This Free Raglan Sweater Knitting Pattern is a cozy, wearable design that fits right into my collection of free sweater knitting patterns, and it solves the biggest problem most knitters run into—finding a sweater that’s simple to construct but still looks polished enough for everyday wear.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by sweater shaping or unsure where to start, this pattern breaks it down in a way that actually makes sense. The Ladies Michael Sweater is worked top-down with clean raglan lines and a textured stitch that keeps things interesting without overcomplicating the process. You’ll find the full free raglan sweater knitting pattern at the bottom of this post.

This pattern is all about giving you a sweater you’ll actually wear.
It’s structured without feeling stiff and relaxed without looking oversized.

The broken rib texture does most of the work for you, creating a fabric that stretches, moves, and holds its shape beautifully. It’s the kind of knit that feels just as good on your needles as it does in your closet.

What materials work best for a Free Raglan Sweater Knitting Pattern?

For this free raglan sweater knitting pattern, I used Berroco Vintage yarn because it gives that perfect balance of softness and structure. It’s a worsted weight yarn that blooms just enough after blocking to make the ribbing look smooth and even without losing its shape. Paired with size 7 (4.5mm) needles for the main fabric and size 6 (4mm) for the ribbed edges, it creates a fabric that feels comfortable but still looks put together.

If you’re substituting yarn, look for something with a similar wool blend so the texture doesn’t fall flat. A yarn with a little bounce will make a big difference in how the finished sweater feels and wears.

This combination gives you a sweater that holds up to daily wear without feeling heavy. It’s warm enough for colder months but still breathable enough to layer.

How do you knit a Free Raglan Sweater Knitting Pattern step by step?

A free raglan sweater knitting pattern like this one is worked from the top down, which means you start at the neckline and build the sweater as you go. The raglan increases create those diagonal lines from the neckline to the underarm, shaping the sweater in a way that’s easy to follow and easy to adjust. Short rows at the back of the neck help the sweater sit naturally, which is one of those small details that makes a big difference in fit.

Keeping your stitch markers in place is key here—they help define each section so your increases stay clean and consistent. And once you separate for sleeves, the rest of the sweater becomes a smooth, rhythmic knit that you can really settle into.

One of the best parts about this construction is how flexible it is. You can try it on as you go, adjust the length, and customize the fit without needing complicated math.

Looking for more free sweater knitting patterns to try next?

If you love this free raglan sweater knitting pattern, there are so many more in my collection that follow the same easy-to-wear, practical style:

• Saffron Pullover
• Peace Sweater
• Wisdom Pullover
• Rosemary Cardigan
• Cedar Pullover

Each of these patterns focuses on simple construction with textures that keep your knitting interesting. They’re designed to be pieces you actually reach for, not just finish and fold away.

The Ladies Michael Sweater fits right in with these—it’s classic, comfortable, and built for real life. Whether you dress it up or keep it casual, it’s the kind of sweater that works with everything.

Ladies Michael Sweater Free Pattern

MATERIALS AND INFO 

Size: XS, S (M, L) XL, 2X (3X, 4X)

Materials: Approximately 1085, 1185 (1495, 1530) 1710, 1930 (2035, 2230) yards of Berroco Vintage (218y/100g) 

Needle Size: 7(US) 4.5mm circular needles and dpn, 6(US) 4mm circular and dpn Gauge (tension): 22sts & 28 rows to make 10cm square, using size 7(US) 4.5mm 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

METHOD 

This pattern a crew 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 a wide rib while the edges are worked in a 1×1 rib pattern. 

1X1 RIB PATTERN 

Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across 

Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches. 

RAGLAN INCREASES Inc row – [k2, m1l, work to 2 sts before next marker, m1r, k2, sm] repeat [to] 3 more times, then continue to end of row/round. 8 sts increased

MICHAEL RIB

Round 1 – knit around

Round 2 – (p2, k4) around

YOKE 

Cast on using U.S. 6 circular needle: 84, 84 (100, 100) 104, 112 (116, 120) sts. 

Join in the round, placing a bor marker.

Work in 1×1 rib for 2.5cms or 1 in

Set up row – Start working Michael Rib now with a round 1 as follows: k18, 18 (22, 22) 23, 25 (26, 27) back sts, pm,  k6, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6) sleeve sts, pm,  k36, 36 (44, 44) 46, 50 (52, 54) front sts, pm,  k6, 6 (6, 6) 6, 6 (6, 6) sleeve sts, pm,

k18, 18 (22, 22) 23, 25 (26, 27) back sts

RAGLAN INCREASES AND NECK SHAPING

Raglan shaping and neck shaping are worked AT THE SAME TIME using short rows. You can use the method of short rows that works best for you. I am using wrap and turn short rows and describe those below.

Row 1 (RS): Knit to 2 st before marker, M1R, k2, sm, k2, M1L, knit to 2 sts before next marker, M1R, k2, sm, k2, M1L, work 2 in pattern, wrap the yarn around next stitch. Turn your work.

Step 2 (WS): sizes xs-m – Purl to beginning of round marker (mid back).   Sizes L-4x – Purl to 2 st before marker, M1L, p2, sm, p2, M1R, purl to 2 sts before marker, M1L, p2, sm, p2, M1R,Purl to beginning of round marker (mid back).  

Step 3 (WS): Purl to 2 st before marker, M1L, p2, sm, p2, M1R, purl to 2 sts before marker, M1L, p2, sm, p2, M1R, work2 in pattern, wrap the yarn around the next stitch. Turn your work.

Step 4 (RS): sizes xs-m Knit to beginning of round (mid back).

Sizes L-4x – Knit to 2 st before marker, M1R, k2, sm, k2, M1L, knit to 2 sts before next marker, M1R, k2, sm, k2, M1L, Knit to beginning of round (mid back).

A total of 8, 8 (8, 16) 16, 16 (16, 16) stitches have been increased in these 4 steps (the 4 steps equals 1, 1 (1, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) raglan increases) Repeat steps 1-4, but each time working 2 more sts before turning, knitting the wraps and the next stitch as you pass them, 3 more times, so the first 4, 4 (4, 8) 8, 8 (8, 8) raglan increases have been worked.

Next round: knit around, knitting the wraps and the stitch they are wrapped around together.

Now work each raglan round as follows:

Inc round/row – [work in pattern to 1 sts before marker, M1R, k1, sm, k1, M1L] repeat across

Work raglan increases as described above (note: the first 4, 4 (4, 8) 8, 8 (8, 8) were worked in the neck shaping short row rounds)

Every round 0, 0 (0, 10) 18, 20 (28, 32) times,

Then every other round/row 24, 29 (31, 26) 23, 24 (21, 21) times.

Work 3, 0 (1, 0) 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 276, 316 (348, 388) 432, 464 (508, 544) sts on your needles divided as follows: 

84, 94 (106, 116) 128, 138 (150, 160) sts (front/back),

54, 64 (68, 78) 88, 94 (104, 112) sts (each sleeve)

DIVIDE FOR SLEEVES

Remove markers as you get to them.

Work across first to marker, rm, place the next 54, 64 (68, 78) 88, 94 (104, 112) sts on a holder or waste yarn (right sleeve), rm,

Cast on using the backwards loop method 12, 14 (14, 10) 10, 12 (12 14), sts (right underarm),

Work in pattern 84, 94 (106, 116) 128, 138 (150, 160) sts (front), rm,

Place the next 54, 64 (68, 78) 88, 94 (104, 112) sts on a holder or waste yarn (left sleeve), rm,

Cast on using the backwards loop method 12, 14 (14, 10) 10, 12 (12, 14) sts (left underarm),

Work in pattern to beginning of round marker.

192, 216 (240, 252) 276, 300 (324, 348) sts

SWEATER BODY 

Continue in Michael Rib pattern until piece measures 31, 31 (32.5, 32.5) 32.5, 32.5 (32.5, 32.5) cm (or desired length) or 12.5, 12.5 (13, 13) 13, 13 (13, 13) 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 Micheal Stitch pattern, work each sleeve one at a time as follows:  Pick up 6, 7 (7, 5) 5, 6 (6, 7) sts from underarm, 

Work 54, 64 (68, 78) 88, 94 (104, 112) sts in pattern off the sleeve on the holder, 

pick up 6, 7 (7, 5) 5, 6 (6, 7) sts from underarm on to larger needles 

place marker at center underarm to keep track of the beginning of round.  66, 78 (82, 88) 98, 106 (116, 126) sts 

Work 17, 11 (11, 17) 19, 15 (17, 13) rounds in pattern.

DECREASES 

Decrease 1 st at each side of marker every 6^th round 14, 11 (12, 3) 0, 0 (0, 0) 

then every 4th round 0, 8 (9, 21) 22, 21 (17, 14) times  Then every other round 0, 0 (0, 0) 6, 10 (18, 26) times [38, 40 (40, 40) 42, 44 (46, 46) sts]. 

Continue without increasing in micheal rib stitch pattern until sleeve measures 37.5, 38 (40.5, 41) 42, 42.5 (42.5, 43)cms or 15, 15.25 (16.25, 16.5) 16.75, 17 (17, 17.25) ins (or desired length) measuring from underarm ending after completing a round 1 of the Michael rib stitch pattern. 

CUFF 

Switch to smaller dpn needles

Work in 1×1 rib for 4 cms or 1.5ins. 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

I can’t wait to see how you make this one your own. Tell me in the comments—what color are you planning for your Ladies Michael Sweater?

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