Novita Suomivilla: Siimes colourwork sweater
The Siimes colourwork sweater for men is knitted from Novita’s soft Suomivilla yarn. Knitted in the round from neckline to hem, the sweater is a timeless classic thanks to the neutral colour palette.
Size(s)
S(M)L(XL)XXL(3XL)4XL
Yarn demand
Novita Suomivilla (868) Bear 500(550)600(650)750(850)900 g (862) Mountain Hare 100(100)150(150)150(150)150 g (010) Off White 50(50)50(100)100(100)100 g
Needles and other supplies
Circular needles (40 cm / 16 in; 80 cm / 32 in) Novita 3 mm (UK 11 / US 2½) and 4 mm (UK 8 / US 6) or sizes needed; 3 mm and 4 mm double-pointed needles for the sleeves, if you don’t use the Magic Loop technique https://www.novitaknits.com/fi/neulekoulu/magic-loop-tekniikka-eli-luuppaus
Designer
Ronja Hakalehto
Finished dimensions
body circumference 102(110)120(128)134(142)150 cm / 40¼(43¼)47¼(50½)52¾(56)59 in
middle back/front length 63(65)67(70)71(74)76 cm / 24¾(25½)26½(27½)28(29¼)30 in
inner sleeve length 49(50)50(51)51(52)52 cm / 19¼(19¾)19¾(20)20(20½)20½ in
Stitch patterns Ribbing in the round: *k1, p1*, repeat *–*. Stockinette stitch in the round: knit all rows. Colourwork: work stockinette st following the chart.
Gauge 22 sts and 28 rows in stockinette st or colourwork with larger needles = 10 cm / 4 in
Note The sweater is knitted in the round from neckline to hem (see pattern for direction of knitting).
Yoke
Using the smaller circular needle (40 cm) and the Bear yarn, cast on 104(106)110(112)112(114)118 sts, place marker for beginning of round and work ribbing in the round for 8 cm.
Switch to the larger needle. Knit 1 round, evenly increasing 25(29)34(38)50(54)59 sts = 129(135)144(150)162(168)177 sts.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart I. Repeat the 3 st pattern 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 times.
Work rows 2–4 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased on row 4, 172(180)192(200)216(224)236 sts on the needles. Work rows 5–7, repeating the 4 st pattern.
Note: Switch to the longer circular needle when you need to.
Work row 8 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased, 215(225)240(250)270(280)295 sts on the needles. Work rows 9–13, repeating the 5 st pattern.
Work row 14 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased, 258(270)288(300)324(336)354 sts on the needles.
Work rows 15–23, repeating the 6 st pattern. Sizes S and M: skip row 19.
Work row 24 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased, 301(315)336(350)378(392)413 sts on the needles.
Work rows 25–31, repeating the 7 st pattern. Sizes S and M: skip row 30.
Work row 32 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased, 344(360)384(400)432(448)472 sts on the needles.
Work rows 33–53. Size S: skip row 52.
Using Bear, work stockinette st in the round. On the first round, decrease 2(0)4(0)4(4)0 sts / increase 0(4)0(6)0(0)0 sts = 342(364)380(406)428(444)472 sts.
When the yoke measures 20(21)22(23)23(24)25 cm after the ribbing, separate the sleeves: 96(104)111(120)128(134)143 back sts + 75(78)79(83)86(88)93 sleeve sts + 96(104)111(120)128(134)143 front sts + 75(78)79(83)86(88)93 sleeve sts.
Body
Work stockinette st. Work 96(104)111(120)128(134)143 back sts, cast on 16(18)19(19)19(22)22 sts for armhole, work 96(104)111(120)128(134)143 front sts, cast on 16(18)19(19)19(22)22 sts for armhole = 224(244)260(278)294(312)330 sts. Keep working stockinette st in the round.
When the body measures 37(38)39(41)42(44)45 cm from the armhole, switch to the smaller needles and work ribbing in the round for 6 cm. Loosely bind off in pattern.
Sleeves
Use either the double-pointed needles or the Magic Loop technique.
Work the 75(78)79(83)86(88)93 sleeve sts in stockinette st and pick up and knit 16(18)19(19)19(22)22 sts from the armhole cast-on = 91(96)98(102)105(110)115 sts. Keep working stockinette st in the round. The beginning of round is at the midpoint of the armhole cast-on.
After 2(2)2(2)1(1)1 cm, begin decreases: k1, k2tog, work to last 3 sts, skp (slip 1 knitwise, k1, pass the slipped st over), k1. Repeat the decreases 0(0)0(0)0(1)3 more time(s) every 1 cm, 13(18)18(17)21(21)20 times every 2 cm and 4(1)1(2)0(0)0 time(s) every 3 cm = 55(56)58(62)61(64)67 sts.
When the inner sleeve measures 43(44)44(45)45(46)46 cm, switch to the smaller needles. Work ribbing in the round; on the first round decrease 1(0)0(2)1(0)1 st(s) = 54(56)58(60)60(64)66 sts.
After 6 cm in ribbing, loosely bind off in pattern.
Knit the other sleeve in the same manner.
Finishing
Pin to measurements wrong side up, mist and allow to dry, or steam lightly.
Fold the collar and sew the edge to the inside.
Finished dimensions
body circumference 102(110)120(128)134(142)150 cm / 40¼(43¼)47¼(50½)52¾(56)59 in
middle back/front length 63(65)67(70)71(74)76 cm / 24¾(25½)26½(27½)28(29¼)30 in
inner sleeve length 49(50)50(51)51(52)52 cm / 19¼(19¾)19¾(20)20(20½)20½ in
Stitch patterns Ribbing in the round: *k1, p1*, repeat *–*. Stockinette stitch in the round: knit all rows. Colourwork: work stockinette st following the chart.
Gauge 22 sts and 28 rows in stockinette st or colourwork with larger needles = 10 cm / 4 in
Note The sweater is knitted in the round from neckline to hem (see pattern for direction of knitting).
Yoke
Using the smaller circular needle (40 cm) and the Bear yarn, cast on 104(106)110(112)112(114)118 sts, place marker for beginning of round and work ribbing in the round for 8 cm.
Switch to the larger needle. Knit 1 round, evenly increasing 25(29)34(38)50(54)59 sts = 129(135)144(150)162(168)177 sts.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart I. Repeat the 3 st pattern 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 times.
Work rows 2–4 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased on row 4, 172(180)192(200)216(224)236 sts on the needles. Work rows 5–7, repeating the 4 st pattern.
Note: Switch to the longer circular needle when you need to.
Work row 8 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased, 215(225)240(250)270(280)295 sts on the needles. Work rows 9–13, repeating the 5 st pattern.
Work row 14 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased, 258(270)288(300)324(336)354 sts on the needles.
Work rows 15–23, repeating the 6 st pattern. Sizes S and M: skip row 19.
Work row 24 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased, 301(315)336(350)378(392)413 sts on the needles.
Work rows 25–31, repeating the 7 st pattern. Sizes S and M: skip row 30.
Work row 32 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased, 344(360)384(400)432(448)472 sts on the needles.
Work rows 33–53. Size S: skip row 52.
Using Bear, work stockinette st in the round. On the first round, decrease 2(0)4(0)4(4)0 sts / increase 0(4)0(6)0(0)0 sts = 342(364)380(406)428(444)472 sts.
When the yoke measures 20(21)22(23)23(24)25 cm after the ribbing, separate the sleeves: 96(104)111(120)128(134)143 back sts + 75(78)79(83)86(88)93 sleeve sts + 96(104)111(120)128(134)143 front sts + 75(78)79(83)86(88)93 sleeve sts.
Body
Work stockinette st. Work 96(104)111(120)128(134)143 back sts, cast on 16(18)19(19)19(22)22 sts for armhole, work 96(104)111(120)128(134)143 front sts, cast on 16(18)19(19)19(22)22 sts for armhole = 224(244)260(278)294(312)330 sts. Keep working stockinette st in the round.
When the body measures 37(38)39(41)42(44)45 cm from the armhole, switch to the smaller needles and work ribbing in the round for 6 cm. Loosely bind off in pattern.
Sleeves
Use either the double-pointed needles or the Magic Loop technique.
Work the 75(78)79(83)86(88)93 sleeve sts in stockinette st and pick up and knit 16(18)19(19)19(22)22 sts from the armhole cast-on = 91(96)98(102)105(110)115 sts. Keep working stockinette st in the round. The beginning of round is at the midpoint of the armhole cast-on.
After 2(2)2(2)1(1)1 cm, begin decreases: k1, k2tog, work to last 3 sts, skp (slip 1 knitwise, k1, pass the slipped st over), k1. Repeat the decreases 0(0)0(0)0(1)3 more time(s) every 1 cm, 13(18)18(17)21(21)20 times every 2 cm and 4(1)1(2)0(0)0 time(s) every 3 cm = 55(56)58(62)61(64)67 sts.
When the inner sleeve measures 43(44)44(45)45(46)46 cm, switch to the smaller needles. Work ribbing in the round; on the first round decrease 1(0)0(2)1(0)1 st(s) = 54(56)58(60)60(64)66 sts.
After 6 cm in ribbing, loosely bind off in pattern.
Knit the other sleeve in the same manner.
Finishing
Pin to measurements wrong side up, mist and allow to dry, or steam lightly.
Fold the collar and sew the edge to the inside.
Finished dimensions
body circumference 102(110)120(128)134(142)150 cm / 40¼(43¼)47¼(50½)52¾(56)59 in
middle back/front length 63(65)67(70)71(74)76 cm / 24¾(25½)26½(27½)28(29¼)30 in
inner sleeve length 49(50)50(51)51(52)52 cm / 19¼(19¾)19¾(20)20(20½)20½ in
Stitch patterns Ribbing in the round: *k1, p1*, repeat *–*. Stockinette stitch in the round: knit all rows. Colourwork: work stockinette st following the chart.
Gauge 22 sts and 28 rows in stockinette st or colourwork with larger needles = 10 cm / 4 in
Note The sweater is knitted in the round from neckline to hem (see pattern for direction of knitting).
Yoke
Using the smaller circular needle (40 cm) and the Bear yarn, cast on 104(106)110(112)112(114)118 sts, place marker for beginning of round and work ribbing in the round for 8 cm.
Switch to the larger needle. Knit 1 round, evenly increasing 25(29)34(38)50(54)59 sts = 129(135)144(150)162(168)177 sts.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart I. Repeat the 3 st pattern 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 times.
Work rows 2–4 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased on row 4, 172(180)192(200)216(224)236 sts on the needles. Work rows 5–7, repeating the 4 st pattern.
Note: Switch to the longer circular needle when you need to.
Work row 8 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased, 215(225)240(250)270(280)295 sts on the needles. Work rows 9–13, repeating the 5 st pattern.
Work row 14 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased, 258(270)288(300)324(336)354 sts on the needles.
Work rows 15–23, repeating the 6 st pattern. Sizes S and M: skip row 19.
Work row 24 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased, 301(315)336(350)378(392)413 sts on the needles.
Work rows 25–31, repeating the 7 st pattern. Sizes S and M: skip row 30.
Work row 32 of the chart. 43(45)48(50)54(56)59 sts increased, 344(360)384(400)432(448)472 sts on the needles.
Work rows 33–53. Size S: skip row 52.
Using Bear, work stockinette st in the round. On the first round, decrease 2(0)4(0)4(4)0 sts / increase 0(4)0(6)0(0)0 sts = 342(364)380(406)428(444)472 sts.
When the yoke measures 20(21)22(23)23(24)25 cm after the ribbing, separate the sleeves: 96(104)111(120)128(134)143 back sts + 75(78)79(83)86(88)93 sleeve sts + 96(104)111(120)128(134)143 front sts + 75(78)79(83)86(88)93 sleeve sts.
Body
Work stockinette st. Work 96(104)111(120)128(134)143 back sts, cast on 16(18)19(19)19(22)22 sts for armhole, work 96(104)111(120)128(134)143 front sts, cast on 16(18)19(19)19(22)22 sts for armhole = 224(244)260(278)294(312)330 sts. Keep working stockinette st in the round.
When the body measures 37(38)39(41)42(44)45 cm from the armhole, switch to the smaller needles and work ribbing in the round for 6 cm. Loosely bind off in pattern.
Sleeves
Use either the double-pointed needles or the Magic Loop technique.
Work the 75(78)79(83)86(88)93 sleeve sts in stockinette st and pick up and knit 16(18)19(19)19(22)22 sts from the armhole cast-on = 91(96)98(102)105(110)115 sts. Keep working stockinette st in the round. The beginning of round is at the midpoint of the armhole cast-on.
After 2(2)2(2)1(1)1 cm, begin decreases: k1, k2tog, work to last 3 sts, skp (slip 1 knitwise, k1, pass the slipped st over), k1. Repeat the decreases 0(0)0(0)0(1)3 more time(s) every 1 cm, 13(18)18(17)21(21)20 times every 2 cm and 4(1)1(2)0(0)0 time(s) every 3 cm = 55(56)58(62)61(64)67 sts.
When the inner sleeve measures 43(44)44(45)45(46)46 cm, switch to the smaller needles. Work ribbing in the round; on the first round decrease 1(0)0(2)1(0)1 st(s) = 54(56)58(60)60(64)66 sts.
After 6 cm in ribbing, loosely bind off in pattern.
Knit the other sleeve in the same manner.
Finishing
Pin to measurements wrong side up, mist and allow to dry, or steam lightly.
Fold the collar and sew the edge to the inside.
