Pirjo Iivonen - Icelandic Knits: 18 Timeless Lopapeysa Sweater Designs

Sizes: S (M, L, XL)

Recommended positive ease 5 cm (2 in).

Dimensions of finished sweater:

Chest circumference: 95 (105, 115, 125) cm (37 (41, 45, 49) in).

Length from armpit to hem: 37.5 (38.5, 39.5, 40.5) cm (14 (15, 15, 16) in).

Length from front collar to hem: 62 (63, 68, 69) cm (24 (24, 26, 27) in).

Circumference of upper sleeve: 32.5 (35, 40, 42.5) cm (12 (13, 15, 16) in).

Wrist circumference: 25 (25, 30, 30) cm (9 (9, 11, 11) in).

Inner sleeve length: 46 cm (18 in) all sizes.

Yarn (): stex Lttlopi (100% wool; 100 m/50 g) or equivalent Aran/Worsted weight yarn.

MC: 1407 Pine Green Heather 5 (5, 6, 6) balls or 500 (500, 600, 600) m

CC1: 1417 Frostbite 1 (1, 1, 1) ball or 100 (100, 100, 100) m

CC2: 0051 White 1 (1, 1, 1) ball or 100 (100, 100, 100) m

CC3: 1412 Pink Heather 1 (1, 1, 1) ball or 100 (100, 100, 100) m

CC4: 0085 Oatmeal Heather 1 (1, 1, 1) ball or 100 (100, 100, 100) m

CC5: 1705 Royal Fuchsia 1 (1, 1, 1) ball or 100 (100, 100, 100) m

CC6: 9426 Golden Heather 3 (3, 3, 4) balls or 300 (300, 300, 400) m

Needles: Circular needles (80 and 100 cm/32 and 40 in) and double-pointed needles in sizes 3.5 mm (US 4) and 4.5 mm (US 7).

You will also need: Stitch markers, waste yarn or stitch holders, and a tapestry needle.

Tension (gauge): 16 sts and 21 rows = 10 cm 10 cm (4 4 in) in stranded stocking (stockinette) stitch, lightly blocked.

Using 4.5 mm circular needles and CC1, cast on 58 (62, 66, 70) sts. Working flat, *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of row. Join in the round, ensuring not to twist the row of stitches. PM (this is positioned at the centre of the back).

Ribbing: *K1,. p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat this round until ribbing measures 3 cm (1 in).

Work the short rows for the neck:

Row 1 (RS): K18 (20, 22, 25), w&t.

Row 2 (WS): Purl to round marker, SM, p18 (20, 22, 25), w&t.

Row 3: Knit to round marker, SM, k14 (15, 16, 17), w&t.

Row 4: Purl to round marker, SM, p14 (15, 16, 17), w&t.

Row 5: Knit to round marker, SM.

Follow chart A: Using MC and CCs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, work the rows of the chart, making increases as indicated. The pattern repeats 29 (31, 33, 35) times per round. Note: for sizes S and M only: work chart rows 245; sizes L and XL only: work chart rows 253. When you have completed all chart rows for your size, cut all CCs except CC6. You now have 232 (248, 264, 280) sts.

Next round: Knit the first row of the repeating pattern outlined on chart A (row 46).

Separate the sleeves: Using MC, k35 (38, 40, 43) sts for the left back section, transfer the next 46 (48, 52, 54) sts onto waste yarn to reserve for the left sleeve. Cast on 6 (8, 12, 14) sts for the left armpit, knit the 70 (76, 80, 86) sts for the front section, transfer the next 46 (48, 52, 54) sts onto waste yarn to reserve for the right sleeve, cast on 6 (8, 12, 14) sts for the right armpit, knit until round marker. You should now have 152 (168, 184, 200) sts.

Follow chart A: Using MC and CC6, work rows 4753 of the chart, then repeat rows 4653 until the work measures 29 (30, 31, 32) cm (11 (11, 12, 12) in) from the armpit.

Follow chart B: Using MC and CC6, work the rows of the chart. When you have completed all 7 rows, cut the MC.

Ribbing: Switch to 3.5 mm circular needles. Using CC6, *k1, p1, repeat from * to end.

Repeat this round until ribbing measures 5 cm (2 in). Cast (bind) off all stitches.

Transfer the stitches for the left sleeve onto 4.5 mm circular needles. Starting from the centre of the armpit and working in MC, pick up and knit 3 (4, 6, 7) sts, k46 (48, 52, 54) sleeve stitches, pick up and k3 (4, 6, 7) sts, PM. The sleeve should now have 52 (56, 64, 68) sts.

The majority of the sleeve is worked using rows 4653 of chart A repeatedly. Beginning at row 47, knit 10 (7, 7, 6) rows of the pattern repeat.

Decrease round: Continuing the stranded knitting pattern, work the decrease round as follows k1, ssk, continue in pattern until 3 sts remain, k2tog, k1. [2 stitches decreased]

Continuing the stranded knitting pattern, repeat the decrease round every following 11th (8th, 8th, 7th) round another 5 (7, 7, 9) times. You should have 40 (40, 48, 48) sts.

Continue the stranded knitting pattern until the sleeve measures 37.5 cm (14 in) from the armpit.

Follow chart B: Using MC and CC6, work the rows of the chart. When you have completed all 7 rows, cut the MC.

Ribbing: Switch to 3.5 mm circular needles. Using CC6 *k1, p1, repeat from * to end.

Repeat this round until ribbing measures 5 cm (2 in). Cast (bind) off all stitches.

Set aside and knit the other sleeve in the same way.

Sew in the ends. Wet block or steam block to finish.

Sizes: S (M, L, XL)

Recommended positive ease 510 cm (24 in).

Dimensions of finished sweater:

Chest circumference: 90 (100, 110, 120) cm (35 (39, 43, 47) in).

Length from armpit to hem: 37 (38, 39, 40) cm (14 (15, 15, 15) in).

Length from front collar to hem: 59.5 (61, 62.5, 64) cm (23 (24, 24, 25) in).

Circumference of upper sleeve: 38 (41, 44, 48.5) cm (15 (16, 17, 19) in).

Wrist circumference: 25.5 (25.5, 25.5, 29.5) cm (10 (10, 10, 11) in).

Inner sleeve length: All sizes 46 cm (18 in).

Yarn (): Paksupirkka (100% wool; 175 m/100 g) or equivalent DK/Light Worsted weight yarn. Paksupirkka yarn is available in balls of 50 g and skeins of 100 g.

MC: 501 Grafiitti 5 (5, 6, 6) skeins or approx. 800 (875, 900, 990) m

CC1: 210 Naava 1 (1, 1, 1) skein or approx. 110 (130, 150, 170) m

CC2: 222 Curry 1 (1, 1, 1) skein or approx. 100 (110, 120, 130) m

Needles: Circular needles (40 and 100 cm/16 and 40 in) in sizes 4 mm (US 6) and 4.5 mm (US 7), plus circular needles (80 cm/32 in) in size 3.5 mm (US 4), and double-pointed needles in the same sizes.

You will also need: Stitch marker, waste yarn, and a tapestry needle.

Tension (gauge): 20 sts and 22 rows = 10 10 cm (4 4 in) in stranded knitting on 4.5 mm needles, lightly blocked. Right-side stocking (stockinette) stitch on 4 mm needles 19 sts and 27 rows = 10 10 cm (4 4 in).

Using 4 mm circular needles and CC2, cast on 72 (78, 82, 86) sts. Join in the round, ensuring not to twist the stitches. PM (this is positioned at the centre of the back).