A top-down dk raglan sweater knitting pattern with a V-neck, balloon lace sleeves, and simple stockinette body—great for everyday wear or a thoughtful handmade gift.
This dk raglan sweater knitting pattern is designed for knitters who want something wearable, feminine, and fun to knit without overcomplicating things. It’s worked from the top down, so you can try it on as you go and adjust the fit if needed. The body is smooth stockinette for relaxing knitting, while the sleeves feature a delicate six-petal lace motif that adds just the right amount of interest. The balloon sleeves give it a modern shape, with fullness gathered at the cuff. Whether you’re knitting your first sweater or your fifteenth, this is a satisfying project that fits easily into real life.
What makes this dk raglan sweater knitting pattern special?
This sweater was designed to be that perfect in-between project. Not boring, not overwhelming. Just enough detail to keep things interesting while still being something you can pick up at the end of a long day and actually enjoy knitting.
The combination of a classic raglan construction with a soft V-neck and those airy lace sleeves makes it feel elevated without being fussy. And because it’s knit top-down, there’s no seaming and no guessing on fit.
If you love matching pieces, this design is also part of a collection. You can make the Youth Saffron Pullover for kids, or even knit the Saffron Socks to match the lace detail.
What is the overall pattern overview?
Finished Item: Adult V-neck raglan sweater with balloon lace sleeves and a stockinette body
Skill Level: Adventurous beginner to intermediate
Construction Style: Top-down, seamless raglan
You’ll start at the neckline, work the raglan increases, separate for sleeves, and then finish the body before returning to those statement sleeves.
What materials do I need to knit this sweater?
- Berroco Vintage DK yarn (affiliate link)
- Size 5 (3.75mm) knitting needles (affiliate link)
- Size 4 (3.5mm) knitting needles for ribbing (affiliate link)
- Stitch markers (affiliate link)
- Tapestry needle (affiliate link)
- Scissors (affiliate link)
I used Berroco Vintage DK (affiliate link) because it gives you that perfect balance of structure and softness. It holds the lace beautifully without collapsing, and it wears well for everyday use.
How does the fit of this sweater work?
This sweater is designed with a relaxed, comfortable fit that leans slightly toward modern shaping thanks to the balloon sleeves.
The body is straight and easy, while the sleeves are intentionally full with no decreases down the arm. All the shaping happens right before the cuff, which gives that gathered look at the wrist.
If you prefer a more fitted look, you can size down. If you love a roomy sweater, stick with your usual size or even size up.
What sizes are included in the pattern?
The pattern includes a full range of adult sizes, making it easy to find your best fit. Because it’s knit top-down, you can also adjust the length of the body and sleeves as you go.
If you’re knitting for a child, don’t miss the Youth Saffron Pullover, which follows the same construction and lace design in smaller sizes.
Why was Berroco Vintage DK chosen for this pattern?
Berroco Vintage DK (affiliate link) is one of those yarns that just works. It’s soft, durable, and easy to care for, which makes it ideal for a sweater you’ll actually wear.
The stitch definition is clean, which really helps the six-petal lace motif stand out without looking messy. And because it’s a DK weight, it knits up quickly without feeling bulky.
If you’re browsing for more sweater ideas, you can find even more options on my sweater knitting pattern page.
What should I know about gauge for this pattern?
Gauge is important here, especially for getting the right fit through the shoulders and chest.
Because the body is stockinette, it’s easy to measure your gauge accurately. Be sure to check it after blocking, since that’s how your finished sweater will behave.
If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size before starting. It’s worth the extra step.
Can I substitute a different yarn?
Yes, absolutely.
Look for a DK weight yarn with similar fiber content and good stitch definition. You want something that will support the lace without stretching out too much over time. I love Premier Yarns (affiliate link) for more affordable and beautiful options if.
If you swap yarns, make sure to knit a gauge swatch. Different fibers can change how the sweater drapes and fits.
What techniques do I need to know before starting?
This dk raglan sweater knitting pattern uses:
- Knit and purl stitches
- Basic raglan increases
- Working in the round
- Simple lace stitches (yarn overs and decreases)
- Ribbing for cuffs and hem
- vdd (vertical double decrease)
- picking up stitches
If you’re newer to sweaters, this is a great step up from beginner projects. The construction is straightforward, and the lace is repetitive enough to feel manageable after a few repeats.
If you need help with any of these skills, check out my knitting tutorial page where I walk through each step.
When and how would I wear this sweater?
This is one of those sweaters that works for everything.
It’s light enough for layering in the fall and spring, but still warm enough for winter. The V-neck makes it easy to style with a tank or collared shirt underneath.
The balloon sleeves give it a slightly dressed-up feel, so you can wear it with jeans for everyday life or pair it with a skirt for something a little more put together.
It also makes a beautiful handmade gift, especially if you want something that feels thoughtful but still practical.
What are some common questions knitters have about this pattern?
If you’ve never knit a sweater before, probably not but if you’re comfortable with basic increase and decreases this is a solid choice as long as you’re comfortable with basic stitches and willing to try simple lace.
No, the balloon shape is built into the pattern. But if you prefer a tapered sleeve, you could add decreases along the length.
Yes. Since it’s top-down, you can easily adjust the length before starting the ribbing.
Not at all. The six-petal lace motif repeats in a predictable way, so it becomes second nature pretty quickly.
Definitely. The yarn choice and construction make it durable enough for regular use.
Adult Saffron Pullover Free Pattern
MATERIALS AND INFO
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
Adult Saffron Pullover Free PDF
Ready to cast on your dk raglan sweater knitting pattern?
I’d love to know—are you team balloon sleeves, or would you tweak the fit?
Drop a comment and tell me what yarn color you’re thinking about using or who you’re knitting this for. I always enjoy hearing what you’re working on.
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