'The Perfect Raglan' Make Along - Hints and Tips

We’ve picked this garment as a Make Along piece due to its construction. A huge amount of Black Sheepers have fallen in love with PetiteKnit knitting patterns in the last few years and Linda Skuja approaches crochet patterns in the same way.

Make Along Hints & Tips

  1. Take a few minutes to read through the pattern first. It’s an intermediate-level design, worked from the top down, with short row neck shaping and joined rounds. Looking through the steps will help you see how the yoke, body and sleeves come together.

  2. The pattern is written using US crochet terms. If you usually follow UK terminology, don’t worry, you can easily download a conversion chart. One useful difference to remember is that a US double crochet is a UK treble crochet.

  3. The pattern comes in nine sizes and is designed with 4 inches of positive ease at the bust. Don’t simply make the size you think you are. Compare the finished measurements with a sweater you already own (and enjoy wearing) as well as your own measurements, to help choose the size that feels right for you. My bust measures 40 inches, I would like it to be a bit roomy so I will be making the 4th size.

  4. Tension. If you usually crochet blankets you may not pay too much attention to your tension. It is vital for this project so you get a well fitting garment. I have had to go down two hook sizes to gain the correct gauge as my tension was coming up very loose. I will be using 3mm for the ribbing and a 3.25mm for the main body using Symfonie Terra 4ply. Remember that the pattern gives you tension after blocking, so do block your swatch before you measure or allow for blocking.

  5. Keep an accurate record of where you are up to on your pattern. It is easy to get lost. I cross off a row once I have completed it. Plus make sure you mark your beginning of the round with a locking stitch marker as the pattern tells you to. It is easy to lose sight of it once you have begun your short row shaping.

  6. The garment starts with a UK Foundation Double Crochet row. I found this a bit tricky (which was definitely a me problem as Su who made a sample for Black Sheep had no problem at all)  so I actually did a foundation treble crochet which I found a lot easier. Doing your foundation row like this gives you a nice stretchy edge.

    This is Su's Perfect Raglan so far. She is crocheting this for Black Sheep Emma.


  7. The pattern uses short row shaping - they’re an important part of getting the sweater’s fit. Read each instruction carefully and keep your place as you work. Trust the pattern and do exactly as it tells you to.

Most of all relax and enjoy making your ‘Perfect Raglan ’. It is a beautiful sweater that should introduce you to some new techniques and give you a beautiful sweater at the end.