Brigitte Raglan Shell

Brigitte Raglan Shell by Therese Chynoweth

What Is Being Made

The Brigitte Raglan Shell is a close-fitting sleeveless knit top designed by Therese Chynoweth. This intermediate-level garment features raglan armholes, decorative lace panels, and a distinctive back keyhole opening. Available in six sizes ranging from XS to 2XL, with finished bust measurements from 31¼ inches to 50¾ inches, this shell offers a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and preferences.

Finished Measurements

• Bust: 31¼ (35¼, 38¾, 43, 47¼, 50¾) inches [79.5 (89.5, 98.5, 109, 120, 129) cm]
• Length: 22¼ (22¾, 23¼, 23¾, 24¼, 24¾) inches [56.5 (58, 59, 60.5, 61.5, 63) cm]

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This design incorporates raglan shaping, a construction method where the armhole seams run diagonally from the underarm to the neckline, creating a seamless transition from body to sleeve cap. The raglan technique is worked using lace panels, which add visual interest and texture through openwork stitch patterns. The back keyhole opening provides both a design feature and functional element, typically created through strategic decreases and bind-offs in the back neck area. The pattern uses standard knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters, including working in the round on circular needles and managing multiple stitch markers for shaping.

Yarn and Materials

The Brigitte Raglan Shell is designed to be worked in fingering weight yarn, also classified as Super Fine (#1) weight. The yardage requirement ranges from 728 yards for the smallest size (XS) to 1,300 yards for the largest size (2XL). The sample shown was created using Artfil Solo, a 100% merino superwash wool yarn available in 400-yard hanks. The color featured is White Sands, requiring 2 to 4 hanks depending on the chosen size. This yarn choice provides excellent stitch definition for the lace panels while offering the durability and easy-care properties of superwash-treated merino wool.

Needles and Notions

Construction requires US 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles in two lengths: a 16-inch needle for working the smaller circumferences and a 32-inch needle for larger sections worked in the round. Needle size should be adjusted as needed to achieve the specified gauge. Essential notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping decreases throughout the construction process.

Skill Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern assumes knitters have foundational knowledge of circular needle techniques, lace stitch patterns, and raglan shaping. The pattern instructions are written for the smallest size (XS) with larger sizes provided in parentheses, allowing experienced knitters to easily scale the design to their preferred fit.