Novita Knitting Patterns

Nordic design, written to be knitted

Novita's designers work from northern nature and family knitting traditions, and the collection reflects that: stranded yokes with snowflake and star motifs, plain stocking stitch jumpers in muted heather shades, thick socks, mittens with patterned backs and cuffs, hats, and a steady stream of children's knits. The patterns are practical rather than showy. Sizes are usually given as a run from small child up to adult, yarn is quoted in grams and metres, and the charts are large enough to read without a magnifier, which matters when you are following two colours at once.

Where to start by skill level

• New knitter: a garter or stocking stitch hat, or a simple scarf, worked in aran or chunky so you finish it.
• Second project: mittens. Small, quick, and they teach thumb gussets and working in the round on double-pointed needles.
• Confident: socks with a heel flap and gusset, or a plain top-down jumper you can try on as you go.
• Ready for colourwork: a stranded yoke, where the patterning is concentrated in one band rather than the whole garment.
• A winter's project: a full stranded cardigan or an all-over patterned pullover in 4 ply.

Yarn weight and quantity

Nordic patterns lean towards worsted and aran weights for outerwear and 4 ply for socks and finer garments, and Novita's own yarns are written into the originals. If you substitute, match the ball band tension rather than the name of the weight, because a Finnish aran and a British aran are not always the same animal. As a rough planning guide, a pair of adult mittens comes from one to two balls, a hat from one, adult socks from about 100g, and an adult jumper from anywhere between 900 and 1,800 metres depending on size and length. Buy the whole quantity in one dye lot before you start.

Colourwork without tears

Stranded knitting goes wrong in two ways: the floats are pulled too tight, so the yoke puckers and will not go over a head, or the two yarns twist round each other every round. Both are fixable habits. Spread the stitches on the right needle before you carry a float across them, keep one colour consistently above the other every time you pick it up, and if a float runs more than five stitches, catch it once in the middle. Work colourwork in the round wherever the pattern allows – you are always looking at the right side, which makes tension far easier to judge. Steek if the design calls for it, and secure the cut edge with crochet or machine stitching before you take the scissors anywhere near it.

Blocking and care

Woollen-spun Nordic yarns bloom when they are washed. Soak the finished piece in lukewarm water with a little wool wash, squeeze without wringing, roll in a towel and pin out to the pattern's measurements. Colourwork in particular looks uneven and lumpy until it is blocked and then settles into a smooth fabric, so do not judge a yoke before it is wet. Store woollens folded with cedar or lavender rather than hung, and darn socks at the first sign of a thin patch rather than the first hole.

Common questions

Are Novita patterns available in English?

The patterns sold here are supplied in the language stated on each listing; check the product page before you buy if that matters to you.

Do I have to use Novita yarn?

No. Any yarn that matches the stated tension and total metreage will work, though the original yarn is the safest route to the pictured fabric.

Which pattern is best for a beginner?

A hat or a pair of mittens. Both are small, both teach working in the round, and neither punishes you for a half-stitch of tension drift.

How do I choose a size?

Measure a garment you already wear and match it to the pattern's finished measurements, not to a clothing size.

Where can I see more?

Browse all knitting patterns or the free knitting pattern library.