Novita Icelandic Wool: Kaarna colourwork sweater
Make a Kaarna yoke sweater for everyone in the family! Inspired by old Finnish colourwork designs and patterns as well as nature, the sweater is knitted using the uniquely soft Novita Icelandic Wool yarn. Patterns available for both adult and children’s sizes.
Size(s)
XS(S)M(L)XL(2XL)3XL(4XL)
Yarn demand
Novita Icelandic Wool (638) Webcap 400(400)450(500)550(600)700(750) g (384) Pine 150(150)150(200)200(200)200(250) g (010) Off White 100(150)150(150)150(150)200(200) g
Needles and other supplies
Circular needles (40 cm / 16 in; 80 cm / 32 in) and double-pointed needles Novita 4 mm (UK 8 / US 6) and 4.5 mm (UK 7 / US 7) or sizes needed
Designer
Minttu Wikberg
Finished dimensions
body circumference 92(100)108(116)124(132)144(156) cm / 36¼(39¼)42½(45¾)48¾(52)56¾(61½) in
middle front/back length 65(67)69(71)73(75)78(81) cm / 25½(26½)27¼(28)28¾(29½)30¾(32) in
inner sleeve length 48(49)50(50)51(52)52(53) cm / 19(19¼)19¾(19¾)20(20½)20½(20¾) in
Choose your size based on body circumference (i.e. chest circumference). The measurements given are those of the garment. Use your preferred amount of positive ease. The pictured model, Elsa, has a chest circumference of 127 cm and is wearing a sweater with a 132 cm circumference.
You can adjust the length of the sleeves and the body as you go.
Stitch patterns Ribbing in the round: *k1, p1*
Yoke
Using Webcap and the smaller circular needle (40 cm), cast on 98(100)100(100)104(104)106(110) sts and work ribbing in the round for 3 cm. Place marker for beginning of round.
Switch to the larger needles and knit 1 round. Work stockinette st in the round and begin increases on the next round: k2(4)4(4)8(8)4(8), *increase 1 (knit the strand of yarn between the sts through the back loop), k16(8)6(4)4(3)3(3). Repeat *–* to end of round. 6(12)16(24)24(32)34(34) sts increased, 104(112)116(124)128(136)140(144) sts now on the needles.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of the chart. Repeat the 4 st pattern 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times.
Work row 4 and increase 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) sts following the chart: *work 3 sts, increase, work 1 st*, repeat *–* to end of round. 130(140)145(155)160(170)175(180) sts on the needles.
Work rows 5–9 of the chart. The 5 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times on each round.
Work row 10 and increase 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) sts following the chart: *work 1 st, increase, work 4 sts*, repeat *–* to end of round. 156(168)174(186)192(204)210(216) sts on the needles.
Work rows 11–12 of the chart. The 6 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times on each round.
Work row 13 and increase 26(28)29(31)32(34)34(35) sts following the chart: *work 5 sts, increase, work 1 st*, repeat *–* to end of round. 182(196)203(217)224(238)245(252) sts on the needles.
Work row 14 of the chart. The 7 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times.
Work row 15 and increase 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) sts following the chart: *work 2 sts, increase, work 5 sts*, repeat *–* to end of round. 208(224)232(248)256(272)280(288) sts on the needles.
Work rows 16–25 of the chart. The 8 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times on each round.
Work row 26 and increase 52(56)58(62)64(68)70(72) sts following the chart: *increase, work 4 sts*, repeat *–* to end of round. 260(280)290(310)320(340)350(360) sts on the needles.
Work rows 27–50 of the chart. The 10 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times on each round.
Using Webcap, work stockinette st in the round.
Work until the yoke measures 22(22)23(24)25(25)26(27) cm (including the ribbing). Next round: work 75(81)85(91)96(103)107(113) back sts, leave 55(59)60(64)64(67)68(67) sleeve sts on hold, cast on 9(9)13(13)16(17)23(27) sts for armhole, work 75(81)85(91)96(103)107(113) front sts, leave 55(59)60(64)64(67)68(67) sleeve sts on hold, cast on 9(9)13(13)16(17)23(27) sts for armhole.
Body
With the 168(180)196(208)224(240)260(280) sts, work stockinette st in the round until the piece measures 32(34)35(36)37(39)41(43) cm from the armhole (or 11 cm less than desired length).
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart II. Repeat the 4 st pattern 42(45)49(52)56(60)65(70) times. Work rows 2–14 of the chart.
Use Pine for the rest of the piece.
Knit 1 round, then switch to the smaller needles and work ribbing in the round for 6 cm. Bind off in pattern.
Sleeves
Place the 55(59)60(64)64(67)68(67) sts on the larger double-pointed needles and pick up and knit 7(7)10(10)14(15)16(21) additional sts from the armhole cast-on as well as 1 st from both sides to avoid gaps = 64(68)72(76)80(84)86(90) sts. Place marker for beginning of round at the midpoint of the picked-up sts.
Using Webcap, work stockinette st in the round.
When the sleeve measures 2(2)2(2)1(2)1(2) cm from the armhole, begin decreases on both sides of the marker: at the end of round, k2tog through back loop; at the beginning of the next round, k2tog. Repeat the decreases every 2.5(2.5)2(2)2(2)1.5(2)1.5 cm. Work the decreases 12(14)16(16)18(20)19(21) times in total. 40(40)40(44)44(44)48(48) sts on the needles.
When the sleeve measures 37(38)39(39)40(41)41(42) cm from the armhole (or 11 cm less than desired length), begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart II. Repeat the 4 st pattern 10(10)10(11)11(11)12(12) times. Work rows 2–14 of the chart.
Use Pine for the rest of the piece.
Knit 1 round, then switch to the smaller needles and work ribbing in the round for 6 cm. Bind off in pattern.
Finishing
Wet block to measurements.
Finished dimensions
body circumference 92(100)108(116)124(132)144(156) cm / 36¼(39¼)42½(45¾)48¾(52)56¾(61½) in
middle front/back length 65(67)69(71)73(75)78(81) cm / 25½(26½)27¼(28)28¾(29½)30¾(32) in
inner sleeve length 48(49)50(50)51(52)52(53) cm / 19(19¼)19¾(19¾)20(20½)20½(20¾) in
Choose your size based on body circumference (i.e. chest circumference). The measurements given are those of the garment. Use your preferred amount of positive ease. The pictured model, Elsa, has a chest circumference of 127 cm and is wearing a sweater with a 132 cm circumference.
You can adjust the length of the sleeves and the body as you go.
Stitch patterns Ribbing in the round: *k1, p1*
Yoke
Using Webcap and the smaller circular needle (40 cm), cast on 98(100)100(100)104(104)106(110) sts and work ribbing in the round for 3 cm. Place marker for beginning of round.
Switch to the larger needles and knit 1 round. Work stockinette st in the round and begin increases on the next round: k2(4)4(4)8(8)4(8), *increase 1 (knit the strand of yarn between the sts through the back loop), k16(8)6(4)4(3)3(3). Repeat *–* to end of round. 6(12)16(24)24(32)34(34) sts increased, 104(112)116(124)128(136)140(144) sts now on the needles.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of the chart. Repeat the 4 st pattern 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times.
Work row 4 and increase 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) sts following the chart: *work 3 sts, increase, work 1 st*, repeat *–* to end of round. 130(140)145(155)160(170)175(180) sts on the needles.
Work rows 5–9 of the chart. The 5 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times on each round.
Work row 10 and increase 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) sts following the chart: *work 1 st, increase, work 4 sts*, repeat *–* to end of round. 156(168)174(186)192(204)210(216) sts on the needles.
Work rows 11–12 of the chart. The 6 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times on each round.
Work row 13 and increase 26(28)29(31)32(34)34(35) sts following the chart: *work 5 sts, increase, work 1 st*, repeat *–* to end of round. 182(196)203(217)224(238)245(252) sts on the needles.
Work row 14 of the chart. The 7 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times.
Work row 15 and increase 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) sts following the chart: *work 2 sts, increase, work 5 sts*, repeat *–* to end of round. 208(224)232(248)256(272)280(288) sts on the needles.
Work rows 16–25 of the chart. The 8 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times on each round.
Work row 26 and increase 52(56)58(62)64(68)70(72) sts following the chart: *increase, work 4 sts*, repeat *–* to end of round. 260(280)290(310)320(340)350(360) sts on the needles.
Work rows 27–50 of the chart. The 10 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times on each round.
Using Webcap, work stockinette st in the round.
Work until the yoke measures 22(22)23(24)25(25)26(27) cm (including the ribbing). Next round: work 75(81)85(91)96(103)107(113) back sts, leave 55(59)60(64)64(67)68(67) sleeve sts on hold, cast on 9(9)13(13)16(17)23(27) sts for armhole, work 75(81)85(91)96(103)107(113) front sts, leave 55(59)60(64)64(67)68(67) sleeve sts on hold, cast on 9(9)13(13)16(17)23(27) sts for armhole.
Body
With the 168(180)196(208)224(240)260(280) sts, work stockinette st in the round until the piece measures 32(34)35(36)37(39)41(43) cm from the armhole (or 11 cm less than desired length).
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart II. Repeat the 4 st pattern 42(45)49(52)56(60)65(70) times. Work rows 2–14 of the chart.
Use Pine for the rest of the piece.
Knit 1 round, then switch to the smaller needles and work ribbing in the round for 6 cm. Bind off in pattern.
Sleeves
Place the 55(59)60(64)64(67)68(67) sts on the larger double-pointed needles and pick up and knit 7(7)10(10)14(15)16(21) additional sts from the armhole cast-on as well as 1 st from both sides to avoid gaps = 64(68)72(76)80(84)86(90) sts. Place marker for beginning of round at the midpoint of the picked-up sts.
Using Webcap, work stockinette st in the round.
When the sleeve measures 2(2)2(2)1(2)1(2) cm from the armhole, begin decreases on both sides of the marker: at the end of round, k2tog through back loop; at the beginning of the next round, k2tog. Repeat the decreases every 2.5(2.5)2(2)2(2)1.5(2)1.5 cm. Work the decreases 12(14)16(16)18(20)19(21) times in total. 40(40)40(44)44(44)48(48) sts on the needles.
When the sleeve measures 37(38)39(39)40(41)41(42) cm from the armhole (or 11 cm less than desired length), begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart II. Repeat the 4 st pattern 10(10)10(11)11(11)12(12) times. Work rows 2–14 of the chart.
Use Pine for the rest of the piece.
Knit 1 round, then switch to the smaller needles and work ribbing in the round for 6 cm. Bind off in pattern.
Finishing
Wet block to measurements.
Finished dimensions
body circumference 92(100)108(116)124(132)144(156) cm / 36¼(39¼)42½(45¾)48¾(52)56¾(61½) in
middle front/back length 65(67)69(71)73(75)78(81) cm / 25½(26½)27¼(28)28¾(29½)30¾(32) in
inner sleeve length 48(49)50(50)51(52)52(53) cm / 19(19¼)19¾(19¾)20(20½)20½(20¾) in
Choose your size based on body circumference (i.e. chest circumference). The measurements given are those of the garment. Use your preferred amount of positive ease. The pictured model, Elsa, has a chest circumference of 127 cm and is wearing a sweater with a 132 cm circumference.
You can adjust the length of the sleeves and the body as you go.
Stitch patterns Ribbing in the round: *k1, p1*
Yoke
Using Webcap and the smaller circular needle (40 cm), cast on 98(100)100(100)104(104)106(110) sts and work ribbing in the round for 3 cm. Place marker for beginning of round.
Switch to the larger needles and knit 1 round. Work stockinette st in the round and begin increases on the next round: k2(4)4(4)8(8)4(8), *increase 1 (knit the strand of yarn between the sts through the back loop), k16(8)6(4)4(3)3(3). Repeat *–* to end of round. 6(12)16(24)24(32)34(34) sts increased, 104(112)116(124)128(136)140(144) sts now on the needles.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of the chart. Repeat the 4 st pattern 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times.
Work row 4 and increase 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) sts following the chart: *work 3 sts, increase, work 1 st*, repeat *–* to end of round. 130(140)145(155)160(170)175(180) sts on the needles.
Work rows 5–9 of the chart. The 5 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times on each round.
Work row 10 and increase 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) sts following the chart: *work 1 st, increase, work 4 sts*, repeat *–* to end of round. 156(168)174(186)192(204)210(216) sts on the needles.
Work rows 11–12 of the chart. The 6 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times on each round.
Work row 13 and increase 26(28)29(31)32(34)34(35) sts following the chart: *work 5 sts, increase, work 1 st*, repeat *–* to end of round. 182(196)203(217)224(238)245(252) sts on the needles.
Work row 14 of the chart. The 7 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times.
Work row 15 and increase 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) sts following the chart: *work 2 sts, increase, work 5 sts*, repeat *–* to end of round. 208(224)232(248)256(272)280(288) sts on the needles.
Work rows 16–25 of the chart. The 8 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times on each round.
Work row 26 and increase 52(56)58(62)64(68)70(72) sts following the chart: *increase, work 4 sts*, repeat *–* to end of round. 260(280)290(310)320(340)350(360) sts on the needles.
Work rows 27–50 of the chart. The 10 st pattern is repeated 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times on each round.
Using Webcap, work stockinette st in the round.
Work until the yoke measures 22(22)23(24)25(25)26(27) cm (including the ribbing). Next round: work 75(81)85(91)96(103)107(113) back sts, leave 55(59)60(64)64(67)68(67) sleeve sts on hold, cast on 9(9)13(13)16(17)23(27) sts for armhole, work 75(81)85(91)96(103)107(113) front sts, leave 55(59)60(64)64(67)68(67) sleeve sts on hold, cast on 9(9)13(13)16(17)23(27) sts for armhole.
Body
With the 168(180)196(208)224(240)260(280) sts, work stockinette st in the round until the piece measures 32(34)35(36)37(39)41(43) cm from the armhole (or 11 cm less than desired length).
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart II. Repeat the 4 st pattern 42(45)49(52)56(60)65(70) times. Work rows 2–14 of the chart.
Use Pine for the rest of the piece.
Knit 1 round, then switch to the smaller needles and work ribbing in the round for 6 cm. Bind off in pattern.
Sleeves
Place the 55(59)60(64)64(67)68(67) sts on the larger double-pointed needles and pick up and knit 7(7)10(10)14(15)16(21) additional sts from the armhole cast-on as well as 1 st from both sides to avoid gaps = 64(68)72(76)80(84)86(90) sts. Place marker for beginning of round at the midpoint of the picked-up sts.
Using Webcap, work stockinette st in the round.
When the sleeve measures 2(2)2(2)1(2)1(2) cm from the armhole, begin decreases on both sides of the marker: at the end of round, k2tog through back loop; at the beginning of the next round, k2tog. Repeat the decreases every 2.5(2.5)2(2)2(2)1.5(2)1.5 cm. Work the decreases 12(14)16(16)18(20)19(21) times in total. 40(40)40(44)44(44)48(48) sts on the needles.
When the sleeve measures 37(38)39(39)40(41)41(42) cm from the armhole (or 11 cm less than desired length), begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart II. Repeat the 4 st pattern 10(10)10(11)11(11)12(12) times. Work rows 2–14 of the chart.
Use Pine for the rest of the piece.
Knit 1 round, then switch to the smaller needles and work ribbing in the round for 6 cm. Bind off in pattern.
Finishing
Wet block to measurements.
