Amber Sweater in Viking of Norway Nordlys and Kid Silk - UK-2205-2 - Downloadable PDF

Amber Sweater in Viking Garn Nordlys and Kid Silk – Pattern UK-2205-2

The Amber Sweater (pattern reference UK-2205-2) is a beautifully textured pullover designed by Gerd Auestad and published by Viking of Norway. This intermediate-level knitting pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and produces a cosy, everyday sweater with a rich, dimensional fabric created by combining two complementary yarns held together throughout. The design is worked in a classic construction that will appeal to knitters who are comfortable with ribbing variations and in-the-round techniques.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a pullover sweater with a generous, wearable silhouette. It is offered in six sizes — extra small, small, medium, large, extra large, and double extra large — with chest measurements ranging from 91 cm to 134 cm (35¾ in to 52¾ in). The finished body length runs from 62 cm to 70 cm (24½ in to 27½ in) depending on size, and sleeve length ranges from 45 cm to 50 cm (17¾ in to 19¾ in). These generous proportions make the Amber Sweater a versatile wardrobe staple suitable for a wide range of body types.

Construction and Techniques

The sweater is constructed using a combination of flat knitting (back and forth) and circular knitting (in the round). The front piece is begun separately on 5 mm needles, worked flat for an initial ribbed section of 7 cm (2¾ in), after which both front and back sections are transferred onto the same needle and joined to be worked in the round. Stitches at each join are worked together to form the side seams, creating a seamless body from that point onward. This hybrid construction method is a practical intermediate technique that reduces finishing work while still allowing the lower edges to be shaped individually.

The body is worked in the round until the front piece measures 42–45 cm depending on size, at which point the pattern continues with further shaping. The sleeve construction follows a similarly logical approach, with sleeves measured to between 45 and 50 cm in length across the six sizes.

Stitches Used

The defining stitch of the Amber Sweater is half fisherman's rib, which is used throughout both the flat and circular sections of the garment. Half fisherman's rib is a variation of traditional ribbing in which stitches are worked into the stitch below on every other row or round, creating a deeply textured, squishy fabric that is thicker and more elastic than standard 1×1 or 2×2 rib. The resulting fabric has excellent stretch and recovery, making it ideal for a fitted or semi-fitted sweater. This stitch is worked both back and forth during the initial flat section and then in the round once the body is joined, requiring the knitter to understand how the stitch pattern adapts between these two modes — a key skill at the intermediate level.

Yarn and Materials

One of the most distinctive features of the Amber Sweater pattern is its use of two yarns held together simultaneously, both from the Viking of Norway range:

• Viking Garn Nordlys — a 4-ply weight yarn composed of 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon, available in 100 g skeins. The superwash treatment makes the wool easy to care for, while the nylon content adds durability and stitch definition. Nordlys is known for its subtle colour variation, which contributes to the visual interest of the finished fabric.
• Viking Garn Kid Silk — a delicate laceweight or 4-ply companion yarn composed of 77% kid mohair and 23% silk (as indicated in the pattern). Holding Kid Silk alongside Nordlys adds a characteristic halo effect, warmth, and a luxurious softness to the finished sweater. The mohair fibres bloom with wear and washing, enhancing the cosy, textured appearance of the half fisherman's rib stitch.

The two yarns are used together on 5 mm needles