How to knit your first lopapeysa

Icelandic lopapeysa knitting patterns have a reputation for being beautifully intricate — and slightly mysterious if you haven't encountered them before. But once you understand the structure, they're remarkably logical. This guide walks you through everything you need to know before casting on your first lopapeysa.

What Makes Icelandic Lopapeysa Patterns Different?

Traditional Icelandic knitting is worked in the round, almost always from the bottom up. Unlike many European patterns, there are typically no seams — the body and sleeves are knitted separately in the round and then joined at the yoke. This seamless construction gives the lopapeysa its characteristic comfortable fit. There is minimal sewing, one only has to graft the underarm stitches and secure the neckband, if folded double.

Patterns are often written with both chart and written instructions, and the colorwork section — the yoke — is described row by row with color changes, decreases and stitch count clearly marked.

Understanding Sizes and Measurements

Icelandic patterns typically list sizes by chest circumference in centimeters and some also in S/M/L labels. At Yrja Knit we use our own sizing, normally from 1-7, referring to chest measurements and a given ease in each pattern. Always measure your actual chest and add your preferred ease (usually 5–10 cm for a traditional relaxed lopapeysa fit). Note that the Icelandic wool (Lopi) is not as soft as merino wool so most people wear an inner layer, a shirt or a long sleeved top, which must be taken into account when ease is decided.

Our patterns come in dedicated size ranges — adult sizes cover a full range of chest measurements, while our junior patterns are sized for children and teenagers with age-based measurements alongside cm guides. For the very youngest knitters in your family, our mini collection covers baby and toddler sizes.

Reading the Stitch Chart

The yoke colorwork chart is the heart of any lopapeysa. Here's how to read it:

• Read right to left: Charts for knitting in the round are read from right to left on every row, mirroring the direction you knit.
• Each square = one stitch: Filled or colored squares indicate the contrast color(s); empty squares are normally the main color.
• Row numbers on the right: Row 1 is at the bottom of the chart; you work upward.
• Repeat brackets: A bracket or bold line marks the pattern repeat — this section is worked multiple times around the circumference, or as often as the stitch count allows for.
• Yoke decreases: Normally the decreases to shape the yoke are shown in the cart. After a decrease is worked, the square for the decreased stitch is either shown in gray or deleted from the chart.

Dominant color

When working with two or more colors in stranded knitting, be careful to make sure the same color is dominant throughout. The dominant color is the color that will stand out from the background. If knitting European style, keep your dominant color closest to you on the left hand. A good pattern should specify what color is dominant, if not stated, the pattern color is the best bet.

The yarn you are not knitting is carried across the back. Tension must be maintained even, so that the floats are neither too lose or too tight. Some knitters may want to change their needle size to obtain the correct gauge, or work the yoke inside out. 

For longer floats it is recommended to catch them every 4-5 stitches.

Abbreviations You'll Encounter

Our patterns at Yrja Knit are written in clear English with all abbreviations explained in a dedicated endnote page in every PDF, along with techniques and links to tutorial videos. 

Yarn Weights and the Lopi Family

Authentic lopapeysur are traditionally knitted in Lopi yarn — a single-ply Icelandic wool that is lightweight yet incredibly warm. The most common weights are:

• Álafosslopi — bulky weight, ideal for quick adult sweaters.
• Plötulopi — can be held single, double or triple. Held triple it has similar gauge as Álafosslopi. Needs a soft hand as it is unspun and breaks easily. The original Lopapeysa was made from this type of wool held triple, so it´s the most authentic choice. One would wind three strands together, three times, to strengthen it, before knitting.
• Léttlopi — light worsted/DK, the most popular choice, giving excellent stitch definition for colorwork.
• Einband — lace weight, held single or sometimes double for a lighter fabric, can also be used held together with one or two strands of Plötulopi.

Each Yrja Knit pattern specifies the recommended yarn and needle size. Swatching is always worth it — a difference of one stitch per 10 cm can mean an entire size difference in the finished sweater.

Gauge and Tension

Gauge (or tension) is the number of stitches and rows per 10 cm. It's printed at the first page of every pattern and is non-negotiable for a good fit. Always knit a 15×15 cm swatch in the round (or flat, then adjust), wash it the same way you'll wash the finished garment, and measure when dry.

The Yoke Decreases

The yoke is worked from the armhole join upward. Decreases are typically worked as a part of the colorwork pattern to shape the rounded yoke. The pattern will tell you exactly which rows to decrease on — follow these precisely, as the colorwork chart is designed to align with the stitch count at each stage.

Ready to Start?

The best way to learn Icelandic pattern reading is to dive in with a well-written design. Our adult and children size pattern LOKI Lopapeysa  include detailed stitch-by-stitch instructions and full yoke charts. 

Browse our full pattern collection and find the design that speaks to you. Happy knitting!