You sweater is coming along nicely and now it is time to think about if you would like to add pockets. If so, which type of pockets?
If you do not wish to add pockets you may skip this lesson.
There are a couple of different types of pockets, patch pockets, set-in pockets, horizontal, vertical or diagonal pockets.The simples types of pockets to add to sweaters created using the top down raglan style construction are patch pockets and horizontal set-in pockets. Patch pockets can be knit in any shape and are sewed on after the rest of the sweater is completed. But horizontal set-in pockets take a little bit more planning.
How It Works
If you decide to add horizontal set-in pocket(s) you will need to choose where you’d like to place it/them. Usually they are placed about one third of the way up the body from the hem but there is no set rule for placement so it is entirely up to you.
When you have reached the point in your knitting where you would like to place your pockets use the following instructions. For each pocket you will need a length of scrap yarn in a contrasting color from your sweater color.
At this point you will just be preparing the opening that will be used on Day 28 to turn into a pocket.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Knit to the edge of your desired pocket location.
2. Using the scrap piece of yarn, knit across all of the stitches you would like to include in the pocket.
3. Once you have knit across all of your pocket stitches slip them back onto your main needle (if you are right handed slip them onto your lefthand needle, if you are left handed slip them onto your righthand needle)
4. Using your working yarn (not the scrap yarn) and knit across the same stitches one more time.
5. Repeat steps 1 – 4 for the second pocket (if a second pocket is desired).
Continue working the body of your sweater as normal. The areas you knit in the scrap yarn will look like lines of color where your pocket openings will be. You will be coming back to the pockets on Day 28 to finish them, until then, just keep knitting the body of your sweater as usual.