Top-Down Yoke Construction
A yoke sweater is similar to a raglan but with circular increases distributed evenly around the yoke rather than concentrated at four raglan lines. Yokes are common in colourwork sweaters, where the circular shape provides a natural canvas for stranded patterns.
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Yoke increases
Increases happen at evenly-spaced intervals around the yoke (often 24, 32, or 40 increase points) rather than at four raglan lines. The result is a smooth, circular yoke shape with no visible "seam" lines.
Increase rounds
Increase rounds happen every 5–10 rounds, depending on the yarn weight and the yoke depth. Each increase round adds 24–40 stitches simultaneously around the yoke.
In partnership Tools and supplies that make this technique easier.
Pairing with colourwork
Yoke construction is the standard for stranded colourwork sweaters (Norwegian, Icelandic, Faroese). The circular shape allows large stranded motifs to wrap around the yoke without distortion.
Splitting body and sleeves
Like raglans, yoke sweaters split body and sleeves at the underarm. The split point is typically 1/3 of the way down the yoke for a comfortable fit.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| M1L | make 1 left |
| M1R | make 1 right |
Tips
- Use removable markers at the increase points.
- For colourwork yokes, place the colour pattern on the rounds between increase rounds — the increases interrupt the pattern.
- Try the sweater on every 5–10 cm to check fit and yoke depth.
In depth
Top-down yoke construction is the standard for stranded colourwork sweaters. The circular shape of the yoke provides an ideal canvas for stranded motifs, which would distort against the angled raglan lines of a raglan sweater. Modern yoke patterns combine traditional Scandinavian techniques with contemporary fits.