purlJam

# Cozy Top-Down Raglan Pullover for Kids
### A Beginner-Friendly Seamless Jumper (Size 6 / Age 5)

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## SKILL LEVEL
**Beginner** — If you can knit, purl, increase (M1), and knit in the round, you can make this sweater!

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## SIZE
**Size 6 (suitable for most 5-year-olds)**
- Finished chest: 28" (71 cm)
- Recommended ease: 2" positive (fits a child with ~26" chest)
- Finished body length (underarm to hem): 9" (23 cm)
- Total length (shoulder to hem): approx. 16" (40.5 cm)
- Sleeve length (underarm to cuff): 12" (30.5 cm)

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Worsted weight (CYC #4), machine-washable
- Approx. 700–800 yds (640–730 m)
- Recommended: superwash merino, cotton blend, or soft acrylic
- Sample uses one solid color; great for stash-busting

**Needles:**
- US 8 / 5 mm — 16" and 24" or 32" circular needles
- US 8 / 5 mm — DPNs or for Magic Loop (sleeves)
- US 7 / 4.5 mm — 16" circular and DPNs (for ribbing)

**Notions:**
- 4 stitch markers (1 unique for beginning of round)
- 2 stitch holders or scrap yarn
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors

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## GAUGE
**18 sts × 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)** in stockinette stitch in the round on US 8 / 5 mm needles, after blocking.
**Take time to check gauge — it matters for fit!**

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## ABBREVIATIONS (US)
- **CO** — cast on
- **k** — knit
- **p** — purl
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **M1** — make 1 (lift bar between sts and knit through back loop)
- **pm** — place marker
- **sm** — slip marker
- **BOR** — beginning of round
- **rnd(s)** — round(s)
- **k2tog** — knit 2 together
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side

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## CONSTRUCTION NOTES
This pullover is worked seamlessly from the top down. You'll cast on at the neck, work raglan increases to shape the yoke, separate the sleeves from the body, work the body in the round to the hem, and finish each sleeve in the round down to the cuff. No seaming required!

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## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### NECKBAND
With smaller (US 7 / 4.5 mm) 16" circular needle, **CO 72 sts**. Place unique marker for BOR and join in the round, being careful not to twist.

**Rnds 1–6:** *K1, p1* around (1×1 ribbing).

*Math check: 72 sts ÷ 2 = 36 ribs ✓. Stretches to ~17" — fits comfortably over a 5-year-old's head.*

### SET-UP ROUND (Establish Raglan Markers)
Switch to larger (US 8 / 5 mm) 16" circular needle.

**Set-up rnd:** K11 (left back), pm, k1 (raglan), pm, k14 (left sleeve), pm, k1 (raglan), pm, k20 (front), pm, k1 (raglan), pm, k14 (right sleeve), pm, k1 (raglan), pm, k10 to BOR. *(72 sts)*

*Section check: 11 + 1 + 14 + 1 + 20 + 1 + 14 + 1 + 10 = 72 ✓*
*(Back is split: 10 sts before BOR + 11 sts after = 21 back sts total)*

### YOKE (Raglan Increases)

**Increase Round:** *K to 1 st before marker, M1, k1, sm, k1, M1; repeat from * 3 more times, k to end. **(+8 sts)**

**Plain Round:** Knit all sts.

**Repeat these 2 rounds a total of 9 times** (18 rounds worked, 9 increase rounds).

*Math check: 72 + (9 × 8) = 72 + 72 = **144 sts** ✓*

**Stitch distribution after yoke:**
- Back: 21 + (9 × 2) = 39 sts
- Each sleeve: 14 + (9 × 2) = 32 sts
- Front: 20 + (9 × 2) = 38 sts
- 4 raglan sts (1 each)
- Total: 39 + 32 + 38 + 32 + 4 = 145... 

*Recount: Back is 10+11=21, +18 = 39. Front 20+18=38. Sleeves 14+18=32 each. Raglans 4. Total = 39+38+32+32+4 = **145**.*

*Correction — back should be 10+11 +9 inc each side neighboring raglan = +18 only if both sides border raglans. Back has 1 raglan on each side, so back gains 18 sts (9 each round split as 9 from left raglan on right side and 9 from right raglan on left side... but each inc round adds 1 st to each side of each raglan, so back gains 2 sts per inc round = 18 total). 21+18=39 ✓. Same for front: 20+18=38 ✓. Sleeves: 14+18=32 ✓. Plus 4 raglan = 39+38+32+32+4= 145. Hmm — there's an off-by-one in setup.*

**Corrected setup:** Re-do as: K10, pm, k1, pm, k14, pm, k1, pm, k20, pm, k1, pm, k14, pm, k1, pm, k10 to BOR = 10+1+14+1+20+1+14+1+10 = 72 ✓. Back total = 10+10 = 20.

After 9 inc rounds: Back 20+18=38, Front 20+18=38, Sleeves 14+18=32, Raglans 4. Total = 38+38+32+32+4 = **144 sts** ✓

**Please use this corrected set-up:**

### CORRECTED SET-UP ROUND
**Set-up rnd:** K10, pm, k1, pm, k14, pm, k1, pm, k20, pm, k1, pm, k14, pm, k1, pm, k10 to BOR. *(72 sts)*

Yoke depth after 18 rounds at 24 rnds/4" = 18 ÷ 24 × 4 = **3"**. 

Continue plain rounds until yoke measures **6"** from cast-on (about 3 more inches of plain knitting).

*Note: Total armhole depth from underarm separation to shoulder will be ~6", appropriate for age 5.*

### DIVIDE FOR BODY AND SLEEVES

**Dividing rnd:**
1. Knit across back (38 sts) and the next raglan st (39 sts total).
2. Place next 32 sleeve sts on holder/scrap yarn.
3. Using backward-loop or e-wrap, **CO 4 underarm sts**.
4. Knit next raglan st, knit across front (38 sts), knit next raglan st (40 sts).
5. Place next 32 sleeve sts on holder/scrap yarn.
6. CO 4 underarm sts.
7. Knit to BOR.

**Body total:** 39 + 4 + 40 + 4 = **87 sts**... 

*Final body math: back 38 + 1 raglan = 39, +4 underarm CO = 43; front with 2 raglans 1+38+1 = 40, +4 underarm CO = 44. Total = 43 + 44 = 87. Hmm.*

*Correcting distribution to ensure even body: Back including both flanking raglans = 1+38+1 = 40. Front including both flanking raglans = 1+38+1 = 40. But raglans were only 4 total — they go to whichever side. Standard practice: raglan sts join the body, split evenly.*

**Simplified body count after separation:**
- Back sts (incl. flanking raglans): 40
- Front sts (incl. flanking raglans): 40
- Underarm CO: 4 + 4 = 8
- **Total body: 88 sts**

*Wait — that double-counts raglans. Let me state cleanly: Total yoke = 144. Remove 32 + 32 sleeve sts = 144 − 64 = 80 body sts. Add 8 underarm CO = **88 body sts** ✓*

### BODY
Place BOR marker at center of one underarm CO.

Working in the round on larger needle, knit every round until body measures **7.5"** (19 cm) from underarm.

Switch to smaller (US 7 / 4.5 mm) needle.

**Hem ribbing:** *K1, p1* around for 1.5" (4 cm).

**Bind off** loosely in pattern.

*88 sts ÷ 2 = 44 ribs — even ✓*

### SLEEVES (make 2 alike)

Transfer 32 held sleeve sts to larger DPNs or for Magic Loop.

With RS facing, join yarn at center of underarm. Pick up and knit 2 sts from underarm CO, knit across 32 sleeve sts, pick up and knit 2 sts from remaining underarm CO. **(36 sts)**

Place BOR marker. Join in the round.

Knit 8 rounds plain.

**Decrease rnd:** K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. **(−2 sts)**

Repeat decrease rnd every **8 rounds**, 4 more times. **(36 − 10 = 26 sts)**

*Math check: 36 → 34 → 32 → 30 → 28 → 26 ✓ (5 decrease rounds total)*

Continue knitting plain until sleeve measures **10.5"** (26.5 cm) from underarm.

Switch to smaller DPNs.

**Cuff ribbing:** *K1, p1* around for 1.5" (4 cm).

**Bind off** loosely in pattern.

*26 sts ÷ 2 = 13 ribs — even ✓*

Repeat for second sleeve.

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## FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends with tapestry needle.
2. Soak the sweater in lukewarm water with a wool wash for 15–20 minutes.
3. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring).
4. Lay flat on a towel, shape to measurements, and allow to dry completely.

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS
This sweater is designed with **machine-washable yarn** for easy parent-friendly care! Wash on a gentle cycle in cold water and lay flat to dry to keep it looking great wash after wash.

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## SCHEMATIC SUMMARY

| Measurement | Inches | cm |
|---|---|---|
| Chest (finished) | 28" | 71 |
| Body length (underarm to hem) | 9" | 23 |
| Yoke depth | 6" | 15 |
| Total length | ~16" | ~40.5 |
| Sleeve length | 12" | 30.5 |
| Upper arm circumference | 8" | 20.5 |
| Cuff circumference | ~5.75" | 14.5 |
| Neck circumference | ~16" | 40.5 |

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## FINAL VALIDATION CHECKS
- ✅ Cast on 72 sts → 144 sts after yoke (72 + 8×9 = 144)
- ✅ Body sts: 144 − 64 (sleeves) + 8 (underarm CO) = 88 sts
- ✅ Sleeve sts: 32 + 4 picked up = 36 sts → 26 sts at cuff
- ✅ Body length: 7.5" stockinette + 1.5" rib = 9" ✓
- ✅ Sleeve length: 10.5" stockinette + 1.5" rib = 12" ✓
- ✅ Yoke depth ~6" appropriate for size 6
- ✅ All ribbing counts are even multiples of 2

**Happy knitting!** 🧶