Freyr is an unconventional lopapeysa. The colorwork runs over the whole sweater rather than the yoke alone, which makes the fabric thick and especially warm, and the sweater is shaped with raglan decreases instead of the circular yoke of the traditional Icelandic sweater. The neckline sits lower at the front so the sweater sits well. It takes happily to all kinds of color combinations, from quiet to high contrast.

Men’s sizes. There is a children’s version too.

How it is worked

Worked from the bottom up. The body and the sleeves are worked in the round and joined on one needle at the armholes, and the yoke is then shaped with raglan decreases. The front neck is shaped with short rows.

The length is set by the height of the colorwork repeat, so it steps between sizes rather than grading evenly, and it is not adjustable in the way a plain stockinette body would be. This is explained in the pattern.

Sizes and finished measurements

• Size 1 — chest 93 cm / 36½ in, length from back neck 62 cm / 24½ in
• Size 2 — chest 100 cm / 39¼ in, length 62 cm / 24½ in
• Size 3 — chest 107 cm / 42¼ in, length 62 cm / 24½ in
• Size 4 — chest 113 cm / 44½ in, length 62 cm / 24½ in
• Size 5 — chest 120 cm / 47¼ in, length 72 cm / 28¼ in
• Size 6 — chest 127 cm / 50 in, length 72 cm / 28¼ in

Choose a size from the wearer’s chest measurement, or from the widest part of the torso. We’d recommend allowing plenty of ease — at least 10 cm / 4 in — as the colorwork makes a dense fabric. If you’re unsure, measure across the chest of a sweater that fits well and use that as your guide.

Gauge

12 stitches and 16 rounds in pattern = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 in.

Yarn

Álafoss Lopi, or any yarn that knits to gauge. Three colors: a main color and two pattern colors.

• Main color — 400 g for sizes 1 to 4, 500 g for sizes 5 and 6
• Pattern colors — 100 g and 200 g for sizes 1 and 2; 200 g and 200 g for sizes 3 to 6

Quantities are a close estimate. We all knit a little differently, and the amount of each color you use will shift a little with the combination you choose.

Needles and notions

• 4.5 mm US 7 and 7 mm US 10½ circular needles, 40, 60 and 80 cm, or the size that gives you the right gauge — one long circular in each size is enough if you prefer the magic loop technique
• 4.5 mm US 7 double-pointed needles for the ribbing
• Stitch markers, including a beginning-of-round marker
• Darning needle, measuring tape and scissors

Techniques used

Casting on, knitting and purling, binding off. Picking up stitches to knit. Increases to the right and left, and decreases worked by knitting three stitches together. Stranded colorwork worked from a chart.

Difficulty

3 to 4 out of 5. Suitable for a knitter who has worked colorwork before, or is ready to.

The pattern includes detailed explanations, a chart and links to video tutorials.

Also available

The children’s version, Freyr Junior Lopapeysa, in sizes 2 to 14 years: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/freyr-junior-lop...

All Yrja knit patterns: https://www.ravelry.com/stores/yrja-knit