Children’s Kaarna Colourwork Sweater in Novita - 0070004 - Downloadable PDF

Children's Kaarna Colourwork Sweater – Pattern Summary

The Children's Kaarna Colourwork Sweater is a beautifully designed knitted pullover for children, created by designer Minttu Wikberg and published by Novita. This intermediate-level knitting pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF and produces a warm, colourwork-detailed sweater worked primarily in the round. The design is sized to fit children from approximately 92/98 cm through to 128/134 cm (UK sizes 2–3 through 8–9, US sizes 2T through 9–10), making it a versatile wardrobe staple for growing children.

Finished Dimensions

The finished sweater is generously proportioned with a medium body fit. Exact finished measurements across the four sizes are as follows:

• Body circumference: 68(72)76(80) cm / 26¾(28¼)30(31½) inches
• Middle front/back length: 40(43)46(49) cm / 15¾(17)18(19¼) inches
• Inner sleeve length: 26(29)31(34) cm / 10¼(11½)12¼(13½) inches

Design and Construction

The Kaarna sweater is knitted in the round from the bottom up, incorporating both plain stockinette sections and decorative colourwork panels. The body is worked in stockinette stitch in the round, which creates a smooth, classic fabric that forms the perfect backdrop for the colourwork detailing. The colourwork pattern is introduced near the lower body and again on the sleeves, adding visual interest and a traditional Nordic or Icelandic aesthetic to the garment.

Colourwork knitting of this style involves carrying two or more yarn colours across each row, creating stranded patterns from a charted design. The pattern references Chart II for the body colourwork section, which is worked over 14 rows and uses a 4-stitch repeat — repeated 31(33)35(37) times depending on the size. This type of stranded colourwork is a hallmark of Scandinavian knitwear traditions and gives the sweater its distinctive, heritage-inspired character.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stockinette stitch in the round – the main fabric of the body and sleeves, creating a smooth knit surface
• Stranded colourwork – worked from a chart, using two colours to create a repeating decorative pattern across the lower body and sleeve sections
• Ribbing – worked on smaller needles for the hem, cuffs, and neckband, providing stretch and a neat, professional finish
• Knitting in the round – the sweater is constructed seamlessly in the round, avoiding the need for side seams
• Binding off in pattern – used at the ribbed edges to maintain elasticity and a tidy edge

Colourwork Pattern Detail

The colourwork section of the body begins after working stockinette stitch to within approximately 10 cm of the desired total length. The pattern is charted and worked over rows 1 through 14 of Chart II, with the 4-stitch motif repeated evenly around the full circumference of the body. Following the colourwork section, a single round of plain Peony stockinette is worked before switching to smaller needles for the ribbed hem. This transition from colourwork to plain ribbing is a thoughtful design detail that frames the decorative panel neatly.

Sleeve Construction

The sleeves are worked by placing the held sleeve stitches — 38(42)44(48) stitches depending on size — back onto the needles and working in the round. Like the body, the sleeves incorporate colourwork charting and stockinette sections, with ribbed cuffs worked on smaller needles to finish. The inner sleeve lengths range from 26 cm for the smallest size up to 34 cm for the largest, ensuring a comfortable, well-proportioned fit across all sizes.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is designed specifically for Novita Icelandic Wool, an