purlJam

# Timeless Raglan Cardigan

A seamless, top-down raglan cardigan designed for worsted weight yarn. This pattern features a comfortable fit and a classic neckline shaped by incremental cast-ons before joining in the round for the yoke.

## Difficulty
Beginner

## Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
**Finished Chest Circumference:** Approx. 34 (36, 38, 40, 42, 42, 46, 46, 46, 48) inches / 86 (91, 96, 101, 106, 106, 117, 117, 117, 122) cm.

## Materials
*   **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Category 4). 
*   **Needles:** 
    *   US 8 / 5 mm circular needles (32" / 80 cm or longer).
    *   US 8 / 5 mm Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) or small circumference circulars for sleeves.
    *   US 7 / 4.5 mm circular needles for ribbing.
*   **Notions:** 8 stitch markers, scrap yarn or stitch holders, tapestry needle, measuring tape.

## Gauge
18 sts and 24 rows = 4" [10 cm] in Stockinette Stitch on US 8 [5 mm] needles.

## Abbreviations
*   **CO:** Cast on
*   **k:** Knit
*   **p:** Purl
*   **pm:** Place marker
*   **sm:** Slip marker
*   **st(s):** Stitch(es)
*   **RS:** Right side
*   **WS:** Wrong side
*   **M1R (Make 1 Right):** Insert left needle from back to front under the strand between stitches, knit into the front loop.
*   **M1L (Make 1 Left):** Insert left needle from front to back under the strand between stitches, knit into the back loop.

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## Instructions

### 1. Neckline and Set-up
Using Color 1 and US 8 [5 mm] circular needles, CO **(44) 50 (52) 56 (58) 58 (64) 64 (64) 66** sts. Do not join. This project begins worked flat.

**Set-up Row (WS):** P1 (Right Front), pm, p1 (Raglan st), pm, p **(8) 10 (10) 12 (12) 12 (14) 14 (14) 14** (Sleeve), pm, p1 (Raglan st), pm, p **(22) 24 (26) 26 (28) 28 (30) 30 (30) 32** (Back), pm, p1 (Raglan st), pm, p **(8) 10 (10) 12 (12) 12 (14) 14 (14) 14** (Sleeve), pm, p1 (Raglan st), pm, p1 (Left Front).

### 2. Yoke Shaping (Flat)
You will now work back and forth in Stockinette stitch, increasing for the raglan lines on every RS row and increasing at the neck edges on every row.

**Row 1 (RS):** *Knit to marker, M1R, sm, k1 (raglan st), sm, M1L;* repeat from * to * 3 more times. Knit to end of row, then CO 1 new st using the backward loop method = 9 sts increased.
**Row 2 (WS):** Purl all sts to end of row, then CO 1 new st = 1 st increased.
**Rows 3–12:** Repeat Rows 1 and 2 five more times.
**Row 13 (RS):** Repeat Row 1, but CO 2 new sts at the end of the row = 10 sts increased.
**Row 14 (WS):** Purl all sts to end of row, then CO 2 new sts = 2 sts increased.

**Stitch Count Check:** You should now have **(116) 122 (124) 128 (130) 130 (136) 136 (136) 138** sts on your needle.

### 3. Joining in the Round
You will now join the work to begin knitting in the round.

**Joining Round:** Knit to first marker, *M1R, sm, k1, sm, M1L, knit to next marker;* repeat from * to * 3 more times. At the end of the round, CO **(4) 6 (8) 8 (10) 10 (12) 12 (12) 14** new sts and join for working in the round.
**Total Stitch Count:** **(128) 136 (140) 144 (148) 148 (156) 156 (156) 160** sts.

Place a unique marker to indicate the beginning of the round (center of the newly cast-on sts).

**Round 1:** Knit all sts.
**Round 2 (Increase Round):** *Knit to marker, M1R, sm, k1, sm, M1L;* repeat from * to * 3 more times, knit to end of round. (8 sts increased).

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until your yoke reaches the desired depth or until you have the required number of stitches for your size (Consult standard sizing for Worsted weight: approximately 7.5" to 11" yoke depth).

### 4. Separate Body and Sleeves
In the next round, you will set the sleeve stitches aside.

**Separation Round:**
1. Knit across the Front stitches to the first raglan marker. Remove marker.
2. Place the next sleeve stitches onto scrap yarn.
3. CO underarm stitches (approx. 4–10 sts depending on size).
4. Knit across the Back stitches to the next raglan marker.
5. Place the next sleeve stitches onto scrap yarn.
6. CO underarm stitches (same number as step 3).
7. Knit across the remaining Front stitches to the beginning of the round.

### 5. Body
Continue in Stockinette stitch (knit every round) until the body measures approx. 2" [5 cm] less than desired length.
Switch to US 7 [4.5 mm] needles.
Work in 1x1 Rib (k1, p1) for 2" [5 cm].
Bind off loosely in pattern.

### 6. Sleeves
Transfer sleeve stitches from scrap yarn to US 8 [5 mm] DPNs or small circulars. 
Pick up and knit the same number of stitches from the underarm cast-on edge as you created for the body.
Knit in the round, decreasing at the underarm every 1" [2.5 cm] to taper the sleeve.
When the sleeve is 2" [5 cm] shorter than desired total length, switch to US 7 [4.5 mm] needles.
Work 1x1 rib for 2" [5 cm]. Bind off loosely.

### 7. Finishing
**Button Bands:**
Using US 7 [4.5 mm] circular needles and starting at the bottom right front, pick up and knit 3 stitches for every 4 rows along the front edge, around the neckline, and down the left front.
Work 1" [2.5 cm] in 1x1 rib, creating buttonholes on the preferred side on the 3rd row by: [YO, k2tog].
Bind off in pattern. 

Weave in all ends and block to measurements.