Loforð Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Loforð Cardigan in LOPI Álafosslopi & Léttlopi

What is Being Made

The Loforð Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan available in three sizes: S, M/L, and XL, with finished chest measurements of 106 cm, 115 cm, and 124 cm respectively. The garment features a total length of 72 cm, 74 cm, or 76 cm depending on size, with sleeves measuring 53 cm in length. This design combines colorwork patterning with shaping techniques including a V-neck and armhole construction, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

The Loforð Cardigan employs several advanced knitting techniques characteristic of Icelandic wool garment construction. The pattern begins with a seed stitch edge worked flat before transitioning to circular knitting. A steek technique is utilized at the armholes and center front, where stitches are cast on and purled to create a reinforced edge for later cutting and finishing. The garment is constructed primarily in the round, which allows for efficient colorwork integration and seamless construction. V-neck shaping is achieved through paired decreases worked on alternating rounds, with the pattern specifying decreases every other round for nine to eleven times depending on size, plus one additional decrease in the fourth round. The body features increases worked evenly across a round to establish the proper stitch count for the patterned section.

Stitches Used

The primary stitches employed in this cardigan include knit stitch, purl stitch, and seed stitch, which creates a textured edge. The pattern incorporates increases distributed evenly across a round to expand stitch count from 135 to 157 stitches (or 147 to 171, or 159 to 185 depending on size). Decreases are worked using skp (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) for the V-neck shaping. The construction method transitions between working back and forth in rows for the initial seed stitch border and armhole steeks, and working in the round for the main body and colorwork sections. Marker placement is used to delineate stitch sections: the right front, back, and left front are tracked separately to manage shaping and patterning.

Materials

The Loforð Cardigan is designed to be knitted in LOPI yarn, specifically two distinct yarn weights from the LOPI family. The primary yarn is Álafosslopi, a heavier-weight yarn sold in 100-gram balls, which forms the foundation of the garment. Léttlopi, a lighter-weight yarn available in 50-gram balls, is used for colorwork patterning and accents.

For the black and multicolor colorway version, materials include:

• Álafosslopi in A 9975 black tweed: 8, 9, or 10 balls (100 g each) depending on size
• Léttlopi in B 1704 apricot: 1 ball (50 g)
• Léttlopi in C 1412 pink: 1 ball (50 g)
• Léttlopi in D 0051 white: 1 ball (50 g)
• Léttlopi in E 1703 mimosa: 1 ball (50 g)
• Léttlopi in F 1406 spring green: 1 ball (50 g)
• Léttlopi in G 1404 glacier blue: 1 ball (50 g)

For the beige colorway version, materials include:

• Álafosslopi in A 0086 light beige: 8, 9, or 10 balls (100 g each) depending on size
• Léttlopi in B 1701 fjord blue: 1 ball (50 g)
• Léttlopi in C 1706 lyme grass: 1 ball (50 g)
• Léttlopi in D 9426 golden: 1 ball (50 g)
• Léttlopi in E 9427 rust: 1 ball (50 g)
• Léttlopi in F 9431 brick: 1 ball (50 g)