Lopi Selir Jumper Knitting Pattern

Lopi Selir Knitted Sweater

What is Being Made

The Lopi Selir is a knitted pullover sweater featuring a charted design inspired by seals resting on black sand, with waves and seagulls in flight. This pattern celebrates Icelandic coastal imagery and wildlife, drawing from the designer's childhood memories of observing seals along the coast. The sweater is available in five sizes ranging from XS to XL, with separate sizing specifications for women's and men's fits, including different sleeve and body length measurements for each gender.

Construction Techniques

The Lopi Selir is constructed using a bottom-up, seamless, worked-in-the-round method. The garment begins with the body worked in the round from the bottom up to the underarm. The sleeves are then worked separately in the round to the underarm length, after which all pieces are joined together at the yoke. The yoke features charted pattern decreases that are worked in the round, allowing for a smooth, integrated construction without seaming. This seamless approach creates a comfortable, well-fitted garment with minimal finishing required.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The sweater is primarily worked in stockinette stitch (St st), which provides a smooth, classic fabric base. The pattern incorporates charted colorwork designs that are worked from charts during construction. Shaping is achieved through strategic increases and decreases worked at specific intervals. The body features evenly spaced increases worked in the round at regular intervals to shape the garment. The yoke section includes decreases as indicated on the charted pattern, creating the fitted shoulder and neckline shaping typical of seamless top-down or bottom-up yoke sweaters.

Materials and Tools

The Lopi Selir is knitted using Léttlopi yarn in 50-gram balls. The colorwork design requires four colors: black heather (A), grey (B), stone blue (C), and white (D), with yardage varying by size. The pattern requires 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needles in both 40 cm and 80 cm lengths for the main body and yoke work, as well as 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles in 40 cm and 80 cm lengths for ribbing or finishing sections. 3.5 mm and 4.5 mm double-pointed needles are needed for sleeve work, and a tapestry needle is required for weaving in ends and any finishing. The recommended gauge is 18 stitches and 24 rows over 10 x 10 cm in stockinette stitch using 4.5 mm needles.

Sizing Details

• XS: Chest 89 cm; Women's length to underarm 40 cm, sleeve length 45 cm; Men's sleeve length 49 cm
• S: Chest 98 cm; Women's length to underarm 42 cm, sleeve length 46 cm; Men's sleeve length 50 cm
• M: Chest 102 cm; Women's length to underarm 44 cm, sleeve length 47 cm; Men's sleeve length 51 cm
• L: Chest 111 cm; Women's length to underarm 45 cm, sleeve length 48 cm; Men's sleeve length 52 cm
• XL: Chest 120 cm; Women's length to underarm 46 cm, sleeve length 49 cm; Men's sleeve length 53 cm

Pattern Features

This design showcases the traditional Icelandic knitting heritage associated with the Lopi brand. The charted colorwork pattern brings the coastal narrative to life, with the seal motif and seascape elements worked directly into the fabric. The seamless construction ensures a professional finish and comfortable wear, while the yoke shaping creates a flattering silhouette. The pattern includes separate schematic measurements and stitch counts for each size, allowing knitters to customize the fit. Underarm stitches are placed on holders during construction, enabling precise shaping and seamless joining of all garment pieces at the yoke.