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Inspired by the ancient Slavic deities Yarylo, the bringer of spring and vitality, and Dana, the goddess of water and fertility, the Yardana sweater embodies the harmony of sun and rain, growth and renewal.

Knit in warm brown and soft white, Yardana also draws inspiration from pysanka — Ukrainian egg art rich with symbolism. Each intersection in the pattern represents the four corners of the world, a reminder of life’s interconnectedness. Rake-like motifs call for rain, their lines guiding falling raindrops to nourish the land. From that water, seedlings emerge, marking the beginning of a new cycle of life.

The sweater is knit top-down in the round. It’s a round yoke pullover with a deep yoke, almost like a swoncho, tapered sleeves and boxy body. In smaller sizes the yoke is as deep as the height of the colourwork section, in larger sizes you can choose to split for the body and sleeves as soon as colourwork is done. The neckline is shaped with short rows. All edges and the sleeves are worked in 2x2 ribbing.

You can take a closer look at my sample and discover the design process in episode 43 of my podcast on YouTube.

 
Sizes
The pattern is written for seven sizes 

1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7)
with a finished bust circumference of 

ca. 94 (108, 120, 134) (146, 160, 172) cm // 

37.5 (43.25, 48, 53.5) (58.5, 64, 68.75) in

incl. ca. 25 cm (10 in) of the recommended positive ease.

The bust measurement is taken after the separation for the body and sleeves, which in this case is under the actual bust.The sample is shown in size 2 on a 160 cm (5’ 3”) 
tall model with 84 cm (33 in) bust measurement. For more of the finished garment measurements, please refer to the schematic.

Yarn
MC: ca. 180 (205, 225, 250) (275, 300, 325) g

or 2 (3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 4) plates of Plotulopi from Istex, 

100% icelandic wool with 300 m (328 yds) in 100 g, 

shown in colourway Dark wood (852020), single strand;
or ca. 540 (615, 675, 750) (825, 900, 975) m //

591 (673, 738, 821) (903, 985, 1067) yds
of any other sport/DK weight yarn to match the gauge.

The MC yardage estimation includes 10% extra 
but get more if planning to add body/sleeve length.

CC: ca. 50 (55, 60, 65) (70, 77, 85) g or 1 plate of the same yarn, shown in colourway Ivory Beige (851038);
or ca. 150 (165, 180, 195) (210, 231, 255) m // 164 (181, 197, 213) (230, 253, 279) yds 
of any other sport/DK weight yarn.

Needles and notions

• 3.0 mm (US 2.5), 3.5 mm (US 4) and 3.75 mm (US 5) circular needles;
• spare cables, spare circular needles or 
scrap yarn to keep sts on hold;
• a few stitch markers;
• a tapestry needle to weave in the ends.

Gauge

• 20 sts & 24 rnds in 10 cm (4 in) on 3.5 mm (US 4) needles measured over colourwork and on 3.75 mm (US 5) over st st worked in the round after blocking; Note || If you tend to knit colourwork tigher that stockinette, you might need to swap the needle sizes. I tend to do the opposite.
• 20 sts & 30 rnds in 10 cm (4 in) on 3.0 mm (US 2.5) needles measured over 
2x2 ribbing of the neck 
worked in the round after blocking;
• 19 sts & 26 rnds in 10 cm (4 in) on 3.5 mm (US 4) needles measured over 2x2 ribbing of the hem and sleeves 
worked in the round after blocking.

Adjust the needle sizes to obtain the required gauge.