October Sweater Knitting Pattern

Introducing: the October Sweater! A simple, top-down, raglan style knitting pattern!

The October Sweater is a perfectly simple, top down, raglan style knitting pattern worked in the round.  Simple shaping at the neckline, a relaxed fit, and gorgeous tweed yarn combine together to create a sweater that will certainly become a wardrobe classic.

This sweater is worked in stockinette stitch with simple rib stitch detailing at the hem, cuffs, and neckband. The October Sweater is unisex and available in 9 sizes. It's the perfect, simple, no nonsense raglan sweater you've been looking for!

October Sweater: Top Down Raglan Style Sweater Knitting Pattern

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Skill Level

Easy+

In this knitting pattern, you will need to know how to knit flat and in-the-round, increase using M1L and M1R, and be comfortable with simple shaping using increasing and decreases. You will also need to pick up stitches and feel confident following written patterns.

Materials

• 4, (4, 5, 5, 5), (6, 6, 6, 7) skeins / 808, (808, 1010, 1010, 1010), (1212, 1212, 1212, 1414) yards Lion Brand ReTweed Yarn (shown in Hay)
• Size US 9 (5.5 mm) 32” circular knitting needles (for body of sweater)
• Size US 9 (5.5 mm) circular needle for magic loop, double pointed needles, or small circular needle (for sleeves)
• Size US 7 (4.5 mm) 32” circular knitting needles (for hemline)
• Size US 7 (4.5 mm) double pointed needles or small circular needle (for sleeve cuffs and neckline)
• Stitch Markers
• Tapestry Needle to weave in ends

 

Notes

This raglan style knitting pattern is worked from the top, down. After the first few rounds are worked flat to shape the front neckline, this sweater will be worked in the round.

Finished Dimensions

	XS	S	M	L	XL	2X	3X	4X	5X
Bust/Chest Circumference	38	42	46	50	54	58	62	66	70
Finished Length	22	22	22	23	23	23	24	24	24

XS, (S, M, L, XL), (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parenthesis. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To keep track of your size, you may highlight or circle all numbers for your chosen size before you begin.

Help Choosing Size

This raglan style sweater is designed to be worn with 6-10” of positive ease at the bust. Model is 6” tall, has a 33” bust, and is wearing a size small with 9” of positive ease. For best fit, choose a size that is 6-10” larger than your corresponding bust measurement.

Gauge

15 stitches and 22 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch with larger needles

Abbreviations

This pattern is written using U.S. English Terminology.

BO = bind off

CO = cast on

K = knit

k2tog = knit 2 stitches together (right leaning single decrease)

M = stitch marker

M1L = make 1 left. Pick up the bar between the stitch you just knit and the one you are about to knit with your left needle from front to back, knit through the back.

M1R = make 1 right. Pick up the bar between the stitch you just knit and the one you are about to knit with your left needle from back to front, knit through the front.

P = purl

PM = place stitch marker

RS = right side

sl1 = slip 1 stitch purlwise with the working yarn in back

SM = slip stitch marker

Ssk = slip slip knit (left leaning single decrease)

st = stitch

Stst = stockinette stitch

WS = wrong side

[ ] = work instructions within brackets as many times as directed

* = repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed

October Sweater Knitting Pattern

With size 9 needles, cast On 67 (70, 70, 73, 73) (76, 76, 79, 79) stitches.

Set-Up Row: p2, PM, p3, PM, p11 (12, 12, 13, 13) (14, 14, 15, 15), PM, p3, PM, p29 (30, 30, 31, 31) (32, 32, 33, 33), PM, p3, PM, p11 (12, 12, 13, 13) (14, 14, 15, 15), PM, p3, PM, p2.

Row 1 (RS): k1, M1L, [k to M, M1R, SM, k3, SM, M1L] 4x, k to last st, M1R, k1. [77, (80, 80, 83, 83), (86, 86, 89, 89) sts].

Row 2 (WS): purl, slipping Ms as you pass.

Repeat rows 1-2 five more times. Then, repeat row 1 once more. [137, (140, 140, 143, 143), (146, 146, 149, 149) sts].

Neckline Join:

You will now join the neckline and begin working in the round.

Cast on 11 (12, 12, 13, 13) (14, 14, 15, 15) at the end of the row you just worked. Do not turn, with RS facing you and careful not to twist your work, join to work in round. PM to denote beg/end of each rd. [148, (152, 152, 156, 156), (160, 160, 164, 164) sts].

Round 1: knit, slipping Ms as you pass.

2: [k to M, M1R, SM, k3, SM, M1L] 4x, k to end of rd. [156, (160, 160, 164, 164), (168, 168, 172, 172) sts].

Repeat rounds 1-2 5 (4, 4, 2, 2) (3, 4, 5, 9) more times. [196, (192, 192, 180, 180), (192, 200, 212, 244) sts total].

3: knit, slipping Ms as you pass.

4: [k to M, M1R, SM, k3, SM, k to next M, SM, k3, SM, M1L] 2x, k to end of round. [200, (196, 196, 184, 184), (196, 204, 216, 248) sts total].

5: knit, slipping Ms as you pass.

6: [k to M, M1R, SM, k3, SM, M1L] 4x, k to end of rd. [208, 204, 204, 192, 192), (204, 212, 224, 256) sts total].

Repeat rounds 3-6 zero (2, 4, 6, 8) (9, 10, 11, 11) more times. [208 (228, 252, 264, 288), (312, 332, 356, 388) sts total].

Work even (knitting every round) until piece measures 8.5 (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5) (11.5, 12.5, 13.5, 15)" from original CO edge (back of neck). Depending on your size, this may be anywhere from a handful of rounds to 1-2 rounds more.

Separate for Body:

You will now separate the sleeves from the body of the sweater and begin working the body in the round.

Next round: removing Ms as you pass, k to 1st M, remove M, k3, remove M, place next 39 (42, 46, 47, 51) (56, 60, 65, 73) sts on st holder or scrap yarn, CO 6 (6, 6, 8, 8) (8, 10, 10, 10) sts, k next 65 (72, 80, 85, 93) (100, 106, 113, 121) sts, place next 39 (42, 46, 47, 51) (56, 60, 65, 73) sts onto st holder or scrap yarn, CO 6 (6, 6, 8, 8) (8, 10, 10, 10) sts. Continue knitting body sts to join in round. PM to denote beg/end of each round.

You now have your body sts joined in the round and your sleeve sts on scrap yarn. [142 (156, 172, 186, 202) (216, 232, 246, 262) sts total].

Body:

Work the body sts even in stockinette stitch until piece measures 11.5 (11, 10.5, 11, 10.5) (9.5, 9.5, 8.5, 7)” from underarm CO sts. You may work more or less at this point to make your sweater longer/shorter.

On the next round, switch to size 7 needles. Knit one more round. Then, work 2” in [k1, p1] rib stitch. BO using tubular bind off method or bind off method of choice.

Sleeves:

Using double pointed needles or circular needle of choice for small circumference, slip the 39 (42, 46, 47, 51) (56, 60, 65, 73) sts set aside for one sleeve onto your needle. At the underarm, pick up, 8 (8, 8, 10, 10) (10, 12, 12, 12) sts total. PM after the first 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) (5, 6, 6, 6) sts picked up. This M will denote beg/end of each round. [47, (50, 54, 57, 61), (66, 72, 77, 85) sts total].

Round 1: knit.

Decrease Round: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk. [45, (48, 52, 55, 59), (64, 70, 75, 83) sts total].

Continue knitting stockinette stitch in the round decreasing every 24 (18, 12, 10, 9) (6, 5, 4, 4)th round 3 (4, 6, 7, 8) (11, 13, 15, 18) times until you have 41 (42, 42, 43, 45) (44, 46, 47, 49) sts remaining.

Then, continue working in pattern until your sleeve measures 13” from underarm sts. You may work more/less at this point to make your sleeves longer/shorter.

On the next round, switch to size 7 needles.

Sizes XS, L, XL, 4X, 5X: k2tog, knit to end of round.

Sizes S, M, 2X, 3X: Knit one more round.

Then, work 2” in [k1, p1] rib stitch. BO using tubular bind off method or bind off method of choice.

Repeat for second sleeve.

 

Neckline:

Using size 7 needles and beginning at right side of back left raglan, pick up and knit: 2 sts at the raglan, 12 (13, 13, 14, 14) (15, 15, 16, 16) across left sleeve, 2 sts at the neck raglan, 9 sts down left side of neckline, 12 (13, 13, 14, 14) (15, 15, 16, 16) sts across front of neck, 9 sts up right side of neckline, 2 sts at the next raglan, 12 (13, 13, 14, 14) (15, 15, 16, 16) sts across right sleeve, 2 sts at final raglan, and 30 (31, 31, 32, 32) (33, 33, 34, 34) sts across back.

Join to work in round. PM to denote beg/end of each round.

Work 2.5” in [k1, p1] rib stitch. Bind off loosely. Fold neckband in and seam to inner edge to create a foldover neckband.

Finishing:

Weave in all ends to secure.

Block by soaking in warm water and lay flat to dry.

Enjoy!