If you are looking for a free simple raglan sweater pattern with beautiful detail and wearable everyday style, the Fern Pullover is one of my favorite free sweater knitting pattern designs in my collection.
This top-down raglan sweater is worked seamlessly in the round and features delicate leafy lace raglan lines that add just enough interest without making the project overly complicated. It is a wonderful option if you want a sweater that looks polished and detailed while still being approachable to knit. The Fern Pullover includes instructions for sizes 2 through 16, making it a versatile pattern for children of many ages.
One of the things I love most about this free simple raglan sweater pattern is how timeless the finished sweater looks. The leafy lace detail gives it a soft, feminine touch while the classic raglan construction keeps it practical and comfortable for everyday wear.
Because this sweater is worked from the top down, it is easy to try on as you go and adjust the body or sleeve length if needed. That makes it especially helpful when knitting for growing kids who never seem to stay the same size for long.
Another reason this design is special to me is that the Fern Pullover was my second ever sweater knitting pattern. It will always have a soft spot in my heart because it helped shape so much of my sweater design style going forward.
What Materials Do You Need for This Free Simple Raglan Sweater Pattern?
To knit the Fern Pullover, you will need the following materials:
I chose KnitPicks CotLin for this sweater because it gives the finished fabric beautiful stitch definition while still feeling lightweight and breathable. That makes this sweater a fantastic layering piece for spring, cool summer evenings, and transitional weather.
The cotton-linen blend also helps the leafy lace raglan detail stand out beautifully, which is one of the defining features of this pattern.
Because this yarn has less stretch than wool, I recommend checking gauge carefully before starting. CotLin creates a lovely drape, but accurate gauge is especially important for getting the intended fit in a garment.
How Is This Free Simple Raglan Sweater Pattern Constructed?
This free simple raglan sweater pattern is worked from the top down in one piece, beginning at the neckline and increasing outward through the raglan yoke. The leafy lace raglan lines are worked alongside the increases, creating decorative panels that run from neckline to underarm.
Once the yoke is complete, the sleeve stitches are placed on hold while the body is worked in the round to the hem. After that, the sleeves are returned to the needles and finished in the round for a seamless sweater with minimal finishing.
Top-down raglan sweaters are one of my favorite constructions because they let you try the sweater on throughout the knitting process. If you like flexibility while knitting garments, this style is hard to beat.
Even though the lace raglan detail looks intricate, it is very manageable once established and adds a satisfying rhythm to the knitting. It is a great next-step sweater if you are ready to move beyond a completely basic stockinette raglan.
Looking for More Child Sweater Knitting Patterns?
If you enjoy this Fern Pullover, here are a few more child sweater patterns you may love:
- Youth Michael Pullover
- Youth Granite Sweater
- Youth Saffron Sweater
- Youth Noah Sweater
- Youth Turtleneck Sweater
These patterns all offer a different texture or construction style, so they are great options if you want to keep building your handmade wardrobe for kids. Whether you prefer simple texture, lace details, or classic ribbing, there is something in the collection for every style of knitter.
The Fern Pullover fits beautifully into this group because it offers a slightly more delicate and detailed take on the classic raglan sweater. If you love garments with subtle design details that still feel practical for everyday wear, this one is a fun knit.
Youth Fern Pullover Pattern
| MATERIALS & INFO Yarn – 4 (4, 5) (5, 6) (6, 7) 8 skeins Knitpicks Cotlin (50g 123yd) Gauge – 22x28sts per 4x4in or 10x10cm Needles – 4 (3.5mm) dpn and circular 6 (4mm) circular Notions – stitch markers Youth Sizes – 2, 4 (6, 8) (10, 12) 14, 16 Bust Measurement – 53, 58.5 (63.5, 67) (71, 76) 80, 82.5cms or 21, 23 (25, 26.5) (28,30) 31.5, 32.5ins | PATTERN NOTES Cropped Fern Sweater is a top down seamless raglan in an easy-care yarn. Created for our 8yr old, I wanted a cropped sweater to go over her Easter Dress since it’s always still quite chilly here in New England. Abbreviations can be found on the last page. Note: choose size based on bust measurement for best fit |
PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS
NECK
With smaller needle, cast on 68, 76 (80, 84) (88, 96) 100, 100 stitches being careful not to twist.
Place a marker at the beginning of your round.
Work 2, 2 (2, 2) (2.5, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5cm or .75, .75 (.75, .75) (1, 1) 1, 1ins in 1×1 ribbing (k1, p1 around).
Switch to larger needles.
Set up round – p1, k8,10 (10,12) (12,14) 14,14sts, p1, pm, p1, k22,24 (26,26) (28, 30) 32, 32sts, p1, pm p1, k8,10 (10,12) (12,14) 14,14sts, p1, pm, p1, k22 ,24 (26,26) (28, 30) 32, 32sts, p1sm (this marker is your start of round marker)
Raglan round 1 – (p1, yo, k1, yo, k1, ssk, knit to 5sts before marker, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, yo, p1, sm) repeat around
Raglan round 2 – (p1, knit to 1 stitch before marker, p1) Repeat around Raglan round 3 – (p1, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, ssk, knit to 6sts before marker, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, p1, sm) repeat around
Raglan round 4 – (p1, knit to 1 stitch before marker, p1) Repeat around Raglan round 5 – (p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k1, ssk, knit to 7sts before marker, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, yo, k2, p1, sm) repeat around
Raglan round 6 – (p1, knit to 1 stitch before marker, p1) Repeat around Raglan round 7 – (p1, k3, yo, k1, yo, k1, ssk, knit to 8sts before marker, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, yo, k3, p1, sm) repeat around
Raglan round 8 – (p1, knit to 1 stitch before marker, p1) Repeat around Raglan round 9 – (p1, k4, yo, k1, yo, k1, ssk, knit to 9sts before marker, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, yo, k4, p1, sm) repeat around
Raglan round 10 – (p1, knit to 1 stitch before marker, p1) Repeat around
Repeat raglan rounds 1-10 until a total of 20, 22 (24, 26) (27, 29) 30, 31 raglan increases have been completed (a total of 40, 44 (48, 52) (54, 58) 60, 62 raglan rounds). 228, 252 (272, 292) (304, 328) 340, 348sts
BODY
Now divide the sts into sleeves and body, while at the same time casting on new sts at each underarm, as follows: place the next 50, 56 (60, 66) (68, 74) 76, 78 sts (right sleeve) on a stitch holder, remove marker, cast on 4sts for the armhole using the backward loop method, knit 64, 70 (76, 80) (84, 90) 94, 96sts (front), remove marker, place the next 50, 56 (60, 66) (68, 74) 76, 78 sts (left sleeve) on a stitch holder, remover marker, cast on 4sts for the armhole using the backward loop method, knit 64, 70 (76, 80) (84, 90) 94, 96sts (back). There are now 136, 148 (160, 168) (176, 188) 196, 200 sts on the needles for the body.
Work in stockinette st in the round until your work measures appx 6, 7.5 (8.5, 12.5) (15, 16) 16, 16 or 2.5, 3 (3.5, 5) (6, 6.5) 6.5, 6.5ins from the underarm stitches.
Work in a 1×1 ribbing (k1 p1) for appx 3, 3 (3, 3) (4, 4) 4, 4cms or 1.25, 1.25 (1.25, 1.25) (1.5, 1.5) 1.5, 1.5ins. Bind off using your favorite stretchy bind off for 1×1 ribbing.
SLEEVES
Place on hold stitches for the first sleeve onto larger double-pointed or circular needles. Pick up and knit 4 sts along the sts that were cast on at the underarm when working the body. There are now a total of 54, 60 (64, 70) (72, 78) 80, 82sts on the needle.
Working in the round in stockinette st.
Decrease as follows:
K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
You have just decreased 2 sts.
Decrease as above every 5th round 9, 10 (11, 13) (13, 14) 14, 15more times for a total of 10, 11 (12, 14) (14, 15) 15, 16 times. 34, 38 (40, 42) (44, 48) 50, 50sts
Continuing working in the round in stockinette until your sleeve measures 18, 23 (25, 27.5) (30, 33.5) 36, 37.5cms or 7.25, 9.25 (10, 11) (12, 13.5) 14.5, 15ins OR 3, 3 (3, 3) (4, 4) 4, 4cms or 1.25, 1.25 (1.25, 1.25) (1.5, 1.5) 1.5, 1.5ins less than your desired sleeve length.
Change to smaller double-pointed needles and work 3, 3 (3, 3) (4, 4) 4, 4cms or 1.25, 1.25 (1.25, 1.25) (1.5, 1.5) 1.5, 1.5ins of 1×1 (k1,p1,) ribbing.
Bind off using your favorite stretchy k1p1 bind off.
Work the other sleeve identically.
Weave in all ends and block as desired. I like to use a clothing steamer for blocking but use the method that you are most comfortable with.
| ABBREVIATIONS K – knit P – purl PM – place marker SM – slip marker K2tog -knit 2 stitches together SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together YO – yarn over |
If you knit this pattern, I would love to hear how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and let me know what color you chose or who you are knitting it for—I always love seeing your versions of my designs.
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