Alba Raglan Sweater in West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft DK - DBP0044 - Downloadable PDF

Alba Raglan Sweater – Women's Twisted Stitch Knitting Pattern by Rosee Woodland in West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft DK

About This Pattern

The Alba Raglan Sweater is a beautifully crafted women's pullover designed by Rosee Woodland and knitted in West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft DK yarn. This intermediate-level knitting pattern combines classic raglan shaping with elegant twisted stitch detailing, creating a garment that is both structurally interesting and visually refined. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it immediately accessible for knitters ready to cast on.

What Is Being Made

The Alba is a women's fitted raglan sweater featuring twisted stitch patterning worked across the body and sleeves. Raglan construction means the sleeves and body are joined and shaped simultaneously from the underarm upward to the neckline, creating smooth, diagonal seam lines that are both flattering and functional. The sweater is worked in the round for the body and sleeves, with short rows incorporated into the construction for refined shaping.

The pattern is sized to fit a wide range of bodies, covering six sizes:

• XS – to fit bust 28–30 in / 71–76 cm, actual body circumference 83 cm
• S – to fit bust 32–34 in / 81–86 cm, actual body circumference 94 cm
• M – to fit bust 36–38 in / 91–97 cm, actual body circumference 104 cm
• L – to fit bust 40–42 in / 102–107 cm, actual body circumference 115 cm
• XL – to fit bust 44–46 in / 112–117 cm, actual body circumference 123 cm
• XXL – to fit bust 48–50 in / 122–127 cm, actual body circumference 134 cm

The actual body length is approximately 58–68 cm depending on size, and sleeve length ranges from 43–48 cm, providing a well-proportioned silhouette across all sizes.

Techniques Used

This pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with circular knitting and ready to explore more textural stitch work. Key techniques employed throughout the pattern include:

• Raglan shaping – simultaneous increases and decreases worked at four raglan points to shape the yoke
• Twisted stitches – stitches worked through the back of the loop to create a rope-like, defined texture without the need for a cable needle in every instance
• Short row shaping – used to refine fit, with hinged stitch markers recommended to mark short row turning points
• Working in the round – the body and sleeves are knitted in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles or preferred alternatives for small circumferences
• Cable needle techniques – a cable needle is used for certain twisted stitch or cable crossings within the pattern
• Make 1 increases – both standard M1 and M1 purlwise (M1P) are used to maintain stitch pattern integrity during shaping
• SSK and K2tog decreases – paired decreases used for neat, directional shaping throughout the raglan yoke and body
• Stocking stitch in the round – the main body fabric is worked as stocking stitch (every round knit) when worked in the round

Stitches Used

The Alba Raglan Sweater draws on a combination of foundational and decorative knitting stitches to achieve its distinctive look:

• Knit and purl stitches – the building blocks of the stocking stitch fabric used throughout the body
• Twisted stitches (tbl – through back of loops) – worked by knitting or purling into the back of the loop, these stitches create a tighter, more defined appearance and form the signature decorative element of this sweater
• Stocking stitch (st-st) – the primary background fabric, worked