Women's Colorwork Cardigan in Novita Nalle - Downloadable PDF

Women's Colorwork Cardigan in Novita Nalle by Saara Toikka – Pattern Summary

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern by designer Saara Toikka guides knitters through the construction of a women's colorwork cardigan worked in Novita Nalle DK-weight yarn. Rated advanced in difficulty, this project is a rewarding challenge for experienced knitters who are comfortable with stranded colorwork, shaped armholes, neckline shaping, and set-in sleeve construction. The finished cardigan is a classic, wearable piece featuring bold Nordic-inspired colorwork stripes set against a clean linen-toned background, fastened with six buttons for a polished, structured finish.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

The pattern is written for five sizes: XS, S, M, L, and XL/XXL. Finished measurements are as follows:

• Chest circumference: 90 (100) 110 (120) 130 cm / 35½ (39¼) 43¼ (47¼) 51¼ inches
• Length: 64 (66) 68 (71) 74 cm / 25¼ (26) 26¾ (28) 29¼ inches
• Inner sleeve length: 45 (46) 47 (48) 49 cm / 17¾ (18) 18½ (19) 19¼ inches

These generous size options make the pattern accessible to a wide range of body types, and the graded measurements allow knitters to select the fit that best suits them.

Materials Required

Yarn

The pattern calls for Novita Nalle, a DK-weight yarn, in two colorways:

• Novita Nalle (061) Linen: 400 (400) 450 (500) 550 grams – used as the primary background color throughout the garment
• Novita Nalle (044) Graphite: 100 (150) 150 (150) 200 grams – used for the colorwork stripe motifs

The two-color palette creates a striking yet versatile contrast, with the warm neutral linen tone grounding the deep graphite patterning. Novita Nalle is a well-regarded Scandinavian yarn known for its softness and stitch definition, making it an excellent choice for colorwork projects where clarity of pattern is essential.

Needles and Notions

• Needles: Novita brand needles in 3½–4 mm (UK 8–9½ / US 4–6), or the size needed to achieve gauge
• Notions: 6 buttons (referenced from napiton.fi), stitch holders or scrap yarn for holding stitches during shaping

Gauge

24 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch = 10 cm / 4 inches. Achieving the correct gauge is especially important in a fitted garment like this cardigan, as even small deviations can significantly affect the finished chest circumference and length. Knitters are encouraged to swatch and adjust needle size as necessary before beginning.

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

This cardigan employs three primary stitch patterns, each serving a distinct structural or decorative purpose:

Garter Stitch

Garter stitch is formed by knitting every row on both right-side and wrong-side rows. In this pattern, garter stitch is used for the lower borders and cuffs, providing a neat, non-curling edge that frames the garment cleanly. The back, fronts, and sleeves all begin with a garter stitch section before transitioning into stockinette.

Stockinette Stitch

Stockinette stitch forms the main fabric of the cardigan. Right-side rows are knitted and wrong-side rows are purled, creating a smooth, flat surface that serves as the ideal background for colorwork motifs. The majority of the body and sleeves are worked in stockin