A top down raglan sweater with textured diamond pattern
Skill Level: Intermediate
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: 31.5 (35.5, 39.5, 42, 48) (51.5, 54.5, 60.5, 64) inches or 80 (90, 100, 107, 122) (131, 138, 154, 163) cm
(B) Sleeve Length: 19 (19.5, 19.5, 20, 20) (20.5, 20.5, 21, 21) inches or 48 (50, 50, 51, 51) (52, 52, 53, 53) cm
(C) Total Length: 21.5 (22, 23, 23, 23.5) (23, 23.5, 24, 24) inches or 55 (56, 58, 58, 60) (58, 60, 61, 61) cm
(D) Yoke Length: 8.5 (10.5, 11.5, 12, 12.5) (11.5, 13, 14.5, 15.5) inches or 22 (27, 29, 30, 32) (29, 33, 37, 39) cm
(E) Waist Length: 13 (11.5, 11.5, 11, 11) (11.5, 10.5, 9.5, 8.5) inches or 33 (29, 29, 28, 28) (29, 27, 24, 22) cm
(F) Upper Sleeve Width: 11.5 (12.5, 13, 14, 16) (17, 18.5, 20.5, 21.5) inches or 29 (32, 33, 36, 41) (43, 47, 52, 55) cm
GAUGE
22 sts x 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in Diamond Stitch Pattern
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
4 (4, 5, 5, 6) (6, 6, 7, 8) skeins Vindala Dusk by KnitCrate in Midnight or 745 (848, 946, 1020, 1182) (1258, 1363, 1546, 1630) yards or 681 (775, 865, 933, 1081) (1150, 1246, 1414, 1490) meters of DK 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 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)
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)
DIAMOND STITCH PATTERN (Worked Flat)
R1: *K2, P1, K1*
R2: *P1, K1, P2*
R3-4: *K1, P1*
R5: *P1, K3*
R6: *P3, K1*
R7-8: *K1, P1*
DIAMOND STITCH PATTERN (Worked in the Round)
R1-2: *K2, P1, K1*
R3-4: *K1, P1*
R5-6: *P1, K3*
R7-8: *K1, P1*
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 to collar. You end by working each sleeve individually then picking up and knitting for the collar ribbing.
The pattern includes instructions to work the Diamond Stitch Pattern when you are working flat and in the round. Be sure to work the correct pattern based on whether you are working flat or in the round. When you are working the yoke increases, you will be adding new stitches that need to be incorporated into the Diamond Stitch Pattern in later rows/rounds. Use the nearby Diamond Stitch Pattern stitches to determine whether to K or P a new stitch near the markers.
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 circular needles, CO 80 (80, 88, 92, 100) (100, 100, 108, 108) sts.
R1: K4 (4, 4, 4, 4) (4, 4, 4, 4), PM, K16 (16, 16, 16, 20) (20, 20, 22, 22), PM, K40 (40, 48, 52, 52) (52, 52, 56, 56), PM, K16 (16, 16, 16, 20) (20, 20, 22, 22), PM, K4 (4, 4, 4, 4) (4, 4, 4, 4).
R2: P across
For Sizes XS (S, M, L) ONLY:
R3: *K1, M1L, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM* until last marker section, K1, M1L, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 1 st before end, M1R, K1. (10 sts increased)
R4: *P1, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 1 st before marker, P1, SM.*
Repeat R3-4 an additional 5 (6, 7, 8, -) (-, -, -, –) times for a total of 6 (7, 8, 9, -) (-, -, -, –) repeats. Repeat R3 one more time and do not turn your work. You will now have 150 (160, 178, 192, -) (-, -, -, –) sts distributed as follows:
Right Front Panel: 18 (20, 22, 24, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Sleeve A: 30 (32, 34, 36, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Back Panel: 54 (56, 66, 72, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Sleeve B: 30 (32, 34, 36, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Left Front Panel: 18 (20, 22, 24, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
For Sizes XL (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) ONLY:
R3: K1, KFB, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 2 sts before marker, M1R, K1, M1R, K1, SM, *K1, M1L, K1, M1L, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 2 sts before marker, M1R, K1, M1R, K1, SM* until last marker section, K1, M1L, K1, M1L, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 2 sts before end, KFB, K1. (14 sts increased).
R4: *P1, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 1 st before marker, P1, SM.*
Repeat R3-4 an additional – (-, -, -, 4) (6, 6, 8, 10) times for a total of – (-, -, -, 5) (7, 7, 9, 11) repeats. Repeat R3 one more time and do not turn your work. You will now have – (-, -, -, 184) (212, 212, 248, 276) distributed as follows:
Right Front Panel: – (-, -, -, 22) (28, 28, 34, 40) sts
Sleeve A: – (-, -, -, 32) (36, 36, 42, 46) sts
Back Panel: – (-, -, -, 60) (70, 70, 82, 92) sts
Sleeve B: – (-, -, -, 32) (36, 36, 42, 46) sts
Left Front Panel: – (-, -, -, 22) (28, 28, 34, 40) 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 18 (16, 22, 24, 32) (28, 28, 28, 24) 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, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 1 st before marker, K1, SM.*
Rd 8: *K1, M1L, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM.* (8 sts increased)
Rd 9: Repeat R7
Repeat Rds 8-9 an additional 14 (15, 16, 18, 25) (26, 30, 32, 33) times for a total of 15 (16, 17, 19, 26) (27, 31, 33, 34). You will now have 288 (304, 336, 368, 392) (428, 460, 512, 548) sts distributed as follows:
Sleeve A: 56 (64, 68, 74, 72) (74, 82, 88, 90) sts
Back Panel: 88 (88, 100, 110, 124) (140, 148, 168, 184) sts
Sleeve B: 56 (64, 68, 74, 72) (74, 82, 88, 90) sts
Front Panel: 88 (88, 100, 110, 124) (140, 148, 168, 184) sts
For Sizes XS (S, M, L) ONLY:
Rd 10: *K1, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 1 st before marker, K1, SM, *K1, M1L, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM.* (4 sts increased)
Rd 11: *K1, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 1 st before marker, K1, SM.*
Repeat Rds 10-11 an additional 3 (7, 7, 6, -) (-, -, -, –) times for a total of 4 (8, 8, 7, -) (-, -, -, –) repeats. You will now have 304 (336, 368, 396, -) (-, -, -, –) sts distributed as follows:
Sleeve A: 56 (64, 68, 74, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Back Panel: 96 (104, 116, 124, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Sleeve B: 56 (64, 68, 74, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
Front Panel: 96 (104, 116, 124, -) (-, -, -, –) sts
For Sizes XL ONLY:
Rd 12: *K1, Diamond Stitch Pattern until 1 st before marker, K1, SM.*
Repeat Rd 12 a total of 10 times.
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 12 until you reach your desired length.
Separate Sleeves from Body:
Rd 13 (Set up Round): Place 56 (64, 68, 74, 72) (74, 82, 88, 90) sts on scrap yarn or stitch holder to save for later, CO 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) sts, place marker for the new BOR, CO 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2), work Diamond Stitch Pattern across 96 (104, 116, 124, 124) (140, 148, 168, 184) sts, place 56 (64, 68, 74, 72) (74, 82, 88, 90) sts on scrap yarn or stitch holder to save for later, CO 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) sts, PM, CO 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) sts, work Diamond Stitch Pattern across 96 (104, 116, 124, 124) (140, 148, 168, 184) sts. You will now have 200 (216, 240, 256, 256) (288, 304, 344, 376) sts on your needles, not counting the sleeve sts on the scrap yarn.
Body:
Rd 14: *Diamond Stitch Pattern, SM*
Repeat Rd 14 a total of 71 (62, 60, 57, 57) (62, 54, 49, 43) times, or until you reach 1 inch less than your desired length.
Rd 15-22: *K1, P1*
Bind off in ribbing pattern.
Collar:
Using the circular needle, pick up and knit 126 (128, 146, 156, 144) (144, 144, 156, 156) sts along the collar and begin working in the round.
Rd 1-8: *K1, P1*
Bind off in ribbing pattern.
Sleeves:
(Set up Round): Remove 56 (64, 68, 74, 72) (74, 82, 88, 90) 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 4 (4, 4, 4, 4) (4, 4, 4, 4) sts. PM in the middle of the picked up sts at the bottom of the armpit to mark the BOR.
Rd 1-8 (6, 5, 4, 5) (5, 4, 3, 3): Diamond Stitch Pattern across
Rd 9 (7, 6, 5, 6) (6, 5, 4, 4): K2tog, K until 2 sts before end, SSK.
Repeat Rds 1-9 (7, 6, 5, 6) (6, 5, 4, 4) for a total of 11 (13, 15, 17, 20) (25, 29, 31, 34) repeats. You will now have 38 (38, 38, 38, 42) (42, 42, 44, 44) sts.
Repeat Rd1 for a total of 6 (3, 6, 11, 9) (6, 4, 21, 17) repeats, or until you reach 1 inch less than your desired length.
Rd 10-17: *K1, P1*
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 Cozy Diamond Sweater as much as I did! Tag me on Instagram @knitabitcrochetaway and use #knitabitcrochetaway and #CozyDiamondSweater – I’d love to see your progress and finished product!