YOUR Favorite Top-Down Raglan Patterns

[@susinok]

The best fitting, most flattering top down raglan I made myself didn't use a pattern. I followed the basic raglan principles and did a deep v neck with waist shaping and a 2 inch seed stitch neckband, cuff, and hem trim with split seams. I loved it!

[@tallcedars2310]

That's impressive you can create a waist without a pattern, I'm not there:) So I bought an old pattern that has waist shaping for my next sweater, that I will tackle after this knit along. For some reason a waist seems to be out of vogue, but having a simple waist pattern will be great to adapt to future patterns.

[@susinok]

@@tallcedars2310 You do not need many decreases to make a difference. Just try a decrease each side of the side "seam" every inch from the sleeve attachment until you reach the natural waist, then increase each side every inch below that. Even just 3 sets will make a subtle difference and take some of the bulk out of the middle front and back.

[@tallcedars2310]

@@susinok Your description of a shaped waist has helped alleviate some of the apprehension I'm feeling about knitting a sweater. I do want it to fit well so that I will wear it. I will definitely branch out and try it on the knit a long.

[@susinok]

@@tallcedars2310 That's wonderful! There is something so satisfying in making and wearing your very own sweater. You can do it!

[@tallcedars2310]

@@susinok Thank you for the encouragement. I am looking forward to picking a pattern when they are out. While in the big city of Calgary I picked out my yarn. A wonderful creamy colored worsted wool for a "wintery" sweater. It will be an adventurous knit with the shaped waist, that I am very excited to try. Merry Christmas!

[@pammerryweather7914]

I've done the Southwood many times and many sizes and it is an easy sweater. It has directions for short rows, if you want, but I've always made it without. It is a fast knit, no ugly surprises, and it is free. Without the short rows, there is no "front" and "back", so it is especially wonderful for children to dress themselves or for busy moms of a small person with no taking it off and on because the front was the other way. I did get a call from a busy adult friend, though, for whom I made the sweater, who wanted to know where the front was, so that was sort of a fail. I appreciated the heads up on the patterns you listed here.

[@Elizabeth-qk6su]

Thank you for this info! I just wanted to say i love to listen to your voice and your documentary on knitting. Odd compliment, I know. But you are so soothing to listen to. You talk at a wonderful speed, enunciation, you are not monotone. Just very relaxing to listen to. 🙂🧶

[@NerdyKnitting]

Thank you! 😊

[@eileencook6107]

I have been unhappy with many of my sweaters and find I don't wear them, so I went very basic and knit a "Vanilla Sweater" by Corinne Tomlinson and I love it. I am about to cast on another! The Wooly Thistle offers an online course with a purchased kit. Love the rustic Rauma yarn and I find it doesn't pill like a lot of my other sweaters.

[@osmia]

I've yet to create such an ambitious to me project as an entire sweater so this video is giving me ideas!

[@NerdyKnitting]

You can do it!

[@karenmiller1665]

Thanks for posting! I’m signed up for your class and with all of the preparation I’ve been doing for the holidays, I haven’t taken the time to research raglan sweaters.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Hopefully you'll find one that interests you!

[@RNgirlknits]

My favorite top down raglan sweater is Glenbarrow by Carol Feller. I've knit it 4 times with plans for more. I really love the fit of this sweater and I get compliments every time I wear them. Carol's patterns are always super clear. I've knit several besides the Glenbarrow.

[@NerdyKnitting]

I have quite a few Carol Feller patterns on my 'to knit' list - she has so many lovely designs!

[@loridesrosiers]

I love seeing everyone's favorites, always adds more to my queue!

[@NerdyKnitting]

I know! I always find at least one new project I want to knit.

[@valeriehowden471]

Thanks for providing the list as well as some challenges that may occur. Helps out alot so the first sweater is not the last one you knit.

[@NerdyKnitting]

So true - and I wish I had known some of those things when I first started knitting sweaters. Glad it was helpful!

[@imagine212]

I've got 2 I love: Campside pullover by Alicia Plummer and Polwarth by Ysolda Teague. Very different sweaters to wear, but both simple construction

[@NerdyKnitting]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[@EvieO1950]

Thanks for rounding these up. I’m just starting garment knitting and these are some great options!

[@NerdyKnitting]

Glad you like them!

[@tamaramorrical5546]

Thank you for suggestions that are doable! It's so frustrating when you find out that you're in over your head.

[@NerdyKnitting]

You are so welcome!

[@kerryw6360]

I knit winter bluff by Ashley Lillis in a grey marl yarn. It's as comfortable as a sweatshirt to wear and looks great. I've gotten a lot of compliments on it.

[@Sophira1]

So helpful. I am looking for a sweater for my granddaughter and you have made the job so much easier. Thank you xxx

[@NerdyKnitting]

You're welcome!

[@patrician5215]

Love your videos. I always learn so much. I recently finished Drops Arendal Top Down raglan, which has a cable design down the raglan. Fits great. I’m starting the Turtle Dove II and it is easy as well.

[@corinnedavis4768]

oh...sadly I missed that previous video! My favorites are the Need a Plus cardigan cardigan book and the Need a Circular Yokep ullover books by Deb Gemmell of Cabin fever. She gives tips on how to modify for bust ,hips and sleeves..especially for sizes up to 60" busts. She has more patterns for any gauge/any size top downs too. The reason I love her patterns so much is she shows HOW to modify step by step! Another of my favorites is the Felix by Savory Knitting.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Thanks for sharing!

[@SunshineLeclair]

Thanks for sharing ;) I added a few to my ravelry fav's.

[@paularubina9843]

This was great. Thank you !

[@johamlett27]

I’ve knitted two Aksak sweaters (by Orlane Sucche) and am currently knitting my third!

[@recreationalknittingpodcast]

Totally my favorite is the Trescao. it’s free on Ravelry. I like my Autumn League as well.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@dorisenderle5857]

Thank you for your advice

[@NerdyKnitting]

You're welcome!

[@lauriemelchi4815]

Mellow mood sweater

[@laurahorgan7657]

Thanks! Love all your videos! I may try the Cargill Sweater as it has the neck shaping worked flat and then joined. I am capable of this type if neck. The other short row shaping confuses me.

[@NerdyKnitting]

I agree - I much prefer to start flat and do the neck shaping before joining in the round.

[@nefraial]

I haven't really got a favourite raglan sweater pattern. I haven't found anything yet that ticks all the boxes of all my preferences and typically always have to change things when following patterns. For a start, I have broad shoulders, so I'm square at the top which means a T shaped sweater is generally better fitting on me than the slopes of many raglan sweater sleeve shoulders. People can have enough trouble with a sweater riding up when lifting an arm of a raglan, but broad shoulders pushing up that shoulder slope means the lack of fabric in the under arm area compared to a squared off sweater becomes more of an issue. I've been experimenting with adding short rows under the arms to increase the amount of fabric in that area to allow for more movement with good results. Most patterns don't do this. I have come across only 2 patterns (out of a lot) that do extra rows under arms, or something similar with the armpit area, but both had other issues that made me not want to knit them. I also have issues with how I like my neck. I'm a person (and there are a few of us out there) who feels strangled if something is touching the front of my neck. Definitely not a turtle neck person, but it doesn't have to be around my neck. Simply too high in front. Many patterns simply do not have enough room at the front of the neck for my liking which means I find myself continually pulling the front of a sweater neck down till I'm sick of wearing the sweater for doing it. I look at most patterns and see the neck front close to the front of the neck and instantly know I'm not going to like it. Even in a lot of these examples. I know there are some with more open necks but I'm not wanting a wide open circle for a winter garment either. I still want the back of my neck and sides nicely covered. V necks are great, but I don't always want a V neck and round necks with lower fronts, which can be knit in the same manner as knitting a V neck, aren't typically something I find a lot of when searching through raglan top down designs. I could go on. Like how I don't like a too tapered sleeve either as I wear a sweater over long sleeves if I wear one, or something too wide that it soaks up or catches due to hanging. But you're likely groaning about now at how fussy this all seems when I can just adjust for these things. Well, the point is I do adjust for these things but it would be nice to find a pattern with all the things I like that I could just knit up to the lengths I want and know I'll enjoy. Otherwise, I always have to question the line between when I'm knitting a pattern and when I'm actually designing my own?

[@NerdyKnitting]

I always end up changing so many details in a pattern too - I guess it's just part of the process when you want a custom fit.

[@shamszakhour6076]

I signed up on your waiting list for your class. I'm very interested.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Wonderful! I'm in the middle of a group session right now but the doors will be open again in the fall.

[@KATHYFARRELL]

Might you consider a similar video for knitted flat then seamed garment? Thank you. K

[@NerdyKnitting]

Great idea!

[@KATHYFARRELL]

Cool! :)@@NerdyKnitting

[@mdel1129]

thank you for this nice selection...you should check also "Danse" by l'Atelier Lacazavent I already made 3 and I am not finished.... love love it....

[@NerdyKnitting]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@categ50]

I've made a few sweaters in the last few years. Some were great and some were meh... I have a pattern now that I am saving to bring to my guild meeting this month. I'm not a very accomplished knitter, and I just can't figure it out.

[@sharonrose1226]

Is there ANY raglan, top down pattern for a v-neck?

[@NerdyKnitting]

It doesn't seem to be as common!

[@sarahgregor2631]

How would a wool/silk blend behave?

[@NerdyKnitting]

Wool is always a good idea for a top-down sweater!

[@seaweedeater3104]

Dear Tonia, I am new to your channel and am in awe of how much expertise you have. I have a knitting issue that I’m struggling to solve and I wonder if you may be able to help, perhaps with a video about this subject. Here goes. I like round yoke colour-work sweaters. I want to take a pattern where the yoke is high on the neck and shoulders and make it hang lower down and have a larger neck hole and be oversize. So I cast on a size with a lot of ease. All good so far but then after the yoke I find the sweater starts to take on a bulbous shape which I don’t want. This is ok to a point for the front as it accommodates the breast area but the rest needs reshaping. How does one make the sweater flat to the back and deal with adapting the armholes? This is where I need help. All the best, Kelly

[@NerdyKnitting]

You could add some waist shaping to remove the excess bulk.

[@seaweedeater3104]

@@NerdyKnittingis see you’ve got a course for making a bespoke raglan jumper. Would you be thinking of doing the same for yoke sweaters?

[@NerdyKnitting]

@@seaweedeater3104 Yes - the next session (in March) will focus on top-down yoke sweaters (with the option to do a top-down raglan instead).

[@sylvyasilvia3673]

🇧🇷💕🌷💥Bom dia.

[@dorisenderle5857]

Alpaca blended with silk. How does that behave ?

[@NerdyKnitting]

Both have lovely drape but neither one is very elastic so might not hold its shape.