Sometimes a work that you think is just one step away from being done, takes ages to get to the final line. This was the case with this Stripes Raglan sweater for my Chunky Benji pattern. I thought it just needed some little fine tunings on the pattern but it turned out that there was still so much work to be done. On the last week both Yael and myself were busy knitting and sorting out the pattern, going deep down into each and every little detail.

About 2 weeks ago I published the Cardigan for Chunky Benji. On the same time I had a few more new designs on my needles and this Stripes Raglan sweater was one of them. The first version I knitted came out a bit too small for him, so I started designing AND knitting a bigger version. I was so well organized and wrote down all changes I made directly onto the file. Everything was so very well arranged within the design process. But when I was just about to close everything I found a little counting mistake on the stripes and I ripped off about half way back on the body. I’m sure you can guess what it felt like. Really, I was just about to be weaving in all ends and blocking this little knit !!

I’m very happy so say it now

THE NEW PATTERN IS OUT!!! A Stripes Raglan sweater for Chunky Benji was just aded to my Etsy shop. So excited with every new pattern. Feels like a new kid joined the family. And this sweater came out so so sooooo fine. It has such a high end look. The quality of the knitted fabric came out so so lovely and the fit is perfect.

Stripes Raglan sweater for my Chunky Benji pattern

This pattern is made to fit my Chunky Benji pattern (the big one in the picture) and NOT for Benji the bear pattern (the small one in the picture above). Anyway they both have a strip-y sweater now. Chunky Benji is a crochet pattern, crocheted using a Chunky weight yarn, read more about it here. The new raglan sweater, like the Cardigan, is a knitting pattern. So all together it’s a mix of crochet and knitting project.

Special introductory offer

All the Chunky Benji related items will be 20% off, for the up coming weekend >> NO CODE NEEDED << This offer is available from now till Monday Feb, 8th on midnight Jerusalem time. These are the relevant links: Chunky Benji pattern, Cardigan pattern, Stripes Raglan pattern.

About the pattern

This little strip-y sweater is worked top down with raglan increases. The body is worked back and forth for a few rounds and then closed to be worked in the round. When the yoke shaping is complete, the sleeve stitches are placed on hold and the underarm stitches are cast on. Then the body stripes worked down to the ribbing with shaping increases. Sleeve stitches are then picked up again to be worked top down in the round to the end. The result is a fine boxy raglan to keep our Chunky Bear warm and happy.

Knitting pattern level

As with all of my patterns I do my best to write it as a step – by – step tutorial and to go into the details as much as possible. Also, as I have my Youtube channel now, I also add links to some relevant video tutorials which I think you might find useful. Having said that, I strongly recommend not to pick this pattern as your first knitting project. This is not a beginner pattern. But, if you have knitted something in the past and if you know how to knit and purl, this pattern can be a good project to keep your hands happily busy. It’s just a simple raglan knit with some stripes work and it’s a small project I would say. Although made out of fingering weight yarn.

Size and measurements of the sweater

It’s a one size sweater made to fit my Chunky Benji pattern. The back length from CO to BO came out about 16.5 cm / 6.5 inch. The finished sweater circumference: Aproxx 40 cm /  15.75 inch – measured on the widest point.

The yarn

In order to get the same fine knitted fabric you will have to use a Superwash fingering yarn. Both Yael and myself used the Arwetta Classic by Filcolana (50 g = 210 m / 230 yards). In the left sweater shown here I used col 973 Nougat as the main colour & 102 Black as contrast colour. In the right bear Yael used col 136 Mustard for the main colour & 973 Nougat for the contrast colour. You will need approx 30 gr’ from the main col. and approx 15 gr’ of the contrast col. But please PLEASE use any yarn you like, it’s just a doll sweater after all. Of course if you want it to fit Chunky Benji pattern try to use fingering weight yarn of any kind. Feel free to play. And don’t forget to tag #chunkybenji and #crochetobjet on social media.

Suggested needles size

You will need a 3 mm – 16 inch (40 cm) Circular needles or use longer circular needles for the magic loop method. Same size DPN’s for sleeves or use the magic lp method. We really enjoyed using our Chiaogoo mini sets for this project.

Gauge

30 sts & 39 rows = 4×4 inches (10×10 cm) Measured over Stockinette stitch after blocking. Please take the time to knit and block a sample swatch, and use needles to obtain gauge, again if you want to achieve the same size sweater.

You will also need

Stitch holders or waste yarn to hold the sleeve stitches, stitch markers, tapestry needle and blocking tools.

This is it, all you need to know. Hope you like it and that you think this project can bring joy to you and your loved ones. Do you also feel soft toys has their own personality? They need some clothing to keep them warm. Don’t you think soft toys are absolute joy regardless of age what so ever?

Look at him, he is happy up to the sky with his new sweater. Now he can choose what to wear, because he likes to get dressed up every morning also during lockdown days. Here he is on his yoga class (on zoom obviously).

Shop sale patterns: Chunky Benji pattern, Cardigan pattern, Stripes Raglan pattern.

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