purlJam

# RECLAIMED YARN RAGLAN CARDIGAN

## DESIGN NOTES
This top-down seamless cardigan is perfect for using multiple colors of reclaimed yarn. The construction allows you to strategically place colors vertically rather than in horizontal stripes—try different colors for each front panel, the back, and sleeves. The top-down method lets you try on as you go and adjust length based on available yarn.

## SIZES
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL)

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
**Bust circumference**: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58)" / 86.5 (96.5, 106.5, 117, 127, 137, 147.5) cm
*Designed with 2-4" / 5-10 cm positive ease*

**Body length from underarm**: 14 (14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17)" / 35.5 (37, 38, 39.5, 40.5, 42, 43) cm

**Sleeve length from underarm**: 17 (17, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18, 18.5)" / 43 (43, 44.5, 44.5, 45.5, 45.5, 47) cm

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Approximately 900 (1000, 1200, 1350, 1500, 1700, 1900) yards / 825 (915, 1095, 1235, 1370, 1555, 1735) meters of worsted weight yarn
*Your reclaimed yarn from unraveled sweaters in multiple colors*

**Needles**: 
- US 7 (4.5mm) circular needle, 32" / 80 cm or longer for body
- US 7 (4.5mm) circular needle, 16" / 40 cm for sleeves, or DPNs
- US 6 (4mm) circular needle, 32" / 80 cm for button bands (optional, for tighter edge)

**Notions**: 
- Stitch markers (8 for raglan lines + 1 for BOR)
- Scrap yarn or stitch holders
- 6-8 buttons, ¾" / 19mm diameter
- Tapestry needle

## GAUGE
19 stitches × 26 rows = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on US 7 (4.5mm) needles, blocked

**CRITICAL**: Check your gauge with your reclaimed yarn. If yarns vary in thickness, test each and group similar gauges together.

## ABBREVIATIONS
- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- BOR: beginning of round
- m: marker
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker
- M1L: make 1 left (lift bar between sts from front to back, knit through back loop)
- M1R: make 1 right (lift bar between sts from back to front, knit through front loop)
- k2tog: knit 2 together
- ssk: slip, slip, knit (slip 2 sts knitwise, insert left needle through front, knit together)

## PATTERN NOTES

**Color Strategy for Avoiding Horizontal Stripes**:
- Color A: Right Front
- Color B: Back
- Color C: Left Front  
- Color D & E: Sleeves
- OR work random short sections (10-20 rows) in different colors for a speckled effect
- OR change colors at raglan lines for vertical color blocking

**Construction**: This cardigan is worked seamlessly from the top down. Begin at the neck, work raglan increases to the underarm, separate sleeves from body, then work body and sleeves separately to desired length.

**Raglan Increases**: Increases are worked every RS row at 4 raglan lines (8 sts increased per RS row). Mark increase positions clearly.

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### NECK SETUP

Using long-tail cast on and larger needles, CO 60 (64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84) sts.

**Setup Row (WS)**: P5 (right front), pm, p8 (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) [right sleeve], pm, p34 (36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46) [back], pm, p8 (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) [left sleeve], pm, p5 [left front].

*Stitch count verification: 5 + 8(9,10,11,12,13,14) + 34(36,38,40,42,44,46) + 8(9,10,11,12,13,14) + 5 = 60(64,68,72,76,80,84) sts ✓*

**This is an ideal place to begin new colors if working vertical color blocks.**

### RAGLAN INCREASES

**Increase Row (RS)**: K to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, k to 1 st before m, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L, k to end. *8 sts increased*

**Next Row (WS)**: Purl all sts.

Repeat these 2 rows **32 (34, 37, 40, 43, 46, 49)** more times.

*Total raglan increase rows: 33 (35, 38, 41, 44, 47, 50)*

After all increases are complete:
- Right Front: 38 (40, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55) sts
- Right Sleeve: 74 (79, 86, 93, 100, 107, 114) sts  
- Back: 100 (106, 114, 122, 130, 138, 146) sts
- Left Sleeve: 74 (79, 86, 93, 100, 107, 114) sts
- Left Front: 38 (40, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55) sts

*Total: 324 (344, 372, 400, 428, 456, 484) sts*

*Math check for size M: 43 + 86 + 114 + 86 + 43 = 372 sts ✓*

### SEPARATE SLEEVES FROM BODY

**Next Row (RS)**: K38 (40, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55) [right front], remove m, place next 74 (79, 86, 93, 100, 107, 114) sts [right sleeve] on scrap yarn or holder, remove m, CO 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts using backward loop cast on [underarm], pm for side, CO 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts [underarm], k100 (106, 114, 122, 130, 138, 146) [back], remove m, place next 74 (79, 86, 93, 100, 107, 114) sts [left sleeve] on scrap yarn or holder, remove m, CO 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts [underarm], pm for side, CO 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts [underarm], k38 (40, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55) [left front].

Body stitch count: 192 (212, 232, 256, 276, 300, 324) sts

*Math check for size L: 46 + 8 + 122 + 8 + 46 + 12 = 256 sts ✓*

### BODY

Continue working back and forth in stockinette stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) until body measures **14 (14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17)"** from underarm, or desired length.

**Optional waist shaping**: At 3" from underarm, decrease 4 sts evenly spaced across next RS row. Work even for 4", then increase 4 sts evenly spaced on next RS row.

Bind off all sts loosely.

### SLEEVES (make 2)

Transfer 74 (79, 86, 93, 100, 107, 114) held sleeve sts to US 7 needles.

**Setup Round**: Beginning at center underarm, pick up and knit 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts from underarm CO sts, k across 74 (79, 86, 93, 100, 107, 114) sleeve sts, pick up and knit 4 (4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts from remaining underarm CO sts, pm for BOR at center underarm.

Total sleeve sts: 82 (88, 96, 105, 112, 121, 128) sts

*Math check for size XL: 6 + 100 + 6 = 112 sts ✓*

Work even in stockinette stitch (knit every round) for 1".

**Decrease Round**: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. *2 sts decreased*

Repeat decrease round every 10 (8, 8, 7, 6, 5, 5) rounds **9 (11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18)** more times.

Sleeve sts after decreases: 62 (64, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90) sts

Continue even until sleeve measures **17 (17, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18, 18.5)"** from underarm, or desired length.

Bind off all sts loosely.

### BUTTON BANDS

**Right Front Band (for women; reverse for men)**:

With RS facing and smaller needles (or same size), pick up and knit approximately 3 sts for every 4 rows along right front edge, beginning at bottom hem and ending at neck edge.

*Pickup guideline: For 14" length at 26 rows/4", that's 91 rows × 0.75 = approximately 68-70 sts*

**Row 1 (WS)**: K all sts.
**Row 2 (RS)**: K all sts.
**Row 3**: K all sts.

Bind off knitwise on WS.

**Left Front Band with Buttonholes**:

Pick up sts as for right front band.

**Row 1 (WS)**: K all sts.
**Row 2 (RS - Buttonhole row)**: K3, *bind off 3 sts, k until there are 9 (10, 10, 11, 11, 12, 12) sts on right needle after bind off; repeat from * 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7) more times, bind off 3 sts, k to end.
**Row 3 (WS)**: K, casting on 3 sts over each set of bound-off sts.

Bind off knitwise on WS.

*Adjust number and placement of buttonholes based on your body length and preference. Mark button placement after completing both bands.*

**Neck Band**:

With RS facing and smaller needles, beginning at top of right front band, pick up and knit approximately 60 (64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84) sts evenly around neck edge, ending at top of left front band.

**Row 1 (WS)**: K all sts.
**Row 2 (RS)**: K all sts.  
**Row 3**: K all sts.

Bind off knitwise on WS.

## FINISHING

Weave in all ends. Block to measurements, being gentle with cashmere sections. Use cooler water for mixed fibers. Pin out cardigan to open up lace or texture patterns. Allow to dry completely.

Sew buttons opposite buttonholes on right front band.

## CUSTOMIZATION TIPS FOR RECLAIMED YARN

1. **Yarn Auditing**: Wind all yarn into balls and weigh. Assign colors to sections based on yardage available.

2. **Color Transitions**: Change colors at raglan lines, underarms, or randomly every 10-20 rows for organic look.

3. **Gauge Variations**: If some yarn is slightly heavier, use for body; lighter yarn for sleeves.

4. **Length Adjustments**: Try on frequently. Stop body or sleeves when yarn runs low.

5. **Stripes Without Horizontal Lines**: Work vertical intarsia blocks, or alternate colors every 2 rows but carry unused color up side edge