Top-down raglan calculator
A top-down raglan is seamless and easy to try on as you go. The tricky part is spacing the increases so the body and sleeves reach the right width at the same yoke depth — the calculator does exactly that.
How the pattern is built
- Neck cast-on: neck circumference plus ease — 92 sts in the example.
- Raglan markers split the stitches into front, back and two sleeves.
- Back raise: a few pairs of short rows make the back higher than the front.
- Yoke: type A increase rounds (+8 sts) for every section, then type B rounds (+4 sts) only where width is still missing.
- Divide: sleeves go on hold, 8 sts are cast on under each arm, and the body and sleeves are worked down in the round.
Worked example: top-down raglan
This is real output from the builder for size M (bust 92 cm, neck 35.5 cm, upper arm 29 cm, length 60 cm) at a gauge of 22 sts and 30 rows per 10 cm (4 in).
Key numbers
- Cast-on
- 92
- Yoke rounds/rows
- 57
- Set-up: sleeve / front
- 16 / 30
- Increases A / B
- 25 / 12
- Yoke sts at end
- 340
- Cast on at underarm
- 8
- Body sts
- 224
- Sleeve sts
- 74
- Cuff sts
- 44
- Body rounds
- 95
Finished garment
- Bust circumference
- 101.8 cm
- Ease
- +9.8 cm
- Neckline
- 41.8 cm
- Collar
- 2.5 cm ribbing, 2.7 cm
- Yoke depth
- 19 cm
- Sleeve circumference
- 33.6 cm
- Cuff
- 20 cm
- Yarn (estimate)
- 1140–1450 m
Why two kinds of increases
The body has to grow much more than the sleeves. Increasing everywhere at the same rate would make the sleeves too wide or the body too narrow, so the calculator works out how many rounds of each type you need and spreads them through the yoke.
FAQ
How deep should a raglan yoke be?
It depends on bust size and fit. The calculator suggests a depth automatically and recalculates the increases if you change it.
Can I make it as a cardigan?
Yes — it is worked flat with button bands, and the buttonholes are spaced evenly for you.