Cozy Cowl-Neck Raglan Pullover

Top-Down Seamless Sweater — Beginner Friendly

Worsted Weight

A relaxed, seamless pullover worked from the top down with classic raglan shaping and a deep, soft cowl neck. The cowl is cast on generously so it drapes and scrunches (or folds) comfortably—warmer and looser than a fitted turtleneck, without bulk under a coat. Body and sleeves are stockinette with simple ribbed hem and cuffs. Decorative yarn-over raglan lines make the increases easy to see and fun to knit.

Sizes

Small (Medium, Large, XL, 2XL)
To fit bust: 34–36 (38–40, 42–44, 46–48, 50–52)" / 86.5–91.5 (96.5–101.5, 106.5–112, 117–122, 127–132) cm

Finished bust circumference: 38½ (42½, 46½, 50½, 54½)" / 98 (108, 118, 128.5, 138.5) cm
Designed with approximately 2–4" / 5–10 cm positive ease. Choose the size closest to your bust + desired ease.

Instructions are written for Small with larger sizes in parentheses: S (M, L, XL, 2XL). When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Finished Measurements

Yarn

Worsted weight (category 4), soft next-to-skin fiber essential for the cowl.
Approx. yardage: 1100 (1200, 1350, 1500, 1650) yards / 1005 (1100, 1235, 1370, 1510) m

Suggested fibers: merino, merino blends, soft superwash wool, alpaca blends, or cashmere blends.
Avoid: scratchy wool, stiff cotton (sags at neck), or fuzzy mohair against the skin.

Example: Cascade 220, Swish Worsted, Wool of the Andes Worsted, or similar (approx. 200–220 yds / 100 g).
Solid or tonal colors show the raglan lines and ribbing best.

Needles

• US 8 (5 mm) — 16" / 40 cm circular (cowl & sleeves), 24–32" / 60–80 cm circular (yoke & body), and DPNs or long circular for magic-loop sleeves
• US 7 (4.5 mm) — same lengths for hem and cuff ribbing

Adjust needle size to obtain gauge. Many knitters go up a size for the cowl only if they want extra drape; the pattern as written uses US 8 for cowl and fabric.

Notions

• Stitch markers (4 distinct markers; one unique for beginning of round)
• Waste yarn or stitch holders (for sleeves)
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Optional: row counter

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rounds = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette stitch in the round on larger needles, blocked.

Check gauge. Swatch in the round if possible.
At this gauge: 5 sts = 1" and 7 rounds = 1".

Abbreviations (US)

• BOR — beginning of round
• BO — bind off
• CO — cast on
• dec — decrease
• inc — increase
• k — knit
• k2tog — knit 2 together (right-leaning dec)
• M — marker
• p — purl
• pm — place marker
• rep — repeat
• rnd(s) — round(s)
• RS — right side
• sm — slip marker
• ssk — slip, slip, knit (left-leaning dec)
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• St st — stockinette stitch (knit every round in the round)
• yo — yarn over

Pattern Notes

• Worked seamless, top down, in the round.
• Cowl neck is deep and loose. Wear it scrunched, folded once, or standing. It is intentionally wider than a classic turtleneck.
• Raglan increases use yarn overs for a simple decorative line—ideal for beginners. On the following round, knit each yo through the back loop if you prefer a neater hole, or knit normally for a more open eyelet.
• No short-row neck shaping (beginner-friendly). The wide cowl balances the front and back.
• Ribbing: k2, p2. Keep ribbing relaxed—do not pull tight.
• Change to longer circular needle as the yoke grows. Use magic loop or DPNs for sleeves.
• Try on as you go: after the yoke is long enough, and again for body and sleeve length.

Pattern

Cowl Neck

With larger needle (US 8 / 5 mm) and 16" circular, using a stretchy method (long-tail or German twisted),

CO 120 (128, 136, 144, 152) sts.
Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place unique BOR marker.

Ribbing rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

Repeat Ribbing rnd until cowl measures 8" / 20.5 cm from cast-on edge.
(Tip: Soft yarn + relaxed rib = comfortable all-day cowl. Block gently later so the cowl drapes.)

Do not bind off. Continue to Yoke.

Yoke

Setup rnd (place raglan markers):
Knit 42 (48, 54, 58, 64) sts (Front), pm,
knit 18 (16, 14, 14, 12) sts (Right Sleeve), pm,
knit 42 (48, 54, 58, 64) sts (Back), pm,
knit 18 (16, 14, 14, 12) sts (Left Sleeve) to BOR.

Stitch check: 42+18+42+18 = 120 ✓ (and same logic for all sizes: 128, 136, 144, 152) ✓

You now have 4 sections separated by markers: Front | Right Sleeve | Back | Left Sleeve. BOR is at the start of Front (between Left Sleeve and Front).

Increase rnd:
*Knit to next marker, yo, sm, yo; rep from * 3 more times (to end of rnd).
8 sts increased — 1 yo on each side of each raglan marker.

Next rnd: Knit all sts (knit yo’s as preferred: normally for open eyelets, or through back loop for neater dots).

Rep last 2 rnds (Increase rnd then plain knit rnd) 21 (23, 25, 27, 29) more times —
22 (24, 26, 28, 30) increase rounds total.

Stitch count after all increases:
296 (320, 344, 368, 392) sts.
Validation: 120 + (8 × 22) = 120 + 176 = 296 ✓
128 + (8 × 24) = 128 + 192 = 320 ✓
136 + (8 × 26) = 136 + 208 = 344 ✓
144 + (8 × 28) = 144 + 224 = 368 ✓
152 + (8 × 30) = 152 + 240 = 392 ✓

Section counts:

• Front & Back: 86 (96, 106, 114, 124) sts each
  (42 + 44 = 86 ✓; 48 + 48 = 96 ✓; etc.)
• Each Sleeve: 62 (64, 66, 70, 72) sts
  (18 + 44 = 62 ✓; 16 + 48 = 64 ✓; etc.)

Work even (knit every rnd, slipping markers) until yoke measures
9 (9½, 10, 10½, 11)" / 23 (24, 25.5, 26.5, 28) cm
from the base of the cowl (where you placed markers / started stockinette), or until the underarm depth feels comfortable when tried on.

Divide Body and Sleeves

Divide rnd:
Knit 86 (96, 106, 114, 124) Front sts,
place next 62 (64, 66, 70, 72) Right Sleeve sts on waste yarn/holder,
CO 10 (10, 10, 12, 12) sts using backward-loop (or cable CO) for underarm,
knit 86 (96, 106, 114, 124) Back sts,
place next 62 (64, 66, 70, 72) Left Sleeve sts on waste yarn/holder,
CO 10 (10, 10, 12, 12) sts for underarm,
slip BOR marker.

Body sts on needle: 192 (212, 232, 252, 272) sts.
Validation: 86 + 10 + 86 + 10 = 192 ✓
96 + 10 + 96 + 10 = 212 ✓
106 + 10 + 106 + 10 = 232 ✓
114 + 12 + 114 + 12 = 252 ✓
124 + 12 + 124 + 12 = 272 ✓

Bust circumference at gauge: 192 ÷ 5 = 38.4" ≈ 38½" ✓ (same method for all sizes).

Remove raglan markers as you meet them on the next rounds (or leave underarm markers if you like side “seams” for length reference). Place a marker at one underarm for BOR if desired.

Body

Work even in St st (knit every rnd) until body measures
14 (14½, 15, 15½, 16)" / 35.5 (37, 38, 39.5, 40.5) cm
from underarm, or 2" / 5 cm less than total desired length (including hem).

Hem
Change to smaller needle (US 7 / 4.5 mm).
Ribbing rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
(192, 212, 232, 252, 272 are all multiples of 4 ✓.)

Work ribbing until hem measures 2" / 5 cm.
BO loosely in pattern (use a larger needle or sewn bind-off so the hem stretches).

Sleeves (make 2)

Return 62 (64, 66, 70, 72) held sleeve sts to larger needles (DPNs or magic loop).

With RS facing, beginning at center of underarm CO, pick up and knit 5 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts along first half of underarm,
knit across sleeve sts,
pick up and knit 5 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts along remaining underarm,
pm for BOR (center underarm).

Sleeve sts: 72 (74, 76, 82, 84) sts.
Validation: 62 + 10 = 72 ✓ (64+10=74, 66+10=76, 70+12=82, 72+12=84) ✓

Knit 1 rnd even, picking up any extra leg or tightening gaps at underarm corners with the tapestry needle later if needed.

Shape sleeve
Work in St st, decreasing as follows:

Dec rnd: K1, k2tog, knit to 3 sts before BOR marker, ssk, k1.
(2 sts decreased.)

Work Dec rnd every 7th (6th, 7th, 6th, 6th) round
16 (17, 16, 19, 18) times total.

Sts remaining: 40 (40, 44, 44, 48) sts.
Validation examples:
S: 72 − (2 × 16) = 72 − 32 = 40 ✓
M: 74 − (2 × 17) = 74 − 34 = 40 ✓
L: 76 − (2 × 16) = 76 − 32 = 44 ✓
XL: 82 − (2 × 19) = 82 − 38 = 44 ✓
2XL: 84 − (2 × 18) = 84 − 36 = 48 ✓

Continue even (if needed) until sleeve measures
16 (16, 16½, 16½, 17)" / 40.5 (40.5, 42, 42, 43) cm from underarm, or 2" / 5 cm less than desired total sleeve length.

Cuff
Change to smaller needle.
Ribbing rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
(40, 40, 44, 44, 48 are multiples of 4 ✓.)

Work ribbing for 2" / 5 cm.
BO loosely in pattern.

Rep for second sleeve.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends securely on WS.
2. Close any small underarm gaps with mattress stitch or tapestry needle.
3. Block gently: soak in lukewarm water with wool wash, squeeze (do not wring), roll in towel, and lay flat to measurements. Pat the cowl into a soft drape; do not stretch the ribbing aggressively.
4. Steam lightly if desired once dry (avoid pressing ribbing flat).

Wear & Customize

• Cowl: Scrunch for bulk and warmth, fold once for a cleaner line, or leave tall.
• Length: Easy to lengthen body or sleeves before the ribbing—try on!
• Fit: For a roomier oversized look, knit one size up or add ½–1" extra plain yoke depth.
• Neck comfort: If your gauge is tight, go up one needle size for the cowl only.

Schematic (text)

        [======== 8" cowl ========]
              \   yoke   /
               \_______/  ← underarms
              |         |
              |  body   |  16–18" incl. hem
              |_________|
         ____/           \____
        | sleeve |     | sleeve |
         \______/       \______/  ~18" incl. cuff

Beginner Checklist

• [ ] Gauge matched (20 sts = 4")
• [ ] Cowl 8" and comfortable when tried over head
• [ ] 22 (24, 26, 28, 30) increase rounds counted
• [ ] Yoke depth tried on before dividing
• [ ] Underarm CO 10 (10, 10, 12, 12) each side
• [ ] Body & sleeve lengths tried on before ribbing
• [ ] Bind-offs stretchy
• [ ] Blocked flat

Congratulations! You’ve made a cozy cowl-neck sweater from the top down. Soft yarn and that generous cowl are the stars—enjoy wearing it.