Oltes Sweater in Viking Of Norway - UK-2316-5 - Downloadable PDF

Oltes Sweater in Viking Garn – UK-2316-5 Pattern Summary

The Oltes Sweater is a beautifully crafted knitted pullover designed by Turid Stapnes and published by Viking of Norway under pattern number UK-2316-5. Worked in the luxuriously fine Viking Alpaca Bris yarn, this sweater showcases a traditional Scandinavian aesthetic with a modern fit. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable working in the round and reading charted colorwork or textured diagrams.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a classic pullover sweater designed for both women and men, offered in six sizes ranging from x/small through xx/large. The chest measurements span 88 cm to 128 cm (34¾ in to 50½ in), and the whole length ranges from 64 cm to 70 cm (25¼ in to 27½ in), ensuring a comfortable fit across a wide range of body types. Sleeve lengths are provided separately for women (44–49 cm / 17¼–19¼ in) and men (46–51 cm / 18–20 in), reflecting thoughtful sizing for different proportions.

Construction Techniques

The Oltes Sweater is constructed using a seamless, in-the-round knitting method. A notable feature of the construction is that the back piece is begun at the right shoulder, with the knitter counting out from the centre back to find the correct starting position in the diagram. This approach requires careful attention to the chart and is characteristic of top-down or shoulder-initiated circular knitting techniques. Shaping is worked according to the diagram, with decreases made as indicated to shape the neckline and body.

The neckband is a particularly well-finished detail. After the main body shaping, stitches are decreased evenly and the neckband is worked separately in natural white, then folded in half toward the wrong side and sewn down loosely — creating a neat, double-layered neckband finish that adds both comfort and durability.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) – used throughout the main body and as the base of the neckband transition
• 2×2 ribbing (k2, p2) – worked for approximately 8 cm (3¼ in) to form the neckband, providing stretch and a tidy, classic finish
• Decreases – worked as indicated in the pattern diagram for neckline and armhole shaping
• Cast off in pattern – the neckband is cast off following the established ribbing pattern for a flexible, even edge

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern is specifically written for Viking Alpaca Bris, a cobweb weight yarn from Viking of Norway. Alpaca Bris is a fine, lightweight yarn with the characteristic softness and warmth that alpaca fibre is celebrated for, making the finished sweater exceptionally comfortable against the skin. The delicate weight of the yarn allows for intricate stitch definition while keeping the garment light and airy.

The neckband section references a switch to a 5 mm needle, suggesting the main body is worked on a smaller needle size for a finer gauge, with the needle change creating a slightly more relaxed tension for the folded neckband. Knitters will require circular needles suitable for working in the round across the full body circumference.

Design Details

The Oltes Sweater is photographed by Studio Hjelm, and the design by Turid Stapnes reflects a clean, Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic. The use of natural white for the neckband suggests a considered use of colour contrast or tonal detailing within the overall design. The diagram-based instructions indicate that the sweater likely features a charted pattern section, which is typical of Viking of Norway designs and adds visual interest to what would otherwise be a straightforward pullover silhouette.

Overall, the Oltes