Christmas Knit-along: Rudolf Yoke Sweater
Get into the holiday spirit by knitting the ultimate Christmas sweater! Designed by Minna Metsänen, the Rudolf yoke sweater is this season's top knit for every Christmas lover, regardless of age or gender. Skillfully crafted, this sweater is knit with 7 Veljestä yarn, seamlessly from the top down, starting at the yoke. Cheerful red-nosed reindeer and other festive motifs bring holiday joy with every stitch.
Designer
Minna Metsänen
Size(s)
The sizes correspond to each other. Women's S = Men's XS women's S(M)L(XL)2XL(3XL)4XL(5XL) men's XS(S)M(L)XL(2XL)3XL(4XL) Sample size is women's size M
Finished dimensions
bust circumference 92(100)108(116)124(132)140(148) cm / 36.25(39.5)42.5(45.75)48.75(52)55(58.25) inches
sweater length at center back women's 58(60)62(64)66(68)70(72) cm / 22.75(23.5)24.5(25.25)26(26.75)27.5(28.25) inches
sweater length at center back men's 67(69)71(72)73(74)75(76) cm / 26.5(27.25)28(28.25)28.75(29.25)29.5(30) inches
sleeve inner length women's 46(47)48(49)50(50)51(52) cm / 18(18.5)18.75(19.25)19.75(19.75)20(20.5) inches
sleeve inner length men's 50(51)52(53)53(54)55(55) cm / 19.75(20)20.5(20.75)20.75(21.25)21.75(21.75) inches
Yarn demand
Huom. Varaa miehen neuleeseen sävyä (587) karpalo 100 g enemmän kuin vastaavassa naisen koossa. (587) cranberry 300(350)350(400)450(500)550(600) g (011) white 250(300)300(350)400(450)500(550) g (618) sandbank 50(100)100(100)150(150)150(200) g (375) bergenia 50(50)50(50)100(100)100(150) g (064) false morel 20(20)30(30)40(40)50(50) g
Needles and other supplies
Circular needles (40, 60, and 80 cm) Novita 3.5 mm and 4 mm or according to your gauge, double-pointed needles 3.5 mm and 4 mm for the sleeves if you’re not using the Magic Loop, and stitch markers.
Finished dimensions
bust circumference 92(100)108(116)124(132)140(148) cm / 36.25(39.5)42.5(45.75)48.75(52)55(58.25) inches
sweater length at center back women's 58(60)62(64)66(68)70(72) cm / 22.75(23.5)24.5(25.25)26(26.75)27.5(28.25) inches
sweater length at center back men's 67(69)71(72)73(74)75(76) cm / 26.5(27.25)28(28.25)28.75(29.25)29.5(30) inches
sleeve inner length women's 46(47)48(49)50(50)51(52) cm / 18(18.5)18.75(19.25)19.75(19.75)20(20.5) inches
sleeve inner length men's 50(51)52(53)53(54)55(55) cm / 19.75(20)20.5(20.75)20.75(21.25)21.75(21.75) inches
Stitch Patterns
Twisted Ribbing in the round: *K1 tbl, p1*, repeat *-*
Stockinette stitch in the round: Knit all rounds
Stranded colorwork in the round: Work in stockinette stitch following the chart. Catch longer floats by twisting the yarns around each other on the wrong side of the work at different points to prevent stacking. Always carry the contrasting color underneath the main color to maintain color dominance.
Gauge
22 sts and 24 rounds in stranded colorwork on larger needles = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches)
Part 1
Yoke
Cast on 104(104)104(108)108(108)112(112) sts for the neckline using the Italian cast-on or your preferred method. Use Sandbank color and smaller (40 cm) circular needles. Place a marker (pm) to indicate the beginning of the round and work 2 rounds of twisted ribbing in the round. Switch to White and continue in twisted ribbing until the ribbing measures 3.5 cm (1.5 inches).
Switch to larger needles. With White, work 1(1)1(2)2(3)3(3) rounds in stockinette stitch. On the first round, increase 8(16)24(28)36(44)48(56) sts evenly = 112(120)128(136)144(152)160(168) sts.
Begin stranded colorwork in the round following Chart I, starting from row 1. To simplify following the pattern, place markers between repeats. Note: Switch to longer circular needles as needed as the stitch count increases.
Work row 1, repeating the 8-stitch pattern 14(15)16(17)18(19)20(21) times. Work rows 2–5.
Work row 6, following the chart for increases. Add 28(30)32(34)36(38)40(42) sts = 140(150)160(170)180(190)200(210) sts. Work rows 7–10, repeating a 10-stitch pattern.
Repeat similar steps following the chart and increase 28(30)32(34)36(38)40(42) sts on rows 11, 16, 20, 25, 30 and 35. You now have 308(330)352(374)396(418)440(462) sts.
Part 2: Yoke Expansion
Continue stranded colorwork in the round following Chart II according to your chosen size:
Women's S and Men's XS sizes: Knit rows 1–8. Repeat the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 14 sts = 322 sts. Continue with rows 10–15, repeating a 23-stitch pattern.
Women's M and Men's S sizes: Knit rows 1–8. Repeat the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 15 sts = 345 sts. Continue with rows 10–15, repeating a 23-stitch pattern. Work row 16, increasing 1 st = 346 sts.
Women's L and Men's M sizes: Knit rows 1–8. Repeat the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 16 sts = 368 sts. Continue with rows 10–16, repeating a 23-stitch pattern.
Women's XL and Men's L sizes: Work rows 1–4, repeat row 5 twice, then work rows 6–8, repeating a 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 17 sts = 391 sts. Work rows 10–15, repeating a 23-stitch pattern. Work row 16, increasing 1 st = 392 sts.
Women's 2XL and Men's XL sizes: Work rows 1–4, repeat row 5 twice, then work rows 6–8. Repeat the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 18 sts = 414 sts. Work rows 10–16, repeating a 23-stitch pattern.
Women's 3XL and Men's 2XL sizes: Work rows 1–4, repeat row 5 twice, then work rows 6–8, repeating the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 19 sts = 437 sts. Work rows 10–15, repeating a 23-stitch pattern. Work row 16, increasing 1 st = 438 sts.
Women's 4XL and Men's 3XL sizes: Work rows 1–4, repeat row 5 twice, then work rows 6–8, repeating the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 20 sts = 460 sts. Work rows 10–15, repeating a 23-stitch pattern. Work row 16 twice.
Women's 5XL and Men's 4XL sizes: Work rows 1–4, repeat row 5 three times, then work rows 6–8, repeating the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 21 sts = 483 sts. Work rows 10–15, repeating a 23-stitch pattern. Work row 16 three times, increasing 1 st = 484 sts.
The yoke depth from the lower edge of the ribbing should be approximately 21(21)22(23)23(24)25(26) cm / 8.25(8.25)8.75(9)9(9.5)9.75(10.25) inches. Remove all markers except for the round marker.
Separation of body and sleeves:
Knit 1 round with White as follows: knit 91(99)107(116)123(131)140(148) sts for the back, place 70(74)77(80)84(88)90(94) sleeve sts on a holder, cast on 11(11)11(12)13(13)14(14) new sts for the underarm, knit 91(99)107(116)123(131)140(148) sts for the front, place 70(74)77(80)84(88)90(94) sts for the second sleeve on a holder, cast on 11(11)11(12)13(13)14(14) new sts for the other underarm. The body now has 204(220)236(256)272(288)308(324) sts.
Part 3: Body (Front and Back Lower Section)
Continue with Chart III on body sts, beginning with row 1, repeating the 4-stitch pattern 51(55)59(64)68(72)77(81) times across the round. Work chart rows 2–9. Then repeat rows 10–15 until the body measures approximately 28(30)31(32)34(35)36(37) cm / 11(11.75)12.25(12.5)13.25(13.75)14.25(14.5) inches from the underarm for women’s sizes, and approximately 37(39)40(40)41(41)41(41) cm / 14.5(15.25)15.75(15.75)16(16)16(16) inches for men’s sizes. End after row 12 or 15.
Part 4: Ribbed Hem
Work Chart IV from row 1 and repeat the 4-stitch pattern. Work rows 2–7, then cut the Cranberry yarn.
Switch to smaller needles and knit twisted ribbing with White for 5 cm (2 inches). Switch to Sandbank for the last 2 rounds. Bind off sts using stretchy bind-off or Italian bind-off.
Part 5
Sleeves
Work the sleeves in the round using double-pointed needles or the Magic Loop method.
Transfer 70(74)77(80)84(88)90(94) sts for the first sleeve from the waste yarn onto the needles. With White, pick up and knit 5(5)5(6)6(6)7(7) sts along the underarm cast-on edge starting from the middle, knit across the sleeve sts, and pick up 5(5)6(6)6(6)7(7) more sts along the underarm cast-on edge = 80(84)88(92)96(100)104(108) sts.
The beginning of the round is now at the center of the underarm sts. You may mark the beginning of the round with a stitch marker.
Continue with Chart III on the sleeve sts from row 1, repeating the 4-stitch pattern 20(21)22(23)24(25)26(27) times across the row. Work rows 2–9. Then, repeat rows 10–15.
For Women’s Sizes: After knitting 4(3)3(5)6(3)4(5) cm / 1.5(1.25)1.25(2)2.25(1.25)1.5(2) inches in the round, start decreasing as follows: at the beginning of the round, k1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Repeat these decreases every 3(3)2.5(2)2(2)2(2) cm / 1.25(1.25)1(0.75)0.75(0.75)0.75(0.75) inches a total of 9(11)13(15)15(17)17(17) times = 60(60)60(60)64(64)68(72) sts.
The pattern may be disrupted at the beginning of the round, but ensure the dotted pattern aligns correctly throughout the sleeve.
Continue in the pattern until the sleeve measures approximately 36(37)38(39)40(40)41(42) cm / 14.25(14.5)15(15.25)15.75(15.75)16.25(16.5) inches from the underarm, ending on row 12 or 15.
For Men’s Sizes: After knitting 5(5)5(3)3(5)6(6) cm / 2(2)2(1.25)1.25(2)2.25(2.25) inches in the round, start decreasing as follows: at the beginning of the round, k1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Repeat these decreases every 3.5(3)2.5(2.5)2.5(2)2(2) cm / 1.5(1.25)1(1)1(0.75)0.75(0.75) inches a total of 9(11)13(15)15(17)17(17) times = 60(60)60(60)64(64)68(72) sts.
The pattern may be disrupted at the beginning of the round, but ensure the dotted pattern aligns correctly throughout the sleeve.
Continue in the pattern until the sleeve measures approximately 40(41)42(43)43(44)45(45) cm / 15.75(16)16.5(17)17(17.25)17.75(17.75) inches from the underarm, ending on row 12 or 15.
Part 6
Cuff Pattern
Begin the cuff colorwork pattern by following Chart IV from row 1, repeating the 4-stitch pattern 15(15)15(15)16(16)17(18) times across the row. Work rows 2–6. Then, on row 7, decrease 2(2)0(0)2(2)2(2) sts evenly = 58(58)60(60)62(62)66(70) sts.
The sleeve inner length is approximately 39(40)41(42)43(43)44(45) cm / 15.25(15.75)16(16.5)17(17)17.5(17.75) inches for women’s sizes and 43(44)45(46)47(48)48 cm / 17(17.25)17.75(18)18.5(18.75)18.75 inches for men’s sizes.
Switch to smaller needles and work 6 cm (2.25 inches) of twisted ribbing in the round with White. Switch to Sandbank and knit 2 more rounds of ribbing. Bind off sts using stretchy bind-off or Italian bind-off.
Finishing
Place the sweater on a flat surface to its final measurements with the wrong side up, mist lightly with water, and allow to dry or steam lightly.
Embroider eyes for the reindeer using Bergenia yarn in duplicate stitch. Use Cranberry for the noses, embroidering the marked stitch in duplicate stitch and adding 3 straight stitches over it for dimension.
Finished dimensions
bust circumference 92(100)108(116)124(132)140(148) cm / 36.25(39.5)42.5(45.75)48.75(52)55(58.25) inches
sweater length at center back women's 58(60)62(64)66(68)70(72) cm / 22.75(23.5)24.5(25.25)26(26.75)27.5(28.25) inches
sweater length at center back men's 67(69)71(72)73(74)75(76) cm / 26.5(27.25)28(28.25)28.75(29.25)29.5(30) inches
sleeve inner length women's 46(47)48(49)50(50)51(52) cm / 18(18.5)18.75(19.25)19.75(19.75)20(20.5) inches
sleeve inner length men's 50(51)52(53)53(54)55(55) cm / 19.75(20)20.5(20.75)20.75(21.25)21.75(21.75) inches
Stitch Patterns
Twisted Ribbing in the round: *K1 tbl, p1*, repeat *-*
Stockinette stitch in the round: Knit all rounds
Stranded colorwork in the round: Work in stockinette stitch following the chart. Catch longer floats by twisting the yarns around each other on the wrong side of the work at different points to prevent stacking. Always carry the contrasting color underneath the main color to maintain color dominance.
Gauge
22 sts and 24 rounds in stranded colorwork on larger needles = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches)
Part 1
Yoke
Cast on 104(104)104(108)108(108)112(112) sts for the neckline using the Italian cast-on or your preferred method. Use Sandbank color and smaller (40 cm) circular needles. Place a marker (pm) to indicate the beginning of the round and work 2 rounds of twisted ribbing in the round. Switch to White and continue in twisted ribbing until the ribbing measures 3.5 cm (1.5 inches).
Switch to larger needles. With White, work 1(1)1(2)2(3)3(3) rounds in stockinette stitch. On the first round, increase 8(16)24(28)36(44)48(56) sts evenly = 112(120)128(136)144(152)160(168) sts.
Begin stranded colorwork in the round following Chart I, starting from row 1. To simplify following the pattern, place markers between repeats. Note: Switch to longer circular needles as needed as the stitch count increases.
Work row 1, repeating the 8-stitch pattern 14(15)16(17)18(19)20(21) times. Work rows 2–5.
Work row 6, following the chart for increases. Add 28(30)32(34)36(38)40(42) sts = 140(150)160(170)180(190)200(210) sts. Work rows 7–10, repeating a 10-stitch pattern.
Repeat similar steps following the chart and increase 28(30)32(34)36(38)40(42) sts on rows 11, 16, 20, 25, 30 and 35. You now have 308(330)352(374)396(418)440(462) sts.
Part 2: Yoke Expansion
Continue stranded colorwork in the round following Chart II according to your chosen size:
Women's S and Men's XS sizes: Knit rows 1–8. Repeat the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 14 sts = 322 sts. Continue with rows 10–15, repeating a 23-stitch pattern.
Women's M and Men's S sizes: Knit rows 1–8. Repeat the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 15 sts = 345 sts. Continue with rows 10–15, repeating a 23-stitch pattern. Work row 16, increasing 1 st = 346 sts.
Women's L and Men's M sizes: Knit rows 1–8. Repeat the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 16 sts = 368 sts. Continue with rows 10–16, repeating a 23-stitch pattern.
Women's XL and Men's L sizes: Work rows 1–4, repeat row 5 twice, then work rows 6–8, repeating a 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 17 sts = 391 sts. Work rows 10–15, repeating a 23-stitch pattern. Work row 16, increasing 1 st = 392 sts.
Women's 2XL and Men's XL sizes: Work rows 1–4, repeat row 5 twice, then work rows 6–8. Repeat the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 18 sts = 414 sts. Work rows 10–16, repeating a 23-stitch pattern.
Women's 3XL and Men's 2XL sizes: Work rows 1–4, repeat row 5 twice, then work rows 6–8, repeating the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 19 sts = 437 sts. Work rows 10–15, repeating a 23-stitch pattern. Work row 16, increasing 1 st = 438 sts.
Women's 4XL and Men's 3XL sizes: Work rows 1–4, repeat row 5 twice, then work rows 6–8, repeating the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 20 sts = 460 sts. Work rows 10–15, repeating a 23-stitch pattern. Work row 16 twice.
Women's 5XL and Men's 4XL sizes: Work rows 1–4, repeat row 5 three times, then work rows 6–8, repeating the 22-stitch pattern. On row 9, increase 21 sts = 483 sts. Work rows 10–15, repeating a 23-stitch pattern. Work row 16 three times, increasing 1 st = 484 sts.
The yoke depth from the lower edge of the ribbing should be approximately 21(21)22(23)23(24)25(26) cm / 8.25(8.25)8.75(9)9(9.5)9.75(10.25) inches. Remove all markers except for the round marker.
Separation of body and sleeves:
Knit 1 round with White as follows: knit 91(99)107(116)123(131)140(148) sts for the back, place 70(74)77(80)84(88)90(94) sleeve sts on a holder, cast on 11(11)11(12)13(13)14(14) new sts for the underarm, knit 91(99)107(116)123(131)140(148) sts for the front, place 70(74)77(80)84(88)90(94) sts for the second sleeve on a holder, cast on 11(11)11(12)13(13)14(14) new sts for the other underarm. The body now has 204(220)236(256)272(288)308(324) sts.
Part 3: Body (Front and Back Lower Section)
Continue with Chart III on body sts, beginning with row 1, repeating the 4-stitch pattern 51(55)59(64)68(72)77(81) times across the round. Work chart rows 2–9. Then repeat rows 10–15 until the body measures approximately 28(30)31(32)34(35)36(37) cm / 11(11.75)12.25(12.5)13.25(13.75)14.25(14.5) inches from the underarm for women’s sizes, and approximately 37(39)40(40)41(41)41(41) cm / 14.5(15.25)15.75(15.75)16(16)16(16) inches for men’s sizes. End after row 12 or 15.
Part 4: Ribbed Hem
Work Chart IV from row 1 and repeat the 4-stitch pattern. Work rows 2–7, then cut the Cranberry yarn.
Switch to smaller needles and knit twisted ribbing with White for 5 cm (2 inches). Switch to Sandbank for the last 2 rounds. Bind off sts using stretchy bind-off or Italian bind-off.
Part 5
Sleeves
Work the sleeves in the round using double-pointed needles or the Magic Loop method.
Transfer 70(74)77(80)84(88)90(94) sts for the first sleeve from the waste yarn onto the needles. With White, pick up and knit 5(5)5(6)6(6)7(7) sts along the underarm cast-on edge starting from the middle, knit across the sleeve sts, and pick up 5(5)6(6)6(6)7(7) more sts along the underarm cast-on edge = 80(84)88(92)96(100)104(108) sts.
The beginning of the round is now at the center of the underarm sts. You may mark the beginning of the round with a stitch marker.
Continue with Chart III on the sleeve sts from row 1, repeating the 4-stitch pattern 20(21)22(23)24(25)26(27) times across the row. Work rows 2–9. Then, repeat rows 10–15.
For Women’s Sizes: After knitting 4(3)3(5)6(3)4(5) cm / 1.5(1.25)1.25(2)2.25(1.25)1.5(2) inches in the round, start decreasing as follows: at the beginning of the round, k1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Repeat these decreases every 3(3)2.5(2)2(2)2(2) cm / 1.25(1.25)1(0.75)0.75(0.75)0.75(0.75) inches a total of 9(11)13(15)15(17)17(17) times = 60(60)60(60)64(64)68(72) sts.
The pattern may be disrupted at the beginning of the round, but ensure the dotted pattern aligns correctly throughout the sleeve.
Continue in the pattern until the sleeve measures approximately 36(37)38(39)40(40)41(42) cm / 14.25(14.5)15(15.25)15.75(15.75)16.25(16.5) inches from the underarm, ending on row 12 or 15.
For Men’s Sizes: After knitting 5(5)5(3)3(5)6(6) cm / 2(2)2(1.25)1.25(2)2.25(2.25) inches in the round, start decreasing as follows: at the beginning of the round, k1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Repeat these decreases every 3.5(3)2.5(2.5)2.5(2)2(2) cm / 1.5(1.25)1(1)1(0.75)0.75(0.75) inches a total of 9(11)13(15)15(17)17(17) times = 60(60)60(60)64(64)68(72) sts.
The pattern may be disrupted at the beginning of the round, but ensure the dotted pattern aligns correctly throughout the sleeve.
Continue in the pattern until the sleeve measures approximately 40(41)42(43)43(44)45(45) cm / 15.75(16)16.5(17)17(17.25)17.75(17.75) inches from the underarm, ending on row 12 or 15.
Part 6
Cuff Pattern
Begin the cuff colorwork pattern by following Chart IV from row 1, repeating the 4-stitch pattern 15(15)15(15)16(16)17(18) times across the row. Work rows 2–6. Then, on row 7, decrease 2(2)0(0)2(2)2(2) sts evenly = 58(58)60(60)62(62)66(70) sts.
The sleeve inner length is approximately 39(40)41(42)43(43)44(45) cm / 15.25(15.75)16(16.5)17(17)17.5(17.75) inches for women’s sizes and 43(44)45(46)47(48)48 cm / 17(17.25)17.75(18)18.5(18.75)18.75 inches for men’s sizes.
Switch to smaller needles and work 6 cm (2.25 inches) of twisted ribbing in the round with White. Switch to Sandbank and knit 2 more rounds of ribbing. Bind off sts using stretchy bind-off or Italian bind-off.
Finishing
Place the sweater on a flat surface to its final measurements with the wrong side up, mist lightly with water, and allow to dry or steam lightly.
Embroider eyes for the reindeer using Bergenia yarn in duplicate stitch. Use Cranberry for the noses, embroidering the marked stitch in duplicate stitch and adding 3 straight stitches over it for dimension.
