This cable knit raglan sweater with checkerboard pattern combines classic cable work with a textured checkerboard stitch for a timeless, wearable design. The pattern is worked in worsted weight wool-cashmere blend yarn and features a central cable panel flanked by checkerboard sections and smaller cables. Sizes range from European 36/38 (40/42) 44/46, which corresponds to US sizes approximately 6/8 (10/12) 14/16. The sweater is constructed with raglan shaping from the bottom up, with decorative decreases creating clean, professional-looking seams. A tall ribbed neckband finishes the garment elegantly. Whether you are an experienced cable knitter or ready to advance your skills, this cable knit sweater offers rewarding construction and a beautiful finished result.
Materials and Gauge
To knit this cable knit raglan sweater with checkerboard pattern, you will need 350 (400) 450 g of red yarn: 92% wool, 8% cashmere; 190 m/50 g (approximately 208 yards/50 g). You will also need knitting needles sizes 3.5 mm (US 4) and 4 mm (US 6), plus circular needles size 3.5 mm (US 4) for the neckband. The gauge is critical for a proper fit: checkerboard pattern — 20.5 stitches x 32 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches); cable pattern — 32 stitches x 32 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches); central cable — 24 stitches = 8 cm (3¼ inches) wide. Always check your gauge before beginning this raglan sweater knitting pattern to ensure the finished garment matches the intended measurements.
Stitch Patterns for the Cable Knit Sweater Instructions
Ribbing (worked flat): The stitch count is a multiple of 4 + 2 selvage stitches. Right side (RS) rows: selvage stitch, * knit 1, purl 2, knit 1, repeat from * continuously, selvage stitch. Wrong side (WS) rows: work stitches as they appear. In the round: stitch count is a multiple of 4; work alternately knit 2, purl 2.
Reverse stockinette stitch: RS rows — purl stitches; WS rows — knit stitches.
Checkerboard pattern: Stitch count is a multiple of 6 + 3. Row 1 (RS): * knit 3, purl 3, repeat from * continuously, knit 3. Row 2 (WS): * purl 3, knit 3, repeat from * continuously, purl 3. Rows 3 and 4: work as rows 1 and 2. Row 5: * purl 3, knit 3, repeat from * continuously, purl 3. Row 6: * knit 3, purl 3, repeat from * continuously, knit 3. Rows 7 and 8: work as rows 5 and 6. Repeat rows 1–8 continuously. This checkerboard stitch pattern is the signature texture of this cable knit raglan sweater with checkerboard pattern.
Cable pattern: Stitch count is a multiple of 10 + 1. Work according to Chart A. Only RS rows are shown; in WS rows, work stitches as they appear. Repeat the repeat between the arrows continuously and end with the stitch after the left arrow. Repeat rows 1–4 continuously.
Central cable (24 stitches): Work according to Chart B. Only RS rows are shown; in WS rows, work stitches as they appear. Repeat rows 1–38 continuously.
Small cable A (2 stitches): Row 1 (RS): knit 2. Row 2 (WS): purl 2. Row 3: slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold in front of work, knit 1, then knit the stitch from the cable needle. Row 4: purl 2. Repeat rows 1–4 continuously.
Small cable B (2 stitches): Row 1 (RS): knit 2. Row 2 (WS): purl 2. Row 3: slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold behind work, knit 1, then knit the stitch from the cable needle. Row 4: purl 2. Repeat rows 1–4 continuously.
Decorative decreases: From the right edge: selvage stitch, 1 stitch in reverse stockinette, 2 stitches of small cable A, 6 stitches in cable pattern (working only the last 6 stitches of the chart), then knit 2 stitches together according to the pattern. From the left edge: work according to the pattern to the last 12 stitches, then knit 2 stitches together according to the pattern, 6 stitches in cable pattern (working only the first 6 stitches of the chart), 2 stitches of small cable B, 1 stitch in reverse stockinette, selvage stitch.
Decorative increases: From the right edge: selvage stitch, 1 stitch in reverse stockinette, then knit 1 twisted stitch from the crosswise thread according to the pattern. From the left edge: work according to the pattern to the last 2 stitches, then knit 1 twisted stitch from the crosswise thread according to the pattern, 1 stitch in reverse stockinette, selvage stitch.
Knitting Chart
Symbol Key
- ⬜ = knit stitch (k)
- ― = purl stitch (p)
- 2¯¯\__2 = Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, knit 2, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle (sl 2 to cn, hold in front, k2, k2 from cn)
- 2__/¯¯2 = Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back of work, knit 2, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle (sl 2 to cn, hold in back, k2, k2 from cn)
- TTT\‗‗ = Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, purl 1, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle (sl 3 to cn, hold in front, p1, k3 from cn)
- ‗‗/TTT = Slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold in back of work, knit 3, then purl the stitch from the cable needle (sl 1 to cn, hold in back, k3, p1 from cn)
- 3¯¯¯\___3 =Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, knit 3, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle (sl 3 to cn, hold in front, k3, k3 from cn)
- 3___/¯¯¯3 = Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back of work, knit 3, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle (sl 3 to cn, hold in back, k3, k3 from cn)
Back Section of the Cable Knit Raglan Sweater
With size 3.5 mm (US 4) needles, cast on 114 (126) 138 stitches and work 6.5 cm = 23 rows in ribbing for the band, beginning with a WS row. Switch to size 4 mm (US 6) needles and distribute stitches as follows: selvage stitch, 11 stitches in cable pattern, 33 (39) 45 stitches in checkerboard pattern, 24 stitches in central cable, 33 (39) 45 stitches in checkerboard pattern, 11 stitches in cable pattern, selvage stitch. After 22.5 cm = 72 rows (21 cm = 66 rows) 19 cm = 60 rows from the band, on the stitches of the first and last cable, knit 2 x 2 stitches together = 110 (122) 134 stitches. After 23 cm = 74 rows (21.5 cm = 68 rows) 19.5 cm = 62 rows from the band, decrease for raglan slopes on both sides 1 x 1 stitch and in every 2nd row 38 (44) 50 x 1 stitch, working decorative decreases = 32 stitches. After 47.5 cm = 152 rows (49.5 cm = 158 rows) 51.5 cm = 164 rows from the band, bind off the remaining 32 stitches for the neckline.
Front Section of the Cable Knit Raglan Sweater with Checkerboard Pattern
With size 3.5 mm (US 4) needles, cast on 114 (126) 138 stitches and work 6.5 cm = 23 rows in ribbing for the band, beginning with a WS row. Switch to size 4 mm (US 6) needles and distribute stitches as follows: selvage stitch, 11 stitches in cable pattern, 33 (39) 45 stitches in checkerboard pattern, 24 stitches in central cable, 33 (39) 45 stitches in checkerboard pattern, 11 stitches in cable pattern, selvage stitch. After 22.5 cm = 72 rows (21 cm = 66 rows) 19 cm = 60 rows from the band, on the stitches of the first and last cable, knit 2 x 2 stitches together = 110 (122) 134 stitches. After 23 cm = 74 rows (21.5 cm = 68 rows) 19.5 cm = 62 rows from the band, decrease for raglan slopes on both sides 1 x 1 stitch and in every 2nd row 35 (41) 47 x 1 stitch, working decorative decreases. After 43.5 cm = 140 rows (45.5 cm = 146 rows) 47.5 cm = 152 rows from the band, bind off the middle 28 stitches for the neckline and finish both sides separately. For the neckline curve from the inner edge, bind off in every 2nd row 1 x 3 stitches and 1 x 2 stitches.
Left Sleeve of the Cable Knit Raglan Sweater Instructions
With size 3.5 mm (US 4) needles, cast on 62 (70) 70 stitches and work 10 cm = 33 rows in ribbing for the band, beginning with a WS row. Switch to size 4 mm (US 6) needles and continue in cable pattern, evenly distributing 1 (3) 3 increases in the first row = 63 (73) 73 stitches. For sleeve shaping, increase on both sides in every 6th row 7 x 1 stitch and in every 4th row 13 x 1 stitch (in every 6th row 7 x 1 stitch and in every 4th row 13 x 1 stitch) in every 4th row 22 x 1 stitch and in the following 2nd row 3 x 1 stitch, working decorative increases = 103 (113) 123 stitches. The added stitches expand the cable pattern. After 30.5 cm = 98 rows from the band, on the stitches of the first and last cable, knit 2 x 2 stitches together = 99 (109) 119 stitches. After 31 cm = 100 rows from the band, decrease for raglan slopes on both sides 1 x 1 stitch, then from the right edge in every 2nd row 38 x 1 stitch (in the following 4th row 1 x 1 stitch and in every 2nd row 42 x 1 stitch) in every 4th row 2 x 1 stitch and in every 2nd row 46 x 1 stitch, and from the left edge in every 2nd row 35 x 1 stitch (in the following 4th row 1 x 1 stitch and in every 2nd row 39 x 1 stitch) in every 4th row 2 x 1 stitch and in every 2nd row 43 x 1 stitch, working decorative decreases. At the same time, after 53.5 cm = 172 rows (57 cm = 184 rows) 61 cm = 196 rows from the band, bind off from the left edge 1 x 8 stitches and in every 2nd row 2 x 8 stitches, knitting 3 x 2 stitches together before binding off.
Right Sleeve
Work symmetrically to the left sleeve.
Finishing Your Cable Knit Raglan Sweater
Sew the raglan seams. With circular needles, pick up 100 stitches along the neckline edge and work 22.5 cm = 74 rounds in ribbing. Bind off stitches. Sew the sleeve seams and side seams. This seamless raglan construction gives the sweater a polished, professional finish. Block gently to measurements and enjoy your completed cable knit rsweater with checkerboard pattern.
