Sizes: 1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7 (8) 9 (10) ● Level: 3/5 ● The Kirsti sweater speaks volumes about the Finnish soul. It is dark and comforting, incredibly cozy to wear, and looks deceptively simple at a quick glance.
Yet the details reveal the true premium quality of the knit. Crafted from cashmere, the ribbed edges are adorned with a double-knit stripe, and the beautiful shoulder seams meet the neckline ribbing in perfect alignment.
Despite its refinement, the sweater never boasts: it is designed to be a permanent, reliable staple of your everyday wardrobe. The perfect shade for the Kirsti sweater could easily be my true love, black – but then again, that is exactly what a deep, dark brown is: the new black of Scandi fashion.

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FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Bust Circumference: 89.5 (101) 110.5 (120) 129.5 (141) 150.5 (160) 171.5 (181) cm / 35.75 (40.5) 44.25 (48) 51.75 (56.5) 60.25 (64) 68.5 (72.5)“.
Total Length (from neckline to hem): 58 cm / 23.25” in all sizes.*
Upper Arm Circumference: 37.5 (37.5) 40 (40) 42.5 (43.5) 45.5 (47) 49.5 (51.5) cm / 15 (15) 16 (16) 17 (17.5) 18.25 (18.75) 19.75 (20.5)”.
Sleeve Length: 50 (50) 50 (50) 50 (48) 45 (45) 40 (40) cm / 20 (20) 20 (20) 20 (19.25) 18 (18) 16 (16)“.
Or your preferred length

CHOOSING YOUR SIZE

The sweater is designed with 15–30 cm / 6–12” of positive ease at the bust, meaning the fit is intentionally loose and sizing is quite flexible. Measure your own bust circumference, add 15–30 cm / 6–12” and find the closest size in the size chart. You can also measure a favorite sweater you already own. If you want a slimmer fit, go one size down. It’s also worth measuring your preferred sleeve width at the upper arm. Sleeve and hem length can easily be adjusted to taste.

Sample sweater in size 3, Leeni’s bust 83 cm / 33.25”, height 168 cm / 67.25”.

MATERIALS

Yarn

Gepard Garn Eco Cashmere Vintage (100% cashmere, 150 m / 164 yds – 50 g).
330 (360) 390 (420) 450 (480) 500 (530) 560 (590) g in the colourway dark brown (180).

Or 1080 (1180) 1280 (1375) 1475 (1575) 1640 (1740) 1835 (1935) yds / 990 (1080) 1170 (1260) 1350 (1440) 1500 (1590) 1680 (1770) m of fingering-weight yarn.

Other yarn options include Rowan Pure Cashmere, mYak Tibetan Cloud Wool and Sandnes Garn Double Sunday.

Needles

4 mm (US 6)
Long circular needle for the body and the hem ribbing.
DPNs for sleeves, if you don’t use the magic loop technique.

3 mm (US 2.5)
DPNs for sleeves, if you don’t use the magic loop technique.
Short circular needle for the neckband.

Notions

Tapestry needle, stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn.

GAUGE

17 sts x 24 rows = 10 cm / 4” in Stockinette St with 4 mm (US 6) needle.

CONSTRUCTION

The sweater is worked from the top down. It begins with a back neck piece, which is then divided into front and back. These are worked flat to the underarms. The body is worked in the round, and the hem features side slits and a double-knitted stripe as decoration. Sleeve stitches are picked up from the armholes and worked in the round down to the cuffs, which also feature a double-knitted stripe. Finally, the neckband is worked in ribbing. The sweater has beautiful shoulder seams, formed by frequent increases while working the back neck piece.