Basic Raglan Sweater CHIARA | seamless | top down | 8 sizes

Everyone needs a warm basic sweater to wear when the colder weather arrives. Let’s welcome the frosty seasons by choosing your favorite color.

CHIARA is a very basic sweater, with a deep raglan yoke, a cropped length, and a boxy and casual fit. It is knitted seamlessly top-down, featuring a textured pattern at the raglan seams and along the sides and sleeves. Subtle details, like alternating rib patterns and an Italian bind off, give advanced beginners a good challenge and keep experts interested.
Holding two strands of yarns together gives this basic piece a beautiful drape and a unique look.

This sweater is reversible and can therefore be worn inside out.

Watch my knitting podcast episode #28 ("Strick & Fit") on YouTube to get more impressions about the CHIARA sweater

CONSTRUCTION
Starting at the neckline, the sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down. The yoke is knit in the round, with raglan shaping for the sleeves. When the yoke is complete, the sleeves and body are separated and worked from top to bottom. The Italian bind-off creates a neat and stretchy edge. The top-down construction allows you to try on as you go and add or reduce length to your liking.

FIT
Casual and boxy fit, with a deep yoke, a cropped body length, and comfy sleeves.
As it is not necessary to raise the neckline, short rows are not required.

LEVEL
Intermediate

SKILLS

• cast on and bind off
• knit & purl
• work in rounds
• decreases (to the left and to the right - written description + video links)
• increases (to the left and to the right - written description + video links)
• optional: Italian bind-off (written description + video link)
• know how to follow written instructions
• basic knowledge about the construction of a top down raglan sweater

WHAT YOU WILL GET
The pattern (17 pages) includes.

• very detailed written instructions
• photos
• schematics
• video links for special stitches/techniques

SIZES
(1, 2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7, 8)

Finished bust circumference:
(90, 96.5, 101.5, 110) (118.5, 128.5, 140, 148.5) cm
(35.5, 38, 40, 43.25) (46.5, 50.5, 55, 58.5)“

Plan for approximately 5–15 cm / 2–6” positive ease.

Sample is shown in size 3 on a 92 cm / 3.25” bust with 9.5 cm / 3.75” of positive ease.

YARN SUGGESTION
Both yarns are held together throughout:

Yarn 1: Gazzal „Wool Star“ | colorway 3826 | 100 g = 350 m | 3.52 oz. = 383 yards | 100 % Superwash Fine Merino

Yarn 2: DROPS Lace | colorway 3620 | 50 g = 400 m | 1.76 oz. = 437 yards | 70 % alpaca | 30 % silk

Of course, it is possible to use other yarns or colors of your choice, or to use one strand of yarn, as long as you achieve gauge.

I recommend using a blend of fingering yarn + mohair or alpaca lace weight, but if you substitute I suggest using a DK weight yarn.

NOTIONS
• Main Fabric: 4.0 mm / US 6 – 80 cm / 32” to 100 cm / 40” circular and preferred needles for small circumference knitting (Magic Loop or double pointed needles)
• For neckline ribbing: 2.5 mm / US 1.5 – 80 cm / 32” to 100 cm / 40” circular or preferred needles for small circumference knitting (Magic Loop or double pointed needles)
• 9 stitch markers, scissors, tapestry needle for italian bind-off, tape measure
• scrap yarn or stitch holders

Use the needle size you need to achieve gauge.

GAUGE
24 sts x 31 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4“ | using a 4.0 mm (US 6) circular needle | in Broken ribbing
pattern | measured before washing/blocking

It is recommended to knit your gauge swatch in rounds.