purlJam

<pattern>

# CLASSIC RAGLAN PULLOVER
## A Beginner's Top-Down Seamless Sweater

### DESIGN NOTES
This classic pullover is worked seamlessly from the top down using raglan construction. You'll start at the neckline and increase at four raglan lines to create the yoke, then separate the sleeves from the body and work each section in the round. This method requires no seaming and allows you to try on your sweater as you go—perfect for ensuring the ideal fit! The raglan lines create attractive diagonal details from neck to underarm.

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### SIZES
Small (Medium, Large, X-Large, 2X-Large)

**Finished Chest Circumference:** 38 (42, 46, 50, 54)" / 96.5 (106.5, 117, 127, 137) cm
**Recommended Ease:** 2-4" / 5-10 cm positive ease

*Sample shown in size Medium on a 38" bust*

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### MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4 Medium) yarn
- **Yardage:** 1000 (1200, 1400, 1650, 1900) yards / 915 (1095, 1280, 1510, 1735) meters
- *Sample uses Cascade 220 (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 220 yards / 100g)*

**Needles:** 
- US 8 (5mm) circular needle, 32" (80cm) length for body and yoke
- US 8 (5mm) circular needle, 16" (40cm) length OR double-pointed needles (DPNs) for sleeves
- US 6 (4mm) circular needle, 32" (80cm) length for ribbing
- US 6 (4mm) circular needle, 16" (40cm) length OR DPNs for sleeve cuffs

*Or size needed to obtain gauge*

**Notions:**
- 4 stitch markers (1 unique for beginning of round)
- Waste yarn or stitch holders for sleeves
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Measuring tape

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### GAUGE
**18 stitches and 24 rounds = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on larger needles, worked in the round**

⚠️ **Gauge is critical!** Please take time to knit a gauge swatch. If you have more stitches per 4", use larger needles. If you have fewer stitches per 4", use smaller needles.

**To swatch:** Cast on 24 stitches. Work in stockinette stitch (knit every round if working in the round, or knit RS rows and purl WS rows if working flat) for 5". Bind off. Wash and block as you will the finished sweater. Measure a 4" section in the center of the swatch, avoiding the edges.

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### PATTERN NOTES

**Construction:** This sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down. You'll begin at the neckline, work raglan increases to shape the yoke, separate the sleeves from the body, complete the body, then return to work each sleeve from the armhole down to the cuff.

**Raglan Increases:** Increases are worked every other round at four raglan lines (one at each side of the front, back, and both sleeves). This creates 8 new stitches every increase round. The increases create diagonal lines from the neck to the underarms.

**Markers:** Use four markers to indicate raglan lines. Make one marker distinctive (different color) to mark the beginning of the round at the left back raglan line.

**Trying On:** One advantage of top-down construction is the ability to try on as you go! After working several inches of the yoke, carefully try on the sweater (needles and all) to check the fit across the shoulders and chest.

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### ABBREVIATIONS
- k = knit
- p = purl
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- m = marker
- pm = place marker
- sm = slip marker
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- BO = bind off
- M1L = make 1 left: Insert left needle from front to back under the horizontal strand between the stitch just worked and the next stitch, knit through the back loop
- M1R = make 1 right: Insert left needle from back to front under the horizontal strand between the stitch just worked and the next stitch, knit through the front loop
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk = slip, slip, knit: Slip 2 stitches individually knitwise, insert left needle through front of both stitches, knit together (left-leaning decrease)

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### INSTRUCTIONS

#### YOKE

**Cast On**
Using smaller 32" circular needle and the long-tail method, cast on 72 (76, 80, 84, 88) sts.

Place beginning-of-round marker (use your distinctive marker) and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.

*Check carefully that your stitches aren't twisted around the needle before joining!*

**Neckband**
Rnd 1: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rnd 1 until neckband measures 1.5" (4 cm) from cast-on edge, approximately 9 rounds.

**Set Up Raglan Lines**
Change to larger 32" circular needle.

Setup Rnd: K11 (12, 13, 14, 15) [left sleeve], pm, k25 (26, 27, 28, 29) [front], pm, k11 (12, 13, 14, 15) [right sleeve], pm, k25 (26, 27, 28, 29) [back], sm (this is your beginning-of-round marker at the left back raglan line).

*You now have 4 markers placed: at each side of both sleeves. The beginning marker is at the left back raglan line.*

**Stitch count check:** 11 (12, 13, 14, 15) + 25 (26, 27, 28, 29) + 11 (12, 13, 14, 15) + 25 (26, 27, 28, 29) = 72 (76, 80, 84, 88) sts total

**Raglan Increases**

Rnd 1 (Increase Round): *K to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L; repeat from * 3 more times to end of round. (8 sts increased)

Rnd 2: Knit all sts, slipping markers as you come to them.

Repeat Rnds 1-2 a total of 25 (28, 31, 34, 37) times.

**After all increase rounds:**
- Left sleeve: 61 (68, 75, 82, 89) sts
- Front: 75 (82, 89, 96, 103) sts  
- Right sleeve: 61 (68, 75, 82, 89) sts
- Back: 75 (82, 89, 96, 103) sts
- **Total: 272 (300, 328, 356, 384) sts**

*Math verification: 72 (76, 80, 84, 88) starting sts + [25 (28, 31, 34, 37) increase rounds × 8 sts per round] = 72 + 200 (224, 248, 272, 296) = 272 (300, 328, 356, 384) sts ✓*

Continue working even in stockinette (knit all rounds) until yoke measures 7.5 (8, 8.5, 9, 9.5)" / 19 (20.5, 21.5, 23, 24) cm from cast-on edge, or approximately 1" (2.5 cm) less than desired armhole depth.

**Try on your sweater!** The yoke should fit comfortably across your shoulders and chest. If you need more depth, work additional rounds.

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#### SEPARATE BODY AND SLEEVES

**Separation Round:**
Remove beginning-of-round marker.

K61 (68, 75, 82, 89) [left sleeve sts], remove marker, place these 61 (68, 75, 82, 89) sleeve sts onto waste yarn or stitch holder; using the backward loop method, cast on 6 (6, 8, 8, 10) sts for underarm; pm for new beginning of round; cast on 6 (6, 8, 8, 10) more underarm sts; remove marker, k75 (82, 89, 96, 103) [front sts]; remove marker, place next 61 (68, 75, 82, 89) [right sleeve sts] onto waste yarn or stitch holder; cast on 12 (12, 16, 16, 20) sts for underarm; remove marker, k75 (82, 89, 96, 103) [back sts].

**Body stitch count:** 75 (82, 89, 96, 103) front + 12 (12, 16, 16, 20) underarm + 75 (82, 89, 96, 103) back + 12 (12, 16, 16, 20) underarm = **174 (188, 210, 224, 246) sts**

*Math verification for finished chest: 174 sts ÷ 4.5 sts/inch = 38.7" ≈ 38" ✓; 188 ÷ 4.5 = 41.8" ≈ 42" ✓; 210 ÷ 4.5 = 46.7" ≈ 46" ✓; 224 ÷ 4.5 = 49.8" ≈ 50" ✓; 246 ÷ 4.5 = 54.7" ≈ 54" ✓*

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#### BODY

Working in the round on body sts only:

Knit every round until body measures 13 (13.5, 14, 14.5, 15)" / 33 (34.5, 35.5, 37, 38) cm from underarm, or 2.5" (6.5 cm) less than desired total length.

**Hem Ribbing**
Change to smaller 32" circular needle.

Rnd 1: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rnd 1 until ribbing measures 2.5" (6.5 cm).

Bind off loosely in pattern (knit the knits, purl the purls).

**Body measures approximately 15.5 (16, 16.5, 17, 17.5)" / 39.5 (40.5, 42, 43, 44.5) cm from underarm.**

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#### SLEEVES (make 2)

**Setup**
Carefully place 61 (68, 75, 82, 89) held sleeve sts onto larger needles (16" circular or DPNs).

Beginning at center of underarm, pick up and knit 6 (6, 8, 8, 10) sts from first half of underarm cast-on, pm for beginning of round, pick up and knit 6 (6, 8, 8, 10) sts from second half of underarm, knit across 61 (68, 75, 82, 89) sleeve sts.

**Sleeve stitch count:** 61 (68, 75, 82, 89) + 12 (12, 16, 16, 20) = **73 (80, 91, 98, 109) sts**

**Sleeve Shaping**
Work 8 (8, 6, 6, 6) rounds even in stockinette.

Decrease Rnd: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (2 sts decreased)

Repeat Decrease Rnd every 8 (8, 6, 6, 6) rounds a total of 12 (13, 16, 17, 19) times.

**Sleeve stitch count after decreases:** 73 (80, 91, 98, 109) - [12 (13, 16, 17, 19) × 2] = **49 (54, 59, 64, 71) sts**

Continue working even until sleeve measures 16 (16.