Women's Reindeer Sweater in Novita Nalle - Downloadable PDF

Women's Reindeer Sweater in Novita Nalle by Sisko Sälpäkivi – Pattern Summary

This Women's Reindeer Sweater is a beautifully detailed knitted pullover designed by Sisko Sälpäkivi and worked in Novita Nalle DK-weight yarn. The sweater features a striking intarsia reindeer motif on the front, making it a standout seasonal garment perfect for winter wardrobes. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is available as a free downloadable PDF. It is sized to fit a wide range of bodies, from S through 3XL, with a finished body circumference ranging from 90 cm to 138 cm (35½ to 54¼ inches) and a total length of 61 to 73 cm (24 to 28¾ inches).

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a women's pullover sweater with set-in sleeves, a ribbed hem and cuffs, and a round neckline finished with a short ribbed collar. The front panel showcases a large intarsia colorwork reindeer chart spanning 79 rows, while the back is worked in a clean, classic stockinette. The sweater is constructed in separate flat pieces — front, back, and sleeves — which are then seamed together. A decorative touch of wood beads is incorporated as an embellishment, adding a charming handcrafted quality to the finished garment.

Sizes and Dimensions

• Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL
• Body circumference: 90(98)106(114)126(138) cm / 35½(38½)41¾(45)49½(54¼) in
• Total length: 61(63)65(67)70(73) cm / 24(24¾)25½(26½)27½(28¾) in
• Inner sleeve length: 46(47)48(49)49(50) cm / 18(18½)19(19¼)19¼(19¾) in

Techniques Used

• Intarsia colorwork: The front of the sweater features a large reindeer motif worked using the intarsia technique. In intarsia knitting, separate lengths or bobbins of yarn are used for each color section, and yarns are twisted at color joins to prevent holes. This method creates a single-layer fabric with a bold pictorial design, making it ideal for large, non-repeating motifs like this reindeer chart.
• Flat knitting: All pieces — back, front, and sleeves — are worked flat, back and forth in rows, and then seamed together at the shoulders and sides.
• Set-in sleeve shaping: Armhole shaping is achieved by binding off stitches at the armhole edges and then working paired decreases on every other row to create a curved set-in sleeve cap profile.
• Neckline shaping: The front and back necklines are shaped by binding off center stitches and working each shoulder separately, with additional decreases at the neckline edge for a smooth, fitted curve.
• Seaming and finishing: The completed pieces are joined using standard seaming methods, and a neckline band is picked up and worked in the round on a circular needle.

Stitches Used

• Ribbing (k2, p2 variation): The lower body and cuffs begin with a ribbed border worked as k3, p2, *k2, p2*, k3. This creates a stretchy, structured edge that helps the garment maintain its shape at the hem and wrists.
• Stockinette stitch: The main body of both the front and back is worked in stockinette (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side), providing a smooth, classic fabric surface ideal for showcasing the colorwork motif.
• Garter stitch selvedge: One stitch at each end of every row is kept in garter stitch throughout the body and sleeves. This selvedge technique creates a neat, stable edge that makes seaming easier and cleaner.