Classic, wearable sweater worked top-down in the round with bold multicolor stripes. This pattern is written for worsted/aran weight yarn and uses a raglan yoke so you can try on as you go and customize fit and length. Includes sizing from XS to 2X (see size chart). Techniques: join in the round, raglan increases, striping, working body and sleeves in the round, optional sleeve shaping, mattress-stitch finishing.
Suggested yarn: Worsted/Aran weight (10 ply). Example skein size used below: 100g = 200 yd / 183 m skeins. You can substitute similar worsted/aran yarns; check gauge.
Recommended color plan (5 colors): Color A (main), Colors B, C, D, E (contrasts). If you prefer many thin stripes, you may need more contrast yardage.
| Finished Size (Chest) | Total Approx Yardage (yd) | Total Approx Meterage (m) | Suggested skeins (100g/200yd) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS (32") | 1200 yd | 1100 m | 6 skeins |
| S (36") | 1400 yd | 1280 m | 7 skeins |
| M (40") | 1600 yd | 1460 m | 8 skeins |
| L (44") | 1800 yd | 1645 m | 9 skeins |
| XL (48") | 2000 yd | 1830 m | 10 skeins |
| 2X (52") | 2200 yd | 2010 m | 11 skeins |
Suggested splitting per color (example for S / 1400 yd): Color A (main) ~600 yd / 550 m, each contrast B-E ~200 yd / 183 m. Adjust by how dominant you want each color.
Main needles: 16"/24" circular needles and long circular (for magic loop) as needed. Use DPNs or 32"/40" circular if preferred for sleeves.
Note: supply circular lengths in metric/imperial: 16" (40 cm), 24" (60 cm), 32" (80 cm). DPNs: same mm sizes as above.
18 sts and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette on US 8 / 5.0 mm after blocking. Row gauge matters for length of stripes; stitch gauge matters for fit. Adjust needle size if needed.
Available finished chest: XS 32", S 36", M 40", L 44", XL 48", 2X 52". Ease: Designed with about 2" positive ease (adjust as you like).
1) Decide your target chest circumference (measured over the garment). Example: your actual bust + desired ease (we used 2" ease in size chart).
2) Calculate sts-per-inch: stitch gauge / 4 (for our gauge 18 sts per 4" = 4.5 sts per 1").
3) Body stitches (st_body) = target chest circumference (in inches) x sts-per-inch.
4) Decide desired sleeve upper-arm circumference (in inches) and calculate sleeve_sts = sleeve circumference x sts-per-inch (round to nearest even number if preferred). Remember each sleeve will use that many stitches when separated.
5) Target total stitches on yoke = st_body + 2 x sleeve_sts. Stop raglan increases when your round total equals this target (or when garment fits underarm as you try on).
Example calculation (Gauge = 18 sts/4" = 4.5 sts/in): M (40" bust, +2" ease = 42"): st_body = 42 x 4.5 = 189 sts. If sleeve target is 14.5" -> sleeve_sts = 14.5 x 4.5 = 65 sts per sleeve. Target total = 189 + (2 x 65) = 319 sts on the needle at the end of the yoke increases. Use your rowcounter and stitch counts to find that moment.
Note: Provide both measurement-based stopping points and sample starting COs. You will increase 8 sts every second round (2 sts at each raglan corner) using M1L/M1R. The sample cast-on and marker placement below is a commonly used starting point; you may adjust initial CO for a deeper or shallower neckline.
Sample cast-on (choose one from your size range to get started):
Raglan increase round (repeat):
Repeat these two rounds (increase round, knit round) until either:
When you reach your stopping point, the round will contain sleeve and body stitches. Place the sleeve stitches on holders (or spare cord) as follows:
If your sleeve stitches are not exactly the sleeve_sts target calculated above, you can adjust by moving 1–2 sts from body to sleeve or vice versa for comfort and symmetry.
Work body in the round in stockinette (knit all rounds) in your stripe sequence until desired length from underarm to hem. Typical lengths (from underarm to hem): 9" (23 cm) for cropped, 12" (30 cm) standard, 14" (36 cm) tunic. Measure and try on.
Ribbed hem: Switch to smaller needles (US 6 / 4.0 mm). Work k2, p2 rib for 1.5"–2" and bind off loosely in rib pattern.
Place sleeve sts onto needles (magic loop or DPNs). Join and pick up an extra 1–2 sts underarm if you want a small underarm gusset (optional).
Work in rounds in stockinette in stripe sequence. If you want slimmer sleeves, decrease evenly along the sleeve every 6–8 rounds until sleeve circumference reaches your desired measurement (measure at upper arm or bicep). Keep decreases subtle: k2tog once near underarm each decrease round and SSK symmetrically on the other side, or decrease evenly across the round to keep tube shape.
Typical sleeve length from underarm to cuff: 16" (41 cm) full-length. For cuffs, switch to smaller needles (US 6 / 4.0 mm) and work k2, p2 rib for 1.5" then bind off loosely.
Stripe height: with this gauge, 6 rounds ~ 0.85" (2.2 cm). Many knitters like 6 rounds per stripe for thin stripes, 10–12 rounds for wider stripes. For a balanced multicolor look, try repeating a 10-stripe sequence where a main color stripe alternates with contrast stripes. Example repeat (each = 6 rounds): A-A-B-A-C-A-D-A-E-A then repeat. Adjust order and stripe-repeat to taste.
To manage ends: carry yarn up the inside for short floats if stripe changes are within 5 sts; otherwise break and weave in ends or use jogless stripe join techniques when changing colors across rounds.
These are approximate targets (using gauge 18 sts/4" = 4.5 sts/in). Use calculator above for custom sizes.
| Size | Target chest (in) | Body sts (approx) | Sleeve sts each (approx) | Total sts on needle at end of yoke (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 34 | 153 | 56 | 265 |
| S | 38 | 171 | 61 | 293 |
| M | 42 | 189 | 65 | 319 |
| L | 46 | 207 | 70 | 347 |
| XL | 50 | 225 | 72 | 369 |
| 2X | 54 | 243 | 74 | 391 |
Hand wash cold or machine wash gentle with wool-safe detergent. Lay flat to dry to keep shape.
Pattern: top-down raglan, multicolor stripes. Designed for easy customization: change stripe width, color order, or gauge and recalculate as shown. For pattern support email team@verde.uk or visit https://purljam.verde.uk. Share makes with #purljam on socials.
Happy knitting! If you'd like a version with exact stitch-by-stitch counts for a single size or a crochet adaptation, please request that specific conversion.