A worked-top-down raglan sweater with a bold fair-isle yoke of snowflakes and stylised trees, finished with the lettering "CHRISTMAS AT RIVER" across the chest (applied with duplicate stitch for clarity). Sizes S (M, L, XL, 2X). This pattern is written for stranded colorwork on the yoke; instructions for duplicate-stitch lettering are included so color changes remain neat.
18 sts x 24 rows = 4in / 10 cm in stockinette on US 8 (5.0 mm). Make a colorwork swatch in the round with stranded floats to check gauge over 4in/10cm. Adjust needle size to match gauge.
S 36in (M 40in, L 44in, XL 48in, 2X 52in). Intended ease: 2-6 in positive ease depending on preference; choose size accordingly.
CO = cast on, K = knit, P = purl, K2tog = knit 2 together, SSK = slip, slip, knit through back loops, st(s) = stitch(es), PM = place marker, SM = slip marker, RS = right side, WS = wrong side, RS = right side, WS = wrong side.
After raglan increases and separating body/sleeves, expected stitch counts (use these to confirm you are on track): S 160 sts body / 40 sts each sleeve, M 176 / 44, L 192 / 48, XL 208 / 52, 2X 224 / 56.
The yoke repeats a 48-stitch chart centered across the front and mirrored on the back and sleeves. Color legend: "." = MC (background), "*" = CC1 (snowflake white), "^" = CC2 (tree green), "#" = CC3 (lettering/accents red). Charts are worked RS in the round; read from right to left on each row.
Row 24: ................................................ Row 23: .....**.....**........^^......^^.....**.....**.. Row 22: ....*..*...*..*......^^^....^^^....*..*...*..*.. Row 21: .....**.....**........^^^....^^^.....**.....**.. Row 20: ................................................ Row 19: ..........^^..............^^.............^^.... Row 18: .........^^^............^^^............^^^.... Row 17: ..........^^..............^^.............^^.... Row 16: ................................................ Row 15: ....*..*...*..*......**......**....*..*...*..*.. Row 14: .....**.....**........*......*.....**.....**.... Row 13: ................................................ Row 12: .........^^^............^^^............^^^..... Row 11: ..........^^..............^^.............^^.... Row 10: ................................................ Row 9 : .....**.....**........^^......^^.....**.....**.. Row 8 : ....*..*...*..*......^^^....^^^....*..*...*..*.. Row 7 : .....**.....**........^^^....^^^.....**.....**.. Row 6 : ................................................ Row 5 : ..........^^..............^^.............^^.... Row 4 : .........^^^............^^^............^^^.... Row 3 : ..........^^..............^^.............^^.... Row 2 : ................................................ Row 1 : ................................................
Notes on chart: This is a stylised schematic—when placing on your yoke, center one full 48-stitch repeat across the front. If your stitch count across front is not an exact multiple, center the repeat and distribute remaining stitches evenly at the sides/back. The snowflake motif (*) spans about 10 sts; tree motif (^) spans about 6-10 sts. You can mix and match motifs by repeating columns from the chart.
We recommend duplicate stitch after blocking. Each letter is 5 wide x 7 tall with a single column spacing between letters. Use CC3 (red) for letters. Apply centered across front lower chest area after body is completed and measured. Sample (C = letter pixel):
Row 7: ..CCC.. RRRR.. IIIII . V V . EEEEE . RRRR Row 6: .C..... R R.... I..... V V . E..... R R Row 5: C...... R R.... I..... V V . E..... R R Row 4: C...... RRRR..... I..... V . EEEE. RRRR Row 3: C...... R R..... I..... V . E..... R R Row 2: .C..... R R.... I..... V . E..... R R Row 1: ..CCC.. R R. IIIII . V V . EEEEE . R R
Layout tip: The entire phrase with spacing will be approx. 5*len(letters)+1 spacing; measure the band width and center on the front. Alternatively, chart each letter on scrap paper and stitch into a grid on the blocked sweater.
1) CO and Neck: With smaller needles (US7 / 4.5 mm) using a provisional tubular cast-on if you like a neat neck, CO 80 (88, 96, 104, 112) sts ring for a crew neck. Join, PM for beginning of round. 2) Ribbing: Work 1x1 rib (K1,P1) for 1.25in / 3 cm. 3) Switch to US8 / 5.0 mm. Set up raglan: Increase round to establish raglan markers. For standard raglan, place 4 markers equally spaced: between front, sleeve, back, sleeve. 4) Raglan Increases: Work increases every RS round only (make 1 left/right) at each raglan seam: K to 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM, K1, M1L, continue. Repeat until yoke depth is approx. 8in (20 cm) from CO or until yoke length reaches the start of chest colorwork band (about 12-18 raglan increase rounds depending on size). Begin the colorwork chart when you have about 18-22 sts on each front section, so the chart will be centered across the front panel. 5) Yoke Colorwork: When your raglan increases have brought you to the appropriate stitch counts and yoke depth, work the 48-stitch chart across each front, back and sleeve sections as directed. Carry floats neatly and catch long floats every 4-5 sts by twisting. 6) Separating Body & Sleeves: When you have completed the last row of the colorwork yoke and have the desired yoke depth (approx. 9-10in / 23-25 cm from cast-on), place sleeve sts on holders and join body in the round: body sts = front sts + back sts. If you want to add the duplicate-stitch lettering across the front, wait until the body is finished and blocked. 7) Body: Work in MC in stockinette (knit every round) until the body measures desired length from underarm (approx. 15-17in / 38-43 cm to hem). Finish with 1.25in / 3 cm of 1x1 ribbing on smaller needles (US7), bind off loosely. 8) Sleeves: Transfer sleeve sts to needles (US8). Pick up 4 sts under each arm if desired for seam allowance then distribute across 4 or 5 dpns / circulars. Work in MC in the round, decreasing 2 sts evenly every 6th inch until sleeve circumference is comfortable, or maintain if you prefer full sleeve. Work to desired sleeve length; finish with 1.25in / 3 cm 1x1 rib on smaller needles and bind off. 9) Blocking & Lettering: Block sweater to measurements. Use the pixel lettering chart and CC3 to duplicate-stitch "CHRISTMAS AT RIVER" centered on the front band. Use a tapestry needle and 2 strands of yarn for crisp coverage. Sew in ends and weave securely. 10) Finishing: Thread ends into a tapestry needle, weave them into the wrong side of the work. Steam or wet-block lightly to even the stranded floats and stitches.
Hand wash cold and lay flat to dry. Felted wools may shrink—follow fiber-specific care instructions.
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