Amber Raglan Sweater Free Pattern – Knit a Cozy Sunset Gradient Pullover

Wrap yourself in the warm hues of a setting sun with this seamless raglan sweater, knitted from the top down in a stunning gradient of amber, rust, and honey. The soft, textured body and ribbed cuffs make it a modern wardrobe staple for chilly evenings. This free pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters looking to expand their skills, but with clear instructions, even a confident beginner can tackle this beautiful project. The top-down construction means no seaming—just pure, uninterrupted knitting joy.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Having everything ready will make your knitting experience smooth and enjoyable.

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in 3 shades: Amber (A), Rust (B), Honey (C) – approximately 1200 (1350, 1500, 1650) yards total. Choose a soft, durable wool blend for best stitch definition and warmth.
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles in 16" and 32" lengths, plus double-pointed needles (DPNs) for sleeves. If you prefer, you can use the magic loop method with a long circular needle for sleeves.
• Notions: Stitch markers (at least 8), stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and a tape measure.
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always knit a swatch first to ensure your gauge matches—this is crucial for achieving the correct finished size.

Pattern Overview & Sizing

This sweater is knitted top-down, starting with the neckline and working down to the hem. The raglan increases create a beautiful, seamless shoulder line. The gradient effect is achieved by working in stripes of 6 rows each, alternating between colors A, B, and C. Feel free to customize the stripe sequence to create your own unique gradient.

Sizes: S (M, L, XL) – Finished chest: 38 (42, 46, 50) inches. Choose the size that gives you 2-4 inches of positive ease for a relaxed, cozy fit.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two together (decrease)
• SSK: Slip slip knit (decrease)
• PM: Place marker
• SM: Slip marker
• M1L: Make one left (increase)
• M1R: Make one right (increase)
• RS: Right side
• WS: Wrong side

Step-by-Step Instructions

Neckline

With color A, CO 72 (76, 80, 84) stitches. Join in the round, being extremely careful not to twist your stitches. Place a marker at the beginning of the round to mark the start.

Work K2, P2 ribbing for 2 inches. This will form the cozy crew neck collar. The ribbing should be firm but not tight—if it feels too snug, consider going up a needle size for this section only.

Yoke Increases

The yoke is where the magic happens. You'll be placing 4 raglan markers that divide your work into front, back, and two sleeves. The increase rounds add 8 stitches each time, creating the beautiful angled shoulder shaping.

Round 1 (Increase round): *K1, M1L, K16 (17, 18, 19), M1R, K1, PM, K1, M1L, K14 (15, 16, 17), M1R, K1, PM* – repeat from * to * once more. You now have 4 raglan lines, each with 2 increase points. (Total stitches: 80 (84, 88, 92))

Round 2 and all even rounds: Knit all stitches. No increases on these rounds.

Round 3 (Increase round): *K to 1 stitch before marker, M1L, K1, SM, K1, M1R, K to 1 stitch before next marker, M1L, K1, SM, K1, M1R* – repeat from * to * once more. (8 increases per increase round)

Repeat the increase round every other round until you have increased 20 (22, 24, 26) times total. This means you'll work 40 (44, 48, 52) rounds total for the yoke. You will have 232 (260, 288, 316) stitches on your needles.

Pro tip: Try the sweater on as you go. The yoke should reach just under your armpits when the increases are complete. If it's too short, work a few more increase rounds; if too long, you can work a few plain rounds before separating.

Separate Body and Sleeves

Now it's time to divide your work. This is an exciting moment—you'll see the sweater taking shape!

Knit across the front 66 (74, 82, 90) stitches. Place the next 50 (56, 62, 68) stitches on a holder or waste yarn for the first sleeve. CO 6 (8, 10, 12) stitches under the arm. Knit across the back 66 (74, 82, 90) stitches. Place the next 50 (56, 62, 68) stitches on a holder for the second sleeve. CO 6 (8, 10, 12) stitches under the arm. You now have 144 (164, 184, 204) stitches for the body.

Remove the raglan markers—they've done their job! Keep only the beginning-of-round marker.

Body

Knit in stockinette stitch (knit every round) in your chosen stripe sequence. The pattern suggests 6 rows of each color, alternating A, B, C throughout. This creates a beautiful, even gradient. Continue until the body measures 12 (13, 14, 15) inches from the underarm, or your desired length. Remember, you'll add 2 inches of ribbing, so factor that into your desired final length.

Work K2, P2 ribbing for 2 inches. Bind off loosely in pattern. A loose bind-off is essential to prevent a tight, uncomfortable hem. You can use a larger needle for binding off if needed.

Sleeves

Transfer the sleeve stitches from the holder to your double-pointed needles. Starting at the center of the underarm cast-on, pick up and knit 6 (8, 10, 12) stitches from the underarm. Place a marker at the center of the underarm to mark the beginning of the round.

Knit in stockinette stitch in the stripe sequence, decreasing 2 stitches every 8 rounds. To decrease: K2tog, knit to last 2 stitches, SSK. This creates a subtle, even taper. Continue decreasing until you have 40 (44, 48, 52) stitches on your needles.

Continue even (no decreases) until the sleeve measures 16 (17, 18, 19) inches from the underarm, or your desired length. Remember to account for the 1.5 inches of ribbing.

Work K2, P2 ribbing for 1.5 inches. Bind off loosely in pattern. Repeat for the second sleeve.

Finishing

Weave in all ends with your tapestry needle. Take your time with this step—secure ends well so they don't unravel with wear. Block gently to measurements. For worsted weight wool, a gentle steam block works beautifully. Lay the sweater flat, pin to the correct dimensions, and steam lightly. Allow to dry completely before wearing.

Tips for Success

• Swatch first: Your gauge determines the final size. Knit a 4x4 inch swatch in stockinette and measure carefully.
• Use lifelines: If you're new to top-down construction, insert a lifeline (a piece of contrasting thread) every few inches. If you make a mistake, you can easily rip back to the lifeline without losing all your work.
• Customize your gradient: The 6-row stripe sequence is just a suggestion. Try 4-row stripes for a more frequent color change, or work longer sections of each color for a more gradual transition.
• Try as you go: The beauty of top-down knitting is that you can try on your sweater at any stage. Use this to ensure perfect fit.

This Amber Raglan Sweater is more than just a knitting project—it's a wearable piece of autumn. The warm gradient of amber, rust, and honey will brighten any chilly day and become a beloved staple in your wardrobe. Whether you're knitting for yourself or as a gift, the seamless construction and beautiful color transitions make this a rewarding project. Happy knitting!