As I’m sitting here writing this section I can’t help but think it sounds a bit gruesome….separating the sleeves from the body? Isn’t that a bit cruel? Anyway, it’s not nearly so dramatic as it sounds. But I think that after having knit all of the body and sleeve stitches together for the last couple days it will feel like a walk in the park to only be knitting the body stitches as you go forward!

How It Works

For this section of the sweater you will need a darning needle and a few scraps of yarn or two stitch holders to hold the live sleeve stitches on until you come back later to knit them.

1. From the beginning of your row, work to your first “A” marker. Remove marker. Using your darning needle and a scrap of yarn (or a stitch holder if you prefer) slip all of the stitches onto the scrap yarn until you reach your second “A” marker. Remove marker.

2. Now you should have a section of stitches on your stitch holder or scrap yarn, this will be your first sleeve.

3. Pick up your working yarn and work across the back stitches until you have reached the next “A” marker. Remove marker. Using your darning needle and a second piece of scrap yarn or a stitch holder, slip all of the stitches onto the scrap yarn until you reach the last “A” marker. Remove marker.

4. The section of stitches you have just removed will be your second sleeve.

5. Using your working yarn continue knitting until the end of your row/round.

If you’re still unsure about what’s going on, here’s a video to help you out:

At this point all of the stitches remaining on your needle make up the body of your sweater

Boom bam! You have officially separated your sleeves from the body of your sweater!