Knitting pattern for Holly sweater by Ruth Sørensen for Önling 

This pattern is specially designed for Önling's advent calendar 2022 by the talented Ruth Sørensen. Ruth is the 'indoor world champion' in designing beautiful Fair Isle patterns. Holly is worked in Önling No 20, which after all comes from Shetland and is perfect for Fair Isle knitting. Holly is worked top down and has narrow Fair Isle stripes and is two-colored rib edges.

Holly sweater has a loose fit and you should choose a size that is 15-20 cm larger than your chest circumference. The sweater does not have a very over-sized look once it is knitted. It just looks better if it's not too tight.

The pattern is a PDF file. Immediately after purchase you will be able to download the pattern directly from the purchase confirmation page. You will also receive an e-mail with a link to your pattern, and the pattern will be available here at the site via your personal account - so remember to create an account :-) Read more about digital knitting patterns here.

Sizes: (XS)S(M)L(XL)2XL(3XL)

Measurements:
Chest circumference: (109)115(121)127(133)141(149) cm
Length: (57)59(60)60(62)62(64) cm

Materials:
ColA: (100)100(100)150(150)150(150) g Önling No. 20, 100 % Shetland wool, 225 m pr. 50 g.
Col B: (100)100(100)100(150)150(150) g Önling No. 20, 100 % Shetland wool, 225 m pr. 50 g.
Col C: (50)50(50)100(100)100(100) g Önling No. 20, 100 % Shetland wool, 225 m pr. 50 g.
Col D: (50)50(50)50(100)100(100) g Önling No. 20, 100 % Shetland wool, 225 m pr. 50 g.
Col E: (50)50(50)50(100)100(100) g Önling No. 20, 100 % Shetland wool, 225 m pr. 50 g.
Col F: (50)50(50)50(50)50(50) g Önling No. 20, 100 % Shetland wool, 225 m pr. 50 g.
Col G: (50)50(50)50(50)50(50) g Önling No. 20, 100 % Shetland wool, 225 m pr. 50 g.
Col H: (50)50(50)50(50)50(50) g Önling No. 20, 100 % Shetland wool, 225 m pr. 50 g.

Work with one strand throughout

Recommended needles: 
Neck hem – dpns or circular needle size 2.5 mm / US 1.5 - 40 cm / 16 inches long.
Yoke – dpns or circular needles size 3 mm / US 2.5 – 40/60 - 100/120 cm / 16/24 - 40/48 inches long.
Bottom rib hem – circular needle size 2.5 mm / US 1.5 – 100/120 cm - 40/48 inches long.
Sleeves – dpns 3 mm / US 2.5. Sleeve cuff – dpns 2.5 mm / US 1.5.

If you use Magic Loop you will only need two circular needles, one in size 2.5 mm / US 1.5 and one in size 3 mm / US 2.5. Both 100/120 cm – 40/48 inches long

Gauge: 27 stitches x 30 rounds = 10x10 cm / 4x4 inches in Fair Isle pattern on needle size 3 mm / US 2.5

Procedure:
The sweater is worked in the round from the top down.

Proper Care and Washing for Your Wool Knits – Make Them Last Longer

Wool garments can last for years, but they need proper care. Washing is one of the main culprits of wear on knitwear. Luckily, wool contains lanolin, which has a self-cleaning effect, so you rarely need to wash your wool knits.

• Lanolin has a self-cleaning effect because it reacts with moisture and salt, helping to neutralize odors like sweat.
• Hang your wool clothes on a chair overnight – they’ll be fresh by morning. You can also hang them outside for a few hours in humid weather.
• Regularly comb your wool knits with a wool comb to remove pilling and fuzziness. This gives your tired knits a "facelift" and prolongs the time between washes.

Machine Washing Wool

While we generally recommend hand washing wool garments to maintain control over temperatures, agitation, etc., if you prefer machine washing, follow these recommendations:

• Only machine wash your wool, if you know your machine well; test its wool program before washing your favorite sweater.
• Ensure that the wool program washes and rinses at the same temperature (max 30°C). Large temperature fluctuations cause wool to shrink and felt.
• Always use liquid wool detergent without enzymes. Regular detergent contains enzymes that will gradually eat away at the wool, leading to holes. You might not see the damage immediately, but holes can appear after 15-25 washes.
• Spin your wool at no more than 400 RPM to avoid felting. Alternatively, use the 'rinse hold' option and roll the clean knit in a dry towel to remove excess water.
• Always dry wool flat on a drying rack – preferably on a towel, and never in direct heat.

Hand Washing Wool

• Ensure you wash and rinse in water of the same temperature – around 30°C. Large temperature differences cause wool to shrink and felt.
• Always use liquid wool detergent without enzymes. Regular detergent will damage the wool over time, eventually leading to holes.
• Gently press your woolen garment in soapy water, avoiding wringing or pulling during washing.
• Roll the clean knit in a dry towel to remove as much water as possible.
• Always dry wool flat on a drying rack – preferably on a towel, and never in direct heat.

Washing Önling No 12 and No 16

• Keep in mind that the yarn hasn't been washed before it was spun onto cones and sent to you.
• For the best results, soak the finished sweater in lukewarm water for at least two hours (longer is fine). This will help the yarn bloom, making it softer and fuller.
• After soaking, wash the sweater as you would wool knits.

Washing No 14

• Önling No 14 should be washed gently at a maximum of 30°C, for example on the wool program in the washing machine.
• It can be spun at a maximum of 800 RPM.
• Avoid using a tumble dryer. Instead, dry your knit flat on a drying rack – preferably on a towel, and never in direct heat.

Washing No 21

• Önling No 21 is colorfast and spun from linen and cotton, which can handle a gentle machine wash (max 30°C).
• Spin your knit at a maximum of 800 RPM.
• Avoid using a tumble dryer. Instead, dry your knit flat on a drying rack – preferably on a towel, and never in direct heat.