Vorsól Cardigan in LOPI Léttlopi

Vorsól Cardigan in LOPI Léttlopi – Pattern Summary

The Vorsól Cardigan is a colorwork knitting pattern published by LOPIDESIGN.is (pattern reference 41-12). The name Vorsól means Spring Sun in Icelandic, and the design captures that seasonal spirit — bright, cheerful, and full of color. It is a classic yoked cardigan worked in the beloved Icelandic knitting tradition, available as a downloadable PDF.

What Is Being Made

The Vorsól is a seamless, top-down or set-together yoked cardigan for adults, offered in five sizes ranging from XS to XL, with chest measurements spanning 90 cm to 116 cm. The finished garment features a circular yoke, set-in sleeves joined at the underarm in the traditional Icelandic manner, and a lower body with a slightly wider hem edge. Key finished measurements include:

• Chest: 90 (96, 103, 110, 116) cm
• Width at lower edge: 97 (104, 111, 117, 124) cm
• Length to underarm: 26 (28, 30, 32, 34) cm
• Sleeve length to underarm: 44 (45, 46, 47, 48) cm

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for LOPI Léttlopi, a lightweight Icelandic wool yarn sold in 50 g balls, worked at a worsted weight gauge on 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needles in both 40 cm and 60–80 cm lengths. Three colorways are used:

• Color A – Léttlopi 1703 Mimosa (main color): 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) balls
• Color B – Léttlopi 1701 Fjord Blue (contrast color): 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) balls
• Color C – Léttlopi 0051 White (accent color): 1 (1, 2, 2, 2) balls

Léttlopi is renowned for its lightweight yet insulating properties, making it the yarn of choice for traditional Icelandic lopapeysa-style garments. Its single-ply, unspun structure gives finished knitwear a characteristically airy, rustic texture that blooms beautifully after washing.

Construction Method

The Vorsól Cardigan is constructed using the classic Icelandic seamless yoke method. The sleeves and body are worked separately in the round and then joined at the underarm onto a long circular needle to work the yoke together as one piece. Underarm stitches are placed on stitch holders and later grafted or joined. The sleeves are worked with even increases along the length to shape the sleeve cap, and the yoke features the signature colorwork chart (Chart 1) worked across all joined stitches.

• Sleeves are worked in the round with gradual increases, reaching 60 (63, 66, 69, 72) stitches before joining
• 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) underarm stitches are held on stitch holders at joining
• The yoke joins right front, left front, both sleeves, and back for seamless circular colorwork
• The right front begins with a purl stitch, indicating a front band or button band edge treatment

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round on circular needles — both short (40 cm) and long (60–80 cm) lengths
• Stranded colorwork using three colors (Mimosa, Fjord Blue, and White) following a charted pattern
• Even stitch increases along sleeves to shape