Katmandu Polar (digital pattern)

The Katmandu Polar pattern includes:

• Katmandu Polar with a low neck
• Katmandu Polar with a high neck
• Katmandu Polar Hooded version (sweater with extra length and a hood)

See all Katmandu Polar yarn kits here.

Katmandu Polar is a thick and cozy sweater that can be knitted with a low or high neck, or as a hooded version. The Katmandu Polar hooded version has a hood and extra body length, making it suitable for extra cold days. The Katmandu Polar should have a positive ease of 10-15 cm. Measure around your bust and add 10-15 cm to the garment's bust circumference to find your size.

Katmandu Polar is inspired by the Hippie era of the 60s and 70s. Katmandu was a popular destination for many hippies on so-called "hippie trails" during this time.

The sweater is knitted in the round, bottom-up. The body and sleeves are knitted separately before being joined on one needle when the yoke is to be knitted. Katmandu Polar has a lot of patterning and several sections on the sleeves and body with three colors. This can easily lead to the sweater being knitted too tightly. Therefore, be extra careful to check your gauge before you begin.

Sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (XXL) XXXL

Gauge
10 cm of colorwork knitting on 7 mm needles = 14 stitches
(The indicated needle size is for guidance only. If you get more stitches than indicated for 10 cm, go up one needle size. If you get fewer stitches than indicated for 10 cm, go down one needle size).

Yarn
Troll and Blåne pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Yarn alternatives
Vams from Rauma, Isager Aran Tweed, Hip Wool, Myk from Skappel (100% Norwegian lamb wool), Puno from Rauma (alpaca and wool), Børstet Alpakka from Sandnes garn, Viking Hobbygarn, Bris from Viking, Olava from Camilla Phil.

Yarn quantity
The stated yarn quantity is for a sweater with a low neck. For a high neck, calculate an extra 100 grams of the main color. For the hooded polar version (with a hood and extra length), calculate an extra 100 (100) 100 (200) 200 (200) 200 skeins of the main color. (Note that this pattern was developed using Hillesvåg yarn, which uses 100-gram skeins. If you are using alternative yarns, remember to check the yardage).

Main color: 500 (500) 600 (600) 700 (700) 800 grams
Color 1: 100 (100) 100 (100) 200 (200) 200 grams
Color 2: 100 grams all sizes
Color 3: 100 (100) 100 (200) 200 (200) 300 grams
Color 4: 100 grams all sizes

Recommended needles
Double-pointed needles 4.5 and 7 mm
Circular needle 40 cm 4.5 and 7 mm
Circular needle 80 cm 4.5 and 7 mm
(Circular needle 80 cm 6 mm for optional hood)

Buttons
2 pcs 22-23 mm

Garment measurements XS (S) M (L) XL (XXL) XXXL
Sleeves: 45 (46) 47 (48) 49 (50) 51 cm
Bust circumference: 86 (94) 103 (111) 120 (128) 137 cm
Body length: 40 (41) 42 (43) 44 (45) 46 cm
Body length hooded polar version: 47 (47) 51 (51) 51 (55) 55 cm
Full length (sweater): 63 (66) 68 (71) 74 (76) 77 cm
Full length Hooded Polar version: 70 (72) 77 (79) 81 (86) 86 cm