How to Divide Stitches for a Top-Down Raglan Cardigan

For a long time subscribers have asked me: when we do raglan increases top-down, how do we divide the stitches so the front, back and sleeves separate easily? Here's the principle, with a worked example. Once you understand it, you won't need to ask for every age and size. All you need to know is how many stitches to cast on for the neck.

In this example the button bands are cast on together with the neck stitches, and that's the trickier case. (If you add the button band later, or make a closed pullover, it's even easier.)

The example: 71 stitches

I'm using thick wool for a child of about 4–5 years, so I cast on 71 stitches. An odd number keeps the first and last stitches the same, for symmetry. This count includes a 7-stitch button band at each front edge.

Step 1: Take out one button band

The two button bands overlap when the cardigan is buttoned, so count only one of them: 71 − 7 = 64 stitches to divide.

Step 2: Divide into three parts

The three parts are the back, the sleeves and the fronts. 64 ÷ 3 = 21, with 1 left over. Put that aside for now.

• Back: 21
• Sleeves: 21, split 10 + 10 (1 left over)
• Fronts: 21, split 10 + 10 (1 left over)

You now have 3 leftover stitches.

Step 3: Make the raglan lines

At each of the 4 corners you need raglan stitches, and the increases are made on either side of them. One stitch gives a thin, almost seamless line. I want a slightly raised line, so I use 2 stitches at each corner.

• Each sleeve gives 1 stitch to each of its neighbouring raglan lines: 10 → 8.
• Each front gives 1 stitch to the raglan line beside it: 10 → 9. There's no raglan on the button-band side.
• That puts 1 stitch in each raglan line. For the second stitch in the two back raglan lines, use 2 of the 3 leftovers. The back stays at 21.

Step 4: Put the button band back

Now share the 7 band stitches between the fronts: 4 to one front (9 + 4 = 13) and 3 to the other, plus the last leftover stitch (9 + 3 + 1 = 13). Both fronts now have 13 stitches, including their band stitches.

The final division

13 + 2 + 8 + 2 + 21 + 2 + 8 + 2 + 13 = 71. When the two fronts overlap at the button band, together they equal the back.

• raglan
• top down cardigan
• knitting maths
• stitch division
• button band
• kids cardigan
• hand knitting
• knitting technique