. We can use exactly the same kind of yarn, the same size of knitting needles, but still can get different gauges.

What is the solution? Should you change the needles? Not that bad idea. Sometimes it helps. But unfortunately it is not a universal solution.

Meanwhile all those troubles are easy avoidable if you know the basics of seamless sweater knitting pattern. Let's go step-by step through the process of making a seamless sweater pattern. All you need is to make a small sketch and to calculate the number of stitches required for your project.

Step 1. Measure the neck circumference. (NC)

Place your measuring tape where you would like to have neckline. If you plan to make a ribbing around, measure the neck circumference lower desired neckline.For our example NC = 36 cm (14.2 in).

Step 2. Make a gauge swatch.

Use kind of yarn and a stitch pattern you've chosen for your project. Check explanation how to make a swatch at the Beginner Crochet page if necessary. For our example gauge is equal to 2.5 st/cm (6.35 st/in).

Step 3. Calculate the number of stitches necessary to cast on.

Number of stitches (n) = (the neck circumference) x (gauge).

n = 36 cm x 2.5 st/cm = 90 st.

n = 14.2 in x 6.35 st/in = 90.17 st (round to 90).

Step 4. Distribute stitches among the parts of sweater.

There are four parts in the seamless sweater:front, back, and two sleeves. They are separated by the raglan lines from each other. (See the picture). Each raglan line can have 1,2,3 or more stitches in it. I wanted 1 st per each line. When I subtract them from the total number of stitches necessary for the neckline, it leaves me:

90 st - 4st = 86 st

These 86 stitches has to be distributed into four parts: front, back and 2 sleeves. Here is a simple rule for distribution:

The total number of stitches divide by 3: 1st part-for the front, 2nd part-for the back, 3d part for two sleeves. If number of stitches in not divisible by 3, then add the remaining stitches to the front part:

86st / 3 = 28st +2st. Now we have:
Back - 28 st, 2 sleeves - 2 x 14 st = 28 st, front - 28 st + 2st = 30 st.

The front part has to be 2cm - 3 cm (0.8in - 1.2in) wider than the back. (2cm -for kid's sweaters, 3cm - for adult's) These additional stitches have to be taken from the sleeves. If our gauge is 2.5 st/cm, number of stitches to subtract from each sleeve:

1/2 x (3cm) x (2.5 st/cm) = 3.75st (round to 4)
Final distribution of stitches (See the picture):

Front: 38 st
Back: 28 st
Each sleeve - 10 st
Raglan lines: 4 st
Total: 90 st

A seamless sweater pattern.

Step 5. Cast on, mark 4 raglan lines, work in short rows to make the front neckline deeper then the back.

1.Using any yarn cast on 90 stitches, make two rows in stockinette stitch. These rows are auxiliary ones and will be eliminated in order to leave the loops of the next row opened - to make a neat looking edge or collar for your sweater). Place markers for the raglan lines according to your calculations. Don't connect in rounds yet! You will make a TURN after each short row.

2. Take yarn which you are going to use for your seamless sweater. Knit 1 row. Begin working in short rows:

Row 2. Divide stitches of each sleeve into 4 parts (just look at the picture while you are knitting): 2,2,3,3 stitches (see the picture) and stitches of the front into 6-8 parts: 2,2,2,2,3,3.

starting from the front midline knit: 1/2 of the front (19 st), yo, 1 stitch raglan line, yo, 10 stitches sleeve, yo, 1 stitch raglan line, yo, 28 stitches back, yo, 1 stitch raglan line, yo, 1/4 (3 stitches) of the next sleeve. TURN YOUR WORK. The stitches you did not knit are now on the right needle.

Row 3. Purl stitches till you come to the second mark of the first sleeve (1 (purl yo) + 3 st) after raglan line between back and sleeve. TURN YOUR WORK.

Row 4. 4 st sleeve, yo, 1 stitch raglan line, yo, 30 stitches back, yo, 1 stitch raglan line, yo, 7 st second sleeve. TURN YOUR WORK.

Row 5. Purl stitches till you come to the 3d mark of the first sleeve. TURN YOUR WORK.

Repeat short rows till you have on the right needle all parts of both sleeves and both halves of the front joined. Begin working in rounds.

Step 5. Working seamless sweater in rounds.

Connect row to knit in rounds. Make 1 YO before and after each raglan line every other row until your raglan lines are long enough. This way you will add 8 stitches in every other row.

Check whether sleeves and body fit your proper. Try to connect sides of a sleeve under your armpit. Do you feel comfortable when you connect sides of the back and front part? If you do, go to the next step. Otherwise, you have to continue to make increases till the seamless sweater fits proper.

Step 6. Separate body and sleeves.

Work each part separately or in rounds using either straight or circular knitting needles. If you want a closer fit at the waist line, change needles to the smaller size.

Step 7. Finish a neck line

Eliminate two auxiliary rows at the beginning of the neckline. Opened stitches of the first row place on the circular needles. Finish a neck line with a collar or proper edging. That's it about knitting a seamless sweater. The same technique can be used to knit a seamless dress, cardigan, and etc.

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