Valetta Raglan

Valetta Raglan Sweater by Stephanie Earp

What is Being Made

The Valetta Raglan is a women's pullover sweater featuring a classic raglan construction, where the sleeves are seamlessly integrated into the body using a top-down yoke design. This downloadable knitting pattern is available in nine women's sizes, ranging from XS to 5X, with finished bust measurements from 35 inches to 67 inches. The pattern includes written instructions across six pages and is designed for intermediate-level knitters.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Valetta Raglan employs top-down raglan construction, a popular technique for creating fitted sweaters with minimal seaming. The sweater is worked in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless knitting from the neckline down through the yoke and body. The pattern incorporates colorwork, adding visual interest and texture to the finished garment. Raglan shaping is achieved through strategic increases at marked intervals, with eight dedicated stitch markers used to track the raglan lines as they expand from the yoke outward.

The construction method eliminates the need for traditional seaming, as stitches are worked continuously in rounds. This approach provides a smooth, comfortable fit and reduces finishing time compared to pieced construction methods.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The pattern is worked using colorwork pattern stitches in the yoke and body sections. The gauge is established at 18.5 stitches and 19 rounds over a 4-inch square when worked in the colorwork pattern after blocking. The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and techniques suitable for intermediate knitters, with written instructions provided throughout rather than charted patterns.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Valetta Raglan is designed to be worked in worsted and aran weight yarns. The main color (MC) is worked in Noro Silk Garden Solo, a luxury worsted-weight yarn composed of 45% silk, 45% mohair, and 10% wool, with each 50-gram ball yielding 100 meters. Yardage requirements for the main color range from 3 balls for the smallest size (XS) to 9 balls for the largest sizes (4X and 5X). The contrast color (CC) is worked in Noro Ito, a 100% wool worsted-weight yarn available in 200-gram balls with 400 meters per ball, requiring between 1 and 2 balls depending on size.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires two sets of US 8 (5 mm) circular needles—one 16-inch needle for working the sleeves and neckline, and one 32-inch or 40-inch needle for the body and yoke. A smaller needle size, US 6 (4 mm), is also needed in the same lengths for ribbed edgings. Additional notions include nine stitch markers (with one in a distinct color to mark the end of round), two stitch holders or waste yarn for temporarily securing sleeve stitches, and a darning needle for weaving in ends and any finishing work.

Pattern Format and Difficulty

This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern presented as a downloadable PDF. The pattern is written in English with measurements provided in inches and includes six pages of instructions. The intermediate difficulty rating reflects the skills required to work colorwork patterns, manage raglan increases, and execute seamless top-down construction techniques.