I am working from a fairly generic top-down raglan pattern. The pattern does not, however, provide finished measurements. I thought my swatch would be enough to keep me on track, as it matched that of the pattern. But, now as I am knitting, the back of the cardigan seems very narrow. It’s hard to judge without those measurements. However, I think I can just keep knitting and make it wider and wider. Is it reasonable to trust the idea that with a top down raglan, width will come with length? Is there any limitation to this approach?
Does width come with length (Raglan)?
Welcome to the forum!
What is the name of your pattern and designer?
Even if there is no schematic, (really should be one with all patterns) you do know your stitch and row gauge. Both are important for raglans.
Width will indeed come as you increase at each end and as the length increases but you don’t want to have to lengthen the raglan so much that the underarm is far below where it should be in order to get the width you need. Measure the stitch and row gauge on the sweater back now to see if you are still on gauge.
The pattern should give you the width at the bust which is about at the underarm. You can calculate the length given the number of increases and rows needed so that will give you a fair idea of where you should be and whether you are on track to meet the pattern measurements.
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Thank you for your reply and for your welcome.
You are so right that there should be a schematic, but one only finds out AFTER purchasing the pattern whether it does or not, and I trusted my knitting skills to compensate. But, it’s hard to measure on the circular needles, and it’s
hard to know what I am measuring, other than my body, when the pattern comes with no measurements. In this case, it has all worked out. I have trusted the pattern, and now that I am at the right height (as measured on my body), it looks like I have the right
width. Lucky!!
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Lucky but also you prepared by working a swatch and knowing the stitch and row gauge. So well done!