………………………
CLA RA
{a CLASSIC RAGLAN}
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Shall we talk about that unicorn of sweater knitting?… The perfect top-down raglan experience!


You know, when you just mindlessly increase on every other round, and the numbers magically 
work out? The stitch counts for the sleeves and body are attained simultaneously. The raglans form 
unbroken diagonal lines. There are no ‘blank rounds’ at the bottom of the yoke. And most importantly, 
no swathes of bunched-up excess fabric. 



In reality, it rarely works out that way. A well-fitting raglan yoke is actually quite tricky to achieve 
across sizes. Therefore most raglan sweater patterns either compromise on fit, or involve some degree 
of complexity, thus ruining the simple geometric perfection of the hypothetical ‘pure’ raglan. You 
simply can’t have it both ways.

Or can you?… 



After a decade of grappling with this question, Clara is my version of the Classic Raglan. And my 
attempt at the Perfect Raglan Experience.

………………………

MATERIALS & INFORMATION

SIZE 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
garment measures as follows around chest circumference -
91cm/ 36.5” (100cm/ 40”, 108cm/ 43.5”, 117cm/ 46.75”, 125cm/ 50.25”, 134cm/ 53.75”, 145cm/ 58.25”,
 157cm/ 62.75”)

YARN

suitable for chunky yarns,
approximately 100-120m/ 125-145y per 100g/ 3.5oz
designed with Apple Oak Fibre Works
(samples in Quito, Puno & Stockholm)

YARN QUANTITIES

project requires a total of approximately:

6 (7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10) 100g/3.5oz skeins

GAUGE

14 sts x 20rows/ rounds = 10cm x 10cm
in stockinette

NEEDLES
circular needle, 8mm in diameter,
or as needed to meet gauge

NOTIONS

removable stitch markers, measuring tape, scrap yarn, tapestry needle 



SPECIAL TECHNIQUES

provisional cast-on, picking up stitches from selvage edge

CONSTRUCTION
Worked top-down, in the round, with raglan yoke shaping. The neckline is shaped with traditional increases (not short rows).

NECKLINE OPTIONS
options for crew neck, tall neck, and rounded open collar provided