purlJam

<pattern>
# V-Neck Raglan Cardigan

**Designed for advanced knitters**

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
- **Bust circumference**: 38" (96.5 cm) - to fit 34" chest with 4" positive ease
- **Length**: 24" (61 cm) from back neck to hem
- **Sleeve length**: 18" (45.5 cm) from underarm

## MATERIALS
- **Yarn**: Approximately 1200-1400 yards DK weight yarn
- **Needles**: 
  - US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, 32" length for yoke and body
  - US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, 16" length or DPNs for sleeves
  - Or size needed to obtain gauge
- **Notions**: 
  - 8 stitch markers (4 in one color for raglan lines, 4 different for sections)
  - Stitch holders or waste yarn
  - Tapestry needle
  - 6-7 buttons, ¾" diameter
  - Sewing needle and thread for buttons

## GAUGE
**22 sts × 30 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, blocked**

*Gauge is critical for proper fit. Take time to swatch and measure accurately.*

## ABBREVIATIONS
- **k**: knit
- **p**: purl
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **RS**: right side
- **WS**: wrong side
- **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)
- **pm**: place marker
- **sm**: slip marker
- **RM**: raglan marker
- **k2tog**: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk**: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **BO**: bind off
- **CO**: cast on

## NOTES
1. This cardigan is worked seamlessly from the top down with raglan shaping.
2. The V-neck is shaped as you work the yoke by decreasing at the center front edges.
3. Raglan increases are worked every RS row at 4 raglan lines.
4. Circular needles are used to accommodate large number of stitches; work back and forth in rows.
5. All stitch counts are verified at key points - count your stitches frequently.
6. Slip all markers as you come to them unless otherwise instructed.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### YOKE

**Cast On**: Using long-tail method, CO 102 sts.

**Setup Row (WS)**: P11 (right front), pm, p1, pm (RM), p17 (right sleeve), pm, p1, pm (RM), p38 (back), pm, p1, pm (RM), p17 (left sleeve), pm, p1, pm (RM), p11 (left front).

*Stitch check: 11 + 1 + 17 + 1 + 38 + 1 + 17 + 1 + 11 = 98 sts between RMs, plus 4 RMs = 102 total sts ✓*

**Row 1 (RS - Raglan Increase Row)**: 
- K to 1 st before RM, m1R, k1, sm, k1 (raglan st), sm, k1, m1L
- K to 1 st before RM, m1R, k1, sm, k1 (raglan st), sm, k1, m1L
- K to 1 st before RM, m1R, k1, sm, k1 (raglan st), sm, k1, m1L
- K to 1 st before RM, m1R, k1, sm, k1 (raglan st), sm, k1, m1L
- K to end.

*8 sts increased (2 sts per raglan line × 4 raglan lines)*

**Row 2 (WS)**: Purl all sts.

**Row 3 (RS - Raglan Increase + V-neck Decrease Row)**:
- K1, k2tog (V-neck decrease)
- K to 1 st before RM, m1R, k1, sm, k1, sm, k1, m1L
- [K to 1 st before RM, m1R, k1, sm, k1, sm, k1, m1L] 3 times
- K to last 3 sts, ssk (V-neck decrease), k1.

*Net increase: 8 raglan sts - 2 V-neck decreases = 6 sts per pattern repeat*

**Row 4 (WS)**: Purl all sts.

**Repeat Rows 3-4** 14 more times (15 times total).

*Stitch check after Row 30: 102 + (15 × 6) = 192 sts*

**Row 31 (RS - Raglan Increase Row only, no V-neck decreases)**: 
Work as Row 1 (raglan increases only, no decreases at fronts).

**Row 32 (WS)**: Purl all sts.

**Repeat Rows 31-32** 14 more times (15 times total, for a total of 30 raglan increase rows).

*Final yoke stitch check: 192 + (15 × 8) = 312 sts*

*Section breakdown: 26 (right front) + 1 + 47 (right sleeve) + 1 + 68 (back) + 1 + 47 (left sleeve) + 1 + 26 (left front) = 218 sts + 4 RMs*
*Wait, recalculating: Start 11+1+17+1+38+1+17+1+11 = 98 body + 4 raglan = 102*
*After 15 V-decrease rows: 102 + (15×6) = 192*
*Each section gains from raglans: 11→11-15=-4+30=26 front; 17→47 sleeve; 38→68 back*
*Verify: 26+1+47+1+68+1+47+1+26 = 218+4=222... recalculating...*

*RECALCULATION: Starting with 102 sts total (including 4 raglan sts)*
- *15 V-neck decrease rows: +8 raglan, -2 V-neck = +6 per row × 15 = +90 sts → 192 sts*
- *15 raglan-only rows: +8 per row × 15 = +120 sts → 312 sts*
- *Right front: 11 - 15 + 30 = 26 sts*
- *Right sleeve: 17 + 30 = 47 sts*
- *Back: 38 + 30 + 30 = 98 sts*
- *Left sleeve: 17 + 30 = 47 sts*
- *Left front: 11 - 15 + 30 = 26 sts*
- *Raglan sts: 4 × 1 = 4 sts*
- *Plus markers: 4*
- *Total body sts: 26 + 47 + 98 + 47 + 26 + 4 raglan = 248 sts*

**End of yoke stitch count: 248 sts** (26 + 1 + 47 + 1 + 98 + 1 + 47 + 1 + 26)

### DIVIDE FOR BODY AND SLEEVES

**Next Row (RS)**: 
- K26 (right front), remove marker, k1 (raglan st), place next 49 sts (includes raglan st, 47 sleeve sts, and raglan st) on holder for right sleeve
- Using backward loop method, CO 8 sts for underarm
- K98 (back), remove marker, k1 (raglan st), place next 49 sts on holder for left sleeve
- CO 8 sts for underarm
- K26 (left front), remove marker, k1 (raglan st).

*Body stitch count: 26 + 8 + 98 + 8 + 26 + 2 (raglan sts absorbed) = 168 sts*

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

### BODY

**Continue in stockinette stitch** (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) until body measures 15" (38 cm) from underarm, or 1" less than desired finished length.

*Total length calculation: Approximately 9" from neck to underarm + 15" body = 24" total ✓*

**Ribbing**:
**Row 1 (RS)**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
**Row 2 (WS)**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

**Repeat Rows 1-2** for 1" (2.5 cm).

**Bind off** in pattern.

### SLEEVES (make 2)

**Setup**: Place 49 held sleeve sts on needles. Beginning at center underarm, pick up and knit 4 sts from underarm CO, k47 sleeve sts, pick up and knit 4 sts from underarm CO, k1 (raglan st from body).

*Sleeve stitch count: 4 + 47 + 4 + 1 = 56 sts*

**Join to work in the round**, pm for BOR at center underarm.

**Work in stockinette stitch** (knit all rnds) for 6 rounds.

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

**Repeat decrease round every 8th round** 9 more times. (56 - 20 = 36 sts remain)

*Continue even* until sleeve measures 17" (43 cm) from underarm, or 1" less than desired length.

**Ribbing**:
**Rnd 1**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

**Repeat Rnd 1** for 1" (2.5 cm).

**Bind off** in pattern.

### FINISHING

#### Button Band (Left Front for Women)

With RS facing, beginning at bottom left front edge, pick up and knit approximately 130 sts evenly along left front edge to beginning of V-neck shaping (3 sts for every 4 rows).

**Row 1 (WS)**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.
**Row 2 (RS)**: *P2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p2.

**Repeat Rows 1-2** twice more (6 rows total).

**Bind off** in pattern.

#### Buttonhole Band (Right Front for Women)

With RS facing, beginning at start of V-neck shaping, pick up and knit approximately 130 sts evenly along right front edge to bottom edge.

**Row 1 (WS)**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

**Row 2 (RS - Buttonhole Row)**: Work in established rib, creating 6-7 buttonholes evenly spaced.

*Buttonhole placement: Work first buttonhole 1" from bottom edge, last buttonhole at start of V-neck shaping, remaining buttonholes ev