Lopi Nikkólna Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Lopi Nikkólína Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Lopi Nikkólína is a seamless, yoke-style cardigan designed in five sizes ranging from Small to Extra Extra Large, with finished chest measurements of 99 to 117 centimeters. This garment features a classic construction that begins at the lower body and progresses upward, incorporating stranded colorwork techniques throughout the design. The cardigan includes set-in sleeves worked as part of the overall construction, with length to underarm measurements ranging from 43 to 47 centimeters and sleeve lengths to underarm of 49 to 53 centimeters.

Construction Techniques

The Nikkólína cardigan employs several advanced knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity. The bottom-up construction method begins with cast-on stitches at the lower edge and builds the garment upward toward the neckline. The design utilizes seamless construction, which eliminates the need for seaming pieces together after knitting, resulting in a more finished appearance and greater comfort for the wearer. The stranded colorwork technique is featured prominently throughout the yoke and body, requiring knitters to carry multiple colors across rows to create intricate patterned designs. Additionally, significant portions of the cardigan are worked in the round using circular needles, which allows for continuous knitting without turning the work and creates seamless vertical lines in the fabric.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The pattern incorporates multiple stitch techniques to achieve its final structure. The yoke section features a charted stranded colorwork pattern that guides color placement and stitch positioning across the upper body and shoulders. The lower body progresses through multiple rounds with strategic increases that shape the garment to fit the body properly. Stitch counts increase significantly from the lower body through the yoke sections, with the smallest size beginning at 87 stitches and expanding to 259 stitches by the yoke join. The pattern includes ribbed edgings at the cuffs and neckline, worked using alternating knit and purl stitches in a k1, p1 ribbing pattern. Ribbed sections at the sleeve cuffs are worked for 9 to 13 rounds depending on size, while neckline ribbing varies similarly. The pattern specifies bind-off instructions worked loosely in ribbing to maintain elasticity at the edges.

Materials and Tools

The Lopi Nikkólína cardigan is designed to be worked with Lopi yarn, a traditional Icelandic wool known for its durability and warmth. The pattern requires 4½mm needles for the main construction, which are appropriately sized for the yarn weight used in this design. The stranded colorwork technique requires working with multiple yarn colors simultaneously, with the pattern referencing specific color codes including shades designated as A, B, C, D, E, and F. The use of circular needles is essential for the seamless, in-the-round construction method employed throughout much of this cardigan's design.