Lantern Sleeve Top by Knitting Sheep: a top-down knitting pattern on circular needles

4 September, 2019

My name is Carolina Damonte, journalist and handicrafts lover from Buenos Aires. When I was 23 years old I settled in Valencia, where I started a family. I grew up surrounded by women who knitted, embroidered… and a father who taught me to value all things handmade. In 2012 I launched a line of vintage clothing for babies and mamas. Then, I started to teach knit and crochet classes and opened my Youtube channel. A year ago I discovered the beautiful art of designing. I feel an immense feeling of happiness when people say they are in love with my designs. I create in a clear and simple way. As a result, anyone who has some basic knowledge can follow one of my patterns. Therefore, I invite you to follow this top-downfrom top to bottom- pattern to knit the Lantern Sleeve Top on circular needles.

Lantern Sleeve Top

Discover Knitting Sheep

Maternity has brought me closer to this artistic facet that I had relegated to the sidelines. I would never design something that I wouldn’t use or wouldn’t put on my daughters. The choice of materials is also important so that our creations shine for themselves. There is no doubt in my mind that of all the stages in my life, this is the happiest. Crisis moments can always offer you a new opportunity. You only need to be brave and to reinvent yourself as many times as is necessary. If you want to learn more about me, I invite you to visit my social networks: Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Etsy.

top-down knitting pattern

Top-Down Technique

Be prepared to learn new techniques thanks to the Lantern Sleeve Top: knitting in the round, top-down, raglan sleeves, blocking a garment…. Carolina proposes knitting in the round -using circular needles- this jumper with short puffed raglan sleeves using Katia Panama. Learn the Top-Down method, that’s to say, knitting from the neckline to the waist. And, furthermore, achieve the puffed lantern sleeve effect by simply working the increases indicated on each row. Enjoy knitting and proudly wearing the result!

raglan sleeves

Lantern Sleeve Top

Carolina Damonte from Knitting Sheep

Level: Intermediate

Sizes: S (M, L)

Lantern Sleeve Top

Materials: 5 (7, 10) balls of Katia Panama coral col. 47; Size 6 (U.S.)/(4 mm) and 8 (U.S.)/(5 mm) knitting needles with a 32” (80 cm) long cable; Wool sewing needle, stitch markers and 2 safety pins/stitch holders.

Stitches & abbreviations

  • K2 tog = knit 2 stitches together
  • INC = Single increase: Lift, twist and pass the stitch from the previous row onto the left hand needle and knit it.
  • K = knit
  • SLM = slip st marker
  • M = stitch marker
  • St(s) = stitch(es)
  • PM = Place st marker
  • P = purl
  • Rep = repeat
  • R(s) = row(s)
  • * to * Repeat from
  • [  ] Stitch count

Gauge / Tension square. Using the size 8 needles in stockinette st and after blocking the sample swatch: 16 sts x 22 rows = 4×4” (10×10 cm)

How to follow the pattern

Work in the round with two strands of yarn using the Top Down (from top to bottom) technique, except for the sleeves which are worked in rows going back and forth. The increases worked in the sleeves create the lantern shape effect.

The cotton yarn used is a natural fibre and will tend to stretch therefore the final garment will be a little smaller for size when finished.

Clarification: work the rib bands with the size 6 (4 mm) needles and the body with the size 8 (5 mm) needles.

How to follow the pattern
Instructions

R1: Using the size 6 needles and Katia Panama col. 47, cast on 100 (106, 106) sts. PM at the start of the row.

R2: Join the sts in the round, being careful not to twist the work: SLM and work the round in knit st.

Collar band

R3-R6: SLM,* K1, P1*, rep from * to *.

Raglan

R7: Change to the size 8 needles and work as follows: SLM, K30 (32, 32) sts, PM, K2, PM, K16 (17, 17) sts, PM, K2, PM, K30 (32, 32) sts, PM, K2, PM, K16 (17, 17) sts, PM, K2.  [100 (106, 106) sts].

R8: SLM,* K to M, INC, SLM, K2, SLM, INC, K to M, INC, SLM, K2, SLM, INC*, rep from * to * 1 more time [108 (114, 114) sts].

R9: SLM, K.

Rep R8-9: 5 more times [148 (154, 154) sts].

Lantern sleeve

Follow the instructions for each size:

Increase row: SLM,* K to M, INC, SLM, K2, SLM, INC in each st until the M, SLM, K2, SLM, INC *, rep from * to  * one more time, SLM, K2.

Size S: Work 1 increase row.

Size M: Rep R8-9 one more time. Work 1 increase row.

Size L: Rep R8-9 two more times. Work 1 increase row.

Yoke

Sizes S & M: Rep R8-9 14 more times.

Size L: Rep R8-9 16 more times.

Body

Leave the sleeves on hold on the stitch holders. Remove the stitch markers except for the one at the start of the row. Work the front and back at the same time, in stockinette st, until the garment measures 7 7/8” (9 7/8”, 11 3/8”) / 20 (25, 29)cm from the armhole. Change to the size 6 needles.

1×1 Ribbing:  work 10 rows as follows: * K1, P1 *, rep from * to *. Loosely bind (cast off) the sts.

Sleeves

Using the size 8 needles, work the two sleeves at the same time in rows going back and forth in stockinette st = knit 1 row, purl 1 row.

Continue until the sleeves measure 9” (10 1/4″, 11 3/8”) / 23 (26, 29) cm.

Final row:  K2, * K2 tog *, repeat from * to * until the last 2 sts, K2.

Loosely bind (cast off) the stitches leaving a 19 5/8” (50 cm) length of yarn to sew each sleeve as far as the armhole.

Finishing (making up)

Finally, fasten off all the loose threads and sew the sleeves. Block the garment:  Submerge the garment in cold water with washing detergent for delicate fibres. Squeeze out the excess water with a clean towel. Shape the garment using the measurements on the diagram as a guide, pin onto a blocking board and leave to dry flat, preferably in the open air.

Lantern Sleeve Top