Orka Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Orka Sweater in LOPI Plötulopi

What is Being Made

The Orka Sweater is a pullover-style knitted garment designed in five sizes ranging from Small to 2XL, with chest measurements from 94 cm to 129 cm. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a warm, textured sweater featuring a sophisticated color-blocking design that transitions through multiple yarn shades from the body through the sleeves. The design embodies the concept of "Energy - surge of power comes from within reaching out," reflected in its gradient color progression.

Techniques Used

This sweater employs several advanced knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The construction uses multi-strand knitting, where multiple strands of yarn are held together simultaneously to create color transitions and depth. Knitters work with varying combinations of colored strands—shifting from single-strand to four-strand configurations throughout the piece. The sweater is worked in the round using circular needles, creating seamless construction for the body. Increases are strategically placed in the sleeves, worked alternately after the first stitch or before the last stitch of each round to maintain symmetry. The pattern incorporates ribbed edging at the cuff and hem for structure and elasticity.

Stitches Used

The primary stitches featured in the Orka Sweater are knit (k) and purl (p) stitches. The ribbing sections use a classic 1x1 rib pattern (*k1, p1*), which provides stretch and a finished appearance at the cuffs and hem. The body and sleeves are worked primarily in stockinette stitch (knit in the round), which creates the smooth fabric base that showcases the color transitions. The color changes themselves are achieved through strategic yarn switching rather than complex stitch variations, allowing the multi-strand technique to be the visual focal point.

Materials and Tools

The Orka Sweater is knitted using Plötulopi yarn, an Icelandic wool product available in earth tone and greyscale colorways. The earth tone version includes midnight blue (color A 0709), plum (color B 1428), wine red (color C 2027), and dark amber (color D 1426), with accent colors in oatmeal (color E 1030) and light blue (color F 2023). The greyscale option features black heather (color A 0005), dark grey (color B 9103), grey (color C 9102), light grey (color D 1027), ash (color E 1026), and white (color F 0001). Yarn quantities are provided in 100-gram plates, with most colors requiring 1-2 plates depending on size.

The pattern requires circular needles in two sizes: 10 mm (US 15) needles in 40 cm and 80 cm lengths for the main fabric, and 9 mm (US 13) needles in 40 cm and 80 cm lengths for the ribbed sections. Double-pointed needles in both 9 mm and 10 mm sizes are needed for working the sleeve caps and finishing. The multi-strand technique means knitters will be holding multiple strands of Plötulopi simultaneously throughout construction.

Construction Details

The sweater body is worked from the hem upward in the round. After casting on with 4 strands of color A on 9 mm needles, knitters work a 1x1 ribbed cuff for 4 rounds before switching to 10 mm needles for the main body. The body length to underarm ranges from 38 cm (size S) to 45 cm (size 2XL). Color transitions occur in 3-round sections, gradually shifting from one color combination to the next, creating a subtle gradient effect.

Sleeves are worked separately after the body is complete. Each sleeve begins with a cast-on of 22-26 stitches (depending on size) on 9 mm double-pointed needles, starting with 4 strands of color A. After the initial ribbed cuff, knitters increase stitches at regular intervals—every 7th, 6th, or 5th round depending on size—for a total of 6-9 increases per sleeve. Sleeve length to underarm measures 43-47 cm across the size range. Like the body, the sleeves feature the same multi-strand color transition sequences, ensuring visual continuity throughout the garment.

Sizing Information

• Size S: Chest 94 cm, length to underarm 38 cm, sleeve length to underarm