A raglan sweater with decorative shoulder and side seams
Skill Level: Intermediate
SIZING
The pattern is designed to have 2 inches of positive ease. Select a size based on your actual bust width plus the 2 inches of positive ease, totaling the bust width in (A).
(A) Bust Width: 31 (35, 39, 43, 47) (51, 55, 59, 63) inches or 79 (89, 99, 109, 119) (130, 140, 150, 160) cm
(B) Sleeve Length: 18.5 (19, 19, 19.5, 19.5) (20, 20, 20.5, 20.5) inches or 47 (48, 48, 50, 50) (51, 51, 52, 52) cm
(C) Total Length: 22 (22, 22.5, 22.5, 23) (23.5, 23, 23.5, 23.5) inches or 56 (56, 57, 57, 58) (60, 58, 60, 60) cm
(D) Yoke Length: 7 (7.5, 9, 10, 11.5) (11, 12, 12.5, 13.5) inches or 18 (19, 23, 25, 29) (28, 29, 32, 34) cm
(E) Waist Length: 15 (14.5, 13.5, 12.5, 11.5) (12.5, 11, 11, 10) inches or 38 (37, 34, 32, 29) (32, 28, 28, 25) cm
(F) Upper Sleeve Width: 11.5 (12.5, 13, 14, 15.5) (17.5, 19, 20.5, 21.5) inches or 29 (32, 33, 36, 39) (44, 48, 52, 55) cm
GAUGE
20 sts x 26 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch
SUGGESTED NEEDLES
Size 5 (US), 3.75 mm circular needles
Size 5 (US), 3.75 mm double pointed needles or small circular needles
NOTIONS
Stitch markers
Scrap yarn
Tapestry needle
SUGGESTED YARN
8 (9, 10, 10, 12) (13, 14, 15, 16) skeins Cloudborn Alpaca Sport or 1402 (1576, 1736, 1916, 2134) (2403, 2563, 2819, 2990) yards or 1282 (1441, 1587, 1752, 1951) (2197, 2344, 2578, 2734) meters of sport weight yarn
STITCH ABBREVIATIONS
K – knit
P – purl
CO – cast on
K2tog – knit two stitches together (decrease)
SM – slip marker
PM – place marker
BO – bind off
BOR – beginning of round
Rd(s) – round(s)
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
St(s) – stitch(es)
KFB – knit into the front and back of the next stitch (increase)
LSS – (left side stitch) insert your right needle from the front to the back of the middle of the knit stitch that is to the right of the marker and one row down from the live stitch on your left needle, wrap yarn as if to knit and pull the loop through the work and pull it back up on your right needle (increase). Video tutorial available here.
RSS – (right side stitch) insert your left needle from the front to the back of the middle of the knit stitch that is to the left of the marker and two rows down from the live stitch on your left needle, wrap yarn as if to knit and pull the loop through the work and pull it back up on your right needle (increase). Video tutorial available here.
SSK – slip unworked stitch from left needle to right needle knitwise. Slip a second unworked stitch from the left needle to the right needle knitwise. Slip those two unworked stitches separately back to the left needle purlwise. Knit those two stitches together in the back of the stitches (decrease)
Pattern Notes
This raglan yoke sweater is knit with the listed yarn held double from the top down and flat for the beginning of the collar, then joined and knit in the round. You first work the yoke, which includes a front and a 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 finish the body of the sweater down to the waist. The pattern includes optional bust darts, including suggested spacing for each size and a description to customize bust darts based on your own measurements. (Note: the sweater in the modeled picture does not feature bust darts.) You end by working each sleeve individually then picking up and knitting for the collar ribbing.
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.
When working the LSS and RSS, make sure to pull enough yarn up and out onto the right needle so your piece can lay flat with the number of stitches in between. It is recommended that you knit the stitch right after the LSS and RSS stitch a little looser than normal as well to help with tension.
INSTRUCTIONS
Yoke Increases (Worked Flat):
Using long tail cast on and circular needles with the listed yarn held double, CO 62 (64, 66, 72, 74) (76, 76, 76, 76) sts.
R1: K3 (3, 3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3), PM, K12 (12, 12, 14, 14) (14, 14, 14, 14), PM, K32 (34, 36, 38, 40) (42, 42, 42, 42), PM, K12 (12, 12, 14, 14) (14, 14, 14, 14), PM, K3 (3, 3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3).
R2: P across
For Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) ONLY:
R3: K1, LSS, K to marker, SM, *K3, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K to marker, SM* until last marker, K2, RSS, K1. (8 sts increased)
R4: P across
R5: K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K to marker, SM, *K3, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K to marker, SM* until last marker, K3, RSS, K to end. (8 sts increased)
R6: P across
Repeat R5-6 an additional 4 (5, 5, 6, 7) (-, -, -, –) times for a total of 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) (-, -, -, –) repeats. Repeat R5 one more time and do not turn your work. You will now have 118 (128, 130, 144, 154) (-, -, -, –) sts distributed as follows:
Right Front Panel: 10 (11, 11, 12, 13) (-, -, -, –) sts
Sleeve A: 26 (28, 28, 32, 34) (-, -, -, –) sts
Back Panel: 46 (50, 52, 56, 60) (-, -, -, –) sts
Sleeve B: 26 (28, 28, 32, 34) (-, -, -, –) sts
Left Front Panel: 10 (11, 11, 12, 13) (-, -, -, –) sts
For Sizes 2XL (3XL, 4XL, 5XL) ONLY:
R3: K1, LSS, KFB, K1, SM, K3, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K to marker, SM, K2, KFB, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, KFB, K to marker, SM, K3, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K to marker, SM, K1, KFB, RSS, K1. (12 sts increased)
R4: P across
R5: K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, KFB, K to marker, SM, K3, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K to marker, SM, K2, KFB, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, KFB, K to marker, SM, K3, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K to marker, SM, K2, KFB, RSS, K to end. (12 sts increased)
R6: P across
Repeat R5-6 an additional – (-, -, -, -) (3, 4, 6, 8) times for a total of – (-, -, -, -) (4, 5, 7, 9) repeats. Repeat R5 one more time and do not turn your work. You will now have – (-, -, -, -) (148, 160, 184, 208) sts distributed as follows:
Right Front Panel: – (-, -, -, -) (15, 17, 21, 25) sts
Sleeve A: – (-, -, -, -) (26, 28, 32, 36) sts
Back Panel: – (-, -, -, -) (66, 70, 78, 86) sts
Sleeve B: – (-, -, -, -) (26, 28, 32, 36) sts
Left Front Panel: – (-, -, -, -) (15, 17, 21, 25) sts
For Sizes ALL SIZES:
Yoke Increases (Worked in the Round):
You will begin working in the round. Using the backwards loop cast on method, CO 26 (28, 30, 32, 34) (36, 36, 36, 36) sts on your right needle and K across to the first marker to join the round. This marker now becomes your BOR.
Rd 7: K across
Rd 8: *K3, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K to marker, SM* (8 sts increased)
Rd 9: K across
Repeat Rds 8-9 an additional 14 (14, 16, 16, 19) (28, 31, 31, 32) times for a total of 15 (15, 17, 17, 20) (29, 32, 32, 33) repeats. You will now have 264 (276, 296, 312, 348) (416, 452, 476, 508) sts distributed as follows, working the diagram clockwise:
Right Sleeve: 56 (58, 62, 66, 74) (84, 92, 96, 102) sts
Back Panel: 76 (80, 86, 90, 100) (124, 134, 142, 152) sts
Left Sleeve: 56 (58, 62, 66, 74) (84, 92, 96, 102) sts
Front Panel: 76 (80, 86, 90, 100) (124, 134, 142, 152) sts
For Sizes S (M, L, XL) ONLY:
Rd 10: *K1, SSK, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K2tog, K1, SM, K3, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K to marker, SM* (4 sts increased)
Rd 11: K across
Repeat Rds 10-11 an additional – (1, 3, 6, 6) (-, -, -, –) times for a total of – (2, 4, 7, 7) (-, -, -, –) repeats. You will now have – (284, 312, 340, 376) (-, -, -, –) sts distributed as follows:
Right Sleeve: – (58, 62, 66, 74) (-, -, -, –) sts
Back Panel: – (84, 94, 104, 114) (-, -, -, –) sts
Left Sleeve: – (58, 62, 66, 74) (-, -, -, –) sts
Front Panel: – (84, 94, 104, 114) (-, -, -, –) sts
For ALL Sizes:
Rd 12: *K1, SSK, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K2tog, K1, SM*
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 the following rounds until you reach your desired length, being sure to end on Rd 14:
Rd 13: K across
Rd 14: *K1, SSK, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K2tog, K1, SM*
Separate Sleeves from Body:
Rd 15 (Set up Round): Place 56 (58, 62, 66, 74) (84, 92, 96, 102) sts on scrap yarn or stitch holder to save for later, CO 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3, 3) sts, place marker for the new BOR, CO 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3, 3), K across 76 (84, 94, 104, 114) (124, 134, 142, 152) sts, place 56 (58, 62, 66, 74) (84, 92, 96, 102) sts on scrap yarn or stitch holder to save for later, CO 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3, 3) sts, PM, CO 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3, 3) sts, K across 76 (84, 94, 104, 114) (124, 134, 142, 152) sts. You will now have 156 (176, 196, 216, 236) (256, 276, 296, 316) sts on your needles, not counting the sleeve sts on the scrap yarn.
Body with Bust Darts: (Optional)
Use this section if you would like to add bust darts to your sweater and make it more form fitting at the waist. For instructions on how to calculate and customize the bust darts to your particular size, please see the Pattern Notes about Adding Bust Darts.
Rd 16: (setup round) K1, SSK, RSS, K12 (15, 18, 22, 25) (28, 32, 34, 38), PM for bust dart marker, K46 (48, 52, 54, 58) (62, 64, 68, 70), PM for bust dart marker, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K2tog, K1, SM, K1, SSK, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K2tog, K1, SM.
Rd 17: K1, SSK, RSS, K1, K2tog, K until 3 sts before bust dart marker, SSK, K1, K until next bust dart marker, SM, K1, K2tog, K until 6 sts before underarm marker, SSK, K1, LSS, K2tog, K1, SM, K across.
Rd 18: K across
Repeat Rds 17-18 an additional 6 (8, 9, 9, 9) (9, 10, 12, 13) times for a total of 7 (9, 10, 10, 10) (10, 11, 13, 14) repeats. You will now have 128 (140, 156, 176, 196) (216, 232, 244, 260) sts. Remove bust dart markers on the last round.
Rd 19: *K1, SSK, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K2tog, K1, SM*
Rd 20: K across
Repeat Rds 19-20 a total of 38 (35, 30, 27, 24) (27, 22, 19, 15) times, or until you reach 1 inch less than your desired length.
Rd 21-28: *K1, P1*
Bind off in ribbing pattern.
Body without Bust Darts:
Rd 16: *K1, SSK, RSS, K to 3 sts before marker, LSS, K2tog, K1, SM*
Rd 17: K across
Repeat Rds 16-17 a total of 45 (44, 40, 37, 34) (37, 33, 32, 29) times, or until you reach 1 inch less than your desired length.
Rd 18-25: *K1, P1*
Bind off in ribbing pattern.
Sleeves:
(Set up Round): Remove 56 (58, 62, 66, 74) (84, 92, 96, 102) sts from scrap yarn and distribute evenly along double pointed needles or small circular needles. Find the bottom of the armpit (where you bound off sts at the sleeve separation), and pick up 2 (4, 4, 4, 4) (4, 4, 6, 6) sts. PM in the middle of the picked up sts at the bottom of the armpit to mark the BOR.
Rd 1-7 (6, 5, 4, 3) (2, 2, 2, 2): K across
Rd 8 (7, 6, 5, 4) (3, 3, 3, 3): K1, K2tog, K until 3 sts before end, SSK, K1
Repeat Rds 1-8 (7, 6, 5, 4) (3, 3, 3, 3) for a total of 11 (13, 15, 17, 20) (25, 29, 31, 34) repeats. You will now have 36 (36, 36, 36, 38) (38, 38, 40, 40) sts.
Repeat Rd1 for a total of 24 (25, 26, 34, 39) (47, 35, 32, 23) repeats, or until you reach 1 inch less than your desired length.
Rd 9-16: *K1, P1*
Bind off in ribbing pattern.
Collar:
Using the circular needle, pick up and knit 102 (108, 112, 122, 128) (124, 126, 130, 134) sts along the collar and begin working in the round.
Rd 1-8: *K1, P1*
Bind off in ribbing pattern and weave in ends using a tapestry needle. Block your garment.
THANK YOU!
I hope you enjoyed making the Bristle Sweater as much as I did! Tag me on Instagram @knitabitcrochetaway and use #knitabitcrochetaway and #BristleSweater – I’d love to see your progress and finished product!