Vár, the ancient Norse goddess of protection and covenants, is an excellent secret keeper. This pattern honors her with the look of a classic Icelandic yoked sweater while incorporating hidden modifications to create a flattering finished sweater for all shapes and sizes. This pattern will be your secret to customizing a flawless sweater season.

Vár’s innovation is in the details. It is knit top-down, starting at the neckline. The yoke is shaped with increases as the distinctive geometric pattern is worked. Just below the pattern, the back of the sweater is lifted with some short rows for a better finished fit. After the yoke pattern is worked, it’s time to divide the stitches for the two sleeves and the body. All three parts are completed one at a time from the yoke pattern work. A ribbing is added to the neckline at the very end, folded over and sewn down for a round edge. You’ll finish with only a few ends to weave in - no Kitchener-stitch drama awaits.

Top-down knitting of sweaters has many advantages. For example, it allows you to try the garment on at any moment during the process, and modifications on length both of body and sleeves are easy. You could even knit yourself a floor length gown if you so choose! Vár has an oversized and relaxed fit and looks great with different outfits on various body types.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Gauge: 10x10 cm = 17x21 Stitches
Yarn: Ístex Léttlopi, 100% wool - 100m / 50g skein. Main color: 9426 golden. Pattern color: 0051, white.
Amount: Main color: 7 (7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11) skeins. Pattern color: 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3) skeins.
Knitting needles: 4.5mm and 5.5 mm (US 9 and 7) or size needed to obtain gauge
Other: darning needle for weaving in ends, a bit of scrap yarn to hold sleeve stitches, 3 stitch markers.

Measurements:
Chest (finished garment): 120 (122, 127, 130, 132, 136, 139, 146, 148) cm / 47.25 (48, 50, 51, 52, 53,5, 54,75, 57,5, 58,25) inches.
Note: as the sweater is knitted from the neck down, it’s easy to adjust length of both body and sleeves. Regard the numbers below as suggestions rather than rock-hard guidelines.