Stripes Raglan Sweater: Free Knitting Pattern

This STRIPES sweater was born out of my idea to use a basic raglan construction for a less basic looking sweater. With its stand-out stripes and stunning off-the-shoulder look, the Stripes Sweater is a showstopper!

The Stripes Sweater is knitted up the same as any other raglan (check out my Cotton Candy Sweater for a traditional raglan) but with a wider neckline, a fun stripe pattern, and sleeves that are wide but still practical.

I also love how this sweater invites you to experiment with colors and striping effects. I made mine in a brick red color with neon green stripes and I truly love the resulting unique color combination.

I knit my sweater up with a thicker cotton yarn. This gave my sweater a cooler feeling that is perfect for those colder summer nights and fall mornings.

MATERIALS:

1. Yarn of any weight. I used a DK weight cotton yarn (in two colors, of course). Depending on your size, you will need 1200-2000 yards.
2. Circular knitting needles in two sizes. The first size should correspond to your yarn weight (for me, that was 5mm needles). The second size should be 1 – 2 sizes smaller. For me, that was 4.5mm needles, though I could have easily used 4mm needles as well.
3. Elastic. This is not strictly necessary but I would highly recommend so that your neckline doesn’t stretch out too much.

NOTES:

This pattern is a raglan style, meaning that you cast on for the collar, work the ribbing, and then increase for the bust. Then, you will put sleeve stitches on hold, cast on stitches for the underarm, and work the body. Lastly, you will work the sleeves.

The notes below for the pattern are based on my size and yarn weight. I will include notes throughout the pattern on how to adapt it to make it more suited to your own measurements.

ABBREVIATIONS:

K = knit

P = purl

PM = place marker

SM = slip marker

M1R = make one right

M1L = make one left

PATTERN:

1. With smaller needles size, cast on 104 stitches and set unique beginning of round marker. (Note: for wider neckline, cast on more. For smaller neckline, less).

2. Work K2, P2 rib for 1 inch. (Or more or less, depending on how long you want your collar to be).

3. Change to larger needle size. Now you will knit 1 round, placing markers at the points below.

K15, PM, K1, PM, K20, PM, K1, PM, K30, PM, K1, PM, K20, PM, K1, PM, K15. You should have reached the beginning of round marker again at this point.

4. Knit to next marker, M1R, SM, K1, SM, M1L. Repeat these steps until you reach beginning of round marker (do not increase at beginning of round marker).

5. Knit one round, slipping markers as you come to them.

6. Repeat rounds 4 and 5 until your yoke has reached desired depth. I would recommend trying it on over your head at this stage to see where it meets your bust. It should lay around your armpits, with a little bit of positive ease (extra room).

7. Now we will separate the body and sleeves. Knit to next marker and remove marker. K1. Remove marker.

8. Slip the next stitches (up to the next marker) onto another needle cord or a piece of scrap yarn. These are your sleeve stitches. We will work with them later.

9. Cast on 8 underarm stitches (onto the RH side of your main needle, where the body of the sweater will be knit).

10. Remove marker from LH needle if it is still there. K1. Remove marker. Knit to next marker. Remove marker. K1. Remove marker.

11. Slip the next stitches (up to the next marker) onto another needle cord or a piece of scrap yarn. These are your second sleeve stitches. We will work with them later.

12. Cast on 8 underarm stitches (onto the RH side of your main needle, where the body of the sweater will be knit).

13. Remove marker from the LH needle if it is still there. K1. Remove marker. Knit up to next marker, which should be the beginning of round marker.

14. All the stitches on your main needles now are your body stitches. Knit in the round until body reaches desired length. You can try on the sweater to test length. Keep in mind that ribbing will add length as well.

15. Change to smaller needle size. K2, P2 ribbing until end of the sweater. I did 1 inch.

16. Cast off body.

Sleeves (follow directions below for each sleeve)

1. Slide stitches from sleeve onto your needles. Pick up 8 stitches from where you cast on for the underarm.
2. Knit in the round until sleeve reaches desired length. You can try on the sweater to test length. Keep in mind that ribbing will add length as well.
3. Change to smaller needles size. K2, P2 ribbing until end of the sweater. I did 1 inch.
4. Cast off sleeve stitches.

And that’s it! Your beginner raglan is finished!

I would love to see your versions, so if you do make this sweater, tag me @joy.2.create on Instagram. I want to see all the colors and stripes!

Happy Knitting!