Stitches

How do I alter a knitting pattern to take gathers from sleeve where it joins the body of sweater?

I am currently knitting a sweater pattern that I love -- except for the gathered sleeves! What is the best way to alter the pattern to remove the gathers?

Public Comments

1. There would be quite a bit of altering to be done. If you have the time , do you have the picture of the sweater? If not contact me and I will ask you for information regarding the sweater and then look up some things I have here and see if I can help you e-mail me.
2. The best way to remove the gathers depends on how the gathers are made in the first place. Read the sections of the pattern for knitting and sewing in the sleeves. I'm going to list fixes for the two ways I can think of to make gathers in a sleeve. Just remember that changing the pattern may change the fit of the garment, so be prepared for some trial and error. If the gathers are made while sewing in the sleeves narrow the sleeve cap while knitting (to remove the excess fabric that would become the gathered bits) by decreasing or removing increases from the pattern and sew the sleeves in normally. If the gathers are made by a change in the stitch pattern (ribbing or a lot of decreases near the top of the top of the sleeve would do that) continue with the normal stitch pattern for the entire sleeve. Be careful not to end up with sleeve caps that are too large to be set in neatly if you do this.