Children's Reindeer Sweater in Novita Venla - Downloadable PDF

Children's Reindeer Sweater in Novita Venla by Sisko Sälpäkivi – Pattern Summary

This charming children's knitting pattern by designer Sisko Sälpäkivi produces a classic pullover sweater featuring a striking reindeer motif on the front. Offered as a free downloadable PDF, the pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is published under the Novita brand. It is worked flat in separate pieces — back, front, and sleeves — and then seamed together, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with colourwork and basic garment construction.

Sizing and Dimensions

The pattern is written for four sizes, designed to fit children with chest circumferences of 72, 76, 80, and 84 cm (approximately 28¼, 30, 31½, and 33 inches), corresponding to approximate heights of 110, 122, 134, and 146 cm. The completed sweater measures:

• Body circumference: 72(76)80(84) cm
• Length: 41(44)47(51) cm
• Inner sleeve length: 31(34)36(39) cm

These generous size options make the pattern suitable for a wide range of children, from younger primary-school age through to older children approaching their early teens.

What Is Being Made

The finished object is a children's pullover sweater with a reindeer intarsia panel worked across the front. The reindeer design is the centrepiece of the garment and gives it a festive, Scandinavian-inspired character. The sweater features a ribbed hem and cuffs, a classic crew neckline finished with a short ribbed band, and set-in sleeves. The back is worked entirely in the main colour, keeping construction straightforward while the front carries the decorative colourwork panel.

Techniques Used

This pattern draws on several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques:

• Flat knitting: All pieces — back, front, and sleeves — are worked flat on straight or circular needles, then assembled by seaming.
• Intarsia colourwork: The reindeer motif on the front is worked using the intarsia method, where separate yarn bobbins or lengths are used for each colour section. This avoids carrying yarn across the back of the work and keeps the fabric single-layered and neat.
• Duplicate stitch (optional): The pattern thoughtfully offers an alternative for knitters who prefer to avoid intarsia — the front can be knitted entirely in the main colour and the reindeer design can then be embroidered over the top using duplicate stitch, mimicking the appearance of knitted-in colour.
• Armhole shaping: Set-in armholes are shaped by binding off stitches at both ends and then working paired decreases on every other row.
• Neckline shaping: The front neckline is formed by binding off the centre stitches and then working each shoulder separately, with further decreases at the neckline edge on every other row.
• Picking up stitches for the neckband: A circular needle is used to pick up stitches around the finished neckline to work the ribbed collar in the round.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (stocking stitch): The main body fabric of both the back and front is worked in stockinette, creating a smooth, classic surface that showcases the colourwork motif beautifully.
• Ribbing: The hem, cuffs, and neckband are all worked in ribbing, which provides elasticity and a neat, professional finish at the edges.
• Intarsia colourwork pattern: The reindeer chart is worked over 79 rows on the front piece, centred using a marked midpoint arrow on the chart.

Materials – Yarn

The pattern calls for Novita Venla, a 4-ply weight yarn, used across all pieces. Novita Venla is a smooth, fine-weight yarn well suited to detailed colourwork and crisp stitch definition in children's knitwear. The following colourways are specified