Everyone needs some philosopher sleeves to help with reading, thinking, tea drinking - whatever you like to do! The smallest size only uses one skein of sock yarn, so dive into your stash
and pull out that one special skein you’ve been saving.
These fun sleeves are knit from the top down to the wrist and have basic shaping for a sleek fit.
The optional elbow patches are knit separately and sewn on later.
Skills: knit, purl, ssk, K2tog, M1
Sizes: adult xs, s, m, l
Finished Measurements: xs measures approx. 3.5" wide at mid-arm and 20" in length (shown)
Gauge: approx. 28 sts and 44 rows = 4" in St st on 3 mm needles
Yarn: 100% superwash merino (MC), 114-228 g/4-8 oz, 395-790 yds (361-722 m); small amount of CC in fingering weight (for elbow patches); Note: xs requires one ball, larger sizes require two balls
Suggested Brand: 1-2 skeins of Tosh sock fingering weight merino (shown in William Morris)
Needles: 2.5 mm dpns; 3 mm dpns or size needed to obtain gauge
Other Materials: tapestry needle or teeny crochet hook; 1 stitch marker
Instructions: (Make two.)
Starting at the top of the sleeve, CO 70 (75/80/85) sts with long-tail method and smaller needles in MC. Join in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts. Pm for beg of rnd. Divide sts evenly on needles.
Work in K3, P2 ribbing for 1.75" (approx. 18 rnds) or to desired length of top cuff. Change to larger needles and St st.
Next: Knit 10 rows even.
Dec rnd: K1, K2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, K1.
Rep these 11 rnds 4 times more. 10 sts decreased.
Work even in St st until sleeve measures approx. 14.5 (14.5/15/15)" from beg. Try them on. They should end 3-4 inches below the wrist.
Note: If you would like a slouchier look, work extra rnds here.
If you would like to get away with making a larger size with a single ball of yarn, you may want to make the total length shorter here.
Next: Rep dec rnd once.
Next: Knit 4 rnds even.
Rep these 5 rnds 4 times more. 10 sts decreased. 50 (55/60/65) sts rem.
Try sleeve on again. Work extra rnds here if you like. They should be 1" shorter than total length.
Change to smaller needles. Work K3, P2 rib for 1” (approx. 10 rnds).
BO fairly loosely in rib or use a 3 mm dpn to bind off. Weave in ends.
Elbow Patches: (Make two.)
CO 15 sts with smaller needles and long-tail method in CC.
Knit 2 rows.
Row 1 (RS): K2, M1, knit to last 2 sts, M1, K2.
Row 2 (WS): K2, purl to last 2 sts, K2.
Rep these two rows four times more. 25 sts total.
Next: Knit.
Next: K2, purl to last 2 sts, K2.
Rep these two rows 7 times more.
Decreases:
Row 1: K2, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, K2 tog, K2.
Row 2: K2, purl to last 2 sts, K2.
Rep these two rows four times more, ending with a Row 1. 15 sts total.
Knit three rows. BO kwise. Weave in ends.
Try on your sleeve, making sure the shaping runs down the inside of your arm. Place the patch on your elbow and mark the placement or pin it on. Sew it in place. Enjoy!
