How to Crochet Sleeves on a Shirt

Make the sleeves as short or as long as you want them to be.

There is nothing better than having a perfect fitting shirt and being able to customize it to fit your personality and taste. Adding crocheted sleeves to a plain shirt can take your shirt from ho-hum to show-stopper. With just a skein of your favorite yarn and a tapestry needle, you can design a shirt that is totally your own.

Things You'll Need

• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Worsted weight (#4 Medium) yarn
• Size G/6 (4 mm) hook or size needed to obtain gauge

Instructions

1. Using a tapestry needle, weave a 14-inch strand of yarn in and out of the sleeve's edge. The weaved yarn should form 1/2-inch loops evenly spaced around. Fasten off and tie the ends together.

2. Join the remaining yarn to a loop at the underarm. Create your starting chain and crochet around, working in a continuous spiral. Place your stitch marker at the beginning of the row and move along your work as you progress. Use any type of crochet stitch or pattern to your preference, but note how many stitches and rows you make for the sleeve. The second sleeve will be made exactly as the first sleeve was made.

3. Continue to work in spiral rounds until the sleeve is the desired length. Fasten off the yarn when finished and weave in the ends.

4. Repeat pattern for the second sleeve.

Tips & Warnings

• Use two contrasting colors of yarn or variegated yarn to create a dazzling effect.

• Make sure the sleeve's diameter stays the same throughout. Count your stitches every few rows to make sure you're still on track.

References

• "Double Stitch"; Erika Simmons, Monika Simmons; 2008
• "Creative Sewing"; Ladies Home Journal Needle & Craft; 1977

Resources

• Ravelry: Crochet Patterns