Raglan Calculator — Decrease Rates & Yoke Depth

A raglan is a sleeve construction where diagonal decrease lines run from the underarm to the neckline. Raglan sweaters can be knitted top-down (starting at the neck) or bottom-up (pieces joined at the underarm). The decrease rate determines the yoke depth and fit.

A standard raglan decreases 8 stitches every other row (2 stitches at each of 4 raglan lines). The number of decrease rows equals (total stitches at underarm - neck stitches) / 8. Each decrease row is followed by a plain row.

Top-down raglans start at the neck and increase to the underarm, allowing you to try on as you go. Bottom-up raglans knit the body and sleeves separately, then join and decrease to the neck, giving a neater neckline.

Allow 4 stitches for the raglan seam lines (1 per line). Then split the remaining neck stitches so the back and front are the widest sections and each sleeve is the narrowest: roughly 30% to the back, 30% to the front, and 15% to each sleeve (so each sleeve is about half the back). The calculator gives you these figures from your neck stitch count. Adjust slightly for neckline shaping, putting any rounding remainder onto the back and front.

A standard raglan yoke depth is approximately 18-25cm for adults, depending on size. The calculator determines this from your stitch counts and row gauge. If the yoke seems too deep or shallow, adjust the neck or body stitch counts.