A sweater or dress with a sweet lace raglan detail to live in every day. This is the perfect basic that’s not too fussy, but doesn’t compromise on fit. A compound raglan comes with a row-by-row chart in every size to help you make it the best fitting daily garment ever.

Make it your own by mix-and-matching the body and sleeve lengths. Choose between long sleeve and short sleeve, or pullover and dress length.

You don’t need to be too precious with the finished dress or sweater—wear it anywhere, from work to a nice restaurant on a cute date. An ultra-lightweight fabric using woolen spun or unspun yarn knits up in no time and isn’t too heavy, even as a dress.

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Download a pattern preview, including schematics, here.

Size Selection

Sizes A (B, C, D) (E, F, G) (H, I, J) with 38 (42, 46, 50) (54, 58, 62) (66, 70, 74)” / 95 (105, 115, 125) (135, 145, 155) (165, 175, 185) cm finished circumference at chest

To fit upper bust measurements of 31 (34.25, 37.5, 40.75) (44, 47.25, 50.5) (53.75, 57, 60.25)” / 78.5 (87, 95.5, 103.5) (112, 120, 128.5) (136.5, 145, 153) cm

To fit full bust measurements of 30 (34, 38, 42) (46, 50, 54) (58, 62, 66)” / 76 (86.5, 96.5, 106.5) (117, 127, 137) (147.5, 157.5, 167.5) cm with 8-11” / 20.5-28 cm intended ease in the full bust.

Select a size based on the intended wearer’s actual upper chest measurement. The front of the finished garment is 0 (0, 1, 1) (2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 4)” / 0 (0, 2.5, 2.5) (5, 5, 7.5) (7.5, 7.5, 10) cm wider than the back to accommodate bust tissue. Optional bust darts and butt shaping is available for those who need it within the pattern.

Aimee is wearing Size B with no darts and has measurements: 32” / 81 upper bust and 34” / 86.5 cm full bust, with 10.75” / 27.5 cm upper arm

Choosing A Cup Size

Measure the intended wearer’s body from the top of the shoulder to the underbust line in the back and the front. This may require help from a second person. Be sure that the back and the front underbust points are parallel to the ground. It may be helpful to tie a piece of yarn or string around the underbust point to mark front and back.

Subtract the back length from the front length, then subtract 2” / 5 cm from this number (because the pattern accommodates a 2” difference already). The remaining difference is how much you need to add. Each subsequent cup size adds 1” / 2.5 cm. If you come up with a number less than 1” / 2.5 cm, then you do not need bust darts.

It’s better to have slightly too few short rows than slightly too many. If you are in between or unsure, choose one cup size smaller.

Cup Size 1: Adds 1” / 2.5 cm
Cup Size 2: Adds 2” / 5 cm
Cup Size 3: Adds 3” / 7.5 cm
Cup Size 4: Adds 4” / 10 cm
Cup Size 5: Adds 5” / 12.5 cm

Gauge

16 sts x 24 rnds = 4 x 4” / 10 x 10 cm, stockinette st knit in the rnd using Needle A

Needles

A (Main Fabric): US 9 / 5.5 mm in the following lengths: DPN’s, 16” / 40 cm, 24” / 60 cm, 36-60” / 90-150 cm
B (Ribbing): US 6 / 4 mm in the following lengths: DPNs, 16” / 40 cm, 36-60” / 90-150 cm

Yarn Selection and Yardage

With unspun yarn, it’s a good idea to buy 1 extra plate in case of ripping, swatching, and to accommodate any differences in milling, as the yarn can be more variable in density.

Dress Sample

Shown with dress length and short sleeves, using Honer Och Eir’s Nutiden (unspun yarn; 100% wool in 100g plates), in the colorway Rodnad.

460 (500, 550, 590) 630, 680, 71080, 820) grams unspun yarn held double throughout

OR chunky weight yarn held single in the following amounts:

1070 (1170, 1290, 1370) (1460, 1560, 1640) (1730, 1820, 1900) yds / 975 (1050, 1175, 1250) (1325, 1425, 1500) (1575, 1650, 1725) m

Pullover Sample

Shown with pullover length and long sleeves, using De Rerum Natura’s Cyrano (chunky weight; 100% merino; 164 / 150 m / 100 g) in the colorway Erable.

390 (420, 460, 490) 530, 570, 61070, 720) grams in unspun yarn held double throughout

OR chunky weight yarn held single in the following amounts:

910 (970, 1050, 1140) (1220, 1320, 1410) (1500, 1570, 1670) yds / 825 (900, 975, 1025) (1125, 1200, 1275) (1350, 1425, 1525) meters

Modifications Yarn Substitution

To add or remove long sleeves, add or remove 100 (110, 110, 110) (120, 130, 140) (140, 140, 150) grams unspun yarn, OR 230 (240, 240, 250) (270, 280, 300) (310, 310, 330) yds / 200 (225, 225, 225) (250, 250, 275) (275, 275, 300) meters chunky weight yarn.

For bust darts, for every 1” / 2.5 cm added, add an additional 20 (20, 20, 20) (20, 20, 25) (25, 25, 25) grams unspun yarn OR 10 (10, 15, 15) (15, 15, 15) (20, 20, 20) yards or meters of chunky weight yarn.

To lengthen or shorten body, add or remove 15
(15, 15, 20) (20, 20, 25) (25, 25, 25) grams of unspun
yarn OR 35 (35, 35, 45) (45, 45, 60) (60, 60,
60) yards/meters for every inch modified.

Use a lightweight woolen spun or unspun yarn to create a lightweight fabric.

Notions

Stitch markers, unique marker for BOR, smooth waste yarn, tapestry needle

Formats Accessibility

• Features raglan tracker file organized by size so you can track your stitch counts row by row during the compound raglan.
• Large format pattern file included, with 22 pt font, black text on white background, and no italic formatting text.
• All images have alt text.
• Header structure tagged main pattern file.

Credits

Tech Edit: Heather Storta
Sample Knitting: Aimee Sher
Sample Knitting: Hannah Graham
Photos: Roy and Aimee Sher
Sites Support: Symphony Chau

#SizeInclusive #BustDarts