purlJam

<pattern>

# SHADOW LINES RAGLAN SWEATER

**A sophisticated top-down raglan pullover featuring dramatic plunging V-neck, delicate eyelet raglan shaping, and bold argyle diamonds**

## DESIGN NOTES
This modern raglan pullover combines elegance with edge. Worked seamlessly from the top down, the sweater features a dramatic plunging V-neckline that flatters and elongates. Eyelet detailing traces the raglan lines and creates vertical side panels for a slimming effect. The argyle diamond pattern in teal and grey adds a contemporary geometric touch to the classic black base, appearing as a border at the hem and cuffs. The fitted silhouette with 0-1" positive ease creates a sleek, tailored look.

**Difficulty Level**: Intermediate  
**Skills Required**: Knitting in the round, increasing (M1L, M1R, yo), decreasing (ssk, k2tog), reading charts, basic stranded colorwork, duplicate stitch

---

## SIZES
Small (Medium, Large, XL, 2XL)

**Finished Bust Circumference**: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50)" / 86.5 (96.5, 106.5, 117, 127) cm  
*Designed for 0-1" positive ease*

**Sample shown**: Size Medium on 37" bust

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**:
- **MC (Black)**: 1200 (1350, 1500, 1700, 1900) yards fingering weight yarn
- **CC1 (Teal)**: 150 (175, 200, 225, 250) yards fingering weight yarn  
- **CC2 (Grey)**: 150 (175, 200, 225, 250) yards fingering weight yarn
- **Accent**: 400 (450, 500, 550, 600) yards lace weight suri silk (held together with MC for eyelet sections)

*Sample uses fingering weight merino/nylon blend and lace weight suri silk*

**Needles**:
- US 2 (2.75 mm): 16" and 32" circular needles, DPNs or long circular for magic loop (for ribbing)
- US 3 (3.25 mm): 16" and 32" circular needles, DPNs or long circular for magic loop (for body)
- Or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions**:
- 8 stitch markers (4 in one color for raglan lines, 4 in another for side eyelets)
- 2 locking stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Waste yarn or stitch holders
- Small amount of matching yarn for duplicate stitch

---

## GAUGE
**28 stitches × 36 rounds = 4" (10 cm)** in stockinette stitch with larger needles in MC only  
**26 stitches × 34 rounds = 4" (10 cm)** in stockinette stitch with MC + Accent held together

*Take time to check gauge. Gauge is critical for proper fit in this close-fitting design.*

**Gauge check**: After completing yoke, measure across back between raglan lines. Adjust needle size if necessary before proceeding.

---

## PATTERN NOTES

**Construction**: This sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down. Begin at the V-neck with a deep front opening, work raglan increases to the underarm, then separate sleeves and body. The body and sleeves are worked in the round to the hem and cuffs.

**Eyelet Raglan Detail**: The raglan lines feature an eyelet increase pattern that creates decorative diagonal lines. Eyelet panels also run down the sides of the body for vertical interest.

**Argyle Pattern**: The argyle diamonds are worked in stranded colorwork at the hem and cuffs. The characteristic diagonal crossing lines are added afterward using duplicate stitch for cleaner lines.

**Yarn Usage**: 
- MC only: Main body and sleeves
- MC + Accent held together: Eyelet raglan sections and side panels (creates subtle texture and drape)
- MC + CC1 + CC2: Argyle sections

**Deep V-Neck Shaping**: The front V is formed by decreasing 2 stitches at center front every 4th round during yoke construction. This creates a plunging neckline approximately 10-11" deep.

**Fit Notes**: This sweater is designed for 0-1" positive ease for a fitted, modern silhouette. Choose size based on actual bust measurement. The stretchy nature of the ribbing allows for comfortable fit.

---

## ABBREVIATIONS
- **k**: knit
- **p**: purl
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **RS**: right side
- **rnd(s)**: round(s)
- **MC**: main color
- **CC1**: contrast color 1 (Teal)
- **CC2**: contrast color 2 (Grey)
- **PM**: place marker
- **SM**: slip 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)
- **yo**: yarn over
- **k2tog**: knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk**: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **RM**: remove marker
- **BOR**: beginning of round

---

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### YOKE

**Setup - V-Neck Cast On**

With smaller needle and MC, cast on 98 (106, 114, 122, 130) sts using long-tail cast on.

*Stitch count check: 98 (106, 114, 122, 130) sts*

**Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.**

Place BOR marker at center back. This is the new beginning of round.

**Establish Raglan Markers (Setup Round)**:
- K24 (26, 28, 30, 32) back sts
- PM (raglan marker - use distinctive color)
- K1 (sleeve st), PM for center sleeve st, k1 (2 sleeve sts total)
- PM (raglan marker)
- K46 (50, 54, 58, 62) front sts [This is the V-neck front - will have 2 markers placed]
- PM (raglan marker)
- K1 (sleeve st), PM for center sleeve st, k1 (2 sleeve sts total)
- PM (raglan marker)
- K to end of round (completes back sts to BOR)

*Marker placement check: You should have 4 raglan markers plus BOR marker*

**Place V-Neck Center Marker**:
On the 46 (50, 54, 58, 62) front sts, place a locking marker on the center 2 sts: 23 (25, 27, 29, 31) sts from each raglan marker. These 2 center sts will be decreased every 4th round.

**Ribbed Neckband**:

*Change to MC + Accent held together.*

Rnd 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Rnds 2-6: Continue in k1, p1 rib as established.

Rnd 7 (V-neck decrease rnd): Work in rib to 2 sts before center marked sts, ssk, remove marker, k2tog, work in rib to end.

*2 sts decreased. Count: 96 (104, 112, 120, 128) sts*

Rnds 8-10: Work in rib as established.

Rnd 11 (V-neck decrease rnd): Work in rib to 2 sts before center front, ssk, k2tog, work in rib to end.

*2 sts decreased. Count: 94 (102, 110, 118, 126) sts*

**Begin Raglan Increases with Eyelet Pattern**

*Continue with MC + Accent held together for eyelet sections.*

The eyelet raglan increases are worked every other round. The pattern creates a decorative line along each raglan.

**Rnd 1 (Increase Rnd)**:
- *K to 1 st before raglan marker, yo, k1, SM, k1, yo; repeat from * 3 more times (at each of 4 raglan markers)
- When you reach front center (approximately 21-29 sts from raglan marker depending on size), work to 2 sts before center, ssk, k2tog, continue to end of round

*8 raglan sts increased, 2 center front decreased = net 6 sts increased*
*Count after Rnd 1: 100 (108, 116, 124, 132) sts*

**Rnd 2**: K all sts (the yo creates the eyelet).

**Rnd 3 (Increase Rnd)**: Repeat Rnd 1 pattern.
*Count after Rnd 3: 106 (114, 122, 130, 138) sts*

**Rnd 4**: K all sts.

**Continue V-Neck Shaping with Raglan Increases**:

Repeat Rnds 1-2 (increase every other round with center front decreases every 4th round) until V-neck reaches desired depth, approximately 24 (24, 26, 26, 28) rounds total from end of ribbing.

After final V-neck decrease round, you will have completed approximately 12 (12, 13, 13, 14) V-neck decreases = 24 (24, 26, 26, 28) sts decreased at center front.

At the same time, you will have worked 12 (12, 13, 13, 14) raglan increase rounds = 96 (96, 104, 104, 112) sts increased at raglan lines.

*Net increase: 96 - 24 = 72 (72, 78, 78, 84) sts*
*Count after V-neck shaping complete: 166 (174, 188, 196, 210) sts*

**Raglan Increases Continue (No More V-Neck Decreases)**:

Continue working Rnds 1-2 (eyelet increases every other round, knit even rounds) WITHOUT center front decreases.

Work increase rounds until you have the following stitch counts:

**Target before separating sleeves**:
- Small: 342 sts [Back: 88 sts, Sleeves: 66 sts each, Front: 122 sts]
- Medium: 382 sts [Back: 98 sts, Sleeves: 74 sts each, Front: 136 sts]
- Large: 422 sts [Back: 108 sts, Sleeves: 82 sts each, Front: 150 sts]
- XL: 462 sts [Back: 118 sts, Sleeves: 90 sts each, Front: 164 sts]
- 2XL: 502 sts [Back: 128 sts, Sleeves: 98 sts each, Front: 178 sts]

*Math verification for Medium: 
Starting 174 sts, need 382 sts = 208 sts to increase
208 sts ÷ 8 sts per increase rnd = 26 increase rounds
26 increase rnds × 2 rnds per repeat = 52 rounds
Total yoke rounds: 10 (ribbing) + 24 (V-shaping) + 52 (remaining) = 86 rounds
At 36 rnds per 4": 86 ÷ 36 × 4 = 9.6" yoke depth ✓*

**Yoke depth should measure approximately**:
9.5 (10, 10.5, 11, 11.5)" from cast-on edge to underarm.

---

### SEPARATE SLEEVES AND BODY

**Separation Round**:

*Change to larger 32" circular needle and MC only (drop Accent yarn).*

**Note**: The eyelet sections are complete. Main body is worked in stockinette.

- K across back sts to first raglan marker: 88 (98, 108, 118, 128) sts
- RM, place next 66 (74, 82, 90, 98) sleeve sts on waste yarn, RM
- Using backward loop cast on, CO 8 (10, 12, 14, 16) underarm sts, PM for side eyelet panel, CO 8 (10, 12, 14, 16) more underarm sts [16 (20, 24, 28, 32) underarm sts total]
- K across front sts to next raglan marker: 122 (136,