Designer: PurlJam • Website: https://purljam.verde.uk • Support: team@verde.uk • Social: #purljam
A cozy, slightly oversized pink cardigan with a shaped hood, worked top-down in the round with raglan increases. Knit in worsted/aran weight to give good structure and drape. Instructions sized S (M, L, XL, XXL). Construction: reversible ribbed collar, raglan yoke, separated body and sleeves, set-in hood knit from the neckline, optional patch pockets.
18 sts x 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette with US 8 / 5.0 mm. If your gauge is different, change needle size. Gauge in rib will be denser; ensure stockinette gauge for fit.
Using smaller needles (US 7 / 4.5 mm), CO and join for the collar. CO counts divide evenly by 4 for raglan placement.
Join being careful not to twist. PM between quarters to mark raglan lines (4 markers). Work 1x1 rib (K1, P1) or 2x2 rib (K2, P2) in the round for 1.5 in / 4 cm, or preferred collar height.
Change to larger needles (US 8 / 5.0 mm). Begin raglan shaping as follows:
Raglan increase round (RS): *K to 1 st before marker, M1R, K1, SM, K1, M1L* repeat from * to * three more times — you will increase 2 sts at each raglan marker (8 sts total per increase round). Work one plain round between increase rounds (i.e., increase round, plain round) unless otherwise noted.
Continue repeating increase rounds every other round until yoke depth from cast-on equals approximately 8.5 (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5) in / 21.5 (23, 24, 25.5, 26.5) cm measured from cast-on edge to underarm. Alternatively, you can increase until you reach the approximate total stitch counts below for separation:
When you reach your desired yoke depth, work one plain round and then separate sleeves.
On next round: Place sleeve stitches on waste yarn or holders. The standard division is: Front 1 | Sleeve 1 | Back | Sleeve 2 | Front 2. After placement you will have two front sections separated at center front. Transfer sleeve markers stitches to holders and leave them there. Join body stitches in the round and continue.
Example: if your total after increases equals the target above, the counts will approximate: Body = target chest sts (e.g., S 162 sts), each sleeve ≈ the sleeve target (e.g., S 63 sts), plus 8 raglan markers.
With main color and US 8 needles, join front pieces seamlessly and knit in the round in stockinette until body length from underarm equals 16.5 (17, 17.5, 18, 18.5) in / 42 (43, 44.5, 45.5, 47) cm or preferred length to hem, ending at RS.
Work hem ribbing: switch to smaller needles (US 7). Work 1.5 in / 4 cm of same rib used at collar (K1P1 or K2P2). Bind off loosely in rib.
Place sleeve sts from waste yarn onto US 8 needles (or DPNs) — continue in the round. If you left a gap at underarm, pick up and knit 1–2 sts along the underarm to avoid a hole, then K2tog or ssk to tidy. If you picked up additional underarm sts, decrease them in the first few rounds evenly to return to sleeve count.
Work sleeve decreases: for a tapered sleeve, decrease 1 st at each side every 8th (7th, 7th, 6th, 6th) round until sleeve circumference equals 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) in / 20 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm or until you have approx 44–52 sts depending on desired cuff width.
When sleeve reaches desired length, switch to smaller needles (US 7) and work 1.5 in / 4 cm rib for cuff. Bind off in rib loosely.
Pick up sts around neckline: pick up every stitch around front & back neck opening. Typical pick-up count will be approx 1 st picked up for every cast-on rib stitch plus extra over center front to shape. For example, for S you will pick up ~110–120 sts; M ~120–130; L ~130–140; XL ~140–150; XXL ~150–160 — pick up evenly and adjust to be divisible by 4.
Join in the round and work 2 in / 5 cm of rib (US 7) to match collar, then switch to US 8 and work stockinette in the round until hood depth from picked-up edge equals 10 (10.5, 11, 11.5, 12) in / 25.5 (26.5, 28, 29, 30.5) cm, or your preferred hood height.
Shape crown: decrease as follows — every 8th round decrease evenly across the round (K8, K2tog around) until remaining sts are about 8–12 sts depending on gauge; then break yarn and thread through remaining sts and pull tight. Alternatively, you can shape by decreasing 8 sts every other round until crown is closed. Seam crown with mattress stitch if worked flat.
Optionally, pick up a 1.5 in / 4 cm facing inside the hood in rib and fold for a neat edge, or add a small i-cord or drawstring if desired.
Make two identical patch pockets. Using US 8 needles, CO 28 (30, 32, 34, 36) sts. Work in stockinette until pocket measures 5.5 (6, 6.5, 7, 7.5) in / 14 (15, 16.5, 17.5, 19) cm from CO edge. Switch to US 7 and work 0.5 in / 1.25 cm rib for opening. Bind off in rib. Block pockets and sew to body at preferred placement, about 3–4 in / 7–10 cm above hem and centered on each front panel.
Follow yarn label care. Generally: hand-wash cool or machine wash gentle if yarn is machine-washable; reshape and dry flat.
If you have pattern questions or want a PDF version: contact team@verde.uk and tag #purljam on socials.
Notes: This pattern is written with clear shaping guidelines so you can easily adapt fit and length. The raglan top-down method makes it simple to try on as you go. Have fun with texture and stitch contrast in the hood or pockets!