High Neck Seamless Top-Down Raglan Sweater

Designer notes: A modern, comfortable high-neck pullover worked seamlessly top-down with raglan shaping. The sweater has a deep funnel/high neck, slightly relaxed fit and simple 2x2 rib + stockinette stitch construction so the piece showcases good yarn and is easy to customise. This pattern gives exact stitch counts, measurements and per-size guidance so you can follow it as written or adapt easily.

Sizes (Finished chest, approx)

• XS: 32 in (81 cm)
• S: 36 in (91 cm)
• M: 40 in (102 cm)
• L: 44 in (112 cm)
• XL: 48 in (122 cm)
• 2X: 52 in (132 cm)

Choose your size based on finished measurement and desired ease. The sample is shown in size M with 1.5"/4 cm positive ease.

Yarn

Worsted weight yarn (US category 4 / Aran light). Fiber of your choice (wool, wool blends, superwash, alpaca blends are all fine). Suggested yarn values and approximate yardage per size:

• Yarn weight: Worsted (US 4 / Aran light)
• Approx yardage: XS 900 yd (823 m); S 1,000 yd (914 m); M 1,150 yd (1,052 m); L 1,300 yd (1,189 m); XL 1,450 yd (1,326 m); 2X 1,600 yd (1,463 m). These are approximate; always buy a bit extra if you want a dye-lot match.
• Suggested skein: 100 g skeins with ~200–220 yd (183–201 m) each (you will need 4–8 skeins depending on size and skein yardage).

Needles & Other Notions

• Needles (circulars, magic-loop or DPNs as preferred):
  • Smaller needle for neck rib: US 6 / UK (old) 8 / 4.0 mm
  • Main needle for body: US 7 / UK (old) 7 / 4.5 mm
• Optional: One size up and one size down if you need to swatch (pattern assumes rib on smaller needle, body on larger)
• Stitch markers (4+ to mark raglan lines)
• Tapestry needle, stitch holders or waste yarn, tape measure

Gauge

18 sts x 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette on US 7 / 4.5 mm after blocking. If your gauge is different, change needle size to match or adjust yardage/finished size.

Abbreviations (US)

• CO = cast on
• k = knit
• p = purl
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker
• m1 = make one (lift strand and knit through back to make left-leaning increase) - specify: m1L or m1R as you prefer
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• st(s) = stitch(es)

Construction Overview

1) Cast on for the neck in the round on smaller needles and work the funnel rib to desired height. 2) Switch to larger needles, set four raglan markers and work raglan increase rounds every other round to form the yoke. 3) When yoke depth is reached (or target raglan rounds completed), place sleeve stitches on holders and continue the body flat/in the round. 4) Knit body to desired length, rib hem. 5) Return to sleeves, join in the round and increase to bicep circumference if required then work to cuff. 6) Weave in ends and block. 

Stitch counts & breakdown at start of yoke

Cast-on and initial distribution (these are the stitches you will CO for the neck and then divide into 4 sections separated by 4 raglan markers):

• XS: CO 56 sts → Front 16 / Sleeve 12 / Back 16 / Sleeve 12
• S: CO 60 sts → Front 18 / Sleeve 12 / Back 18 / Sleeve 12
• M: CO 64 sts → Front 20 / Sleeve 12 / Back 20 / Sleeve 12
• L: CO 68 sts → Front 22 / Sleeve 12 / Back 22 / Sleeve 12
• XL: CO 72 sts → Front 24 / Sleeve 12 / Back 24 / Sleeve 12
• 2X: CO 76 sts → Front 26 / Sleeve 12 / Back 26 / Sleeve 12

Raglan increase plan (worked in the round)

On the needle after the neck rib, you will place 4 markers to create 4 sections: front, sleeve, back, sleeve. On each increase round you will increase 2 sts in each section (one on each side of each marker), giving +8 sts per increase round. Work increase rounds every 2 rounds (increase round, then plain round) unless you prefer different spacing.

Suggested number of increase rounds (gives the finished chest stitch totals shown):

• XS: 11 increase rounds - total after yoke = 56 + 8*11 = 144 sts (32 in / 81 cm)
• S: 13 increase rounds - total after yoke = 60 + 8*13 = 164 sts (~36.5 in / 93 cm)
• M: 15 increase rounds - total after yoke = 64 + 8*15 = 184 sts (~41 in / 104 cm)
• L: 16 increase rounds - total after yoke = 68 + 8*16 = 196 sts (~43.5 in / 111 cm)
• XL: 18 increase rounds - total after yoke = 72 + 8*18 = 216 sts (48 in / 122 cm)
• 2X: 20 increase rounds - total after yoke = 76 + 8*20 = 236 sts (~52.5 in / 134 cm)

Note: increase rounds and final stitches are chosen to hit common finished chest sizes; you may stop increasing when the yoke measures the desired depth from the base of the neck (see next section) rather than strictly following the number if you prefer a different look.

Yoke depth (measure from under the back of the neck to the underarm line)

• XS: ~3.7 in / 9.5 cm
• S: ~4.3 in / 11 cm
• M: ~5.0 in / 12.5 cm
• L: ~5.3 in / 13.5 cm
• XL: ~6.0 in / 15 cm
• 2X: ~6.7 in / 17 cm

Use the measurement or the number of increase rounds above, whichever you prefer. When you reach your chosen yoke depth or the stated increase rounds for your size, you will separate sleeves from body.

Detailed Instructions

Neck (worked in the round on smaller needle - US 6 / 4.0 mm)

1. CO the number of stitches for your size (see "Stitch counts" above). Join carefully, ensuring stitches are not twisted. Place a marker for beginning of round.
2. Work 2x2 rib (k2, p2) in the round until the neck measures 3.5" / 9 cm from CO for a medium-high funnel. For a taller turtleneck, work 4" / 10 cm or desired height. The rib should be fitted but comfortable. Change to larger needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm) at the end of the neck rib; DO NOT change stitch pattern unless you want a visible ladder—just switch needles and continue in the round.

Begin raglan yoke (US 7 / 4.5 mm)

3. Set raglan markers: place 1 marker after the first section of stitches for Front (as counted in your CO distribution), then after the Sleeve section, then after Back, then after second Sleeve. You will have 4 markers total and the pattern will read as: [Front stitches] M [Sleeve stitches] M [Back stitches] M [Sleeve stitches] M and round continues.
4. Raglan increase round (repeat): *K to 1 st before marker, m1R (or kfb), k1, sm, k1, m1L (or pfb), repeat from * three more times to end of round. (This places 1 increase on each side of every raglan marker = +8 sts per complete increase round.)
5. Work one round plain (knitting all stitches) between increase rounds. Repeat the two-round sequence (increase round, plain round) the number of times specified for your size in the "Raglan increase plan" above or until the yoke measures your chosen depth from the base of the neck.

Separation: Put sleeves on holders and join body

6. When you have completed your final increase round for the yoke and have worked the following plain round, you will separate the sleeves. Pattern notes assume the raglan markers each have the marker row stitch on either side: At each sleeve marker: slip the sleeve stitches to waste yarn or stitch holder (do NOT cut the yarn unless you prefer). How many sleeve stitches you move will be the sleeve section stitch count at this point; transfer them as a whole block (including any raglan increase stitches that sit on the boundary).
7. After removing sleeve stitches, join the remaining stitches for the body (front + back) and place a marker at the center front if desired. Continue working the body in the round (no seaming), maintaining stockinette stitch (knit every round) until the body measures from underarm to finished hem: XS 16.5 in / 42 cm; S 17 in / 43 cm; M 18 in / 46 cm; L 18.5 in / 47 cm; XL 19 in / 48 cm; 2X 19.5 in / 49.5 cm (or desired length). End by working 2x2 rib for 1.5–2 in / 4–5 cm on smaller needles, then bind off loosely in pattern.

Sleeves (pick up held sleeve sts and work in the round)

8. Transfer sleeve stitches back to needles (or pick them up from waste yarn). Join in the round and place beginning-of-round marker. You may have fewer than your finished sleeve stitches; the normal way to enlarge sleeves is to increase evenly to reach the desired bicep circumference.
9. Target bicep stitch counts (approx): XS 50 sts (11 in / 28 cm), S 54 sts (12 in / 30.5 cm), M 58 sts (13 in / 33 cm), L 64 sts (14.25 in / 36 cm), XL 68 sts (15 in / 38 cm), 2X 74 sts (16.5 in / 42 cm). These are target counts; adjust based on your preference and gauge.
10. Increase plan for sleeves: Increase 2 sts at the underarm area every 8 rounds until target bicep count is reached. Practical approach: (Round 1) work plain round, (Round 2) [k to 2 sts before underarm gap, m1, k2, m1] once (adds 2 sts), then continue knitting rounds. Repeat every 8–10 rounds until the stated sleeve stitch count is reached. Alternatively distribute increases evenly across the round using kfb or m1 at evenly spaced intervals for a smoother increase.
11. When sleeve reaches targeted bicep circumference, continue knitting in the round in stockinette until sleeve measures from underarm to cuff: XS 17 in / 43 cm; S 17.5 in / 44.5 cm; M 18 in / 46 cm; L 18.5 in / 47 cm; XL 19 in / 48 cm; 2X 19.5 in / 49.5 cm (or your preferred length). Work 2x2 rib on smaller needles for 1.5–2 in / 4–5 cm and bind off loosely in pattern.

Finishing

• Weave in all ends. Block to measurements: pin gently to finished chest and sleeve lengths to help stitches even out.
• Neck finishing note: Because you worked the funnel neck first, it is already finished. If you prefer a folded neck, work rib taller so you can fold it inside/out and stitch down the back seam of the fold to the sweater body (mattress stitch) to create a clean folded edge.

Customisation & Fit Tips

• Want more positive ease? Add 4–6 in / 10–15 cm to the finished chest or switch to a larger needle for the body section only.
• Prefer a shallower neck? Shorten neck rib by 1–2 in / 2.5–5 cm before starting the yoke.
• To make it longer as a tunic, add length to the body before the hem rib.

Notes & Troubleshooting

• If your yoke is too crowded under the arms when you try on at separation, you can knit an extra increase round or two before separating to add a stitch to each section.
• To avoid laddering where you change needles from rib to stockinette, slip the first stitch when you change needles, or carry the stitch slightly tighter for the first round on the new needles.

Abbreviated summary (quick reference)

1. CO neck stitches per size, join and work 2x2 rib on US 6/4.0 mm to desired neck height.
2. Switch to US 7/4.5 mm, place 4 markers, begin raglan increases: increase round then plain round; repeat until stated number of increase rounds or desired yoke depth.
3. When yoke depth reached, place sleeve sts on holders, join body sts and work body to length; finish with 2x2 rib and bind off.
4. Work sleeves: return sleeve sts to needles, increase evenly to reach bicep measurement, knit to cuff length, 2x2 rib and bind off.

Support & License

If you have questions about fit, adjustments or needle conversions: email team@verde.uk. Pattern licensed for personal use. For updates and errata visit https://purljam.verde.uk. Share finished pieces with #purljam on socials.

Happy knitting!

Created by purlJam with the help of magic AI dust. Shop Verde for patterns and yarn.

Disclaimer: Enjoy the fun! Accuracy of patterns cannot be guaranteed. Remember to use and share content responsibly when engaging with this AI-powered app.