Top-Down Raglan Cardigan
The raglan pullover recipe worked flat with two fronts, a shaped crew neck and picked-up button bands.
- Yarn
- Worsted (4) wool or wool blend.
- Needles
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 32 in (80 cm) circular and DPNs; US 6 (4 mm) for bands
- Sizes
- Any size (size charts). Example: women’s M, finished chest about 40 in (102 cm) buttoned.
- Example gauge
- 18 sts and 24 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette
- Yarn needed
- About 1,250 yd (1,150 m) worsted for the example.
- Stitch multiple
- 2 for the 1×1 rib
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back at split | (chest ÷ 2) × sts per in − U | 90 − 8 = 82 sts | Cast-On Calculator |
| Each front at split | (back − band width in sts) ÷ 2 | (82 − 4) ÷ 2 = 39 sts | By hand |
| Sleeve at split | (upper arm + 2 in) × sts per in − U | 58 − 8 = 50 sts | Size Charts |
| Neck cast-on | fronts 2 + sleeves 12 + back 24 + sleeves 12 + fronts 2 | 52 sts | By hand |
| Raglan rows | back: (82 − 24) ÷ 2 = 29; sleeves: (50 − 12) ÷ 2 = 19 | 10 body-only rows | By hand |
| Front neck shaping | front at split − 2 − 29 raglan incs | 39 − 31 = 8 neck increases | By hand |
Materials
- Worsted (4) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 32 in (80 cm) circular and DPNs; US 6 (4 mm) for bands
- Markers
- Waste yarn
- 6–7 buttons, 3/4 in (20 mm)
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Stockinette swatch, washed.
Instructions
Cast on and set up
Cast on 52 sts. Set-up row (WS): P2 (front), pm, p12 (sleeve), pm, p24 (back), pm, p12 (sleeve), pm, p2 (front).
Yoke
Full inc row (RS): *Knit to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L; rep from * 3 more times. 8 sts increased.
Neck shaping: On the first 8 RS rows, also k1, M1L at the start and M1R, k1 at the end of the row.
Body-only inc row (WS): Increase with M1P either side of the markers on the back and front sides of each raglan only (4 sts increased). Purl the sleeves plain.
Work [full inc RS row, body-only WS row] 10 times, then [full inc RS row, plain WS row] 9 times. Check: back 82, fronts 39, sleeves 50.
Work plain until the yoke is 7.5–8.5 in deep at the back.
Separate
Work across the left front, put the sleeve on waste yarn, cast on 8, work the back, put the sleeve on hold, cast on 8, work the right front (example: 176 sts).
Body
Work stockinette to 2 in short of your length. Change to smaller needle and work 2 in of 1×1 rib (every row: *k1, p1*). Bind off in rib.
Sleeves
Work as for the Top-Down Raglan Pullover sleeves.
Bands
With smaller needle and RS facing, pick up 3 sts for every 4 rows up the right front, around the neck (1 per stitch across the top) and down the left front. Adjust to an even number.
Work 1×1 rib for 0.5 in. Buttonhole row: On the right band (women’s) or left band (men’s), work yo, k2tog for each button, spaced evenly: stitches between = (sts along that front edge − 4) ÷ (buttons − 1). Count only the front-edge sts, not the neck or the other front.
Work 0.5 in more. Bind off in rib.
Finishing
- Sew on buttons opposite the buttonholes.
- Weave in ends and block with the bands pinned straight.
Designer’s notes
- Body-only rows on the WS keep the yoke from getting too deep: without them it would be about 10 in.
- Pick-up ratio for bands: 3 sts per 4 rows in stockinette. If the band flares, pick up fewer.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: yoke rows. Counter 2: neck increases (goal 8). Counter 3: raglan rows.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Tools for this pattern
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.