purlJam

<pattern>

# VERTICAL BOLD PULLOVER

## A Modern Top-Down Raglan Sweater with Geometric Panel Detail

**Designed for intermediate knitters**

This contemporary seamless pullover features a striking vertical geometric panel running down the left front from neckline to hem. Worked top-down with classic raglan shaping, the high-contrast panel creates a bold, elongating design element against clean stockinette fabric. The simple slip-stitch chevron pattern is easy to memorize and creates beautiful texture without complicated cables or colorwork floats.

---

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

Finished Bust Circumference: **34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54)"** with 1" positive ease included
*To fit bust measurements: 33 (37, 41, 45, 49, 53)"*

**Sample shown in size M**

---

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

| Measurement | XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|-------------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|------|
| Bust circumference | 34" | 38" | 42" | 46" | 50" | 54" |
| Body length (from underarm) | 14.5" | 15" | 15.5" | 16" | 16" | 16.5" |
| Total length (from shoulder) | 22" | 23" | 24" | 25.5" | 26" | 27" |
| Sleeve length (from underarm) | 17" | 17.5" | 17.5" | 18" | 18" | 18.5" |
| Yoke depth | 7.5" | 8" | 8.5" | 9.5" | 10" | 10.5" |

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: DK weight yarn with good stitch definition
- **Main Color (MC)**: 900 (1000, 1150, 1300, 1450, 1600) yards
- **Contrast Color (CC)**: 200 (225, 250, 275, 300, 325) yards

*Sample uses Cascade 220 Superwash (100% Superwash Wool; 220 yards/100g):*
- *MC: #1946 Silver Grey - 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8) skeins*
- *CC: #815 Black - 1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins*

**Needles**: 
- US 6 (4 mm) circular needles: 16" and 32" (or longer for larger sizes)
- US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles: 16" and 32"
- US 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or preferred method for small circumference

*Or size needed to obtain gauge*

**Notions**:
- Stitch markers (including 6 unique/locking markers for raglan lines and panel)
- Scrap yarn or stitch holders
- Tapestry needle

---

## GAUGE

**22 stitches and 30 rounds = 4" in stockinette stitch** on larger needles, blocked

**Panel Pattern gauge**: 16 stitches = 3" width (slightly condensed due to slip stitches)

**CRITICAL**: Take time to swatch! Gauge affects fit dramatically. Knit a 6" x 6" swatch in the round (or flat and block appropriately), and include a section of the Vertical Panel Pattern to check both gauges.

*Gauge check math for Body:*
- XS: 34" × 5.5 sts/inch = 187 sts ✓
- S: 38" × 5.5 = 209 sts ✓
- M: 42" × 5.5 = 231 sts ✓
- L: 46" × 5.5 = 253 sts ✓
- XL: 50" × 5.5 = 275 sts ✓
- 2XL: 54" × 5.5 = 297 sts ✓

---

## PATTERN NOTES

**Construction**: This sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down. Begin at the neckline, work raglan increases to create the yoke, separate the sleeves from the body at the underarms, then work the body and sleeves separately in the round to the desired length.

**Vertical Panel Placement**: The geometric panel is positioned on the LEFT FRONT of the sweater, starting immediately after the left front raglan line and extending 16 stitches wide. The panel runs continuously from the neckline through the yoke and down the body to the hem.

**Color Management**: The panel uses both MC and CC in a slip-stitch pattern, so you'll only work with one color per round. Carry the unused color loosely up the inside at the panel edge. Twist yarns every 4-6 rounds to prevent long floats.

**Markers**: You'll use 6 key markers:
- 4 markers for raglan lines (BOR, right sleeve, right body, left body, left sleeve)
- 2 markers for panel boundaries (beginning and end of 16-st panel section)

**Trying On**: One advantage of top-down construction is the ability to try on as you go. Check yoke depth and body length, adjusting if needed for your proportions.

---

## SPECIAL TECHNIQUES & ABBREVIATIONS

**BOR**: Beginning of round
**CC**: Contrast Color
**k**: knit
**k2tog**: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
**m**: marker
**M1L**: Make 1 Left (lift bar between stitches from front to back, knit through back loop)
**M1R**: Make 1 Right (lift bar between stitches from back to front, knit through front loop)
**MC**: Main Color
**p**: purl
**pm**: place marker
**rep**: repeat
**RS**: right side
**sl**: slip stitch purlwise with yarn in back unless otherwise noted
**sm**: slip marker
**ssk**: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
**st(s)**: stitch(es)
**WS**: wrong side
**wyib**: with yarn in back
**wyif**: with yarn in front

**Raglan Increases**: 
- M1L before marker, k1, M1R after marker = 2 sts increased at each raglan line
- Worked at 4 raglan lines = 8 total sts increased every increase round

---

## VERTICAL PANEL PATTERN

**Panel Width**: 16 stitches
**Repeat**: 4 rounds

The panel creates a geometric chevron/broken diamond texture using slip stitches. Only one color is used per round, making it simple to work.

### PANEL CHART

```
Round 4 (MC): □ ■ □ □ □ ■ □ □ □ □ ■ □ □ □ ■ □
Round 3 (CC): ■ □ ■ □ ■ □ ■ □ ■ □ ■ □ ■ □ ■ □
Round 2 (MC): □ ■ □ □ □ ■ □ □ □ □ ■ □ □ □ ■ □
Round 1 (CC): ■ □ □ ■ □ □ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ ■ □ □ ■
```

**Chart Key**:
- □ = Knit with color shown
- ■ = Slip 1 purlwise wyib

**Read chart from right to left, bottom to top. Each round is worked with the color indicated.**

### WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS FOR PANEL

**Round 1 (CC)**: K1, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, k1, k1, k1, k1, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, k1

**Round 2 (MC)**: Sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib

**Round 3 (CC)**: K1, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib

**Round 4 (MC)**: Sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, sl 1 wyib, k1, sl 1 wyib

**Repeat Rounds 1-4** for pattern.

**Simplified Working Method**: 
Once you've worked a few repeats, you'll notice the pattern: you're slipping the slipped stitches (they appear as CC bars) and knitting the knit stitches (MC columns) on MC rounds; on CC rounds, you're knitting the previously slipped stitches and creating new slipped stitches in a chevron arrangement.

---

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### NECKLINE

With MC and smaller 16" circular needle, cast on **88 (92, 96, 100, 104, 108) sts** using long-tail cast on.

Place BOR marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.

**Neckband**:
Work in k2, p2 rib for 1" (approximately 8 rounds).

*Round 1*: *K2, p2; repeat from * around.
*Repeat Round 1* until neckband measures 1".

**Setup for Raglan Yoke**:

Change to larger 16" circular needle.

*Setup Round*: Work increases evenly to reach the stitch count for your size, while placing raglan markers:

**For all sizes**:
- K to last st, M1R, k1 (this is back right raglan line)
- pm (right back raglan marker)
- k1, M1L, k to 1 st before quarter point, M1R, k1 (right sleeve section)
- pm (right front raglan marker)
- k1, M1L, k1, pm (panel start marker), work Round 1 of Vertical Panel Pattern over next 16 sts, pm (panel end marker), k to 1 st before halfway point, M1R, k1 (left front section - panel is in this section)
- pm (left front raglan marker)
- k1, M1L, k to 1 st before three-quarter point, M1R, k1 (left sleeve section)
- pm (left back raglan marker)
- k1, M1L, k to end (back left section)

*Math check for Setup Round*:
You should now have markers placed with approximately equal stitch distribution:
- **XS**: 96 sts total after setup = 24-24-24-24 sts per section ✓
- **S**: 100 sts = 25-25-25-25 ✓
- **M**: 104 sts = 26-26-26-26 ✓