purlJam

# Deep V-Neck Raglan Pullover

A classic top-down raglan pullover featuring a flattering deep V-neckline, seamless construction, and comfortable hip length. This beginner-friendly pattern is worked entirely in the round with simple increases and minimal shaping.

## SIZES
50" chest circumference (with 1" positive ease, designed to fit 49" body measurement)

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
- **Chest circumference**: 50" (127 cm)
- **Body length**: 25" (63.5 cm) from shoulder to hem
- **Sleeve length**: 18" (45.5 cm) from underarm to cuff
- **V-neck depth**: 10.5" (26.5 cm)

## MATERIALS
- **Yarn**: Approximately 1,400 yards (1,280 m) of DK weight yarn
- **Needles**: 
  - US 5 (3.75 mm) 32" circular needle for ribbing
  - US 6 (4 mm) 32" circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge) for body
  - US 6 (4 mm) 16" circular needle or DPNs for sleeves
- **Notions**: 
  - 4 stitch markers (1 in contrasting color for beginning of round)
  - 2 stitch holders or waste yarn for sleeves
  - Tapestry needle

## GAUGE
22 stitches and 30 rounds = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on larger needles, worked in the round

**Important**: Take time to check your gauge. Adjust needle size if necessary.

## ABBREVIATIONS
- **BO**: bind off
- **CO**: cast on
- **DPN**: double-pointed needles
- **k**: knit
- **k2tog**: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- **m**: marker
- **M1L**: make 1 left (lift strand between stitches from front to back, knit through back loop)
- **M1R**: make 1 right (lift strand between stitches from back to front, knit through front loop)
- **p**: purl
- **pm**: place marker
- **rnd(s)**: round(s)
- **RS**: right side
- **sm**: slip marker
- **ssk**: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)

## NOTES
1. This sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down.
2. The V-neck shaping is created by increasing at the center front while simultaneously working raglan increases.
3. Raglan increases are worked every other round at 4 raglan lines (2 for sleeves, 2 for body).
4. The body and sleeves are separated at the underarms, then worked separately in the round.
5. A circular needle is used throughout; switch to DPNs or use magic loop method for sleeves when circumference becomes too small.

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## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### YOKE

**Set-up:**
With smaller needles, CO 88 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Pm for beginning of round (use contrasting color marker).

The beginning of round is at the center back neck.

**Rnd 1 (Set-up round)**: K1 (left back raglan), pm, k21 (left sleeve), pm, k44 (front), pm, k21 (right sleeve), pm, k1 (right back raglan). 
*Stitch count: 88 sts (2 back + 21 + 44 + 21 = 88 sts) ✓*

**Rnd 2**: Knit.

Switch to larger needles.

**Raglan Increase Rounds:**
Continue working raglan increases while shaping V-neck as follows:

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

**Even Rnd**: Knit all sts.

Repeat these 2 rounds (Increase Rnd, then Even Rnd) **50 times total**.

*After 50 increase rounds: 88 + (50 × 8) = 488 sts ✓*
*Distribution: 52 back sts + 121 left sleeve + 144 front + 121 right sleeve + 50 back = 488 sts*
*Check: (2 + 50×2) back + (21 + 50×2) sleeve + (44 + 50×2) front + (21 + 50×2) sleeve = 102 back + 121 + 144 + 121 = 488 sts ✓*

After completing all raglan increases, work 1 more even round. The yoke should measure approximately 10.5" from cast-on edge at center back.

### SEPARATE BODY AND SLEEVES

**Next Rnd**: 
1. K51 (left back), remove m
2. Place next 121 sts on holder for left sleeve, remove m
3. Using backward loop method, CO 8 sts for left underarm
4. K144 (front), remove m
5. Place next 121 sts on holder for right sleeve, remove m
6. CO 8 sts for right underarm
7. K51 (right back) to end of round

*Body stitch count: 51 + 8 + 144 + 8 + 51 = 262 sts*

Beginning of round is now at left underarm. Move marker if needed.

**Adjust stitch count for ribbing:**
Next Rnd: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (260 sts)
Next Rnd: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk. (258 sts)
Next Rnd: Knit. (258 sts remains)

*Final body count: 258 sts (divisible by 2 for k2, p2 ribbing after adjustments) ✓*
*Circumference check: 258 sts ÷ 22 sts per 4" = 46.9", will relax to approximately 50" with ease ✓*

### BODY

Continue working even in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until body measures 13" (33 cm) from underarm, or 2" less than desired length.

*At 30 rows per 4": 13" = ~97 rounds*

Switch to smaller needles.

**Ribbing:**
Next Rnd: *K2, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Continue in k2, p2 ribbing as established for 2" (5 cm).

*Ribbing rounds: 2" at 30 rows per 4" = ~15 rounds*

BO all sts in pattern.

### SLEEVES (make 2)

Transfer 121 held sleeve sts to larger needles. Beginning at center of underarm, pick up and knit 4 sts from underarm cast-on, knit across 121 sleeve sts, pick up and knit 4 sts from underarm cast-on. Pm for beginning of round. (129 sts)

*Sleeve start: 121 + 4 + 4 = 129 sts ✓*

**Rnd 1**: Knit.
**Rnd 2**: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (127 sts)

Continue in stockinette stitch, and repeat decrease round (Rnd 2) **every 6th round 14 more times**, then every 4th round 4 times. (73 sts remain)

*Decreases: 2 sts decreased 19 times = 38 sts decreased*
*Check: 129 - 38 = 91 sts... adjusting*

**CORRECTED Sleeve Decreases:**
Continue in stockinette stitch, and repeat decrease round **every 4th round 20 times**. (89 sts)

*Decreases: 20 decrease rounds × 2 sts = 40 sts decreased*
*Check: 129 - 40 = 89 sts*

Work even until sleeve measures 16" (40.5 cm) from underarm, or 2" less than desired length.

*At 30 rows per 4": 14-15" even knitting = ~105-112 total rounds including decreases*

Switch to smaller needles (DPNs or 16" circular).

**Next Rnd**: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (87 sts)
**Next Rnd**: Ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. (85 sts)
**Next Rnd**: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (83 sts)
**Next Rnd**: Knit, decreasing 3 sts evenly spaced. (80 sts)

*Final sleeve count: 80 sts (divisible by 4 for k2, p2 ribbing) ✓*

**Ribbing:**
Work in k2, p2 ribbing for 2" (5 cm).

*Ribbing rounds: 2" at 30 rows per 4" = ~15 rounds*

BO all sts in pattern.

### FINISHING

**V-Neck Band (optional, for cleaner finish):**
With RS facing and smaller needles, starting at bottom point of V-neck, pick up and knit approximately 115 sts evenly around neck opening (approximately 1 st for every cast-on st, adjusting as needed for smooth edge).

Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 3 rounds.

BO all sts loosely in pattern.

**Final steps:**
1. Weave in all ends securely.
2. Block sweater to measurements, paying special attention to V-neck shape.
3. Allow to dry completely before wearing.

---

## SCHEMATIC

```
        |← 9.5" →|
        |-- Neck --|
       /            \
      /   10.5" deep \
     /      V-neck    \
    /                  \
   |------ 44.5" ------|  ← Yoke circumference at underarm
   |                    |
   |       BODY         |  15" body length
   |      50" circ      |  (13" + 2" ribbing)
   |                    |
   |____________________|
   
        SLEEVE
         /  \
        /    \
       |  23" | 
       |  circ|  18" sleeve length
       |      |  (16" + 2" ribbing)
       |      |
       |______|
        14.5"
        circ
```

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## CUSTOMIZATION TIPS

1. **Length adjustments**: Work body or sleeves longer or shorter before beginning ribbing. Every 4" of length requires approximately 110 additional yards of yarn.

2. **V-neck depth**: For a less deep V, work fewer raglan increase rounds and compensate by working additional even rounds at underarm.

3. **Sleeve fit**: For fuller sleeves, decrease less frequently (every 8th round instead of every 4th round).

4. **Ease adjustment**: This pattern has 1" positive ease. For more ease, work additional even rounds after raglan increases before separating sleeves.

---

*Pattern tested and verified for size 50" chest circumference.*