Looking for a lightweight sweater with elegant lace details and a flattering fit for any body type? Meet the Blackberry Boatneck Sweaterโa top-down knit pullover with all the grace of a mohair halo and the polish of timeless style.
This updated version of a Marly Bird classic has been newly formatted, regraded for nine sizes, and released with a free pattern right here on the blog!
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. To learn more please visit my privacy policy here๐
โจ Why You’ll Love This Sweater
- Seamless topโdown raglan construction
- Gentle Aโline ease with airy lace borders
- Classic boatneck that flatters every body
- Sheer mohair/silk fabric with gorgeous drape
- Easy to customize sleeve/body length
๐ If You Love the Ranunculus, Youโll Love This
Dreamy halo yarn, feminine lace, relaxed shapingโthis sweater shares the ethereal vibe knitters love about Ranunculus, but with a more classic, wearable silhouette and a polished boatneck that stays put. Think: effortlessly elegant, endlessly versatile.
๐ฅ AdโFree PDF (Print Friendly)
The PDF includes all nine sizes, fully written instructions, clean layout, and lace pattern tips.
๐งถ Yarn & Substitutions for the Blackberry Boatneck Raglan Sweater
The original sample uses SweetGeorgia Silk Mist (kid mohair + silk) for that signature halo and float.
Great alternatives (add your affiliate links):
- Aloft by KnitPicks
- Knitting for Olive – Soft Silk Mohair
- Rowan – Kid Silk Haze
- Malabrigo – Mohair Yarn
- Berroco – Aerial Yarn
- Hobbii โ Kid Silk
- Hobbii – Alpaca Blaze
Swatch and block to confirm gauge when substitutingโhalo yarns can relax after washing.
๐ Helpful Tutorials & Related Patterns
- How to Do the Sewn BindโOff
- Capelet with Raglan Shaping โ Chunky Weight (Free)
- Free Knit Shawl Patterns — More than 20!
๐ธ Share Your Sweater
Tag @themarlybird and use #BlackberryBoatneckSweater + #marlybird so I can cheer you on! (And #mmmdi if I made you do it ๐)
Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later too!
Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites
๐ Free Pattern: Blackberry Boatneck Sweater
The pattern is free here on the website with the sign up for GROW. Or if you prefer an uninterrupted knitting experience, you should get the ad-free pdf (available soon).
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BLACKBERRY BOATNECK SWEATER โ PATTERN
Skill level: Intermediate
Finished Measurements (Bust Circumference): 33 (36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57)” [84 (91.5, 99, 106.5, 114.5, 122, 129.5, 137, 145) cm]
Sample shown in size 39″ [99 cm] on a 37″ bust (about 2″ ease).
MATERIALS
Yarn: SweetGeorgia Silk Mist (60% fine kid mohair, 40% silk; 325 yds [297 m]/25 g): Blackberry, 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6) skeins.
Knitting Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) 16″ and 32″ circulars and dpns, or size to obtain gauge.
Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, tapestry needle.
GAUGE
24 sts and 32 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in Stockinette Stitch.
22 sts and 32 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in Lace Pattern.
Take time to save timeโcheck your gauge (blocked).
SCHEMATIC FOR RAGLAN PATTERN
ABBREVIATIONS
| beg — begin(ning) | CO — cast on |
| decโd — decreased | incโd — increased |
| k — knit | k2tog — knit 2 together |
| lhn — left-hand needle | m — marker |
| M1L — make 1 left (lift strand front-to-back, knit through back loop) | M1R — make 1 right (lift strand back-to-front, knit through front loop) |
| meas — measures | patt — pattern |
| pm — place marker | rep — repeat |
| rhn — right-hand needle | rnd(s) — round(s) |
| sl — slip | st(s) — stitch(es) |
| ssk — slip 2 knitwise one at a time, return to lhn, k tbl together | yo — yarn over |
PATTERN STITCHES
Stockinette Stitch (St st): Knit all sts every rnd.
Backward Loop CastโOn: *Wrap yarn around left thumb from front to back and secure in palm; insert rhn upward through strand on thumb, slip loop to needle, tighten. Rep from * for desired sts.
Lace Pattern (multiple of 9 sts):
Rnd 1: *Yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k1; rep from * to end.
Rnds 2, 4, 5, 6: Knit.
Rnd 3: *K1, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2; rep from * to end.
Rep Rnds 1โ6 for Lace Pattern.
Sewn BindโOff: Cut a tail 3ร the edge length. Thread tapestry needle. *Pass needle through first 2 sts on needle from right to left; then back through first st left to right; slip first st off. Rep from * to last st; pull through to fasten.
Blackberry Boatneck Free Raglan Knit Sweater Pattern
YOKE
With 16″ circular needle, CO 110 (114, 120, 120, 126, 130, 132, 136, 142) sts. Pm for beg of rnd and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts. Knit 4 rnds even.
Pm for Raglan: *K 12 (11, 11, 10, 10, 9, 7, 6, 6) for sleeve, pm, k 43 (46, 49, 50, 53, 56, 59, 62, 65) for front, pm; rep from * for second sleeve and back.
Divide for Body and Sleeves
*Place 72 (77, 81, 84, 88, 93, 95, 100, 104) sleeve sts onto holder/waste yarn, using Backward Loop CO, CO 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts, pm for new side seam/beg of rnd, then CO 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) more sts; remove marker between sleeve/body; knit across back sts to next m, remove m; rep from * once more, placing side marker and working across front, then knit to beg mโ198 (216, 234, 252, 270, 288, 306, 324, 342) sts.
BODY
Work even in St st until piece meas 2ยฝ (2ยพ, 3, 3, 3ยผ, 3ยผ, 3ยฝ, 3ยพ, 4)” [6.5 (7, 7.5, 7.5, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) cm] from underarm.
Work in Lace Pattern until piece meas 16″ [40.5 cm] from underarm, then work in St st for 1″ [2.5 cm]. BO all sts using the sewn bindโoff (see Pattern Stitches).
SLEEVES (make 2)
Return held 72 (77, 81, 84, 88, 93, 95, 100, 104) sleeve sts to needles. Beg at center of underarm CO, pick up and knit 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts, knit across held sts, then pick up and knit 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts along rem COโ76 (81, 85, 90, 94, 99, 103, 108, 112) sts. Pm for beg of rnd.
Work even in St st until piece meas 2″ from underarm.
Sizes 33 (โ, 39, โ, 45, โ, 51, โ, 57)โ onlyโShape Sleeve
Dec Rnd: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1โ2 sts decโd.
Work 23 rnds even, then work Dec Rnd againโ72 (โ, 81, โ, 90, โ, 99, โ, 108) sts rem.
All Sizes
Cont even in St st until sleeve meas 12″ from underarm. Work in Lace Pattern for 5″, then work in St st for 1″. BO all sts using the sewn bindโoff.
FINISHING
Weave in ends. Block to measurements.
โค๏ธ Your BiCrafty Bestie,
Marly Bird
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a raglan sweater and how is it constructed?
A raglan sweater has diagonal seams that run from the underarm to the neckline at each corner… the shoulder seam meets the sleeve seam in this distinctive diagonal line instead of at a straight shoulder join. This construction is actually really practical because it creates a flexible, comfortable fit across different shoulder widths. Raglans are often knit from the top down in one piece, which means no seaming and you can try it on as you go to check the fit.
What skill level do I need for this pattern?
The Blackberry Boatneck is an intermediate pattern. You’ll need to be comfortable with basic knit and purl, increases and decreases, and working in the round. The boatneck construction is actually simpler than a set-in sleeve or fitted neckline because there’s no complicated shaping… the wide neck opening is straightforward. If you’ve successfully finished a few simpler projects and you’re ready to tackle your first or second sweater, this is a beautiful one to try.
What makes the boatneck silhouette flattering?
The wide, shallow boatneck neckline sits across the collarbones and shows off your neck and shoulders beautifully. It’s elegant without being as revealing as a deep V-neck and more interesting than a standard crew neck. The horizontal line across the chest visually broadens the shoulder line, which is flattering for most body types. Pair that with the swing of a raglan sleeve and you have a sweater that moves beautifully and looks effortlessly chic.
What yarn is used in the Blackberry Boatneck?
Check the pattern materials section for the exact yarn specification, but this sweater is designed as a warmer weight knit… a worsted or DK weight wool or wool blend is ideal for the structure and warmth. The name “Blackberry” suggests the color palette… rich, deep tones work beautifully with this classic silhouette. Smooth plied yarns with good stitch definition really show off the texture and clean lines of the design.
Can I make this sweater in plus sizes?
Check the pattern’s size range… Marly typically includes a generous size range in her sweater patterns. The raglan construction actually grades well across sizes because the diagonal shaping is proportional. If your size isn’t explicitly listed, an experienced knitter can grade the pattern up by calculating increases based on gauge and desired measurements. But always check what’s included first… you may be pleasantly surprised by the range available.
