This DK Raglan Sweater Knitting Pattern is a simple, wearable design that also fits right in with my collection of free sweater knitting patterns.
If you’ve been wanting a sweater that feels feminine without being fussy, this one checks all the boxes. The top-down construction lets you try it on as you go, which takes the guesswork out of fit. And because the body is worked in stockinette, it’s the kind of project you can actually relax with at the end of the day.
If you’ve ever felt stuck choosing between something interesting and something easy, this DK Raglan Sweater Knitting Pattern solves that. You get those beautiful lace balloon sleeves without turning the whole project into something overwhelming.
It’s the kind of sweater you’ll keep reaching for.
Simple where it should be, detailed where it counts.
This design keeps your hands moving without making you stop and overthink every row.
What materials do you need for this DK Raglan Sweater Knitting Pattern?
For this project, I used Berroco Vintage DK, and it really hits that sweet spot between soft and structured. It holds the lace pattern beautifully while still being durable enough for everyday wear. You’ll also need size 5 needles for the main fabric and size 4 for the ribbing, plus your usual basics like stitch markers and a tapestry needle.
If you prefer to swap yarns, look for a DK weight with good stitch definition. That’s what helps the lace sleeves stand out without looking messy. Just make sure to check your gauge before diving in so your fit turns out exactly how you want.
This is one of those projects where the right yarn really makes a difference.
It’s worth taking a minute to choose something you’ll love wearing.
How does the construction work in this DK Raglan Sweater Knitting Pattern?
This sweater is worked from the top down with classic raglan shaping, starting at the neckline and building outward. You’ll work the V-neck shaping and raglan increases at the same time, then separate for sleeves and continue the body in smooth stockinette.
The sleeves are where things get fun. The lace pattern is repetitive and easy to settle into, and the fullness builds naturally without shaping until the cuff. That’s what gives you that soft balloon effect at the wrist.
Because it’s seamless, you don’t have to worry about finishing work at the end.
You can focus on the knitting and enjoy watching it come together.
Looking for more free sweater knitting patterns like this one?
If you love this style, there are plenty of related patterns you can try next:
• youth saffron pullover
• michael sweater
• rosemary cardigan
• wisdom pullover
• september cardigan
These patterns all build on similar techniques, so once you’ve knit one, the others feel even easier to jump into. It’s a great way to build confidence while still ending up with pieces you’ll actually wear.
This DK Raglan Sweater Knitting Pattern fits right into that lineup with its mix of simple construction and thoughtful detail.
It’s easy to customize, easy to wear, and honestly just a fun knit from start to finish.
Saffron Pullover Free Pattern
Size: xs, s (m, l) xl, 2x (3x, 4x)
Materials: Approximately 1265, 1426 (1570, 1743) 1887, 2102 (2228, 2371) yds of Berroco Vintage DK 100g/2290yds yarn needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 5(US) 3.75mm circular needles and dpn, 4(US) 3.5mm circular and dpn
Gauge (tension): 24sts & 32 rows to make 10cm square, using size 6(US) 4mm needles working in stockinette stitch
Chest Measurement: 75, 85 (95, 105) 115, 125 (135, 145) cm or 30, 34 (38, 42) 46, 50 (54, 58)ins (this measurement is your measurement not the finished measurement of the sweater. There is 4 ins of positive ease in the sweater)
METHOD
This pattern is a v-neck raglan worked in the round from the top down with 10cm of ease. The sleeves are held and then picked up and worked in the round. The main body is knit in stockinette while the sleeves are knit lace. The sleeves are ballon sleeves with no shaping until the cuff.
Saffron Stitch Pattern
In the Round
Round 1 – [k5, k2tog, yo k1, yo, ssk]
Round 2 – knit across
Round 3 – [k6, yo, vdd, yo, k1]
Round 4 – knit aross
Round 5 – [k5, k2tog, yo k1, yo, ssk]
Round 6 – knit across
Round 7 – [ktog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5]
Round 8 – knit across
Round 9 – [k1, yo, vdd, yo, k6]
Round 10 – knit across
Round 11 – [ktog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5]
Round 12 – knit across
Flat
Round 1 – [k5, k2tog, yo k1, yo, ssk]
Round 2 – purl across
Round 3 – [k6, yo, vdd, yo, k1]
Round 4 – purl aross
Round 5 – [k5, k2tog, yo k1, yo, ssk]
Round 6 – purl across
Round 7 – [ktog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5]
Round 8 – purl across
Round 9 – [k1, yo, vdd, yo, k6]
Round 10 – purl across
Round 11 – [ktog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5]
Round 12 – purl across
YOKE
Cast on using U.S. 5 circular needle: 70, 70 (70, 78) 70, 80 (76, 80) sts.
Set up row (wrong side) – p 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) front sts, pm, 8, 6, (8, 10) 6, 8 (6, 6) sleeve sts, pm, p 50, 54 (50, 54) 54, 60 (60, 64) back sts, pm, p 8, 6 (8, 10) 6, 8 (6, 6) sleeve sts, pm, p 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) front sts
From here on out, the front and back will be worked in stockinette while the sleeves are worked in the charted saffron stitch pattern.
RAGLAN INCREASES AND NECK SHAPING
Raglan shaping and neck shaping are worked AT THE SAME TIME.
Row 1 – work across to 1sts before , m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in saffron stitch pattern until 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, knit across to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in saffron stitch pattern to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, k1 (8sts increased)
Row 2 – purl across slipping markers as you come to them
Row 3 – k1, m1l, knit to 1sts before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in saffron stitch pattern until 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, knit across to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in saffron stitch pattern to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, knit to 1 sts before end of row, m1r, k1 (10 sts increased)
Row 4 – purl to 1sts before marker, m1rp, p1, sm, p1, m1lp, purl until 1 st before marker, m1rp, p1, sm, p1, m1lp, purl across to 1 st before marker, m1rp, k1, sm, p1, m1lp, purl to 1 st before marker, m1rp, p1, sm, p1, m1lp, purl to end of round (8 sts increased)
Work rows 3-4 a total of 0, 0 (0, 2) 6, 7 (13, 15) times
Row 5 – k1, m1l, knit to 1sts before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in saffron stitch pattern until 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, knit across to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in saffron stitch pattern to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, knit to 1 sts before end of row, m1r, k1 (8 sts increased)
Row 6 – purl across slipping marker as you come to them
Work rows 5-6 a total of 10, 12 (13, 13) 11, 9 (5, 3) times
Row 7 – k1, m1l, knit to 1sts before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in saffron stitch pattern until 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, knit across to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in saffron stitch pattern to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, knit to 1 sts before end of row, m1r, k1 (8 sts increased)
Row 8 – p1, m1lp, purl to marker, sm, purl to marker, sm, purl to marker, sm, purl to marker, sm, purl to 1 sts before end of row, m1rp, p1 (2 sts increased)
Work rows 7-8 a total of 5, 5 (5, 6) 4, 6 (5, 6) times
Join in the round
Round 1 – work across to 1sts before , m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in saffron stitch pattern until 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, knit across to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in saffron stitch pattern to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, k1 (8sts increased)
Round 2 – knit across, slipping markers as you come to them
Work rounds 1-2 for a total of 3, 7 (12, 13) 21, 18 (2, 16) times
Round 3 – work across to 1sts before , m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in saffron stitch pattern until 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, knit across to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in saffron stitch pattern to 1 st before marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, k1 (8sts increased)
Round 4 – knit across, slipping markers as you come to them
Round 5 – work across in pattern, slipping markers as you come to them
Round 6 – knit across, slipping markers as you come to them
Work rounds 3-6 for a of 5, 3 (2, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) times
Work 3, 3 (3, 3) 0, 0 (0, 0) rounds without any raglan increases.
STITCH COUNT CHECK
Once all the raglan and neck increases have been completed you will have 308, 344 (380, 424) 464, 504 (548, 588) sts on your needles divided as follows:
98, 110 (116, 128) 140, 152 (164, 176) sts (front/back),
56, 62 (74, 84) 92, 100 (110, 118) sts (each sleeve)
With 10, 12 (13, 13) 17, 16 (18, 18) neck increases every other row.
10, 10 (10, 12) 8, 12 (10, 12) neck increases every row.
0, 0 (0, 4) 12, 14 (26, 30) raglan increases every row
19, 25 (31, 33) 31, 32 (26, 26) raglan increases every other row/round.
5, 3 (2, 0) 0, 0 (0, 0) raglan increases every 4th row/round.
DIVIDE FOR SLEEVES
Remove markers as you get to them.
With right side facing, work across left front, left sleeve, and back to the marker between the back and the right sleeve.
Place 56, 62 (74, 84) 92, 100 (110, 118) sleeve sts on holder,
Cast on 14, 8 (6, 6) 8, 10 (10, 12) sts, remover marker
Knit across front 98, 110 (116, 128) 140, 152 (164, 176) sts, remove marker,
Place 56, 62 (74, 84) 92, 100 (110, 118) sleeve sts on holder, remove marker
Cast on 14, 8 (6, 6) 8, 10 (10, 12) sts, remove marker,
Knit across back 98, 110 (116, 128) 140, 152 (164, 176) sts
The marker from the back/right sleeve is now your new bor marker.
224, 236 (244, 268) 296, 324 (348, 372) sts
SWEATER BODY
Continue in stockinette until piece measures 31, 32.5 (32.5, 31) 31, 31 (30, 30) cm (or desired length) or 12.5, 13 (13, 12.5) 12.5, 12.5 (12, 12) measuring from underarm (or desired length) ending after completing a round 1 of the Michael rib stitch pattern.
Switch to smaller circular needle.
Work in 1×1 rib for 4 cms or 1.5ins.
Bind off all sts in pattern.
SLEEVES
Keeping in established saffron stitch pattern, work each sleeve one at a time as follows: Pick up 7, 4 (3, 3) 4, 5 (5, 6) sts from underarm,
Work 56, 62 (74, 84) 92, 100 (110, 118) sts in pattern off the sleeve on the holder,
Pick up 7, 4 (3, 3) 4, 5 (5, 6) sts from underarm
Place bor marker.
70, 70 (80, 80) 100, 110 (120, 130) sts
Continue in saffron stitch pattern until sleeve measures 37.5, 40 (40, 41) 41, 42.5 (42.5, 44)cms or 15, 16 (16, 16.5) 16.5, 17 (17, 17.5) ins (or desired length) measuring from underarm ending after completing a round 6 or 12 of the saffron stitch pattern.
DECREASES
Knit 7, 7 (4, 4) 0, 1 (0, 1), k2tog across to last 7, 7 (4, 4) 0, 1 (0, 0) sts, knit 7, 7 (4, 4) 0, 1 (0, 1)
42, 42 (44, 44) 50, 56 (60, 66) sts
CUFF
Switch to smaller dpn needles
Work in 1×1 rib for 4 cms or 1.5ins. Bind off in pattern.
NECKBAND
Sew shoulder seams.
Pick up and knit 8, 6 (8, 10) 6, 8 (6, 6) sts from left sleeve,
Pick up and knit 28, 32 (33, 35) 38, 40 (41, 43) down left front,
1 st at center of “v”, pm,
Pick up and knit 28, 32 (33, 35) 38, 40 (41, 43) sts up right front,
Pick up and knit 8, 6 (8, 10) 6, 8 (6, 6) sts from right sleeve,
Pick up and knit 50, 54 (50, 54) 54, 60 (60, 64) sts from back.
Join in the round.
123, 131 (133, 145) 143, 157 (155, 163) sts
V-Neck rounds – work in k1p1 ribbing to 2 sts before center stitch marker, work vdd, continue in k1p1 around
Continue repeating v-neck rounds until the neck measures 2.5cms.
Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block as desired.
ABBREVIATIONS
bor – beginning of round
k – knit
k2tog -knit 2 stitches together
m1l – pick up from front to back the strand between the 2sts on your needles, knit through back loop
m1r – pick up from back to front the strand between the 2sts on your needles, knit through the front loop
P – purl
pm – place marker
sm – slip marker
ssk – slip next st knitwise, slip next st knitwise, place stitches back onto left needle, knit both slipped sts together
st – stich
vdd – vertical double decrease – slip the next 2 stitches on the left needle as if to knit them together and then slip them off the left needle and onto the right needle, knit the next st, pass slipped stitches over the knitted stitch together
yo – yarn over
Are you going all in on the balloon sleeves, or would you tweak the fit a bit? I’d love to hear what yarn color you’re thinking about or who you’re knitting this for—drop it in the comments!
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