Women's Top Down Raglan Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Women's Top Down Raglan Cardigan in Plymouth Yarn De Aire

What Is Being Made

This is a women's cardigan constructed using the top-down raglan method, a popular knitting technique that begins at the neckline and progresses downward to create seamless shaping. The cardigan features a classic button-front closure and is available in five sizes, with finished chest measurements ranging from 34 inches to 52 inches and lengths from 21 inches to 26½ inches. The design includes set-in sleeves with underarm length of 10 inches across all sizes.

Techniques Used

The primary construction technique is top-down raglan shaping, which allows knitters to work from the neck downward in a single piece before dividing for the body and sleeves. This method eliminates the need for seaming and provides excellent fit control through strategic increases.

• Raglan increases: The pattern uses make-one (m1) increases positioned at raglan markers to create the characteristic diagonal shaping lines that extend from the neckline to the underarms
• Buttonhole construction: Three buttonholes are worked on wrong-side rows using the yarn-over and knit-two-together (k2tog, yo) method, spaced 5 to 6 inches apart depending on size
• Stitch placement and holders: The pattern employs stitch markers and scrap yarn to separate and hold stitches for the sleeves during body construction, allowing for later pickup and completion
• Seamless construction: By working in the round from the top down and strategically placing held stitches, this design minimizes or eliminates the need for seaming

Stitches Used

The cardigan incorporates two primary stitch patterns:

• Seed stitch: A reversible textured stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches (k1, p1) on every row. This stitch is used for the button bands and neckline ribbing, providing a neat, finished appearance and subtle texture
• Stockinette stitch: The main body stitch, created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows, providing a smooth, classic fabric

The pattern is written for the smallest size with larger sizes indicated in parentheses throughout, allowing knitters to easily track which stitch counts and measurements apply to their chosen size.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn De Aire in color 713 Light Pink. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 5 skeins (500 grams) for the smallest size to 8 skeins (800 grams) for the largest size. Each skein weighs 100 grams.

Needles and notions: US size 15 straight knitting needles are used for the main construction, with size 15 double-pointed needles required for working the sleeves. Additional supplies include two stitch holders for securing sleeve stitches during body work, four stitch markers for tracking raglan shaping points, scrap yarn for temporary stitch placement, and three buttons for the front closure.

Gauge: The pattern is worked at a gauge of 2.25 stitches and 3.25 rows per inch when measured over the pattern stitch on size 15 needles. Seed stitch is worked at a slightly tighter gauge of 3 stitches per inch on the same needle size. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.