f you are looking for a seamless knitted sweater that combines modern silhouette with traditional top-down construction, this pattern is for you. This wide-sleeve raglan pullover is worked in the round from the yoke down to the ribbed hem and cuffs, requiring no seaming and minimal finishing. The seamless construction not only saves time but also creates a comfortable, professional-looking garment that drapes beautifully on the body. In this guide, you will find detailed instructions for sizes S through XXXL, including all necessary increases, color stripe sequences for the sleeves, and tips for achieving the perfect fit. Whether you are an experienced knitter or an advanced beginner ready to try raglan shaping, this seamless knitted sweater will become a staple in your handmade wardrobe.
How to Knit a Seamless Knitted Sweater with Wide Raglan Sleeves
Sizes S
(M) L (XL) XXL (XXXL)
Materials
Yarn: Garnstudio Drops Sky (74% baby alpaca wool, 18% polyamide, 8% wool; 190 m / 50 g) — 6 (6) 7 (7) 8 (8) skeins in pale blue (color No. 15), 1 (1) 1 (2) 2 (2) skeins in white (color No. 01)
Needles:
- Double-pointed needles (DPNs) US size 6 (4 mm)
- Circular needle US size 6 (4 mm), 16″ (40 cm) and 32″ (80 cm) lengths for stockinette stitch
- Double-pointed needles US size 2.5 (3 mm)
- Circular needles US size 2.5 (3 mm), 16″ (40 cm) and 32″ (80 cm) lengths for ribbing
Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, waste yarn or stitch holders
Gauge
21 sts x 28 rows = 4″ x 4″ (10 x 10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US size 6 (4 mm) needles, after blocking.
Pattern Stitches
Stockinette Stitch (St st)
- In the round: knit every round.
- Worked flat: knit on RS, purl on WS.
Ribbing
Work alternately k2, p2.
Raglan Increases (for Yoke)
At each raglan junction (between body and sleeves), increase as follows: knit to last st before marker, yo, k2 (marker sits between these 2 sts), yo. This adds 2 sts. In the next round, work the yarn overs as knit sts to create decorative eyelets. Work all increased sts in stockinette stitch. Each increase round adds 8 sts total (2 sts at each of 4 markers).
Even Increases/Decreases
To distribute increases or decreases evenly, divide the total number of stitches (e.g., 92 sts) by the number of increases/decreases needed (e.g., 8) = 11.5. For increases, work a yo alternately after every 11th and 12th st. On the next round, work yo through the back loop to close the hole. For decreases in the same example, alternately k2tog every 10th and 11th st and every 11th and 12th st.
Sleeve Increases (underarm)
Knit to last st before marker, yo, k2 (marker between these 2 sts), yo. On the next round, work yo through the back loop to avoid holes. Work increased sts in stockinette stitch.
Color Stripe Sequence (Sleeves)
Work the following stripes in order:
- 0.6″ (1.5 cm) white
- 0.8″ (2 cm) pale blue
- 0.6″ (1.5 cm) white
- 0.8″ (2 cm) pale blue
- 2.75″ (7 cm) white
- 0.8″ (2 cm) pale blue
- 0.6″ (1.5 cm) white
Then continue with pale blue to the end.
Important Notes
The yoke, back, and front are worked as one seamless piece in the round on a circular needle from the top down, starting at the center back.
Sleeves are worked in the round from the top down, first on DPNs, then on short circular needles as stitches increase.
Sweater Schematic
Instructions
Yoke
With US size 2.5 (3 mm) circular needle and pale blue yarn, cast on 92 (96) 100 (108) 112 (112) sts. Work 1 round knit, then work 0.75″ (2 cm) in k2, p2 ribbing.
Switch to US size 6 (4 mm) circular needle. Work 1 round knit, while increasing evenly 8 (4) 8 (8) 4 (4) sts = 100 (100) 108 (116) 116 (116) sts.
Knit the next round and place markers as follows:
- k18 (18) 20 (22) 22 (22) (half back) — place marker 1
- k14 (sleeve) — place marker 2
- k36 (36) 40 (44) 44 (44) (front) — place marker 3
- k14 (sleeve) — place marker 4
- k remaining 18 (18) 20 (22) 22 (22) (half back)
Continue in stockinette stitch.
At the same time, starting from round 1, work raglan increases at all 4 markers every other round (every 2nd round) 27 (30) 31 (34) 37 (41) times. Increase 1 st on each side of each marker as described in Raglan Increases.
After all increases are completed, you will have 316 (340) 356 (388) 412 (444) sts on the needle. The yoke measures approx. 8.25″ (21 cm) to 12.25″ (31 cm) from the cast-on edge depending on size.
Continue working without increases until the yoke measures 8.75″ (22 cm) to 13″ (33 cm) from the cast-on edge.
Divide for Body and Sleeves
Next round (division round):
- Knit 45 (48) 51 (56) 61 (67) sts (half back)
- Place next 68 (74) 76 (82) 84 (88) sts onto waste yarn for sleeve
- Cast on 8 (10) 12 (12) 12 (16) new sts for underarm
- Knit 90 (96) 102 (112) 122 (134) sts (front)
- Place next 68 (74) 76 (82) 84 (88) sts onto waste yarn for second sleeve
- Cast on 8 (10) 12 (12) 12 (16) new sts for underarm
- Knit remaining 45 (48) 51 (56) 61 (67) sts (other half back)
Body
You now have 196 (212) 228 (248) 268 (300) sts on the needle. Continue working stockinette stitch in the round.
Measure from the division point. When the body measures 11.5″ (29 cm) to 11″ (28 cm) depending on size, work 1 round knit while increasing evenly 40 (44) 48 (52) 56 (64) sts = 236 (256) 276 (300) 324 (364) sts.
Switch to US size 2.5 (3 mm) circular needle and work 0.75″ (2 cm) in k2, p2 ribbing.
Switch back to US size 6 (4 mm) needle and bind off all stitches loosely in pattern (knit the knits, purl the purls).
The total length of this seamless knitted sweater from shoulder to hem is approx. 22″ (56 cm) to 26″ (66 cm).
Sleeves (make two)
Transfer the 68 (74) 76 (82) 84 (88) held sts from waste yarn onto US size 6 (4 mm) DPNs or short circular needle. Pick up and knit 1 st from each of the cast-on underarm stitches (8 (10) 12 (12) 12 (16) sts) = 76 (84) 88 (94) 96 (104) sts.
Place a marker at the center of the underarm stitches — this marks the inner sleeve for increase purposes.
Work stockinette stitch in the round, starting at the marker.
When sleeve measures 2.75″ (7 cm) from the underarm, increase 2 sts at the inner sleeve (see Sleeve Increases above). Repeat these increases every 1″ (2.5 cm) to 1.2″ (3 cm) a total of 12 (10) 11 (10) 11 (9) times = 100 (104) 110 (114) 118 (122) sts.
At the same time, when the sleeve measures 7.5″ (19 cm) to 4.75″ (12 cm) from underarm (depending on size), begin the Color Stripe Sequence described above.
When the sleeve measures 16.5″ (42 cm) to 13.5″ (34 cm) from underarm, or desired length (note that larger sizes have shorter sleeves because the yoke is longer), work 1 round knit while decreasing evenly 4 (0) 6 (2) 6 (2) sts = 96 (104) 104 (112) 112 (120) sts.
Next round: k2tog all the way around = 48 (52) 52 (56) 56 (60) sts.
Switch to US size 2.5 (3 mm) needles and work 2″ (5 cm) in k2, p2 ribbing.
Switch to US size 6 (4 mm) needles and bind off loosely in pattern.
Knit the second sleeve identically.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. Block your seamless knitted sweater gently to open up the stitch pattern and even out the color stripes. Lay flat to dry. After blocking, try on your new seamless knitted pullover — the wide raglan sleeves and seamless construction provide exceptional comfort and a flattering drape. This pattern yields a garment that looks as polished on the inside as it does on the outside, a true hallmark of the seamless knitted sweater technique. Whether you keep it for yourself or gift it to someone special, this seamless knitted sweater will be cherished for years to come.
