Banana Jumper — Size 51\" chest (Top-down raglan)

This is a comfortable, slightly relaxed jumper designed to fit a 51\" (129.5 cm) chest. Worked top-down in the round with raglan increases and a decorative "banana" cable motif on the body and sleeves. The pattern uses an aran/worsted (aran-equivalent) yarn and a simple textured banana cable panel so it reads well from both near and far. Suitable for confident beginners who know increases and basic cables, or intermediate knitters.

Finished measurements

Chest (at bust): 51\" / 129.5 cm
Length from shoulder to hem (before blocking): 27\" / 68.5 cm (block to desired length)
Sleeve length from underarm: 18\" / 46 cm
Suggested ease: 0–2\" positive ease depending on yarn and blocking

Yarn

Aran / Worsted weight yarn (sample uses aran): 1400 yds / 1280 m total (approx). Imperial & Metric: 1400 yards (1280 metres) ≈ 700 g. This equates to roughly 7 x 100 g skeins of yarn that are about 200 m / 220 yds each (check your skein yardage and adjust).
Color: Main colour (MC) and optional contrast (CC) for small trims — pattern written for single colour but you can swap colours on any round.

Needles & notions

Circular needles (minimum lengths shown): 32\"/80 cm and 24\"/60 cm — use the length that fits the number of sts comfortably. Recommended sizes (use the one that gives correct gauge):
Rib / smaller needle: US 8 / UK (old) 6 / 5.0 mm
Main needle: US 9 / UK (old) 5 / 5.5 mm
Set of double-pointed needles in same sizes (or magic loop) for sleeves
Cable needle (or spare dpn)
Stitch markers (4 for raglan plus extras), scrap yarn or stitch holders to hold sleeve stitches, tapestry needle, waste yarn if you want provisional cast-on (optional)

Gauge / Tension

18 sts x 24 rows = 4\" / 10 cm in stockinette st on US 9 / 5.5 mm needles. IMPORTANT: Block your swatch the same way you will block the jumper to check gauge.

Abbreviations

k = knit, p = purl, st(s) = stitch(es), RS = right side, WS = wrong side
k2tog = knit 2 together, p2tog = purl 2 together
M1R = make 1 right (lift strand from between sts and knit through back loop)
M1L = make 1 left (lift strand and knit through front loop)
C6F = slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k3, then k3 from cable needle (6-st left-cross)
C6B = slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k3, then k3 from cable needle (6-st right-cross)
kfb = knit into front and back of stitch (increase 1)

Design notes & maths for this size

This pattern is written for one size (51\" chest). If you want to adapt the pattern for other chest sizes: measure gauge (sts per inch) and pick target body and sleeve circumferences, then calculate stitches = circumference (in inches) x gauge (sts/inch). The top-down raglan yoke will be increased until you have the target number of stitches in each raglan section as noted below.

Sample calculations used here (based on gauge 4.5 sts/in):

Body circumference target: 51\" x 4.5 = 230 sts around body (after sleeve sts are put on holders)
Sleeve circumference target: 18\" x 4.5 = 81 sts per sleeve
Total stitches on needle at raglan separation = body sts + 2*sleeve sts = 230 + 2*81 = 392 sts
Per-section targets (raglan divides into 4 sections): front = 115 sts, sleeve = 81 sts, back = 115 sts, sleeve = 81 sts (these are the counts when you stop increasing)

Stitch pattern — Banana cable (8-st repeat)

The banana cable is worked over 8 sts and 8 rows (worked in the round so follow round numbers). Insert this as a vertical panel wherever directed.

Banana cable (worked over 8 sts, multiple of 8)

Round 1: *k2, p2, k4; rep from *
Round 2: knit the knits and purl the purls (maintain pattern)
Round 3: same as Round 2
Round 4: same as Round 2
Round 5 (cable cross): C6F over the 6 central sts of the 8-st repeat, leaving the outer 2 sts as k2 (so the banana twist moves right). Example: k2, C6F
Round 6–8: work as Rounds 2–4
Repeat Rounds 1–8 for pattern.

Notes: if you prefer a mirrored banana panel on the opposite side, use C6B on Round 5 for that panel.

Construction — Top-down raglan (step-by-step)

Neckband and set-up

Using smaller needle (US 8 / 5.0 mm) and waste yarn for provisional CO (or long-tail provisional method), provisional cast on 64 sts. Place 4 markers to divide into 4 equal sections: 16 sts each = Front, Sleeve 1, Back, Sleeve 2.
Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 1\" / 2.5 cm to form the neck rib. Switch to main needle (US 9 / 5.5 mm) for yoke increases.

Yoke increases

Rounds are worked as: work to 1 st before raglan marker, M1R, k1, slip marker, k1, M1L (i.e., increase twice at each raglan line). This increases 8 sts every increase round.
Repeat increase rounds every RS round (every other round if you prefer to place a plain round between increases) until the 4 raglan sections reach these per-section targets: Front 115 sts, Sleeve 81 sts, Back 115 sts, Sleeve 81 sts. For this size you will stop when your total on the needle = 392 sts.
Tip: Periodically count stitches in each section so you stop at the correct counts. If you are following the banana panel, distribute the 8-st banana repeats evenly across the Front and Back sections (for example, two banana panels on the front spaced by stockinette, and two on the back). If you prefer fewer/more panels, adjust spacing keeping stitch multiples divisible by 8 for each panel.

Separate body and sleeves

When the raglan sections reach target counts (Front = 115, Sleeve = 81, Back = 115, Sleeve = 81), place sleeve stitches onto waste yarn or holders: slip Sleeve 1 sts to holder, slip Sleeve 2 sts to holder. Remove the 4 raglan marker stitches (you can k them as part of body if you prefer; pattern assumes raglan line is worked as plain marker sts).
Join Front and Back sts for the body: you now have Front + Back = 115 + 115 = 230 sts on the needle for the body. Place a marker at the beginning of the round and work in the round for the body.

Body

Work in stockinette (knit every round) while maintaining banana cable panels across front and back as charted. Repeat banana cable pattern every 8 rounds where applicable. If you placed two banana panels on the front, keep them parallel and maintain the stitch multiples between panels as set during yoke.
Work until body measures 17\" / 43 cm from underarm (or desired length minus ribbing). For this sample length the total from shoulder to hem is about 27\" / 68.5 cm — adjust to personal preference.
Switch to smaller needle (US 8 / 5.0 mm) and work 1x1 rib for 1.5\" / 4 cm, then bind off loosely in rib.

Sleeves

Transfer sleeve sts from holders to needles (81 sts each). Join in the round and place a beginning-of-round marker.
Work banana cable on the sleeve where you planned a mini-panel: position an 8-st banana repeat centered on the sleeve front, then work stockinette around. If you prefer plain sleeves, skip the cable.
Knit in the round, decreasing for a tapered sleeve if desired: for a slightly tapered look, decrease 8 stitches evenly distributed every 2\" / 5 cm until sleeve circumference reaches about 70–74% of original (example decreases are optional). Many knitters leave sleeves straight for a cozy, relaxed fit.
Work sleeve until desired length from underarm: 18\" / 46 cm (sample). Switch to smaller needle and work 1x1 rib for 1.5\" / 4 cm. Bind off loosely in rib.

Finishing

Weave in ends with a tapestry needle.
Block gently to measurements: lay flat, pin to size, and steam/soak as per yarn requirements. Blocking will even out the cables and relax the fabric.
Sew neck gap if provisional cast-on was used: pick up live stitches from provisional and graft if you used Kitchener, or pick up and knit a small facing rib if you prefer.

Customising fit & notes

If you want more ease, add increments to body circumference (add 9–18 sts = +2–4\"). Adjust sleeve circumference similarly.
To make it longer or shorter, lengthen/shorten body and sleeve measurements before working ribs.
Swap the banana cable for any 8-st cable motif you prefer — ensure repeats line up with your stitch counts.

Estimated yarn usage

Total for size 51: approx 1400 yds / 1280 m (approx 700 g) — this is an estimate and depends on exact gauge, stitch pattern and chosen sleeves length.

Notes on needle size conversions

Smaller rib needle: US 8 = UK (old) 6 = 5.0 mm
Main needle: US 9 = UK (old) 5 = 5.5 mm

Support & pattern license

If you have questions about fit, substitutions, or adapting the banana panels, contact support at team@verde.uk or visit https://purljam.verde.uk. Share your makes and tag #purljam on socials.

This pattern is for personal use. Do not resell the pattern. You may sell finished garments made from this pattern with pattern credit to Purl Jam (https://purljam.verde.uk).

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