Pattern currently in test knit: to be published mid-March 2026

I was putting a last hand to the pattern of my Rollur sweater, a lopi sweater featuring distinctive Icelandic sheep in the yoke and now published, when Caitlin Hunter from Boyland knitworks published her Ovis sweater, a saddle pullover with an allover (non Icelandic) sheep motif.

I was so smitten by it that I purchased it right away with the firm intention to knit one for myself, then couldn´t help making my own Icelandic version last autumn. I showed it to Caitlin who was very keen on me publishing the instructions… and so… here it is, the Icelandic Ovis, a short topdown lopi yoke sweater!

I must say that it was quite the headache to make the Icelandic sheep motif fit around the yoke and then the body without interruptions in multiple sizes. But here it is in a wide range of sizes from XXS to 5XL. For your convenience, the charts also show in the reverse colours.

I wrote both a cardigan and pullover version because you always ask… I hope you will enjoy them both!

Sizes: XXS(XS,S,M)L,XL,2X(3XL,4XL,5XL)
Recommended fit: 15-20 cm / 6-8” of ease around chest and 10-15 cm / 4-6” around biceps. Add the desired ease to your measurements and choose the size the closest to it. Compare the other finished measurements to your own.
The cardigan shown is a size S: it is knitted with Heiður from the Icelandic minimill Urðurull in natural black and plant-dyed Léttlopi by Hespa. The sweater shown is a Size M and is knitted with a blend of plötulopi and Love Story.

Finished measurements
A Neckline circumference: 43(45.5,45.5,48)48,50,50(52,52,52) cm / 17(18,18,19)19,19¾,19¾(20½,20½,20½)“
B Chest circumference: 85.5(95,104.5,114)124,133,142(151.5,161,170.5) cm / 33¾(37½,41¼,45)48¾,52¼,56(59¾,63½,67¼)”
C Biceps circumference: 38(38,38,38)43,48,52(52,56.5.62) cm / 15(15,15,15)17,19,20¼(20½,22¼,24½)“
D Body length to underarm: 29 cm/ 11½”
E Sleeve length from underarm: 37 cm / 14½”
F Yoke depth at front: 21(22,23,24)24.5,25.5,26(27,28,29) cm / 8¼(8¾,9,9½)9¾,10,10¼(10¾,11,11½)”

Gauge: 10 cm / 4” = 18 sts and 24 rows in Stocking st on 4,5 mm / US 7 needle. Change needle size to match the gauge if necessary.

WOOL USED
Any Aran weight suitable for stranded knitting, such as Léttlopi from Ístex, 100% new wool, loose spun, 50 g skein = 100 m / 109 yds

MC: 6(6,7,7)8,9,9(10,11,11) skeins
CC: 5(5,5,6)6,7,7(8,8,9) skeins (enough for cardigan button bands)

For a softer sweater and almost twice as light, you can also use my favorite blend of plötulopi and Love Story: 1 strand of each held together.

Plötulopi from Ístex: 100% new wool, unspun, plate 100-110g = 300 m/328 yds
Love Story Einband from Hélène Magnússon, 100% new wool, pure Icelandic lambswool, very fine lace, 1 ply, 25g skein = 225 m/ 246 yds

MC: 2(2,3,3)3,3,3(4,4,4) plates of plötulopi and 3(3,4,4)4,4,4(5,5,6) skeins of Love Story
CC: 2(2,2,2)2,3,3(3,3,3) plates of plötulopi and 3(3,3,3)3,4,4(4,4,4) skeins of Love Story

Yardage used (estimation)
Cardigan
MC: 496(512,542,587)652,728,762(824,881,953) m / 541(558,591,640)711,794,831(898,961,1038) yds
CC: 392(404,428,463)515,575,602(651,696,752) m / 427(441,467,505)562,627,656(709,759,820) yds
Sweater
MC: same as cardigan
CC: 344(355,378,413)464,523,549(597,641,697) m / 375(387,413,450)505,570,598(651,699,759) yds

MATERIAL
Needles: 4 and 4.5 mm / US 6 and 7 circular needles, 80 cm / 32” long. Magic loop is used for smaller diameters, but you can also use double-pointed needles or any other method.

Notions: tapestry needle, markers, stitch holders. For the cardigan, sewing machine or thread and sewing needle for the steek.

Other material (cardigan): 8 or 9 buttons, ribbon twice the length of the front opening.