A top down raglan sweater with a comfortable afterthought front pocket
Skill Level: Intermediate
SIZING
The pattern is designed to have 3 inches of positive ease at the bust and no ease at the waist. Select a size based on your actual bust width plus the 3 inches of positive ease, totaling the bust width in (A).
(A) Bust Width: 32 (36.5, 40, 44.5, 48) (52.5, 56, 60.5, 64) inches or 81 (93, 102, 113, 122) (133, 142, 154, 163) cm
(B) Sleeve Length: 19 (19, 19, 19.5, 19.5) (20.5, 20.5, 21, 21) inches or 48 (48, 48, 50, 50) (52, 52, 53, 53) cm
(C) Total Length: 24.5 (24.5, 23.5, 23, 23) (23, 23, 23, 23) inches or 62 (62, 60, 58, 58) (58, 58, 58, 58) cm
(D) Yoke Length: 8.5 (9.5, 8.5, 9.5, 8.5) (10, 11, 12, 12.5) inches or 22 (24, 22, 24, 22) (25, 28, 30, 32) cm
(E) Waist Length: 16 (15, 15, 13.5, 14.5) (13, 12, 11, 10.5) inches or 41 (38, 38, 34, 37) (33, 30, 28, 27) cm
(F) Upper Sleeve Width: 13.5 (13.5, 14.5, 15, 16.5) (18.5, 20, 22, 23) inches or 34 (34, 37, 38, 42) (47, 51, 56, 58) cm
SUGGESTED NEEDLES
Size 5 (US), 3.75 mm circular needles
Size 5 (US), 3.75 mm double pointed needles or small circular needles
Size 4 (US), 3.50 mm circular needles
Size 4 (US), 3.50 mm double pointed needles or small circular needles
GAUGE
18 sts x 26 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch
NOTIONS
Stitch markers
Scrap yarn
Tapestry needle
SUGGESTED YARN
4 (5, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7, 8) skeins Knit Picks Woolen Cotton in Shaun Heather, or 801 (894, 990, 1088, 1187) (1296, 1395, 1498, 1597) yards or 732 (817, 905, 995, 1085) (1185, 1276, 1370, 1460) meters of your favorite DK weight yarn, or similar weight that gets you gauge.
STITCH ABBREVIATIONS
BO – bind off
BOR – beginning of round
CO – cast on
K – knit
M1L – pick up the bar between the stitch you knit and the one you’re about to knit, bringing the needle from front to back, and knit into the back of the stitch (increase)
M1R – pick up the bar between the last stitch you knit and the one you’re about to knit,
bringing the needle from the back to the front, and knit into the front of the stitch (increase)
P – purl
PM – place marker
Rd(s) – round(s)
RS – right side
SM – slip marker
St(s) – stitch(es)
WS – wrong side
Pattern Notes
This raglan yoke sweater is worked from the top down and flat for the beginning of the yoke, then joined and knit in the round. You first work the yoke, which includes a front and back body panel and the beginning of two sleeve panels.
When your yoke is long enough to reach your armpits, you separate the sleeve panels from the body panels, holding the sleeve stitches on scrap yarn and joining the body panels to work the body of the sweater down to the waist. Before beginning the bottom ribbing, you pick up and knit a kangaroo pouch pocket on the front of your sweater that is then knit together with the body of the sweater as you work the bottom ribbing. Then, you pick up stitches along the cast on edge to knit the collar. You end by working each sleeve individually.
Stitch counts and round counts are indicated for each size based on the following size order: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL). It is recommended that you highlight the stitch and round counts for your size before beginning to knit.
Stitches that appear between * and * should be worked until the end, unless otherwise indicated. It is recommended you check your gauge on both the circular needles and double pointed needles (or small circular needles) to ensure your tension is the same. Adjust your needle size as necessary to obtain gauge.
INSTRUCTIONS
Yoke Increases (Worked Flat):
Using larger needles, CO 56 (56, 60, 62, 68) (68, 68, 76, 76) sts.
R1: K4 (4, 4, 4, 4) (4, 4, 4, 4), PM, K12 (12, 10, 10, 14) (14, 14, 16, 16), PM, K24 (24, 32, 34, 32) (32, 32, 36, 36), PM, K12 (12, 10, 10, 14) (14, 14, 16, 16), PM, K4 (4, 4, 4, 4) (4, 4, 4, 4)
R2: P across
For Sizes XS (S, M, L) ONLY:
R3: K until 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM, *K1, M1L, K until 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM* until last marker section, K1, M1L, K until end. (8 sts increased)
R4: P across
Repeat R3-4 an additional 6 (7, 7, 7, -) (-, -, -, –) times for a total of 7 (8, 8, 8, -) (-, -, -, –) repeats. Repeat R3 one more time and do not turn your work. You will now have 120 (128, 132, 134, -) (-, -, -, –) sts distributed as follows:
Right Front Panel: 12 (13, 13, 13, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Sleeve A: 28 (30, 28, 28, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Back Panel: 40 (42, 50, 52, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Sleeve B: 28 (30, 28, 28, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Left Front Panel: 12 (13, 13, 13, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
For Sizes XL (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) ONLY:
R3: K until 2 sts before marker, M1R, K1, M1R, K1, SM, K1, M1L, K until 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM, K1, M1L, K1, M1L, K until 2 sts before marker, M1R, K1, M1R, K1, SM, K1, M1L, K until 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM, K1, M1L, K1, M1L, K until end. (12 sts increased).
R4: P across
Repeat R3-4 an additional – (-, -, -, 6) (6, 7, 7, 8) times for a total of – (-, -, -, 7) (7, 8, 8, 9) repeats. Repeat R3 one more time and do not turn your work. You will now have – (-, -, -, 164) (164, 176, 184, 196) as follows:
Right Front Panel: – (-, -, -, 20) (20, 22, 22, 24) sts
Sleeve A: – (-, -, -, 30) (30, 32, 34, 36) sts
Back Panel: – (-, -, -, 64) (64, 68, 72, 76) sts
Sleeve B: – (-, -, -, 30) (30, 32, 34, 36) sts
Left Front Panel: – (-, -, -, 20) (20, 22, 22, 24) sts
For ALL Sizes:
Yoke Increases (Worked in the Round):
You will begin working in the round. Using the backwards loop cast on method, CO 16 (16, 24, 26, 24) (24, 24, 28, 28) sts on your right needle. K across to the next marker. This marker now becomes your BOR.
Rd 5: K across
Rd 6: *K1, M1L, K until 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM.* (8 sts increased)
Rd 7: K across
Repeat Rds 6-7 an additional 14 (12, 16, 17, 19) (24, 26, 29, 30) times for a total of 15 (13, 17, 18, 20) (25, 27, 30, 31) repeats. You will now have 256 (248, 292, 304, 348) (388, 416, 452, 472) sts distributed as follows:
For Sizes S (M, L) ONLY:
Rd 8: *K across until marker, SM, K1, M1L, K until 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM.* (4 sts increased)
Rd 9: K across
Repeat Rds 8-9 an additional – (4, 0, 3, -) (-, -, -, –) times for a total of – (5, 1, 4, -) (-, -, -, –) repeats. You will now have – (268, 296, 320, -) (-, -, -, –) sts distributed as follows:
Sleeve A: – (56, 62, 64 -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Back Panel: – (78, 86, 96, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Sleeve B: – (56, 62, 64 -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Front Panel: – (78, 86, 96, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
For Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL) ONLY:
Rd 10: K across
Repeat Rd 10 an additional 7 (8, 5, 0, 10) (3, 0, -, –) times for a total of 8 (9, 6, 1, 11) (4, 1, -, –) repeats.
For ALL Sizes:
Try on your piece. The length should fall just below your armpits, where you can comfortably pinch together either side of a sleeve panel under your arms. If it is too short, work Rd 10 until you reach your desired length.
Separate Sleeves from Body:
Rd 11 (Set up Round): Place 58 (56, 62, 64, 70) (80, 86, 94, 98) sts on scrap yarn or stitch holder to save for later, CO 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 3) sts, place marker for the new BOR, CO 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 3) sts, K across 70 (78, 86, 96, 104) (114, 122, 132, 138) sts, place 58 (56, 62, 64, 70) (80, 86, 94, 98) sts on scrap yarn or stitch holder to save for later, CO 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 3) sts, PM, CO 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 3) sts, K across 70 (78, 86, 96, 104) (114, 122, 132, 138) sts. You will now have 144 (164, 180, 200, 216) (236, 252, 272, 288) sts on your needles, not counting the sleeve sts on the scrap yarn.
Body:
Rd 12: K across
Repeat Round 12 for a total of 96 (88, 88, 80, 86) (76, 70, 64, 60) repeats, or until you are 1.5 inches less than your desired length. Do not break the yarn, but put these live stitches aside for now.
Front Pocket:
You will now pick up stitches to attach the kangaroo pocket to the front of your sweater. You will be picking up stitches for the top of the pocket first. A tutorial for picking up stitches on your flat work is available here.
Starting at the Left Sleeve center underarm, count across the Front Panel for 19 (21, 23, 26, 28) (30, 32, 35, 37) sts, then count up for 34 rows and place a marker. This marks the top left side of your kangaroo pocket.
Using the larger double pointed needles or small circular needles and a new working yarn, pick up and knit 36 (42, 46, 50, 54) (60, 64, 68, 72) sts across the Front Panel.
For Sizes XS (S, M, L) ONLY:
R1: (WS) K4, P across until last 4 sts, K4
R2: (RS) K4, M1L, K across until last 4 sts, M1R, K4 (2 sts increased)
R3: Repeat R1
Repeat R2-3 an additional 6 (7, 8, 9, -) (-, -, -, –) times for a total of 7 (8, 9, 10, -) (-, -, -, –) repeats. You will now have 50 (58, 64, 70, -) (-, -, -, –) Front Pocket sts.
R4: K across
R5: K4, P across until last 4 sts, K4
Repeat R4-5 for a total of 10 (9, 8, 7, -) (-, -, -, –) repeats, or until you have worked 34 rows total in your pocket. Cut the yarn and hold these live stitches to the side.
For Sizes XL (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) ONLY:
R1: (WS) K5, P across until last 4 sts, K5
R2: (RS) K4, M1L, K1, M1L, K across until last 5 sts, M1R, K1, M1R, K4 (4 sts increased)
R3: Repeat R1
Repeat R2-3 an additional – (-, -, -, 5) (5, 6, 6, 6) times for a total of – (-, -, -, 6) (6, 7, 7, 7) repeats. You will now have – (-, -, -, 78) (84, 92, 96, 100) Front Pocket sts.
R4: K across
R5: K5, P across until last 5 sts, K5
Repeat R4-5 for a total of – (-, -, -, 11) (11, 10, 10, 10) repeats, or until you have worked 34 rows total in your pocket. Cut the yarn and hold these live stitches to the side.
For ALL Sizes:
Begin working on the live Body stitches again.
Rd 13: K across 83 (94, 103, 115, 123) (135, 143, 156, 166) sts, holding both your live Body stitches and live Front Pocket stitches together, knit the first stitch from your Body stitches together with the first stitch from your Front Pocket stitches until you have worked all 50 (58, 64, 70, 11) (11, 10, 10, 10) Front Pocket stitches, K until the end of your Body stitches.
Ribbing:
Rds 14-23: *K1, P1*
Bind off using the tubular bind off.
Collar:
Using the smaller needles, pick up and K 88 (90, 102, 106, 92) (92, 92, 104, 104) sts along the collar and begin working in the round.
Rd 1-10: *K1, P1*
Bind off using the tubular bind off.
Sleeves:
(Set up Round): Remove 58 (56, 62, 64, 70) (80, 86, 94, 98) sts from scrap yarn and distribute evenly along double pointed needles or small circular needles. Find the bottom of the armpit (where you cast on sts at the sleeve separation), and pick up 2 (4, 4, 4, 4) (4, 4, 4, 6) sts. PM in the middle of the picked up sts at the bottom of the armpit to mark the BOR.
Rds 1-8 (8, 6, 6, 5) (4, 3, 3, 3): K across
Rd 9 (9, 7, 7, 6) (5, 4, 4, 4): K2tog, K until 2 sts before end, SSK
Repeat Rds 1-9 (9, 7, 7, 6) (5, 4, 4, 4) an additional 11 (11, 14, 15, 17) (22, 25, 28, 31) times for a total of 12 (12, 15, 16, 18) (23, 26, 29, 32) repeats. You will now have 36 (36, 36, 36, 38) (38, 38, 40, 40) sts.
Repeat Rd1 for a total of 6 (9, 12, 8, 12) (9, 20, 11, 1) repeats, or until you reach 1.5 inches less than your desired length.
Rds 10-19: *K1, P1*
Bind off using tubular bind off and weave in ends using a tapestry needle. Block your garment.
Sleeve A: 58 (56, 62, 64, 70) (80, 86, 94, 98) sts
Back Panel: 70 (68, 84, 88, 104) (114, 122, 132, 138) sts
Sleeve B: 58 (56, 62, 64, 70) (80, 86, 94, 98) sts
Front Panel: 70 (68, 84, 88, 104) (114, 122, 132, 138) sts
THANK YOU!
I hope you enjoyed making the Pocketful Pullover as much as I did! Tag me on Instagram @knitabitcrochetaway and use #knitabitcrochetaway and #PocketfulPullover – I’d love to see your progress and finished product!