A top down raglan sweater with colorful contrasting stripes
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
SIZING
The pattern is designed to have 2-3 inches of positive ease. Select a size based on your actual bust width plus the 2-3 inches of positive ease, totaling the bust width in (A).
(A) Bust Width:
33 (36, 40.5, 44.5, 49) (52, 56.5, 60.5, 64) inches or 84 (91, 103, 113, 124) (132, 144, 154, 163) cm
(B) Sleeve Length:
19 (20, 20, 20, 20) (21, 21, 21, 21) inches or 48 (51, 51, 51, 51) (53, 53, 53, 53) cm
(C) Total Length:
25 (25, 24.5, 25, 24.5) (24.5, 24.5, 24.5, 24.5) inches or 64 (64, 62, 64, 62) (62, 62, 62, 62) cm
(D) Yoke Length:
8.5 (9, 8.5, 10, 11) (10.5, 12, 12.5, 13) inches or 22 (23, 22, 25, 28) (27, 30, 32, 33) cm
(E) Waist Length:
16.5 (16, 16, 15, 13.5) (14, 12.5, 12, 11.5) inches or 42 (41, 41, 38, 34) (36, 32, 30, 29) cm
(F) Upper Sleeve Width:
12.5 (13, 14, 15, 16.5) (18, 20, 21.5, 22.5) inches or 32 (33, 36, 38, 42) (46, 51, 55, 57) cm
GAUGE
19 sts x 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch
SUGGESTED NEEDLES
Size 4 (US), 3.5 mm circular needles
Size 4 (US), 3.5 mm double pointed needles or small circular needles
NOTIONS
Stitch markers
Scrap yarn
Tapestry needle
SUGGESTED YARN
1 skein Knit Picks Upcycle Alpaca Blend Sport in Sandalwood (A1)
1 skein Knit Picks Upcycle Alpaca Blend Sport in Seashell (A2)
1 skein Knit Picks Upcycle Alpaca Blend Sport in Hazelnut (A3)
1 skein Knit Picks Upcycle Alpaca Blend Sport in Salmon (A4)
1 skein Knit Picks Upcycle Alpaca Blend Sport in Squirrel (B1)
1 skein Knit Picks Upcycle Alpaca Blend Sport in Currant (B2)
1 skein Knit Picks Upcycle Alpaca Blend Sport in Space (B3)
Yarn Substitution: substitute with your favorite sport weight yarn, or similar weight that gets you gauge, so long as each color has at least 109 (123, 135, 150, 162) (178, 191, 205, 218) yards or 100 (112, 123, 137, 148) (163, 175, 187, 199) meters.
STITCH ABBREVIATIONS
BO – bind off
BOR – beginning of round
CC – contrast color
CO – cast on
K – knit
K2tog – knit two stitches together (decrease)
KFB – knit into the front and the back of the next stitch (increase)
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)
MC – main color
P – purl
PM – place marker
Rd(s) – round(s)
RS – right side
SM – slip marker
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)
St(s) – stitch(es)
WS – wrong side
PATTERN NOTES
This raglan yoke sweater is knit 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 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. Then, you pick up stitches along the cast on edge to knit the collar. You end by working each sleeve individually.
The pattern is worked by alternating between the A colors and the B colors, working them in the listed number order for each A or B section. Each stripe is worked across 6 rows/rounds, then you change to the next color. For illustrative purposes, begin working the stripe sections as follows: A1, B1, A2, B2, A3, B3, A4, B1, A1, B2, A2, B3, etc.
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 long tail cast on and beginning with color B1 in the color order, CO 60 (60, 62, 64, 68) (72, 72, 74, 74) sts. P across the first row. Note: color A1 is reserved for the Collar pick up section.
R1: K3 (3, 3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3), PM, K12 (10, 10, 10, 12) (14, 14, 14, 14), PM, K30 (34, 36, 38, 38) (38, 38, 40, 40), PM, K12 (10, 10, 10, 12) (14, 14, 14, 14), PM, K3 (3, 3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3).
R2: P across
For Sizes XS (S, M, L) ONLY:
R3: *K1, M1L, K until 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM* until last marker section, K1, M1L, K until 1 st before end, M1R, K1. (10 sts increased)
R4: P across
Repeat R3-4 an additional 6 (7, 8, 9, -) (-, -, -, –) times for a total of 7 (8, 9, 10, -) (-, -, -, –) repeats. Repeat R3 one more time and do not turn your work. You will now have 130 (140, 152, 164, -) (-, -, -, –) sts distributed as follows:
Right Front Panel: 17 (19, 21, 23, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Sleeve A: 26 (26, 28, 30, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Back Panel: 44 (50, 54, 58, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Sleeve B: 26 (26, 28, 30, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Left Front Panel: 17 (19, 21, 23, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
For Sizes XL (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) ONLY:
R3: K1, KFB, 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 2 sts before end, KFB, K1. (14 sts increased).
R4: P across
Repeat R3-4 an additional – (-, -, -, 5) (6, 6, 7, 9) times for a total of – (-, -, -, 6) (7, 7, 8, 10) repeats. Repeat R3 one more time and do not turn your work. You will now have – (-, -, -, 152) (170, 170, 186, 214) distributed as follows:
Right Front Panel: – (-, -, -, 21) (24, 24, 27, 33) sts
Sleeve A: – (-, -, -, 24) (28, 28, 30, 34) sts
Back Panel: – (-, -, -, 62) (66, 66, 72, 80) sts
Sleeve B: – (-, -, -, 24) (28, 28, 30, 34) sts
Left Front Panel: – (-, -, -, 21) (24, 24, 27, 33) 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 10 (12, 12, 12, 20) (18, 18, 18, 14) sts on your right needle and K across to the first marker to join the round. This marker now becomes your BOR.
Rd 7: *K1, M1L, K until 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM.* (8 sts increased)
Rd 8: K across
Repeat Rds 7-8 an additional 14 (15, 16, 18, 24) (26, 31, 32, 32) times for a total of 15 (16, 17, 19, 25) (27, 32, 33, 33) repeats. You will now have 260 (280, 300, 328, 372) (404, 444, 468, 492) sts distributed as follows:
Sleeve A: 56 (58, 62, 68, 74) (82, 92, 96, 100) sts
Back Panel: 74 (82, 88, 96, 112) (120, 130, 138, 146) sts
Sleeve B: 56 (58, 62, 68, 74) (82, 92, 96, 100) sts
Front Panel: 74 (82, 88, 96, 112) (120, 130, 138, 146) sts
For Sizes M (L) ONLY:
Rd 9: *K to marker, SM, *K1, M1L, K until 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM.* (4 sts increased)
Rd 10: K across
Repeat Rds 9-10 an additional – (-, 1, 2, -) (-, -, -, –) times for a total of – (-, 2, 3, -) (-, -, -, –) repeats. You will now have – (-, 308, 340, -) (-, -, -, –) sts distributed as follows:
Sleeve A: – (-, 62, 68, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Back Panel: – (-, 92, 102, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Sleeve B: – (-, 62, 68, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Front Panel: – (-, 92, 102, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
For Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) ONLY:
Rd 11: K across
Repeat Rd 11 a total of 10 (9, 4, -, 10) (2, -, -, -) 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 11 until you reach your desired length.
Separate Sleeves from Body:
Rd 12 (Set up Round): Place 56 (58, 62, 68, 74) (82, 92, 96, 100) sts on scrap yarn or stitch holder to save for later, CO 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3, 3) sts, place marker for the new BOR, CO 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3, 3), K across 74 (82, 92, 102, 112) (120, 130, 138, 146) sts, place 56 (58, 62, 68, 74) (82, 92, 96, 100) sts on scrap yarn or stitch holder to save for later, CO 4 (4, 4, 4, 4) (4, 4, 6, 6) sts, K across 66 (74, 84, 94, 120) (130, 138, 148, 159) sts. You will now have 156 (172, 192, 212, 232) (248, 268, 288, 304) sts on your needles, not counting the sleeve sts on the scrap yarn.
Body:
Rd 13: K across
Repeat Rd 13 a total of 96 (93, 94, 86, 78) (82, 72, 68, 64) times, or until you reach 1 inch less than your desired length.
Rd 14-23: Using Color A1 only, *K1, P1*
Bind off using the tubular bind off in ribbing pattern.
Collar:
Using the circular needle and color A1, pick up and knit 98 (104, 110, 116, 100) (104, 104, 108, 108) sts along the collar and begin working in the round.
Rd 1-10: *K1, P1*
Bind off using the tubular bind off in ribbing pattern.
Sleeves:
(Set up Round): Remove 56 (58, 62, 68, 74) (82, 92, 96, 100) 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 4 (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 (7, 6, 5, 4) (4, 3, 3, 2): K across
Rd 8 (8, 7, 6, 5) (5, 4, 4, 3): K2tog, K until 2 sts before end, SSK.
Repeat Rds 1-8 (8, 7, 6, 5) (5, 4, 4, 3) for a total of 13 (14, 16, 19, 21) (25, 30, 32, 34) repeats. You will now have 34 (34, 34, 34, 36) (36, 36, 38, 38) sts.
Repeat Rd1 for a total of 10 (8, 8, 6, 15) (1, 6, -, 24) repeats, or until you reach 1 inch less than your desired length.
Rd 9-18: Using Color A1 only, *K1, P1*
Bind off using the tubular bind off in ribbing pattern. Repeat for second sleeve. Weave in ends using a tapestry needle. Block your garment.
THANK YOU!
I hope you enjoyed making the Classic Striped Pullover as much as I did! Tag me on Instagram @knitabitcrochetaway and use #knitabitcrochetaway and #ClassicStripedPullover – I’d love to see your progress and finished product!