Longline V-Neck Raglan Cardigan

Seamless top-down handknit cardigan

Skill level: Intermediate

A long, open V-neck cardigan worked in one piece from the neck down. Four raglan lines shape the yoke; the V is formed with paired neck-edge increases. Sleeves are set aside at the underarm, the body continues to a ribbed hem, then the sleeves are knit in the round. Button bands are picked up along both fronts and the back neck.

Sizes

Women’s 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

Instructions are written for Small, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. Choose a size with 2–4" (5–10 cm) of positive ease.

Finished measurements

Measured after blocking, with fronts buttoned (bands overlap).

Intended ease: 2–4" (5–10 cm) positive. The longline body is meant to fall to mid-thigh.

Yarn

Worsted weight (CYC #4), 1200 (1400, 1600, 1800, 2050) yards / 1100 (1280, 1460, 1650, 1875) m.

A wool or wool-blend worsted with good stitch definition and memory is ideal. Allow one extra skein if your yarn is lighter than 200 yards / 100 g or if you lengthen the body.

Needles

• US 7 / 4.5 mm, 32–40" (80–100 cm) circular, or size needed to obtain gauge
• US 6 / 4 mm, 32–40" (80–100 cm) circular, for ribbing
• US 7 / 4.5 mm and US 6 / 4 mm double-pointed needles, or a long circular for magic loop, for sleeves

The body is worked flat on the circular needle; do not join.

Notions

• 4 stitch markers
• Waste yarn or stitch holders
• Tapestry needle
• 7 buttons, ¾" / 19 mm diameter

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on larger needles, blocked.

Gauge swatch

With larger needle, cast on 28 stitches. Work in stockinette stitch flat (knit RS, purl WS) for 5" (12.5 cm). Bind off. Wet-block and let dry. In the center of the swatch, count stitches and rows over 4" (10 cm).

This garment is worked flat through the yoke and body, so swatch flat. Gauge is critical for fit: 1 stitch off over 4" changes the bust by about 2". Change needle size to match gauge before you begin.

Notes

• Worked flat from the neck down as a cardigan (open front). Sleeves are worked in the round.
• RS rows begin at the right front (as worn) and end at the left front.
• Two stitches at each front edge are worked in garter stitch (knit every row) for a firm, easy-to-pick-up selvedge. V-neck increases are made just inside these 2 stitches.
• Raglan increases use M1L before each marker and M1R after each marker (8 stitches every RS row in Phase 1). Phase 2 increases only the body (4 stitches every RS row) so the sleeves do not overgrow.
• V-neck increases are worked every 4th row a set number of times, then the neck edges are worked even.
• Women’s button convention: buttonholes on the right front as worn.
• Slip markers as you come to them.

Abbreviations

BO — bind off CO — cast on k — knit k2tog — knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease) M1L — make 1 left: insert left needle from front to back under the strand between stitches, knit through the back loop M1R — make 1 right: insert left needle from back to front under the strand between stitches, knit through the front loop p — purl pm — place marker rep — repeat rnd(s) — round(s) RS — right side sm — slip marker ssk — slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease) st(s) — stitch(es) St st — stockinette stitch WS — wrong side wyib — with yarn in back yo — yarn over

Pattern

Yoke

With larger circular needle and a stretchy method (long-tail or German twisted), CO 48 (50, 56, 58, 64) sts. Do not join. Work back and forth.

Setup Row (WS): K2, p2, pm, p6 (6, 8, 8, 10), pm, p28 (30, 32, 34, 36), pm, p6 (6, 8, 8, 10), pm, p2, k2.

Stitch map, RS beginning at right front: Right Front 4, Right Sleeve 6 (6, 8, 8, 10), Back 28 (30, 32, 34, 36), Left Sleeve 6 (6, 8, 8, 10), Left Front 4. (4 + 6 + 28 + 6 + 4 = 48 ✓; 4 + 6 + 30 + 6 + 4 = 50 ✓; 4 + 8 + 32 + 8 + 4 = 56 ✓; 4 + 8 + 34 + 8 + 4 = 58 ✓; 4 + 10 + 36 + 10 + 4 = 64 ✓)

The 2 stitches at each end are the garter selvedge and are included in the front counts.

Phase A — V-neck + full raglan increases

Row 1 (RS, V-inc + raglan-inc): K2, M1L, *knit to marker, M1L, sm, M1R; rep from * 3 more times, knit to last 2 sts, M1R, k2. (+10 sts: 8 raglan + 2 V-neck)

Row 2 (WS): K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 3 (RS, raglan-inc only): K2, *knit to marker, M1L, sm, M1R; rep from * 3 more times, knit to last 2 sts, k2. (+8 sts)

Row 4 (WS): K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.

Rep Rows 1–4 a total of 9 (10, 11, 12, 13) times. 36 (40, 44, 48, 52) rows worked; 9 (10, 11, 12, 13) V-neck increases complete on each front.

210 (230, 254, 274, 298) sts. Distribution: Right Front 31 (34, 37, 40, 43), Sleeve 42 (46, 52, 56, 62), Back 64 (70, 76, 82, 88), Sleeve 42 (46, 52, 56, 62), Left Front 31 (34, 37, 40, 43). (S: 4 + 9 V + 18 raglan = 31 each front; 6 + 36 = 42 each sleeve; 28 + 36 = 64 back; 31+42+64+42+31 = 210 ✓)

V-neck shaping is now finished. Work remaining raglan increases with the neck edges even (k2 selvedge only).

Phase B — full raglan increases, neck even

Next RS (raglan-inc): K2, *knit to marker, M1L, sm, M1R; rep from * 3 more times, knit to last 2 sts, k2. (+8 sts)

Next WS: K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.

Rep the last 2 rows 6 (6, 6, 7, 8) more times — 7 (7, 7, 8, 9) raglan-inc RS rows in this phase.

266 (286, 310, 338, 370) sts. Distribution: Right Front 38 (41, 44, 48, 52), Sleeve 56 (60, 66, 72, 80), Back 78 (84, 90, 98, 106), Sleeve 56 (60, 66, 72, 80), Left Front 38 (41, 44, 48, 52). (S: 31+7 = 38 fronts; 42+14 = 56 sleeves; 64+14 = 78 back; 38+56+78+56+38 = 266 ✓) Sleeve stitch count is now at target. Stop increasing the sleeves.

Phase C — body-only raglan increases

Increase only on the body side of each marker (fronts and back). Sleeves are worked even.

Body-inc Row (RS): K2, knit to marker, M1L, sm, knit across sleeve to next marker, sm, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, sm, knit across sleeve to next marker, sm, M1R, knit to last 2 sts, k2. (+4 sts: 1 each front, 2 on the back)

WS: K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.

Rep the last 2 rows 4 (5, 7, 7, 8) more times — 5 (6, 8, 8, 9) body-inc RS rows.

286 (310, 342, 370, 406) sts. Distribution: Right Front 43 (47, 52, 56, 61), Sleeve 56 (60, 66, 72, 80), Back 88 (96, 106, 114, 124), Sleeve 56 (60, 66, 72, 80), Left Front 43 (47, 52, 56, 61). (S: 38+5 = 43 fronts; sleeves unchanged at 56; 78+10 = 88 back; 4 start + 9 V + 30 raglan = 43 each front ✓; 28 + 2×30 = 88 back ✓; 6 + 2×25 = 56 sleeves ✓) (M: 4+10+33 = 47 fronts ✓; 30+66 = 96 back ✓; 6+54 = 60 sleeves ✓) (L: 4+11+37 = 52 fronts ✓; 32+74 = 106 back ✓; 8+58 = 66 sleeves ✓) (XL: 4+12+40 = 56 fronts ✓; 34+80 = 114 back ✓; 8+64 = 72 sleeves ✓) (2XL: 4+13+44 = 61 fronts ✓; 36+88 = 124 back ✓; 10+70 = 80 sleeves ✓)

Yoke measures about 8½ (9½, 10½, 11½, 12½)" / 21.5 (24, 26.5, 29, 32) cm from the cast-on edge at the back neck. If you need a slightly deeper armhole, work extra even rows (k2, St st, k2) here before dividing, keeping the same stitch counts.

Divide body and sleeves

Dividing Row (RS): K2, knit 41 (45, 50, 54, 59) (these 43 (47, 52, 56, 61) sts are the right front), slip next 56 (60, 66, 72, 80) sleeve sts onto waste yarn, removing markers, cable-CO 8 (10, 10, 12, 12) underarm sts, knit 88 (96, 106, 114, 124) back sts, slip next 56 (60, 66, 72, 80) sleeve sts onto waste yarn, removing markers, cable-CO 8 (10, 10, 12, 12) underarm sts, knit to last 2 sts, k2.

190 (210, 230, 250, 270) body sts. (43+8+88+8+43 = 190 ✓; 47+10+96+10+47 = 210 ✓; 52+10+106+10+52 = 230 ✓; 56+12+114+12+56 = 250 ✓; 61+12+124+12+61 = 270 ✓)

WS: K2, purl to last 2 sts (including the new underarm sts), k2.

Body

Continue even in stockinette stitch with 2-st garter edges:

RS: Knit. WS: K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.

Work until the body measures 21 (21½, 22, 22½, 23)" / 53.5 (54.5, 56, 57, 58.5) cm from the underarm divide, ending with a WS row.

Hem ribbing

Change to smaller circular needle.

Rib Row: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

Work 1x1 rib until hem measures 2½" (6.5 cm).

BO loosely in rib. (A needle one size larger for the bind-off keeps the hem from drawing in.)

Body from underarm, including rib: 23½ (24, 24½, 25, 25½)" / 59.5 (61, 62, 63.5, 65) cm. Total length from back neck: 32 (33½, 35, 36½, 38)" / 81 (85, 89, 92.5, 96.5) cm.

Sleeves

Work both sleeves the same.

With larger DPNs or magic loop, RS facing, return the 56 (60, 66, 72, 80) held sleeve sts to needles. Beginning at the center of the underarm, pick up and knit 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts along the first half of the underarm CO, knit the sleeve sts, pick up and knit 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) sts along the remaining underarm CO. Place marker for beginning of round.

64 (70, 76, 84, 92) sts. (56+8 = 64 ✓; 60+10 = 70 ✓; 66+10 = 76 ✓; 72+12 = 84 ✓; 80+12 = 92 ✓)

If a small hole appears at either underarm corner, pick up 1 extra stitch there and k2tog on the next round to return to the count above.

Knit 6 rounds even.

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

Work Decrease Rnd every 8th (7th, 7th, 6th, 5th) round 12 (14, 16, 18, 21) times. 40 (42, 44, 48, 50) sts. (64 − 2×12 = 40 ✓; 70 − 2×14 = 42 ✓; 76 − 2×16 = 44 ✓; 84 − 2×18 = 48 ✓; 92 − 2×21 = 50 ✓)

Continue even in St st until the sleeve measures 15½ (16, 16½, 16½, 17)" / 39.5 (40.5, 42, 42, 43) cm from the underarm, or 2½" (6.5 cm) less than desired total sleeve length.

Cuff

Change to smaller DPNs / magic loop.

Work 1x1 rib (*k1, p1; rep from * around) for 2½" (6.5 cm).

BO loosely in rib.

Total sleeve length from underarm: 18 (18½, 19, 19, 19½)" / 45.5 (47, 48.5, 48.5, 49.5) cm.

Button bands and neckband

With smaller circular needle and RS facing, beginning at the right-front hem (as worn):

Pick up and knit 3 stitches for every 4 rows along the right front garter selvedge from hem to the original neck cast-on, pick up and knit 1 stitch per cast-on stitch across the back neck, then pick up and knit 3 stitches for every 4 rows down the left front selvedge to the hem.

Expected counts (adjust by 1 if needed so the row can begin and end with a knit stitch in 1x1 rib):

• Each front: about 168 (176, 184, 190, 200) sts
• Back neck: about 28 (30, 32, 34, 36) sts
• Total: about 364 (382, 400, 414, 436) sts

Row 1 (WS): *P1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1. (If your count is even, work *p1, k1; rep from * across.)

Row 2 (RS): Knit the knits and purl the purls.

Row 3 (WS): As Row 1.

Buttonhole row

Women’s cardigan: buttonholes on the right front (the first section of this band, from the hem up). Place 7 buttonholes between the hem and the base of the V (approximately underarm level — do not put buttons on the open V itself).

Row 4 (RS), buttonholes: Work in established 1x1 rib for 5 sts, [yo, k2tog, work 16 (17, 18, 19, 20) sts in rib] 6 times, yo, k2tog, work in rib to end of row (across remaining right front, back neck, and left front). Seven (yo, k2tog) buttonholes on the right front ✓. Lowest hole sits about ¾" / 2 cm from the hem; the highest sits near the base of the V; the six intervals are even.

If your pickup count differs, keep the first hole 5 sts from the hem edge and space the remaining 6 holes evenly over the stitches that run from that point to underarm level.

Rows 5–8: Work 4 more rows in 1x1 rib (WS, RS, WS, RS), knitting the yarn-overs through the back loop on Row 5 so the holes stay neat.

Band measures about 1¼" (3 cm).

BO loosely in rib.

Finishing

Weave in all ends, using tails at the underarms to close any remaining gaps.

Wet-block the cardigan to the finished measurements. Pin the fronts straight, open the V so both sides are even, and smooth the sleeves. Let dry completely.

Sew 7 buttons to the left front band, opposite the buttonholes.

Schematic (blocked)

                    back neck
                 5½ (6, 6½, 6¾, 7¼)"
              _____________
             /  V-neck     \
            /    yoke       \
           /  8½ (9½, 10½,   \
          /   11½, 12½)"      \
         |                     |
         |     bust, buttoned  |
         |  38 (42, 46, 50, 54)"|
         |                     |
         |     longline body   |
         |                     |
         |  total length       |
         |  32 (33½, 35,       |
         |      36½, 38)"      |
         |_____________________|

Sleeves from underarm: 18 (18½, 19, 19, 19½)"
Upper arm: 12¾ (14, 15¼, 16¾, 18½)"
Wrist:     8 (8½, 8¾, 9½, 10)"
Hem rib:   2½"     Cuff rib: 2½"     Band: 1¼"

Stitch-count checkpoints

Keep this card at the needle: