Kaarna Colourwork Sweater in Novita - 0070005 - Downloadable PDF

Kaarna Colourwork Sweater in Novita Icelandic Wool – Pattern Summary

The Kaarna Colourwork Sweater is a beautifully crafted knitted pullover designed by Minttu Wikberg for Novita. This intermediate-level pattern is worked in Novita Icelandic Wool, an aran-weight yarn that lends the finished garment excellent stitch definition — a key quality for showcasing the intricate colourwork motifs that give this sweater its striking character. The pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF, making it accessible to a wide range of knitters looking to develop or refine their colourwork skills.

What Is Being Made

The Kaarna Colourwork Sweater is a seamless, circular-knit pullover featuring a repeating colourwork chart worked across the body and sleeves. It is sized inclusively across a wide range, from XS through 4XL, with finished body circumferences spanning 92 cm to 156 cm (approximately 36¼ to 61½ inches). The middle front and back length ranges from 65 cm to 81 cm (25½ to 32 inches), and the inner sleeve length runs from 48 cm to 53 cm (19 to 20¾ inches) depending on the chosen size. This generous size range makes the pattern an excellent choice for knitters of many body types.

Colourwork Design and Chart Structure

The defining feature of the Kaarna sweater is its structured, chart-driven colourwork. The pattern is worked from a detailed row-by-row chart, with the stitch repeat evolving as increases are worked into the design. Key structural details from the chart include:

• Row 14: A 7-stitch pattern repeat, worked 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times around the body.
• Row 15: An increase row worked within the chart, adding stitches in a structured sequence — work 2 sts, increase, work 5 sts — repeated to the end of the round, bringing the stitch count to 256(272)280(288) stitches.
• Rows 16–25: The colourwork continues with an 8-stitch pattern repeat, worked 26(28)29(31)32(34)35(36) times per round.
• Row 26: A further increase round — increase, work 4 sts — repeated to the end of the round, bringing the stitch count to 260(280)290(310)320(340)350(360) stitches.

This approach of integrating increases directly into the colourwork chart is a hallmark of thoughtfully engineered seamless sweater construction, ensuring the pattern motif expands naturally alongside the shaping of the garment.

Techniques Used

The Kaarna Colourwork Sweater employs a range of knitting techniques suited to an intermediate skill level. Knitters working on this project should be comfortable with:

• Colourwork knitting — working with multiple colours simultaneously to create patterned motifs from a chart, a technique associated with Nordic and Icelandic knitting traditions.
• Working in the round — the sweater is constructed seamlessly using circular needles, which is the standard method for colourwork garments as it allows the knitter to always view the right side of the fabric.
• Chart reading — following a structured row-by-row colourwork chart with evolving stitch repeats is central to this pattern.
• Integrated increases — increases are worked directly within the colourwork rows, requiring the knitter to manage both shaping and pattern simultaneously.
• Seamless construction — the body and sleeves are worked in the round and joined, eliminating the need for seaming and producing a clean, professional finish.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure of the Kaarna Colourwork Sweater is stockinette stitch worked in the round (knitting every round), which creates the smooth, flat fabric surface ideal for displaying colourwork motifs clearly. Increases are incorporated at specific chart