In testknit until December 27th, 2024

Maja Light is a top-down DK version of my popular Maja lopi cardigan, a free pattern I designed for the Swedish company Järbo Garn back in 2020.
Just like the original Maja, the Maja light cardigan is steeked. The pattern also has instructions for a sweater with short sleeves.
Both come in 10 sizes, from XXS to 5XL.

I hope you will enjoy this lighter version that celebrates a new yarn in the Ístex range: Fjallalopi. If you’d like, you can also use my softer Icelandic lambswool yarn Ný Katla, which is DK as well, or even my Gilitrutt lace yarn, held double. And of course, you can use any DK yarn you like!

Fun fact: despite its appellation, Fjallalopi is not unspun and thus sweaters knitted with Fjallalopi do not meet the standards of traditional Icelandic lopi sweaters when sold in the shops!

Sizes: XXS(XS,S,M)L,XL,2XL(3XL,4XL,5XL)
Fit: 0-5 cm / 0-2” of ease at bust. Add the desired ease to your bust measurement* and choose the size the closest to it. Compare the other finished measurements to your own.
For a looser fit, choose a larger size.

If you are very busty, you may want to measure your upper bust and add darts to the sweater.

Finished measurements:
Bust circumference: 78(88,94,104)107,119,125(138,146,153) cm / 30¾(34¾,37,41)42¼,46¾,49¼(54¼,57½,60¼)“ (+ 4 cm/ 1½” button band for the cardigan):
Neckline circumference (+ 4 cm/ 1½“ button band for the cardigan): 52(54,56,58)60,62,64(66,68,70) cm / 20½(21¼,22,22¾)23½,24½,25¼(26,26¾,27½)”
Upper arm circumference: 36(37,38,39)42,46,51(54,58,61) cm / 14¼(14½,15,15¼)16½,18,20(21¼,22¾,24)“
Body length to underarm: 28(29,30,31)32,33,34(35,36,37) cm / 11(11½,11¾,12¼)12½,13,13½(13¾,14¼,14½)”
Long sleeve length: 44(45,46,46)47,48,49(50,51,52) cm / 17¼(17¾,18,18)18½,19,19¼(19¾,20,20½)”
Yoke depth at front (plus 2 cm / ¾” at back): 20.5(21,21,22)22.5,23,24.5(24.5,25,25.5) cm / 8(8¼,8¼,8¾)8¾,9,9¾(9¾,9¾,10)”

Gauge: 10 cm / 4” = 20 sts and 28 rows in Stocking st on 3.75 mm / US

Wool
Any DK weight yarn suitable for stranded knitting.

Cardigan with long sleeves
shown in Fjallalopi from Ístex, 100% wool, 1 ply, DK weight, 50 g ball = approx. 150 m / 164 yds
• MC: shade #3052 (mountain blue), 3(3,3,3)4,4,4(5,5,5) skeins
• CC1: shade #3042 (ginger), 3(3,3,3)4,4,4(5,5,5) skeins
• CC2: shade #3001 (light moorit), 1(1,1,1)1,2,2(2,2,2) skeins
And for CC3: Gilitrutt Tvíband (used double) from Hélène Magnússon, 100% new wool, pure Icelandic lambswool, plied lace weight, 2 ply, 25 g per skein = 112 m/ 122 yds: 1(1,2,2)2,2,2(2,2,2) skeins

Yardage used (estimation)
• MC: 299(327,354,384)415,467,517(569,610,648)m / 327(358,387,420)454,510,565(622,667,709)yds
• CC1: 319(350,378,410)443,498,552(607,652,692)m / 349(382,413,449)485,545,603(664,713,757)yds
• CC2: 106(117,126,137)148,166,184(202,217,231)m / 116(127,138,150)162,182,201(221,238,252)yds
• CC3: 95(104,112,122)131,148,164(180,193,205)m / 103(113,122,132)143,161,178(196,210,223)yds