Solveig Cardigan Pattern

Solveig was inspired by Solveig’s Song in Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite. Solveig was the heroine of the tale. While Peer Gynt was away from home, traveling the world, Solveig was at home, waiting for him to return, having faith that one day they would be together. This is a poetic translation of the song from Norwegian to English

The winter may pass and the spring disappear
The Spring disappear
But this I know for certain,
you’ll come back again
You’ll come back again
And even as I promised you’ll find me waiting then
You’ll find me waiting then
God help you when wandering your
way all alone
Your way all alone
God grant to you his strength as
you’ll kneel at his throne
As you’ll kneel at his throne
If you are in heaven now waiting for me
In heaven for me
And we shall meet again love and never parted be
And never parted be!

The Selbu star in my Solveig Cardigan represents the winter and the embroidered flowers represent the spring and summer. Together they represent love lasting through every season. You can see me talk about my Solveig Cardigan in the Knitters of the World portion of the Fruity Knitting Podcast 92.

Solving is knit in the round, bottom-up, with colorwork from bottom to top. There is a hem knit with the contrasting color at the bottom of the sweater and for the cuffs. There’s a square neckline, and after all the knitting is completed, flowers are embroidered on the hem, cuffs and neckband. There is one steek for the cardigan and 2 steeks for the armholes. The neckband has mitered corners.

I've loved wearing this sweater. There are also instructions for a cropped version.

Sizes
XS (S, M, M2, L, L2, XL, XXL)
Finished measurements
Chest 34 ½ (37, 40, 43, 46 ½, 50, 51 ½, 55½) I
Finished body length 21 3/4 (23 1/4 25, 24 1/4 26, 25, 27,28 3/4)
Neck Depth: 5 1/2 inches
Yarn
Raumagarn Finullgarn
Contrasting Color: Brown 411 -350, 250 (250, 250, 300,300,300, 350, 350)g
Main Color: White 401-200(200,200,250250,250,350,350,350) g
Yarn for Embroidery
Jamieson Spindrift in Sky, Scotch Broom, and Paprika
Needles
32-circular needles and double-point needles to obtain gauge and one size smaller for hem, cuff and neckband
Notions
Darning needle
Embroidery needle
7 (8,8,8,8,9,9,9) Norwegian clasps
Gauge and Swatch
Due to the complexity of the pattern, there are different gauges depending on the size of your sweater. Please note the gauge that applies to your size!
24 stitches and 24 rows=4 inches or 10 cm on larger needles for sizes M1, and L2
26 stitches and 26 rows=4 inches or 10 cm on larger needles for sizes S, L1, and XXL
28 stitches and 28 rows=4 inches or 10 cm on larger needles for sizes XS, M2, and XL
Skills Used
Knit
Purl
Chart reading
Knitting in Colorwork
Purling in Colorwork
3 Steeks (setting up and cutting)
Make 1 left leaning
Make 1 right leaning
k2tog
ssk
Increasing stitches in colorwork
Embroidery
Lazy daisy stitch
Straight stitch
French knot
Pick up and knit stitches
Bind off
Hand sewing
Sewing on clasps