Noro Raglan Jacket Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Noro Raglan Jacket

Project Overview

The Noro Raglan Jacket is an intermediate-level knitting pattern for a classic cardigan-style jacket featuring raglan sleeves. This garment is worked from the bottom up using a seamed construction method, making it an excellent project for knitters looking to develop their shaping and assembly skills. The jacket is available in five sizes ranging from Small to XX-Large, with finished bust measurements from 38 inches (96.5cm) to 50¼ inches (127.5cm) and lengths between 21 and 23¾ inches (53.5 to 60.5cm).

Construction Technique

This pattern employs a bottom-up, worked flat construction method, meaning the jacket pieces are knitted individually on straight needles from the lower edge upward, then seamed together. The raglan shaping is achieved through strategic decreases that create the characteristic diagonal lines from the armhole to the neckline, a classic tailored silhouette. The seamed construction provides structure and allows for precise fit adjustments, making this method ideal for achieving professional-looking finished edges and clean seams.

Stitch Techniques and Details

The Noro Raglan Jacket incorporates striped colorwork as a primary design element, created by working with both a main color (MC) and contrasting color (CC). Key stitches and techniques used throughout the pattern include:

• Ribbing – Used for cuffs, waistband, and neckline finishing to create elasticity and a polished edge
• Bind off in ribbing – Maintains the rib pattern while finishing edges, ensuring consistent texture at openings
• Increases and decreases – Essential for creating the raglan shaping; techniques include knit 2 together (k2tog) for decreases and make one (M1) increases to add stitches strategically
• Make one purl stitch – A method for increasing stitches while maintaining purl sections of ribbed patterns
• Pick up and knit/purl – Used to add stitches along finished edges when joining pieces or creating neckbands
• Stitch markers – Placed to track raglan decrease lines and pattern repeats

Materials Required

The Noro Raglan Jacket is designed to showcase the beautiful color variations of Noro yarns. The pattern calls for:

• Yarn: 7 to 9 skeins (50g each) of Noro Silk Garden Solo in colorway #8 for the main color, depending on size; 5 to 7 balls (50g each) of Noro Silk Garden in colorway #389 for the contrasting color
• Needles: One pair of US size 9 (5.5mm) needles, or the size required to achieve the specified gauge for proper fit and drape

Yarn Characteristics

Noro Silk Garden Solo and Noro Silk Garden yarns are premium blended fibers known for their distinctive hand-dyed color variations and luxurious feel. These yarns create naturally occurring stripes and color shifts as you knit, adding visual interest and depth to the finished garment without requiring complex colorwork techniques. The combination of these two Noro products in this pattern creates a sophisticated striped effect while allowing the yarn's inherent beauty to shine.

Skill Level and Suitability

Rated as an intermediate project, the Noro Raglan Jacket is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle garment construction, including shaping, seaming, and working with multiple yarn colors. The pattern provides a comprehensive glossary of techniques, making it accessible for those developing their intermediate skills while offering enough complexity to remain engaging for more experienced knitters.