Knit Ideal Icelandic Sweater in Lion Brand Homespun and Fun Fur - 40018

Knit Ideal Icelandic Sweater in Lion Brand Homespun and Fun Fur – Free Downloadable Knitting Pattern

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Lion Brand Yarn guides knitters through creating a beautifully textured Icelandic-inspired pullover sweater that puts a contemporary, fashion-forward spin on a beloved traditional design. By combining the self-striping qualities of Lion Brand Color Waves with the rich texture of Lion Brand Homespun and the playful flash of Lion Brand Fun Fur, the finished garment blends classic Nordic aesthetics with modern yarn innovation. This is a single sweater design offered in five sizes, making it a versatile project for a wide range of knitters.

What Is Being Made

The project is a knitted Icelandic-style pullover sweater for adults. Traditional Icelandic sweaters, known for their bold colorwork yokes and geometric patterning, are reimagined here with contemporary yarn choices that add color, texture, and visual interest without requiring complex hand-painted or hand-dyed fibers. The finished chest measurements range from 38 inches (Small) up to 53 inches (2X), and lengths range from 21¾ inches to 24¾ inches, accommodating a full size range from S through 2X.

Skill Level and Sizing

This pattern is rated Intermediate in skill level, making it well-suited for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping, reading multi-size patterns, and working with multiple yarn types simultaneously. The pattern is written for the smallest size, with changes for larger sizes noted in parentheses throughout — a standard convention that the pattern specifically advises knitters to manage by circling all numbers relevant to their chosen size before beginning.

• Sizes: S, M, L, 1X, 2X
• Finished Chest: 38 (42, 46, 50, 53) inches
• Finished Length: 21¾ (22½, 23¼, 24, 24¾) inches

Techniques Used

As an Icelandic-inspired design, this sweater draws on the tradition of stranded colorwork knitting, where multiple yarn colors are carried across rows to create patterned motifs — typically geometric or nature-inspired designs arranged in horizontal bands or a yoke. Working with circular needles is central to this pattern, a technique that allows knitters to work seamlessly in the round, which is particularly well-suited to colorwork as it keeps the right side of the fabric consistently facing the knitter, making it easier to follow chart patterns. The use of multiple yarn weights and fiber types simultaneously — including a novelty eyelash yarn — adds a layer of textural technique that distinguishes this design from a purely traditional approach.

Stitches Used

While the full stitch list is detailed within the PDF, Icelandic-style sweater patterns of this construction typically incorporate knit and purl stitches for the body fabric, ribbing for cuffs and hems, and colorwork pattern stitches worked from a chart or written instructions across the yoke or body panels. The combination of yarns — particularly the addition of Lion Brand Fun Fur — introduces a held-together or accent technique where the eyelash fiber is worked alongside a base yarn to create a flash of furry texture at strategic points in the design.

Materials: Yarns

This pattern uses three distinct Lion Brand yarn lines, each contributing a different visual and tactile quality to the finished sweater:

• Lion Brand Color Waves – the main color (MC), used in #350 Night Sky. A self-striping yarn that automatically creates color gradients as you knit, reducing the need for frequent yarn changes while still delivering a dynamic, multi-tonal fabric. You will need 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) skeins depending on your size.
• Lion Brand Homespun – used as accent colors (A, B, C). Three colorways are called for: #371 Boston Rose, #370 Coral Cables, and #369 Florida Keys Green, one skein each. Homespun is a bulky-weight yarn with a distinctive woven, textured appearance that adds warmth and visual depth to colorwork sections.
• Lion Brand Fun Fur