Knit a Raglan Sweater without a patterns

This method of construction will enable you to create a custom sweater for yourself or someone else without using a pattern.  So if you struggle to read patterns, or like me you just don't have the attention span to follow one or perhaps you live in a household where there are constant interruptions then this is hopefully a solution for you.

As there is no pattern so there are no gauges to worry about so you can just get started right away and use whatever size hook or needle you like to work with.

Step 1: Casting on

So like all projects we will start by casting on, there are no numbers with this technique, all I want you to do is cast on enough stitches so you can create a circle that fits over your head. I find from crown to chin is usually a good length. 

When you have a chain long enough, slip stitch to make a circle and add our first marker.  This marker will mark the start of each round, we wont be counting rounds but its good to know where to stop when we get to that point. 

Step 2: The neckline

If you want ribbing on the neckline you can do this now, I usually like to make the ribbing about the length of the top section of my thumb, which will make the length different for each person, but thats the idea.

Step 3: Adding the markers

Put what you have knitted so far around your neck like a necklace with the end of row marker on your spine at the back and we will need 4 more markers, I like to use a different colour than I did for the end of row marker. 

These 4 markers will show us where to do the raglan increases.  You will want to place 2 markers on the back and 2 on the front just beside your neck, you dont have to be exact about this. Watch my tutorial if you need more guidance.

Now remove the necklace.  You can rearrange the markers to make the sweater symmetrical or you can just leave them as they are.  Personally I just leave them, as Id rather the sweater matched my body than be perfectly symmetrical

Step 4: Knitting the shoulders

So now what we are going to do is knit round and around and every time we hit a marker we will increase before and after.  On the next round we will move the marker.  Just continue going around and around, one round you increase and the next you move the marker. As long as you remember this rule you will never lose your place.  Keep going until it looks like the sweater is long enough to reach your arm pits. 

Step 5: Separating the arms from the body 

Once you get to the arm pits we are going to split the sweater into 3 sections, the left arm, the body and the right arm.  Take some scrap yarn on a darning needle and move the stitches on the outside of the markers onto the scrap yarn.  Do the same to the middle section.

Now you can decide between doing the sleeves or the body first.  I like to do the body first, just in case I run out of yarn, Id rather have a shorter sleeve than a shorter sweater!!

Step 6: Knitting the body

To finish the body, just keep going around and around until you get the length you want, no increases.  Add ribbing at the hem if you feel so inclined, I like to do the full length of my thumb for the bottom ribbing and then cast off. 

Step 7: Knitting the Sleeves

Back to the sleeves, you can just go round and round until they are long enough or you can add in some decreases.  I just add them in randomly and aim to do about 10 by the time I hit the wrist, this is the only part where you will need to take note because you want the other sleeve to be the same.  But if that's not your jam then don't do any decreases and instead decrease with the cuff, that creates a lovely balloon type sleeve or leave the sleeves baggy for a slouchy look. Bind off with single crochet or your chosen method.

Step 8: Mending the hole in the armpit

With this method you may end up with a hole where we separated the body and the sleeves. You will want to take some scrap yarn on a needle and slowly weave the yarn around the hole, pull tight and tie in a knot. Weave in the ends or cut them short.