Men's Reindeer Sweater in Novita Nalle - Downloadable PDF

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

This Men's Reindeer Sweater is a classic, festive knitting pattern designed by Sisko Sälpäkivi and worked in Novita Nalle yarn. The design features a bold reindeer motif that makes it a standout choice for the holiday season, combining traditional Scandinavian-inspired aesthetics with a comfortable, wearable fit for men. The pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF and is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well-suited for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping, colorwork, and reading a multi-size pattern.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a men's pullover sweater featuring a reindeer design, worked in separate pieces that are seamed together. The sweater is constructed with a back body, front body, and sleeves, each beginning with a ribbed hem or cuff before transitioning into the main fabric. The garment is designed to be a true winter sweater — warm, structured, and generously sized across a wide range of men's measurements.

The completed sweater offers the following finished dimensions across six sizes:

• Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL
• Body Circumference: 104(112)120(128)136(144) cm / 41(44)47¼(50½)53½(56¾) in
• Total Length: 66(68)70(72)74(77) cm / 26(26¾)27½(28¼)29¼(30¼) in
• Inner Sleeve Length: 49(50) cm and above, varying by size

Construction and Shaping Techniques

The sweater is worked flat in separate pieces — a traditional construction method that allows for precise shaping and clean seaming. Each major section begins on smaller needles for the ribbed edging, then transitions to larger needles for the main body fabric. This two-needle-size approach is standard in garment knitting and ensures that the ribbing draws in neatly while the body has the correct drape and gauge.

Body Shaping

On the back piece, stitches are cast on using the Christmas colorway of Novita Nalle and worked in 2x2 or standard ribbing for 6 cm on the smaller needles. After switching to larger needles and beginning stockinette stitch, a small number of stitches are increased evenly on the first row to achieve the correct stitch count for each size — ranging from 116 sts (size S) to 160 sts (size 3XL).

When the back measures 44(45)46(47)48(50) cm, armhole shaping begins. This involves:

• Binding off 5 stitches at each end once for the initial armhole notch
• Followed by 6 single-stitch decreases at each end on every other row, creating a smooth, tapered armhole curve

This results in a remaining stitch count of 94(102)112(120)130(138) sts after armhole shaping is complete — a clean, professional finish typical of set-in sleeve construction.

Neckline Shaping

When the armhole reaches 20(21)22(23)23(24) cm in depth, the neckline is shaped by binding off the center 38(38)38(40)40(40) stitches for the back neck. Each shoulder is then worked separately. After two rows, an additional 2 stitches are bound off at the neckline edge to soften the neck curve. This creates a wide, comfortable crew neckline that suits the relaxed, casual character of the sweater.

Shoulder Bind-Off

When the armhole measures 22(23)24(25)25(26) cm, the remaining shoulder stitches — 26(30)35(38)43(47) sts per side — are bound off