One Piece Raglan Cardigan in Hayfield Spirit Chunky - 10859 - Downloadable PDF

One Piece Raglan Cardigan in Hayfield Spirit Chunky

What is Being Made

This is a one-piece raglan cardigan pattern designed for knitters of intermediate skill level. The cardigan features a raglan sleeve construction, which means the sleeves are knitted as part of the main body piece rather than being sewn on separately. This design approach creates smooth, continuous lines from the neckline down through the shoulders to the cuffs. The pattern is available in seven sizes ranging from XS (71–76 cm chest) through XXXL (132–137 cm chest), making it suitable for a wide range of body measurements.

Techniques Used

The one-piece raglan construction is the primary technique featured in this pattern. This method involves knitting the cardigan as a single garment from the top down or bottom up, with raglan shaping created through strategic increases or decreases that form diagonal lines from the armholes to the neckline. The pattern utilizes both flat knitting on straight needles and circular needle work, incorporating techniques such as working with stitch holders to manage stitches during construction and stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points. The cardigan includes ribbed edgings, which require knitting in the round using double-pointed needles or circular needles to create the characteristic elastic texture at cuffs and hem.

Stitches Used

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the provided pattern information, the construction of a raglan cardigan typically employs fundamental knitting stitches including knit and purl stitches for the main fabric. Ribbed sections—commonly used for cuffs, hem, and front bands—are created by alternating knit and purl stitches in vertical columns. The raglan shaping itself is achieved through increases (such as yarn overs or make-one stitches) positioned on either side of raglan lines to create the characteristic diagonal decreases that form the sleeve cap shaping.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This pattern calls for Hayfield Spirit Chunky yarn in shade 432 Passion. The yardage requirements vary by size: XS and S sizes require 5 and 6 balls respectively (100g per ball), sizes M and L require 7 balls each, size XL requires 8 balls, and sizes XXL and XXXL require 9 balls each. The chunky weight yarn creates a quick-knit fabric with excellent drape and warmth.

The needle requirements include two sets of needles in different sizes to accommodate the pattern's construction:

• 6½mm (UK size 3, USA size 10.5) needles: One pair of straight needles and one 40 cm circular needle for working the main cardigan body and larger sections
• 5½mm (UK size 5, USA size 9) needles: One pair of straight needles, one set of double-pointed needles, and one 40 cm circular needle for ribbed edgings and finer detail work

Additional notions required include stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches during construction and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the knitting process.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

The pattern provides precise finished measurements for each size. Chest measurements range from 71–76 cm (28–30 inches) for XS to 132–137 cm (52–54 inches) for XXXL. The full length of the cardigan varies from 54 cm (21¼ inches) for XS to 66 cm (26 inches) for XXXL. Sleeve length remains relatively consistent across sizes, ranging from 45–48 cm (17¾–19 inches), with most larger sizes featuring the maximum sleeve length of 48 cm (19 inches).