Pattern of the month January 2026: 50% off no code needed

First published in my book about Icelandic shoe inserts, the pattern is also available as a single downloadable pattern, with much more sizes, a more modern fit, an optional waist shaping and a new variation on the yoke design, easier to knit. A black and white verson was also added in January 2026. Instructions are for a sweater or a cardigan with various finishing options.

This sweater is a typical Icelandic lopi sweater. The yoke motif is inspired by old Icelandic shoe-inserts decorated with a Flowerpot motif. It is worked in the round in stranded knitting with 2 or 3 colors and extra colors in the pattern are embroidered afterwards with Swiss darning.

NB : in the book, there is a more masculine version with a zipper (His Icelandic sweater with zipper) which is included in the single pattern.

Sizes: XS(S,M,L) XL,2X,3X
Sweater or cardigan (steeked) with optional darted waist for women. Recommended ease: 0-5 cm/ 0-2”.
Models shown: white sweater yoke A size M, dark sweater yoke B + waist shaping size XS, dark sweater yoke A size L.

Finished measurements
Bust : 71(80,89,98)114,123,132 cm/ 28.5(32,35.5,39)45.5,49,53”
Bottom: 74(83,92,101)117,126,135 cm/ 29.5(33,37,40.5)47,50.5,54”
Waist (shaping option): 61(71,80,89)104,114,123 cm/ 24.5(28.5,32,35.5)41.5,45.5,49”
Body length to underarm: 36(38,40,43)46,49,52 cm/ 14.5(15,16,17)18.5,19.5,21”
Sleeve length to underarm: 46(47,48,49)50,51,52 cm/ 18.5(19,19.25,19.5)20,20.5,21”
Wrist: 23(23,25,25)26,26,28 cm / 9(9,10,10)10.5,10.5,11”
Upper arm: 29(31,32,34)35,37,38 cm/ 11.5(12.5,13,13.5)14,15,15.25”

Gauge: 10 cm/4” = 13 sts and 18 rows on needle 6 mm/US 10

Wool: Álafoss lopi from Ístex, 100% new wool, 100g/skein = 100 m/114 yds
MC: #0051 (white sweater) or #0052 (dark cardigan): 5(6,6,7)7,8,8 skeins
CC:
• Motif B: #0052 (or #9973 cardigan), #1233, #1238 (or #0047 cardigan), #9965, #9966, 1 skein each
• Motif A: same colors as motif B plus #9964 and #1238, 1 skein each.
• One color motif: 1(1,1,2)2,2,3 skeins

Note: for a softer but also much lighter sweater, you can use 1 strand of plötulopi and 1 strand of Love Story together, see here for more details.

Kits and wool available on icelandicknitter.com

Material: for the cardigan, zipper or buttons

Needles: circular needle 6 mm/US 10 (and 4,5 mm/US 7 for the rib collar option). Magic loop is used for smaller diameters but of course you can use DPN’s.
Crochet hook 5 mm/ US H/8 (cardigan)

Notions: darning needle, markers, 4 stitch holders

Pattern is from the book Icelandic knitting using rose-patterns. The book preserves old Icelandic knitting tradition that had almost been lost. First half is a study of traditional rose-pattern insert knitting in Iceland. Inserts or rose-pattern inserts are knitted insoles that were worn in soft shoes made of fish skin or sheepskin. Second half of the boo are contemporary designs all based of old shoe-inserts. The author has tried to remain true to the original color schemes of the inserts she chose, and the traditional methods used in making them (Icelandic intarsia, i.e. intarsia knitting with garter stitch).

Pattern is in Icelandic, English and French.

Read the review in Knitter´s review