Novita Hugo Yoke Sweater in Novita 7 Veljestä - Downloadable PDF

Novita Hugo Yoke Sweater in Novita 7 Veljestä – Free Knitting Pattern by Lea Petäjä

The Hugo Yoke Sweater is a classic, structured pullover designed by Lea Petäjä and knitted in Novita 7 Veljestä yarn. This free, downloadable PDF pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and produces a beautifully fitted sweater featuring a traditional circular yoke construction with colourwork detailing. Available in seven sizes ranging from S through 4XL, the pattern is thoughtfully graded to suit a wide range of body types, with a finished body circumference spanning 100 cm to 148 cm (approximately 39¼ to 58¼ inches).

Garment Overview

The Hugo Yoke Sweater is a long-sleeved pullover built around a circular yoke — a Scandinavian-inspired construction method in which the body and sleeves are knitted separately in the round and then joined at the upper chest to form a single, seamless yoke. This technique eliminates the need for traditional set-in sleeve seaming and creates a smooth, continuous fabric across the shoulders and upper body. The yoke section incorporates a colourwork pattern, which is a defining decorative feature of the garment and gives it a distinctly Nordic character.

Finished Dimensions

• Body circumference: 100(108)116(124)132(140)148 cm / 39¼(42½)45¾(48¾)52(55)58¼ in
• Middle back/front length: 67(69)71(72)73(75)76 cm / 26½(27¼)28(28¼)28¾(29½)30 in
• Inner sleeve length: 50(51)52(53)53(54)55 cm / 19¾(20)20½(20¾)20¾(21¼)21¾ in

Construction Techniques

The Hugo Yoke Sweater is worked in the round throughout, which means there are no side seams to sew up at the end — a feature that many knitters find both time-saving and satisfying. The body and sleeves are each knitted separately as tubes before being combined for the yoke section, a hallmark of the classic top-down or bottom-up circular yoke method.

Sleeve Shaping

The sleeves feature regular increase rounds to shape the sleeve from cuff to underarm. Increases are worked one stitch in from each end of the round, with the frequency of increases varying by size — for example, every 3.5 cm for size S down to every 2.5 cm for larger sizes. The pattern specifies that increased stitches are worked following the colourwork pattern, ensuring the decorative design remains consistent across the entire sleeve. Each sleeve grows from its cast-on count to a final stitch count of 82(86)88(94)96(100)104 stitches before the underarm stitches are bound off and the remaining stitches are placed on hold for joining.

Yoke Construction

Once the body and sleeves reach the required length — approximately 50(51)52(53)53(54)55 cm for the sleeves — the underarm stitches are bound off and the pieces are joined. Specifically, 8(8)9(9)9(10)10 stitches are bound off at each underarm on both the body and sleeves before the remaining stitches are placed on hold. The yoke is then worked by combining the 84(92)98(106)114(120)128 back stitches, the corresponding front stitches, and the held sleeve stitches onto a single needle to begin the circular yoke. The yoke is worked in the round and features the signature colourwork motif that gives the Hugo its distinctive visual appeal.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round – the primary construction method for body, sleeves, and yoke
• Colourwork / stranded knitting – used throughout the yoke and sleeve increases to create a patterned design
• Increases – worked one stitch in from each edge to shape the