Riddari Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Riddari Sweater in LOPI Léttlopi

What is Being Made

The Riddari Sweater is a classic knitted pullover sweater designed by Védís Jónsdóttir. This intermediate-level project creates a fitted, crew-neck sweater with a decorative patterned yoke worked from a chart. The sweater is available in six sizes ranging from XS to XXL, with chest measurements from 89 cm to 111 cm, making it suitable for a wide range of body types.

Construction Technique

The Riddari Sweater is constructed using the top-down seamless method, a popular approach in modern knitting that minimizes finishing work. The body and sleeves are knitted in the round using circular needles, then grafted together at the underarm using the Kitchener stitch, creating a seamless garment with no side seams.

The sweater begins with a ribbed cuff at the lower body, transitions into stockinette stitch, and features a charted colorwork pattern that is worked during the body section. The sleeves are knitted separately from the cuff upward, with strategic increases distributed evenly to create a comfortable fit. Once both sleeves reach the required length, they are joined to the body, and the yoke is worked in the round, continuing the colorwork pattern as specified in the chart.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Ribbing (*k2, p2*): A 2x2 knit-purl ribbing pattern worked for 5 rounds at the cuffs and hem to create elasticity and definition
• Charted Colorwork Pattern: A multi-color pattern worked from a chart, incorporating colors A, B, C, and D to create the distinctive Riddari design
• Grafting (Kitchener Stitch): Used to join underarm stitches together seamlessly, eliminating the need for traditional seams

Shaping and Sizing Details

The sweater features strategic increases in the sleeves to create a comfortable, tapered fit. After the initial ribbing, 4 stitches are increased evenly spaced across one round. Additional increases are then worked at a regular interval (every 7th, 8th, or 9th round depending on size) with one stitch increased after the first stitch and one stitch before the last stitch of each round. This creates a gradual sleeve cap that accommodates arm movement while maintaining shape.

The body and sleeves are worked to specific lengths before being joined at the yoke. Underarm stitches are placed on stitch holders and later grafted together, creating a seamless transition from sleeve to body.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Riddari Sweater is designed to be knitted with LOPI Léttlopi, a lightweight Icelandic wool yarn available in 50-gram balls. The pattern calls for two color palettes:

• Green Colorway: Color A in 1416 moor (6–9 balls depending on size), Color B in 0059 black (2–3 balls), Color C in 0086 light beige (1 ball), and Color D in 1417 frostblue (1 ball)
• Brown Colorway: Color A in 1420 murky (6–9 balls depending on size), Color B in 0059 black (2–3 balls), Color C in 1418 straw (1 ball), and Color D in 1419 barley (1 ball)

The pattern requires the following needle sizes:

• 3½ mm (US 4) circular needles in both 40 cm and 80 cm lengths for ribbed sections and initial setup
• 4½ mm (US 7) circular needles in both 40 cm and 80 cm lengths for the main stockinette and colorwork sections
• 3½ mm (US 4) and 4½ mm (US 7) double-pointed needles for working the sleeves in the round

Finishing

The sweater is finished by hand-rinsing in lukewarm water and laying flat to dry. The pattern notes that the edges are allowed to roll