Setesdals

Setesdals Knitted Sweater by Katrine H

What is Being Made

Setesdals is a knitted sweater designed by independent designer Katrine H. This intermediate-level garment features a classic pullover construction with set-in sleeves and a fitted silhouette. The sweater measures 46 inches in chest circumference with a full length of 25 inches, making it a versatile everyday piece suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone garment.

Yarn and Materials

The Setesdals pattern calls for Dale Cotinga by Dale Garn, a premium yarn blend composed of 70% alpaca and 30% superwash merino wool. This fiber combination provides warmth, softness, and durability while remaining easy to care for. The pattern requires a total of 15 skeins of aran-weight yarn: 10 skeins in the background color Koks 0083 and 5 skeins in the pattern color Lys sand 2431.

Needles and Tools

The pattern employs multiple needle sizes to achieve proper fabric structure and fit:

• US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles measuring 32 to 40 inches for knitting the main body and sleeves
• US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles for the ribbed cuffs and hem, which creates elastic edge finishes
• Double-pointed needles or magic loop method in appropriate sizes for working sleeves in the round

The designer notes that needle sizes may vary based on individual gauge; some knitters may need to use US 2.5 mm, US 3.5 mm, and US 4 mm depending on their tension and whether they are working with two-color stranded knitting.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Setesdals sweater employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters. The pattern incorporates ribbed knitting for the cuffs and hem, which provides elasticity and a finished appearance. The main body and sleeves are worked using stockinette stitch, a foundational knit structure that creates a smooth, classic fabric surface.

The sweater features two-color stranded knitting (also known as Fair Isle or jacquard knitting), where the background color Koks 0083 and pattern color Lys sand 2431 are worked together to create a decorative pattern across the garment. This technique requires managing two yarn colors simultaneously and carrying the unused color inside the fabric to maintain consistent tension.

The pattern uses a magic loop or double-pointed needle method for working the sleeves in the round, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates seamless, fitted sleeves. The sweater features set-in sleeves with shaping increases and decreases to achieve a tailored fit.

Sizing and Gauge

The finished sweater dimensions are as follows: 46 inches chest circumference, 25 inches full length, 14 inches from underarm to waist hem, and 17 inches sleeve length. The pattern specifies a knitting gauge of 16 stitches over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when worked in stockinette stitch on US 7 needles.

The designer emphasizes the critical importance of knitting a test swatch to verify gauge before beginning the main garment. Since gauge directly determines final measurements, knitters who work tightly should increase needle size, while those who knit loosely should decrease needle size. When working two-color stranded knitting, tension often increases naturally; the designer recommends increasing needle size by half or a full size to compensate.

Pattern Structure

The Setesdals pattern begins with the sleeves, which are cast on using US 4 needles with the background color Koks 0083 using either the magic loop or double-pointed needle method. The pattern provides detailed instructions for sleeve construction, including ribbed cuff shaping and the transition to stockinette stitch with two-color patterning on larger needles.