picking up stitches for sleeves (edited to add pics)

[majormajor]

i've done this before, but the look wasn't as neat as i'd like. does anyone have any tips for picking up the stitches so the sleeve looks neater? i'll try to post a pic of what my previous sweater looks like if that helps. but first i smell poop... so i have to go!

ok i put pics in my blog so you can see what i'm talking about. you can comment here instead of there, that'd be easier for me. thanks!!!

[dillonandmarasmom]

Re you on Ravelry? I would ask there...I am workign on Kipling and am nervous to start picking up for those tiny sleeves, but it uses short rows. Here's that pattern. Maybe you could try that method?

Sorry, it's the Ravelry download. If you can't see it, pm me.

[USAmma]

It's a very cute sweater!!

On a sweater I made recently it said to pick up 3 stitches out of every 4. So I would pick up 3 and skip the fourth loop where I could pick up. It helped make it more even and less bunchy.

[flapjack]

Yep- if you're working in stocking stitch, pick up three, let one lie, pick up three, let one lie. Also, use safety pins, or oddments of yarn to measure inch intervals along the shoulder edge so that your sleeve is properly placed and even on both sides.
I like grumperina's method of picking up stitches where you only lift one leg of the stitch but knit through the back, especially for shoulder seams where it's very visible.