Tutorial: Dividing for Armholes

I had a question from my sis-in-law on how to divide for armholes when working a sweater in the round. Here I will show, using pictures, on how to do it. The swatch I'm using is flat, but the idea is the same.

Work across the front to last 2 stitches from side. Here I have used markers to indicate where the "sides" are.

Bind off 3 stitches. (This will eat up 2 stitches before the marker, and 2 stitches after the marker.)

Work across back to last 2 stitches from side. Bind off 3 stitches.

Here you can see where the two armholes have begun. You will now have to work the front and back separately, and flat (back and forth).


Working on the "front" of your sweater, turn piece around (to the wrong side, or "inside"). Purl for stockinette stitch or knit for garter across to the armhole edge. Here I am 2 stitches before the armhole. Turn piece to right side.

Decrease at sides of armholes by working SSK (left leaning decrease) at the beginning of row, and K2Tog (right leaning decrease) at the end of row. By doing this, you will be shaping both armholes at once on the front piece. In this picture you can see the armhole with shaping on the left side. The stitches on the right side of the hole are the "back" of my sweater.

Usually, you will decrease a few times, then work straight (no decreases) to the shoulder. When the front is completed, attach yarn to back and work in the same way.

3 bind off stitches is just what I used for this tutorial - use the number your pattern calls for.