There are things that never change, and one of them is the love for wide-sleeved sweaters. Today, we're presenting a design with oversized, beautifully textured sleeves. In short, a little knitting gem that you’ll enjoy making and wearing. Its versatile, slightly romantic silhouette looks perfect over straight-leg pants but is absolutely stunning paired with a long silk skirt, as shown here.
As always, for the projects featured on our blog, the key to success lies in choosing the right yarn. Every knit or crochet design is created with a specific yarn in mind. Here, we have Cumbria, an alpaca yarn made of three twisted plies: two ultra-thin strands forming the core and a third ultra-fine, airy, and fluffy strand that adds volume, like a cloud of cotton candy. This third alpaca strand creates the yarn’s irregular thickness, depending on the density of the fluffy fiber.
Choose your favorite Cumbria color—we’ve added some lovely mélange options to the collection—and start knitting!
MATERIALS
Cumbria yarn color Honey 190 g / 6.7 oz
Knitting needles n° 4½ EU / 7 US
Stitch holder
Tapestry needle
GAUGE – STOCKINETTE STITCH
10 cm x 10 cm / 4" x 4"
18 stitches and 26 rows
KNITTING STITCHES USED
Knit
Purl
Twisted knit:
knit the stitch in the back loop of the stitch below.
1x1 Rib:
alternate 1 knit, 1 purl across all rows.
Stockinette stitch:
row 1: knit
row 2: purl.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2.
Eyelet stitch:
(Worked over a multiple of 3 + 1 stitches)
Row 1: purl
row 2: knit
row 3: (Purl 1, bind off 2 stitches) to last stitch, purl 1
row 4: knit 1, (cast on 2 stitches over the bound-off stitches, knit 1) to end of row
row 5: purl
row 6: knit.
Repeat Rows 1-6.
Increase:
lift the yarn between the last worked stitch and the next one and knit 1 knit into back.
Simple stitch over:
pass 1 stitch on the right needle without working it, knit the following stitch on the left needle and with the tip of the left needle pass the passed, or unworked, stitch.
Double stitch over:
pass 1 stitch onto the right needle without working it, knit together the following 2 stitches on the left needle and with the tip of the left needle overlap the passed, or unworked, stitch.
SIZES
Instructions are given for S (M, L)
DIMENSIONS OF THE FINISHED PIECE SIZE S (M,L)
Bust circumference: 80 (88, 96) cm / 31.5" (34.6", 37.8")
Total length: 56 (58, 60) cm / 22" (22.8", 23.6")
Underarm to hem: 33 (34, 35) cm / 13" (13.4", 13.8")
Neck opening: 22 (24, 26) cm / 8.7" (9.4", 10.2")
Sleeve length: 48 (50, 52) cm / 19" (19.7", 20.5")
DIFFICULTY
Intermediate
METHOD
The sweater is worked flat and consists of four pieces: the back, front, and sleeves. The neckline edge is worked afterward, after sewing three raglan seams.
Using knitting needle n° 4½ EU / 7 US, cast on 73 (79, 87) stitches.
Row 1: repeat (knit 1, purl 1) until the last stitch, knit the last stitch
row 2: purl the first stitch, then repeat (knit 1, purl 1) until the end of the row.
These two rows establish the 1x1 rib for the bottom edge. Repeat for 5 more times (ending on row 12), reaching 5 cm / 2" in height.
Continue in stockinette stitch for 72 (76, 78) rows until reaching row 84 (88, 90), which measures 33 (34, 35) cm / 13" (13.4", 13.8").
Shaping the raglan armhole
Row 85 (89, 91): bind off 2 (2, 3) stitches at the beginning of the row, knit to the end
row 86 (90, 92): bind off 2 (2, 3) stitches at the beginning of the row, purl to the end
row 87 (91, 93): decrease 1 stitch for the raglan shaping by working a single left-slanting decrease (ssk) over the first two stitches, knit to the last two stitches, then decrease 1 stitch by working a right-slanting decrease (k2tog) over the last two stitches
row 88 (92, 94): purl across
row 89 (93, 95): knit across
row 90 (94, 96): purl across
rows 91–94 (95–98, 97–100): repeat rows 87–90 (91–94, 93–96)
row 95 (99, 101): knit across
row 96 (100, 102): purl across
These rows establish the stockinette stitch with raglan decreases at the edges. Repeat them 4 (4, 5) more times. Then, for size M only, work rows 91 and 92 one additional time.
For all sizes, continue in plain stockinette stitch (without decreases) for 6 (6, 2) more rows, reaching row 142 (148, 154) with 49 (53, 57) stitches remaining.
Shaping the neckline
Row 143 (149, 155): knit 4 (0, 2) stitches, then repeat [knit 2 (3, 3), k2tog] until the last 5 (3, 5) stitches, knit the last 5 (3, 5) stitches
row 144 (150, 156): Purl across the remaining 39 (43, 47) stitches.
Bind off all stitches.
Using knitting needles n° 4½ EU / 7 US, cast on 73 (79, 87) stitches and work as for the back until row 134 (140, 146), reaching a height of 52 (54, 56) cm / 20.5" (21.3", 22"). The instructions now continue separately for the three sizes.
SIZE S
Row 135: Knit 6 stitches, bind off the next 37 stitches for the neckline, knit the last 6 stitches
row 136: Purl across the stitches of the second side. Now continue working only on this second side, leaving the stitches of the first side on a stitch holder
row 137: Decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working a single left-slanting decrease (ssk) over the first two stitches, then knit the remaining stitches
row 138: Purl across
rows 139–144: Repeat rows 137 and 138 3 more times.
Bind off all stitches.
Rejoin yarn to the stitches on the stitch holder and work the first side symmetrically to the second side.
SIZES M AND L
Row (141, 147): decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working a single left-slanting decrease (ssk) over the first two stitches, knit the next 5 stitches, bind off the next (41, 45) stitches for the neckline, knit the next 5 stitches, then decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working k2tog over the last two stitches
row (142, 148): purl across the stitches of the second side. Now continue working only on this second side, leaving the stitches of the first side on a stitch holder
row (143, 149): decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working a single left-slanting decrease (ssk) over the first two stitches, then knit the remaining stitches
row (144, 150): purl across
rows (145–150, 151–156): repeat rows (143 and 144, 149 and 150) 3 more times.
Bind off all stitches.
Rejoin yarn to the stitches on the stitch holder and work the first side symmetrically to the second side.
Start with the right sleeve.
Using knitting needles n° 4½ EU / 7 US, cast on 41 (45, 49) stitches.
Row 1: repeat (1 purl stitch, 1 knit stitch) until the last stitch, knit the last stitch
row 2: knit the first stitch, repeat (1 purl stitch, 1 knit stitch) until the end of the row.
Rows 1 and 2 establish the 1x1 rib for the cuff; repeat them for 2 more times. You should have completed 6 rows, reaching 2.5 cm / 1".
Row 7: repeat (1 knit stitch, in the next stitch work 1 knit stitch and 1 twisted knit stitch) until the last stitch, knit the last stitch. You should have 61 (67, 73) stitches
row 8: purl across
row 9: knit the first 5 (5, 1) stitches, repeat [1 increased knit stitch, 3 (4, 6) knit stitches] until the last 2 (2, 0) stitches, knit the last 2 (2, 0) stitches. You should have 79 (82, 85) stitches
row 10: purl across
row 11: knit across
row 12: purl across
row 13: purl across
row 14: knit across
row 15: repeat (1 purl stitch, bind off 2 stitches) until the last stitch, purl the last stitch
row 16: Knit the first stitch, repeat (cast on 2 new stitches over the 2 bound-off stitches from the previous row, knit 1 stitch) until the end of the row
row 17: purl across
row 18: knit across
row 19: knit 1 stitch and 1 increased knit stitch, continue knitting until the last stitch, knit 1 increased knit stitch and 1 knit stitch
row 20: purl across
rows 21–24: repeat rows 19 and 20 for 2 more times
rows 25–30: repeat rows 13–18.
Rows 19–30 set the alternating stockinette and eyelet stitch pattern with increases on the sides. Repeat them 1 (2, 2) times. Then, work 1 more time the rows 19–28 (-, 21 and 22). You should have completed 52 (54, 56) rows, reaching 25 (26, 27) cm, with 97 (100, 103) stitches on the needle.
Now, following the alternating stockinette and eyelet stitch pattern, start decreasing for the raglan armholes. The instructions proceed separately for each size.
SIZE S
Row 53: bind off the first 2 stitches for the armhole, purl across to the end of the row
row 54: bind off the first 2 stitches for the armhole, knit across to the end of the row
row 55: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working a simple left-slanting decrease (ssk) over the first 2 stitches, knit across to the last 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working k2tog over the last 2 stitches
row 56: purl across
rows 57–60: repeat rows 55 and 56 for 2 more times
row 61: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working a simple left-slanting decrease (ssk) over the first 2 stitches, purl across to the last 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working k2tog over the last 2 stitches
row 62: knit across
row 63: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working a simple left-slanting decrease (ssk) over the first 2 stitches, bind off the next stitch, purl the next stitch, repeat (bind off the next 2 stitches, purl the next stitch) until the last 3 stitches, bind off the next stitch, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working k2tog over the last 2 stitches
row 64: knit the first stitch, cast on 1 new stitch over the bound-off stitch from the previous row, knit 1 stitch, repeat (cast on 2 new stitches over the 2 bound-off stitches from the previous row, knit 1 stitch) until the last stitch, cast on 1 new stitch over the bound-off stitch from the previous row, knit the last stitch
rows 65 and 66: repeat rows 61 and 62
rows 67–72: repeat rows 55 and 56 for 3 more times
rows 73–78: repeat rows 61–66
rows 79 and 80: repeat rows 55 and 56
row 81: bind off the first 2 stitches for the raglan armhole, knit across to the last 2 stitches, bind off the last 2 stitches for the raglan armhole
row 82: purl across
rows 83 and 84: repeat rows 81 and 82
row 85: bind off the first 2 stitches for the raglan armhole, purl across to the last 2 stitches, bind off the last 2 stitches for the raglan armhole
row 86: knit across
row 87: bind off the first 2 stitches for the raglan armhole, purl the next 3 stitches, (bind off the next 2 stitches, purl the next stitch) until the last 4 stitches, purl the next 2 stitches, bind off the last 2 stitches for the raglan armhole
row 88: knit the first 3 stitches, repeat (cast on 2 new stitches over the 2 bound-off stitches from the previous row, knit 1 stitch) until the last 2 stitches, knit the last 2 stitches
rows 89 and 90: repeat rows 85 and 86
row 91: bind off the first 2 stitches, knit the next 5 stitches, repeat (k2tog over the next 2 stitches) until the last 6 stitches, knit the next 4 stitches, bind off the last 2 stitches
row 92: purl across. Bind off all stitches.
SIZE M
Row 55: close the first 2 stitches for the armhole, continue in knit until the end of the row
row 56: close the first 2 stitches for the armhole, continue in purl until the end of the row
row 57: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working a simple slip stitch over the first 2 stitches, continue in knit until the last 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 stitches together in knit over the last 2 stitches
row 58: work in purl
rows 59 and 60: repeat rows 57 and 58 for 2 more times
row 61: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working a simple slip stitch over the first 2 stitches, continue in purl until the last 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 stitches together in knit over the last 2 stitches
row 62: work in knit
row 63: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working a simple slip stitch over the first 2 stitches, repeat (close the next 2 stitches, 1 stitch in purl) until the last 4 stitches, close the next 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 stitches together in knit over the last 2 stitches
row 64: work the first stitch in knit, repeat (cast on 2 new stitches corresponding to the 2 closed stitches in the previous row, work 1 stitch in knit) until the end of the row
rows 65 and 66: repeat rows 61 and 62
rows 67 to 72: repeat rows 57 and 58 for 3 times
rows 73 to 78: repeat rows 61 and 62
rows 79 to 84: repeat rows 57 and 58 for 3 times
rows 85 to 90: repeat rows 61 and 62
row 91: close the first 2 stitches for the raglan armhole, continue in knit until the last 2 stitches, close the last 2 stitches for the raglan armhole
row 92: close the first 2 stitches for the raglan armhole, continue in purl until the last 2 stitches, close the last 2 stitches for the raglan armhole
rows 93 and 94: repeat rows 91 and 92
row 95: work the first 3 stitches in knit, repeat (2 stitches together in knit over the next 2 stitches) until the last 3 stitches, work the last 3 stitches in knit
row 96: work in purl. Close the work.
SIZE L
Row 57: close the first 3 stitches for the raglan armhole, continue in knit until the end of the row
row 58: close the first 3 stitches for the raglan armhole, continue in purl until the end of the row
row 59: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working a simple slip stitch over the first 2 stitches, continue in knit until the last 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 stitches together in knit over the last 2 stitches
row 60: work in purl
row 61: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working a simple slip stitch over the first 2 stitches, continue in purl until the last 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 stitches together in knit over the last 2 stitches
row 62: work in knit
row 63: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working a simple slip stitch over the first 2 stitches, repeat (close the next 2 stitches, 1 stitch in purl) until the last 4 stitches, close the next 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 stitches together in knit over the last 2 stitches
row 64: work the first stitch in knit, repeat (cast on 2 new stitches corresponding to the 2 closed stitches in the previous row, work 1 stitch in knit) until the end of the row
rows 65 and 66: repeat rows 61 and 62
rows 67 to 72: repeat rows 59 and 60 for 3 times
rows 73 to 78: repeat rows 61 and 62
rows 79 to 84: repeat rows 59 and 60 for 3 times
rows 85 to 88: repeat rows 61 and 64
row 89: close the first 2 stitches for the raglan armhole, continue in purl until the last 2 stitches, close the last 2 stitches for the raglan armhole
row 90: work in knit
row 91: close the first 2 stitches for the raglan armhole, continue in knit until the last 2 stitches, close the last 2 stitches for the raglan armhole
row 92: work in purl
rows 93 to 98: repeat rows 91 and 92 for 3 more times
row 99: work the first 3 stitches in knit, repeat (2 stitches together in knit over the next 2 stitches) until the last 2 stitches, work the last 2 stitches in knit
row 100: work in purl. Close the work.
Finish the left sleeve the same way as the right sleeve, but mirror the pattern.
Sew 3 of the 4 raglan armholes. For the neck edge, with knitting needles n° 4½ EU / 7 US, pick up an even number of stitches around the front and back necklines. Work 6 rows in 1x1 rib, then close the work. Sew the last raglan armhole and the neck edge. Close the underarm seams and side seams.
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