One of the great things about knitting is how it allows you to customize. Some customizations are easier than others, but one that is both common and relatively easy to do is changing sleeve length. This particular pattern adjustment has been a popular one with my Rosanna cardigan! Originally published just last year (2022), my idea with this cardi was to create a light layering piece for warmer weather that featured longer short sleeves (since I know longer short sleeved designs can be hard to find!). But, I know short-sleeves isn’t practical for everyone and I know many knitters have opted to add longer sleeves to their versions. Here are a couple of finished photos from some talented knitters that did just that!
Some knitters are able to make this kind of pattern adjustment on their own, but if you would prefer exact written instructions I have added them below for all 10 sizes! But first, here are a couple of tips you may find helpful:
- If, as you’re knitting down your sleeve to the cuff, you feel like you’re decreasing enough stitches fast enough (i.e, you want a smaller cuff), simply work less rounds in-between your decrease rounds and work more of them. For example, if I say to repeat the decrease round every 8th round 9 times, you could instead repeat it every 6th round 12 times.
- The instructions below will give you a sleeve length that is approximately 17.5″ long from the underarm. If you want it a bit longer, you’ll just work more rounds even (i.e, no decreases) before you start the cuff ribbing. If you want it shorter than 17.5″, then you’ll want to take out some of the rounds in-between your decrease rounds as you work your way down.
- You’ll likely need more yardage to create longer sleeves. I would estimate an additional 100-150 yards (lower end for smaller sizes, upper end for larger sizes) should be suffice.
Instructions for a Long-Sleeved Rosanna:
- In the pattern, in the Sleeves section, follow all of the instructions listed in the first bullet point, and in Steps 1-3.
- Knit 7 rnds, or until meas 1″ from underarm.
- Next Rnd – Dec rnd: k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1 – 2 sts dec’d.
- Work in St st in the rnd (knitting every rnd), repeating above dec rnd:
- Every 12 (9, 9, 8, 6) (6, 6, 6, 5, 5)th round: 9 (12, 4, 3, 18) (18, 3, 2, 16, 13) times; and then
- Every 0 (0, 8, 7, 0) (0, 5, 5, 4, 4)th round: 0 (0, 9, 12, 0) (0, 18, 20, 8, 13) times.
- (note: in the bullet point above, for those sizes where it says “0”, that just means you don’t work any more decreases)
- At this point, you will have the following number of sts: 48 (48, 52, 52, 52) (56, 56, 60, 60, 64)
- Work in St st in the rnd (knitting every rnd) for 8 rnds, or until sleeve meas 16.5″ from underarm, or 1″ less than desired sleeve length.
- Go back to the pattern and follow the exact instructions listed in the “Sleeve Trim” section.