Scottish Blouse - Top-down Raglan Knit Blouse
Comfortable, lightly fitted blouse with a textured yoke inspired by Scottish stitch textures. Worked top-down in DK weight yarn with a gentle raglan yoke and set-in sleeve shaping by short-row/rounded cap option. Suitable for 5 sizes (XS/S/M/L/XL/2XL). This pattern assumes intermediate-skill knitters comfortable with sleeves-on-hold, raglan increases, simple lace or textured stitch repeats, short rows and finishing techniques.
Finished measurements
- XS: Bust 32" (81 cm) — recommended finished ease 0-2"
- S: Bust 36" (91 cm)
- M: Bust 40" (102 cm)
- L: Bust 44" (112 cm)
- XL: Bust 48" (122 cm)
- 2XL: Bust 52" (132 cm)
Suggested yarn
DK weight, smooth wool or wool-blend for nice stitch definition. Example target gauge yarn: 230 yds (210 m) per 100 g.
- Yardage (Imperial / Metric): XS 800 yds (732 m) / S 900 yds (823 m) / M 1000 yds (914 m) / L 1100 yds (1006 m) / XL 1200 yds (1097 m) / 2XL 1300 yds (1188 m).
- Weight in grams and approx skein counts (100 g = ~230 yds / 210 m): XS ~350 g (4 skeins), S ~392 g (4-5 skeins), M ~435 g (5 skeins), L ~480 g (5 skeins), XL ~523 g (6 skeins), 2XL ~565 g (6 skeins).
Needles
- For body and yoke: US 6 (4.0 mm) / UK (old) 8 / Metric 4.0 mm circular needle, 32" / 80 cm preferred for magic-loop or long circulars.
- For ribbing and optional tighter gauge: US 4 (3.5 mm) / UK (old) 9 / Metric 3.5 mm 16" / 40 cm circular or set of DPNs for small-circumference work.
- Sleeve short-row shaping: same needles as body unless you prefer a slightly smaller needle for a neater cap.
- Tapestry needle, stitch markers (4), waste yarn or spare needles for putting sleeves on hold, measuring tape, blocking tools.
Gauge
20 sts and 28 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette on 4.0 mm (US 6) needles after blocking. If your gauge differs, change needle size until gauge is correct.
Sizes & abbreviations
Sizes listed as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). Measurements given are bust finished measurements. Abbreviations: k = knit; p = purl; st(s) = stitch(es); RS = right side; WS = wrong side; k2tog = knit two together; p2tog = purl two together; M1L/M1R = make 1 left/right; YO = yarn over; SM = slip marker; CO = cast on; BO = bind off; kfb = knit front and back; PM = place marker; Rnd = round; rem = remaining; inc = increase; dec = decrease; WS = wrong side.
Special stitch patterns
Scottish Texture Panel (multiple of 8 sts + 2 edge sts): Round 1 (RS): *k2, p2, k4; repeat from * to end. Round 2: *p2, k2, p4; repeat. Alternate these two rounds to create a fabric with small raised ribs reminiscent of textured Scottish cloth. For the blouse yoke you will work 2 repeat panels separated by stockinette raglan decreases.
Construction overview
Top-down raglan: CO neck, work a short circular collar, increase into yoke texture and raglan seam placement every RS row, divide for body and sleeves, place sleeves on hold, work body in the round to desired length, then return to sleeves and knit in the round to cuff. Optional short-row sleeve cap shaping for a rounded set-in look.
Neck and yoke
With smaller needles (US 4 / 3.5 mm) and provisional CO method or elastic CO:
- CO 120 (128, 136, 144, 152, 160) sts—this is approximate neck circumference; adjust as needed for deeper or looser neck.
- Join carefully, place a marker for beg of round.
- Knit 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 3/4" (2 cm), or 1" (2.5 cm) if you prefer a wider band.
- Switch to larger needles (US 6 / 4.0 mm). Begin raglan increase set-up: Place 4 markers evenly to mark raglan seams: divide sts as follows: Front panel, Raglan, Sleeve, Raglan, Back panel, Raglan, Sleeve, Raglan. For example XS: 24 (front), 1 (raglan), 24 (sleeve), 1, 24 (back), 1, 24 (sleeve), 1.
- Set yoke pattern: Establish Scottish Texture Panel on front and back panels across their stitch counts. On sleeve sections work stockinette in the round. Raglan markers remain single stitch marker positions.
Raglan increase rounds (RS): *Work to 1 st before raglan marker, M1R, k1, SM, k1, M1L; repeat at each raglan marker. Work every RS round until you reach these stitch counts under the markers (including raglan marker sts): XS: total 240 sts (approx), S: 268, M: 296, L: 324, XL: 352, 2XL: 380 — OR work until yoke depth measures 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5) cm from cast-on edge, whichever comes first. You may instead prefer to measure underarm depth; aim for about 7.5 - 9 cm yoke depth for a blouse fit. Maintain texture pattern on front/back panels and continue stockinette for sleeves.
Divide for body and sleeves
When the yoke reaches desired depth or when total st count after raglan increases is: XS 240 (S 268, M 296, L 324, XL 352, 2XL 380), divide: Slip sleeve sts onto waste yarn or holder (each sleeve: sleeve stitch count = value used when distributing earlier), join body in the round, place a marker and continue on body sts only.
Body
- Work in stockinette (knit every round) in established texture on front/back panels only. If you want a blousier hem, add 2" / 5 cm of 2x2 rib before binding off.
- Length: Work until total body length from underarm = 17 (18, 19, 20, 21, 22) inches / 43 (46, 48, 51, 53, 56) cm or your preferred blouse length.
- Hem rib: Switch to smaller needles (US 4 / 3.5 mm). Work 1x1 rib for 1.25" / 3 cm, or 2" / 5 cm for a wider band. BO loosely in rib.
Sleeves
- Transfer sleeve sts back to needles. Join and pick up 2 sts at each underarm gap to avoid holes (PM them as part of seam).
- Sleeve shaping: Work in the round in stockinette. Decrease rounds optionally every 8th round by k2tog at positions 2 sts from markers to shape sleeve if you prefer tapering; or keep straight for a relaxed sleeve.
- Sleeve length: Work until sleeve measures 16 (16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, 18.5) inches / 41 (42, 43, 44, 46, 47) cm from underarm to cuff, or try-on as you go. Switch to smaller needles for cuff and work 1x1 rib for 1.5" / 4 cm. BO loosely.
- Alternative rounded cap: Work short-row shaping before joining sleeves to body for a more set-in look. Wrap & turn across the top of sleeve cap over two rounds, placing short rows evenly across the sleeve top until cap depth is ~1.25" / 3 cm then graft or pick up live sts neatly.
Neck finishing (if provisional CO used)
- Pick up live sts from provisional CO on smaller needles (US 4) and graft Kitchener for a seamless back, or knit a short rib band joined to the cast-on edge to create a banded neck. BO in rib loosely.
Finishing
- Weave in ends. Block to finished measurements: soak garment, gently squeeze out excess water, lay flat and pin to shape, measure to exact bust and hem widths and let dry.
- Neaten any underarm joins with mattress stitch if you seamed any small gaps. Press lightly with a steam iron if fiber permits; check yarn care instructions.
Customization tips
- Adjust yoke depth for higher or lower armholes; more depth = less sleeve cap ease, less depth = looser fit at shoulders.
- Substitute a small cable or a stranded motif for the texture panels for a more traditional Aran-inspired look. Make sure to adjust stitch multiples to keep raglan placement consistent.
- For a longer blouse intended to tuck in, add 6-10 cm to body length and decrease finished ease by 1-2".
Care
Follow yarn manufacturer recommendations. For most wool or wool-blend DK yarns: hand wash cold, lay flat to dry. Avoid wringing.
Schematic (approx)
XS-S-M-L-XL-2XL: neck to underarm (yoke) 3.5-4-4.5-5-5-5.5" / 9-10-11-12-12-14 cm; sleeve length from underarm 16-16.5-17-17.5-18-18.5" / 41-42-43-44-46-47 cm; body length from underarm 17-18-19-20-21-22" / 43-46-48-51-53-56 cm.
Notes
Pattern written for top-down construction; if you prefer bottom-up or set-in sleeves, the textured panels can be adapted. Always swatch and block a gauge square in the stitch pattern you plan to use, as texture changes gauge. This pattern is offered for personal use only. For support or errata, visit https://purljam.verde.uk or email team@verde.uk. Share makes with #purljam on socials.
Enjoy knitting your Scottish Blouse!