Lihan Sweater

Lihan Sweater by Imke von Nathusius

What is Being Made

The Lihan Sweater is a child's pullover sweater designed by independent designer Imke von Nathusius. This versatile garment comes in multiple sizes and offers extensive customization options, making it suitable for various preferences and skill levels within the intermediate knitting range. The sweater features a circular yoke construction worked from the top down, allowing knitters to build the garment from the neckline outward.

Construction Method

The Lihan Sweater employs a circular yoke top-down construction technique. This method begins at the neckline and works downward in the round, with increases distributed across the yoke to create the necessary width for the body. The top-down approach provides flexibility in fit and allows knitters to try on the sweater during the knitting process to ensure proper sizing before committing to the full body length.

Stitch Options and Techniques

The pattern offers three distinct stitch options for the yoke increases, allowing knitters to customize the visual appearance of their finished sweater:

• Stockinette Stitch with M1R Increases: Creates a sweater with nearly invisible increases, resulting in a clean, classic appearance where the shaping is subtle and unobtrusive
• Eyelet Increases (YO): Produces a summery, decorative effect with visible yarn-over increases that create small openings in the fabric, ideal for warm-weather wear
• Nupp Increase: Offers a textured, dimensional alternative that adds visual interest and tactile complexity to the yoke

Sleeve Options

The Lihan Sweater pattern provides multiple sleeve length and style choices:

• Short Sleeves: Available with either M1R or YO increase options for the yoke
• Long Sleeves (Straight): Available with YO increases
• Long Sleeves (Shaped/Wide): Available in cotton yarn with YO increases for a relaxed, contemporary fit

Knitters can mix and match these options according to their preferences, creating a customized garment that suits their intended use and aesthetic vision.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed for DK weight yarn, which provides a balanced fabric weight suitable for children's garments. The pattern documentation includes examples worked in various yarns, including Sandness Garn Line (shown in colorway 6841 Stovet Aqua), Sandness Garn Duo (shown in colorway 3543 Varm Brun), and cotton yarn for long-sleeved versions. Knitting needles appropriate for DK weight yarn in circular construction are required for this top-down yoke project.

Skill Level

The Lihan Sweater is rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern. This classification reflects the techniques involved: circular knitting, yoke shaping with increases, and the ability to work with multiple construction options. Knitters should be comfortable with basic circular knitting techniques and familiar with different increase methods (M1R and yarn-over increases) to successfully complete this project.

Pattern Details

This is a downloadable PDF pattern created by independent designer Imke von Nathusius from Düsseldorf. The pattern is provided for personal, non-commercial use only. The design emphasizes versatility and customization, encouraging knitters to create variations that reflect their individual style preferences while working with a single, well-structured pattern base.