The Highland Heather Raglan Cardigan Free Pattern – A Cozy Knit with Celtic Cable Panels

Wrap yourself in the warmth of the Scottish moors with this top-down raglan cardigan, featuring intricate Celtic-inspired cable panels and a soft, heathered yarn. This pattern guides you through a seamless knit that flatters every body, perfect for crisp autumn evenings and cozy winter mornings. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a new challenge or a confident beginner ready to tackle cables, this cardigan is a rewarding project that will become a wardrobe staple.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in heather purple (e.g., Cascade 220 Heathers in 'Highland Heather') – approximately 1200 (1350, 1500, 1650, 1800) yards for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL). The heathered tones add depth and mimic the natural beauty of heather fields.
• Needles:
  • US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles (24-32 inch) for the body and sleeves
  • US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles for ribbing (hem and cuffs)
• Notions:
  • Stitch markers (at least 4)
  • Cable needle
  • Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
  • Stitch holders or waste yarn for sleeves
  • Buttons (optional, for front closure)
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US 7 needles, after blocking. Always check your gauge to ensure proper fit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes and Abbreviations

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) – Finished chest: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50) inches. Choose the size that matches your desired ease.

Abbreviations:

• k = knit
• p = purl
• k2tog = knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• yo = yarn over
• C4F = slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
• C4B = slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker
• M1L = make one left (increase) – pick up the bar between stitches from front to back and knit through the back loop
• M1R = make one right (increase) – pick up the bar between stitches from back to front and knit through the front loop

Cable Panel Pattern (worked over 12 stitches)

This pattern creates the beautiful Celtic-inspired cables that adorn the front edges. Repeat rows 1-8 for the duration of the yoke and body.

• Row 1 (RS): p2, C4F, C4B, p2
• Row 2 (WS): p2, k8, p2
• Row 3 (RS): p2, k8, p2
• Row 4 (WS): p2, k8, p2
• Row 5 (RS): p2, C4B, C4F, p2
• Row 6 (WS): p2, k8, p2
• Row 7 (RS): p2, k8, p2
• Row 8 (WS): p2, k8, p2

Note: The cable crossings alternate direction every 4 rows to create the twisted Celtic effect.

Yoke (Worked Top-Down)

With US 7 needles, cast on 88 (92, 96, 100, 104) stitches. Place markers as follows:

• k1 (front), pm
• k12 (sleeve), pm
• k62 (66, 70, 74, 78) (back), pm
• k12 (sleeve), pm
• k1 (front)

You now have 4 markers dividing the work into front, sleeve, back, sleeve, front sections.

Row 1 (RS – Increase Row): k1, sm, work cable panel over next 12 stitches, sm, k to 2 stitches before next marker, M1R, k2, sm, M1L, k to 2 stitches before next marker, M1R, k2, sm, M1L, k to 2 stitches before next marker, M1R, k2, sm, M1L, work cable panel over next 12 stitches, sm, k1.

This row increases 8 stitches total – 2 at each raglan line (one before and one after each marker).

Row 2 (WS): p all stitches, working cable panel as p2, k8, p2 on the cable sections.

Repeat these two rows, increasing 8 stitches every RS row (4 increases at each raglan line). Continue until you have increased 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) times total. You will now have 280 (300, 320, 340, 360) stitches on your needles.

The yoke should measure approximately 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches from the cast-on edge. If your gauge is correct, this will correspond to the number of increase rows completed.

Divide for Body and Sleeves

Next row (RS): Knit across front stitches (including cable panel) to first marker, remove marker, place next 60 (66, 72, 78, 84) sleeve stitches on a holder, cast on 6 (8, 10, 12, 14) stitches underarm, knit across back stitches to next marker, remove marker, place next 60 (66, 72, 78, 84) sleeve stitches on holder, cast on 6 (8, 10, 12, 14) stitches underarm, knit across remaining front stitches.

You now have the body stitches on your needle and the sleeve stitches resting on holders. The underarm cast-on stitches will fill the gap under your arms for a comfortable fit.

Body

Continue in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) across all body stitches, maintaining the cable panels on the front edges as established. Work until body measures 12 (13, 14, 15, 16) inches from underarm, or desired length.

Tip: Try the cardigan on at this point to determine your ideal length. The ribbing will add approximately 2 inches.

Switch to US 6 needles and work in k1, p1 ribbing for 2 inches. Bind off loosely in pattern.

For a stretchy bind-off, use a needle one size larger or use a sewn bind-off method.

Sleeves

Place sleeve stitches from holder onto US 7 needles. Pick up and knit 6 (8, 10, 12, 14) stitches from underarm cast-on. Place marker at center of underarm.

This marker indicates the beginning of the round and the decrease point.

Work in stockinette stitch in the round (knit every round), decreasing 2 stitches every 8 rounds as follows:

• Decrease round: k2tog, knit to 2 stitches before marker, ssk

Continue until sleeve measures 16 (17, 18, 19, 20) inches or desired length.

For a tapered sleeve, you may want to try it on and adjust the decrease frequency. For a straight sleeve, omit the decreases.

Switch to US 6 needles and work in k1, p1 ribbing for 2 inches. Bind off loosely. Repeat for second sleeve.

Finishing

Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle, being careful to secure them on the wrong side of the work.

Block cardigan to measurements, paying special attention to cable panels to open them up and define the twists. Use blocking wires or pins to shape the cardigan and allow it to dry completely.

Optional button closure: Sew buttons on left front band (if desired) and create buttonholes on right front band by working a yarn over and k2tog at evenly spaced intervals during the ribbing, or use a crochet hook to make simple button loops along the edge.

Pro Tips for Success

• Mark your cable rows: Use a removable stitch marker or a row counter to keep track of your cable pattern repeats, especially during the yoke when you're also managing increases.
• Check your gauge: The cable pattern will pull the fabric in slightly, so measure your gauge on a swatch that includes the cable panel to ensure accurate sizing.
• Use lifelines: If you're new to cables or top-down construction, insert a lifeline (a piece of waste yarn threaded through your stitches) every few inches to make it easy to rip back if needed.
• Blocking is essential: The cables will look bunched and tight before blocking. Trust the process – blocking will transform your work and make the cables lie flat and beautiful.

This Highland Heather Raglan Cardigan is a labor of love that rewards you with a stunning, heirloom-quality garment. The seamless construction means no fiddly seaming, and the Celtic cables add a touch of timeless elegance. Whether you're knitting for yourself or as a gift, this cardigan is sure to be treasured for years to come. Happy knitting!