Top-Down Raglan Pullover
Seamless, knit from the neck down, and tried on as you go. The maths splits one chest measurement into neck, sleeves and body.
- Yarn
- Worsted (4) wool or wool blend.
- Needles
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16 in and 32 in (40 and 80 cm) circulars and DPNs; US 6 (4 mm) for ribbing
- Sizes
- Women’s XS–5XL, men’s S–5XL, child 2–16 (size charts). Example: women’s M, bust 37 in, finished chest 40 in (102 cm), upper arm 11 in.
- Example gauge
- 18 sts and 24 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette
- Yarn needed
- About 1,200 yd (1,100 m) worsted for a 40 in chest. Choose “Sweater” and your size in the calculator.
- Stitch multiple
- 4 for the ribbing
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body sts (B) | (bust + 2–4 in ease) × sts per in, to a multiple of 4 | 40 × 4.5 = 180 | Cast-On Calculator |
| Neck cast-on | B × 0.4, rounded to a multiple of 12, split back ⅓, front ⅓, each sleeve ⅙ | 72 = 24 back, 24 front, 12 + 12 sleeves | By hand |
| Underarm cast-on (U) | about 1.75 in of sts, even | 8 sts | By hand |
| Front/back at split | B ÷ 2 − U | 90 − 8 = 82 sts | By hand |
| Sleeve at split | (upper arm + 2 in) × sts per in − U | 13 × 4.5 = 58.5 → 58 − 8 = 50 | Size Charts |
| Raglan increases | front: (82 − 24) ÷ 2 = 29; sleeves: (50 − 12) ÷ 2 = 19 | 29 − 19 = 10 body-only rounds | By hand |
| Sleeve decreases | (sleeve − cuff sts) ÷ 2, spread over sleeve length | (58 − 36) ÷ 2 = 11, every 8th rnd | By hand |
Materials
- Worsted (4) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16 in and 32 in (40 and 80 cm) circulars and DPNs; US 6 (4 mm) for ribbing
- 5 markers (one different for start of round)
- Waste yarn
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Swatch in the round and wash it the way you’ll wash the sweater. A 5% gauge error is 2 in at the chest.
Instructions
Neckband
With the smaller 16 in needle, cast on the neck count (example: 72). Join. Work *k2, p2* rib for 1 in (2.5 cm). Change to larger needle.
Set up raglans
Set-up rnd: K back sts (24), pm, k sleeve (12), pm, k front (24), pm, k sleeve (12), pm (start of round).
Yoke
Full inc rnd: *K1, M1L, knit to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1, sm; rep from * 3 more times. 8 sts increased.
Body-only inc rnd: On the back and front sections only: k1, M1L, knit to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1. Knit the sleeves plain. 4 sts increased.
Work [full inc rnd, body-only inc rnd] 10 times (the “body-only rounds” number), then [full inc rnd, plain rnd] until the sleeve increases are done (example: 9 more times).
Knit plain until the yoke measures 7.5–8.5 in (19–22 cm) from the cast-on, or reaches your underarm when you try it on.
Separate
Knit the back. Put the sleeve on waste yarn. Cast on U (example: 8). Knit the front. Put the second sleeve on waste yarn. Cast on U. You now have B sts for the body (example: 82 + 8 + 82 + 8 = 180).
Body
Knit until the body is 2 in (5 cm) short of your length (example: 12 in / 30 cm from the underarm). Work 2 in of *k2, p2* rib on the smaller needle. Bind off in rib.
Sleeves
Put the sleeve sts on DPNs. Pick up U sts from the underarm cast-on plus 1 at each corner. Knit 1 rnd, k2tog the corner sts (back to 58).
Dec rnd: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Work a dec rnd every 8th rnd until you reach the cuff count (example: 36).
Knit to sleeve length less 2 in, then 2 in of *k2, p2* rib. Bind off.
Finishing
- Weave in ends, closing any gaps at the underarms.
- Wet block to measurements.
Designer’s notes
- Try it on at the split: the yoke should reach your underarm and the sleeves should fit round your upper arm.
- Spread sleeve decreases with this formula: rounds available ÷ number of decreases, rounded down.
- Want a back neck raise? Work 4 short rows across the back before starting the yoke.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: yoke rounds. Counter 2: raglan increase rounds (goal: front increases). Counter 3: sleeve rounds since last decrease (reset at 8).
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.