Type
Knitting
Difficulty
intermediate
Category
pullover
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Design Strategy**: The goal is a beginner-friendly, seamless, top-down raglan pullover for an 18-inch doll (like American Girl). Key design constraints: size 6 (4.0mm) needles, no buttons, and easy construction. Because doll heads are disproportionately large (approx. 12" circumference), the neck opening must be wide and stretchy to function as a pullover without fasteners.
2. **Construction Plan**:
* **Neck**: Ribbed start in the round.
* **Yoke**: Raglan increases (M1L/M1R) to create the diagonal seams and widen the piece for the shoulders.
* **Separation**: Sleeves placed on waste yarn; body worked in the round.
* **Sleeves**: Worked in the round from the underarm down to the cuff.
3. **Quality Assurance**:
* **Fit**: 18-inch dolls typically have an 11-12" chest. A target circumference of 12-13" provides "Standard" ease.
* **Ease of Access**: Using a stretchy cast-on (like Long Tail or German Twisted) is vital so the sweater fits over the doll's head.
* **Math**: I will verify that the stitch counts at each stage align with the target dimensions based on a DK gauge (5.5 sts/inch).
4. **Final Calculations**:
* **Gauge**: 22 sts = 4" (5.5 sts per inch) in stockinette on US 6.
* **Cast on**: 60 sts (approx. 10.9" circumference, stretches to 13"+).
* **Distribution**: Back (18), Sleeve (10), Front (18), Sleeve (10), plus 4 raglan stitches.
* **Yoke**: 6 increase rounds (48 sts added) = 108 sts total.
* **Separation**: Body (64 sts), Sleeves (22 sts each).
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**: Includes Materials, Gauge, Neck, Yoke, Body, and Sleeves.
2. **Consistency**:
* Start: 60 sts.
* Increases: 8 sts per inc round. 6 inc rounds = 48 added sts.
* Total after yoke: 108 sts.
* Body: 30 (front) + 30 (back) + 4 (underarms) = 64 sts.
* Sleeves: 22 (held) + 2 (underarm) = 24 sts each.
* Total check: 64 body + 24 sleeve + 24 sleeve - 4 underarms = 108. (Correct).
3. **Constraints**: Size 6 needles used, 18-inch doll proportions met, seamless/no buttons.
4. **Safety**: Raglan lines are clearly marked to prevent beginner confusion.
Pattern
# Easy Seamless Raglan Doll Pullover
**Difficulty Level**: Beginner
**Size**: Fits standard 18-inch dolls (e.g., American Girl)
**Construction**: Top-down Raglan
### Materials
* **Yarn**: Approximately 100 yards of DK weight (Category 3) yarn.
* **Needles**: US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles (16" length) or Double Pointed Needles (DPNs).
* **Notions**: 4 stitch markers (one of a different color for Start of Round), waste yarn or stitch holders, tapestry needle.
### Specifications
* **Gauge**: 22 sts and 30 rounds = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 6 needles.
* **Finished Chest**: Approx. 12 inches (30.5 cm).
* **Finished Length**: Approx. 6 inches (15 cm).
---
### Abbreviations
* **CO**: Cast on
* **K**: Knit
* **P**: Purl
* **PM**: Place marker
* **SM**: Slip marker
* **M1L**: Make 1 Left (Increase)
* **M1R**: Make 1 Right (Increase)
* **St(s)**: Stitch(es)
* **K2tog**: Knit 2 stitches together (Decrease)
---
### Instructions
#### 1. Neckline
Using a stretchy method (like the Long Tail Cast-on), **CO 60 sts**. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. PM for start of round.
* **Rounds 1-4**: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end of round (1x1 Ribbing).
#### 2. Yoke Setup
In this round, we place markers to define the Back, Sleeves, and Front.
* **Setup Round**:
* K18 (Back), PM.
* K1, PM, K10 (Sleeve), PM, K1.
* PM, K18 (Front), PM.
* K1, PM, K10 (Sleeve), PM, K1.
* *(Note: The 4 single knit stitches between markers are the Raglan Stitches).*
#### 3. Raglan Increases
* **Round 1 (Increase Round)**: *K to marker, M1R, SM, K1 (Raglan St), SM, M1L; repeat from * three more times, K to end. (8 sts increased; 68 sts total).
* **Round 2**: Knit all stitches, slipping markers as you come to them.
* **Repeat Rounds 1 & 2** five more times.
* **[Technical Validation]**: 6 total increase rounds conducted. (60 starting sts + 48 increased sts = 108 sts total).
* *Back/Front sections now have 30 sts each.*
* *Sleeve sections now have 22 sts each.*
* *Raglan stitches remain 4 sts.*
#### 4. Separate Sleeves from Body
* **Separation Round**:
1. Knit across Back (30 sts). Remove raglan markers.
2. Place next 22 sts (Sleeve) on waste yarn.
3. CO 2 sts for underarm using backward loop method.
4. Knit across Front (30 sts). Remove raglan markers.
5. Place next 22 sts (Sleeve) on waste yarn.
6. CO 2 sts for underarm.
* **Total Body Stitches**: 64 sts.
#### 5. Body
* Work in Stockinette Stitch (Knit every round) until the piece measures 4.5 inches from the cast-on edge (or 1.5 inches less than desired total length).
* **Hem Ribbing**: Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 1 inch.
* Bind off loosely in pattern.
#### 6. Sleeves
* Transfer 22 held sts from waste yarn to needles/DPNs.
* Join yarn at the center of the underarm. Pick up and knit 1 st from the underarm cast-on, knit the 22 sleeve sts, then pick up and knit 1 st from the other side of the underarm. (24 sts total).
* PM for start of round.
* **Round 1**: Knit.
* **Round 2 (Decrease Round)**: K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. (22 sts).
* Continue in Stockinette Stitch until sleeve measures 3.5 inches from underarm.
* **Cuff Ribbing**: Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 4 rounds.
* Bind off loosely. Repeat for the second sleeve.
---
### Finishing
* Weave in all ends on the inside of the garment.
* Steam block lightly to smooth out the raglan lines, being careful not to melt synthetic fibers if using acrylic yarn.
Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk
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