Raglan
Raglan is a type of sleeve where the seam runs diagonally from the underarm to the neckline, creating a popular seamless construction for sweaters.
Explanation
Raglan is a sleeve construction where the seam runs diagonally from the underarm up to the neckline, instead of having a horizontal shoulder seam. This makes raglan especially suited for top-down sweaters. You start at the neck and increase evenly at four points (two for the front/back, two for the sleeves) until you reach the underarm. Raglan provides good freedom of movement and is relatively simple to knit.
Also known as: Raglan shaping
The four lines
A raglan shapes the shoulder with four diagonal lines running from neck to underarm, one at the front and back of each side. Working top-down you increase either side of the four markers; working bottom-up you decrease at the same points.
The lines are visible on the right side and count as part of the design — many patterns emphasize them with a decorative stitch between the increases.
Fit
Raglan gives a soft, rounded shoulder that suits most people, and it is the easiest construction to adjust because all the shaping happens on four clear lines.
In exchange it sits looser across the shoulder than a set-in sleeve, and on very broad or very narrow shoulders it can pull askew.
Common mistakes
- Increasing with the same method on both sides of a line, so it does not mirror.
- Forgetting to count stitches after an increase round.
Keywords
- raglan
- raglan sleeves
- top-down knitting
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a raglan and a yoke?
A raglan has four diagonal lines from neck to underarm. A circular yoke increases evenly around the whole round with no visible lines.
Does raglan suit everyone?
It suits most people and is the easiest to adjust. On very broad shoulders a set-in sleeve gives a better fit.