Asymmetric Raglan Cardigan in BC Garn Sarah Tweed - 2278BC - Downloadable PDF

Asymmetric Raglan Cardigan in BC Garn Sarah Tweed – Pattern No. 2278BC by Lene Holme Samsøe

This free downloadable PDF knitting pattern by designer Lene Holme Samsøe, published as BC Garn pattern No. 2278BC, guides knitters through the construction of a stylish asymmetric raglan cardigan worked in the beautifully textured BC Garn Sarah Tweed yarn. The design is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and reading multi-row stitch patterns.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a women's raglan-style cardigan featuring an asymmetric front opening, giving it a contemporary, fashion-forward silhouette. It is available in four sizes — S, M, L, and XL — with corresponding bust measurements of 88 (96) 104 (112) cm and a total length of approximately 52 (53) 54 (55) cm. The cardigan is fastened with 5 small buttons, adding a neat, tailored finish to the asymmetric front edge.

Construction and Techniques

The cardigan is constructed using a raglan shaping method, where the sleeves and body are joined and decreased simultaneously to form the characteristic diagonal raglan seam lines. This approach creates a smooth, comfortable fit across the shoulders without the need for traditional set-in sleeve construction. The asymmetric front is a key design detail, requiring careful attention to shaping on each front panel differently, which is what elevates this pattern to an intermediate skill level.

Knitters will work flat on straight needles for the main body pieces and use circular needles for picking up and working borders or finishing edges. The pattern makes use of both right-side and wrong-side rows, so an understanding of working in pattern on both sides of the fabric is essential.

Stitches Used

• Moss Stitch Pattern (MSP) – The primary stitch pattern throughout the cardigan. Moss stitch is worked by alternating knit and purl stitches across each row, then working the opposite stitch over each stitch on subsequent rows, creating a dense, textured, non-curling fabric. Row 1 is worked as *K1, P1, repeat from *, ending with K1, and Row 2 is worked as set.
• Garter Stitch – Used in select sections; worked by knitting every row on both right and wrong sides, producing a ridged, elastic fabric.
• K2tog (Knit Two Together) – A standard right-leaning decrease used during raglan shaping.
• K2tog tbl (Knit Two Together Through Back Loop) – A left-leaning decrease used to mirror shaping on the opposite side of raglan lines.
• P2tog (Purl Two Together) – A purl-side decrease used when shaping falls on a wrong-side row.
• P2tog tbl (Purl Two Together Through Back Loop) – A mirrored purl decrease for symmetrical shaping on wrong-side rows.

The combination of paired decreases — both K2tog and K2tog tbl — ensures that the raglan shaping lines are neat and visually balanced on the right side of the fabric, a hallmark of well-finished knitwear.

Materials

• Yarn: BC Garn Sarah Tweed in colour st28, an aran weight yarn with a characteristic tweed texture. Quantities required are 300 (300) 350 (400) g depending on size.
• Needles: Straight needles in sizes 3 mm and 3.5 mm, plus circular needles in sizes 3 mm and 3.5 mm (80 cm length).
• Notions: 5 small buttons for the asymmetric front fastening.

Tension