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| Photo above © DROPS design |
Oydis Sweater. Photo © Eivind Røhne
Oydis Sweater by Norwegian knitwear designer Linda Marveng is a striking A-line pullover featuring a dramatic Shadow Diamond Cable, a flattering curved hem and elegant I-cord finishing.
The pattern is available in six sizes from XS through 2XL. The body is worked flat while the sleeves are knitted in the round, combining traditional sweater construction with distinctive cable and finishing details.
The focal point of Oydis is the large Shadow Diamond Cable.
Rather than covering the entire sweater with small cable repeats, Linda Marveng uses a dominant central cable motif to give the design a strong architectural appearance.
The cable is balanced by areas of simpler fabric, allowing its shape and texture to remain the visual focus of the sweater.
Oydis has a gentle A-line silhouette, with more room around the hips than the bust.
The lower edge is curved rather than perfectly straight. This shaping gives the sweater a distinctive drape and helps emphasize its longer silhouette.
The finished hip measurements range from approximately 38.5 to 55 inches, depending on size.
The pattern includes six sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL).
Finished bust measurements are approximately 33 (35.5, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5) inches.
Finished hip measurements are approximately 38.5 (41, 43.25, 47.25, 51.25, 55) inches.
The finished sweater length ranges from approximately 29.25 to 31 inches.
Unlike many modern sweaters that are constructed entirely in the round, the body of Oydis is worked flat.
Garter stitches form edging along the sides, while the central cable provides the main decorative feature.
This construction ultimately requires assembly, so knitters should be comfortable with finishing and seaming as well as cable knitting.
The sleeves use a different construction from the body and are worked in the round.
Linda Marveng's original method begins the sleeve with an I-cord and then picks up stitches from that cord.
The designer also provides an alternative approach: use a provisional cast-on and later finish with an I-cord bind-off similar to the body.
I-cord is an important design element in Oydis rather than simply a hidden finishing technique.
The neat rounded bands frame the lower edge and complement the clean lines of the sweater.
Together with the garter-stitch side details and neckline, the I-cord gives the garment a polished finish around the more dramatic cable motif.
The sweater has a simple round neckline finished with a narrow garter-stitch band.
Keeping the neckline relatively understated prevents it from competing with the large Shadow Diamond Cable on the body.
The original Oydis sample combines one strand of fine merino tweed with one strand of alpaca lace yarn throughout the project.
Linda Marveng chose this combination to produce a fabric with strong stitch definition and a subtle halo.
This is particularly effective for the large cable motif because the tweed contributes texture while the alpaca softens the overall fabric.
The original sweater combines:
One strand of each yarn is held together throughout the sweater.
Depending on size, the pattern lists approximately 1,215–2,481 yards (1,111–2,269 m) for each of the two yarns used together.
Yes. The designer also suggests that a suitable DK / 8-ply yarn can be used as a single strand instead of combining the original two yarns.
If you make this substitution, matching gauge and producing good cable definition are more important than matching the original fiber blend exactly.
Swatching is particularly worthwhile because a yarn that looks beautiful in stockinette may behave quite differently in the large Shadow Diamond Cable.
The pattern uses US 6 (4 mm) needles, including circular needles and double-pointed needles for different parts of the construction.
The main gauge is 20 stitches × 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.
The pattern also gives gauge information for the Shadow Diamond Cable and garter stitch, which is useful because the sweater combines several different textures.
Oydis combines several garment-knitting and finishing techniques, including:
Oydis is better suited to a knitter who already has some experience with sweater construction and cables.
The project combines flat and circular knitting, a prominent cable, I-cord finishing, short rows, set-in sleeves and seaming.
It can therefore be an interesting project if you are ready to move beyond basic seamless pullovers and want to practice more traditional garment construction.
Linda Marveng also designed a matching Oydis Cowl using the same Shadow Diamond Cable concept.
The cowl can be worn with the sweater to create the appearance of a dramatic cable collar, or the sweater can be worn by itself with its simple round neckline.
The Oydis Cowl is a separate pattern and is not included with the sweater pattern.
Oydis belongs to Linda Marveng's Norse Goddess Collection.
The sweater takes its name from Oydis, associated in the design story with good luck, while the strong cable motif and natural-toned original yarns give the garment a distinctly Nordic character.
Oydis is an appealing project if you want a sweater where one strong cable motif does most of the visual work.
The combination of a Shadow Diamond Cable, curved A-line hem, I-cord bands and textured yarn gives the finished pullover a recognizable look without covering every part of the garment in complicated stitchwork.
The six-size range and the option of substituting a single DK yarn also provide useful flexibility when planning your version.
The complete Oydis Sweater by Linda Marveng is currently available as a paid digital knitting pattern from the designer's Ravelry store.
Get the Oydis Sweater Knitting Pattern →
This pattern is not currently free. Pattern availability and pricing on external websites may change over time.
Vinterstormlua / Winterstorm Hat by MaBe. Project photo © stevienixed.
Vinterstormlua / Winterstorm Hat by MaBe is a striking Nordic-style knitted beanie featuring a large snowflake motif worked in two-color stranded knitting.
The crisp geometric colorwork makes this hat look much more elaborate than an ordinary winter beanie, while the limited two-color palette keeps the overall design clean and traditional.
Worked from the bottom up in DK-weight yarn, Winterstorm Hat is an appealing project for knitters who want to practice stranded colorwork on a relatively small project.
Pattern availability: We checked for a currently available legitimate free version of this exact pattern but could not verify one. The original Winterstorm Hat pattern is currently available as a paid PDF through MaBe's Ravelry store.
The defining feature of Winterstorm Hat is the bold snowflake design that wraps around the crown.
The motif uses only two colors, but the contrast between them creates a dramatic winter pattern with a distinctly Scandinavian feel.
Choosing colors with strong contrast will help the snowflake remain clearly visible from a distance.
Winterstorm Hat uses stranded colorwork, a technique in which two yarn colors are used across the same round.
The color that is not currently being knitted travels behind the work as a float until it is needed again.
This technique is responsible for the crisp geometric motifs seen in many traditional Nordic and Fair Isle-inspired knitting designs.
A hat can be an excellent way to practice stranded knitting before committing to a larger colorwork sweater.
You still get the experience of reading a chart, changing colors and managing floats, but the project is considerably smaller than a full-size garment.
If this is your first stranded project, work slowly through the first few rounds until you become comfortable following the chart.
Strong contrast is one of the most important considerations when selecting yarn colors for this design.
Traditional combinations such as white with navy, charcoal, red or forest green can create a classic winter appearance.
You can also reverse the usual arrangement by using a light motif against a dark background or a dark motif against a pale background.
Two colors can look different when they are placed next to each other in knitted fabric.
Before casting on, place the yarns together and check that there is enough light-and-dark contrast between them.
One useful trick is to take a photo of the yarns and view it in grayscale. If the colors appear almost identical in value, the snowflake motif may not stand out as clearly as you would like.
The pattern is designed for DK-weight yarn.
The designer lists both Sandnes Garn Smart and DROPS Lima as suggested yarn options.
Sandnes Garn Smart is a wool yarn, while DROPS Lima combines wool and alpaca. A suitable DK substitute can also work if it produces the required fabric and fits the pattern gauge.
For stranded colorwork, look for yarn with good stitch definition so the edges of the snowflake remain crisp.
Wool and wool-rich yarns are popular choices because the fibers tend to work well together in stranded knitting and can create a warm, cohesive fabric.
Whatever yarn you choose, make a swatch if accurate sizing is important.
The adult pattern lists:
Using different needle sizes allows the ribbed or lower section and the main colorwork fabric to maintain appropriate structure.
Treat the listed sizes as recommendations. Your own tension determines which needles will produce the correct finished fabric.
The published pattern includes Adult Small and Adult Medium.
The designer also notes that the hat can be adapted for younger wearers by changing the yarn and needle size.
For a child-size version, MaBe specifically suggests using 2.5 mm and 3 mm needles with a thinner yarn.
Because changing yarn and needle size affects both circumference and length, check your gauge carefully when making this type of modification.
Winterstorm Hat is constructed from the bottom up.
You begin at the lower edge of the hat and work upward toward the crown, introducing the snowflake colorwork according to the pattern chart.
This is a familiar construction for knitters who have already made basic beanies in the round.
The snowflake design is presented as a chart.
In a colorwork chart, each square represents one stitch and the color of the square tells you which yarn color to use.
When knitting in the round, chart rows are generally read repeatedly in the same direction as you work around the hat. Follow the pattern's chart instructions carefully rather than assuming the direction.
One of the most important skills in stranded knitting is managing the yarn carried across the back of the work.
These strands are called floats.
If the floats are pulled too tightly, the hat can pucker and lose elasticity. If they are excessively loose, they may create untidy loops inside the hat.
Aim for floats that lie comfortably behind the stitches without pulling the fabric inward.
A useful way to avoid tight floats is to spread the recently worked stitches along the right-hand needle before carrying the unused color behind them.
This encourages the float to span the true width of the knitted fabric rather than a compressed group of stitches.
Check your work regularly while knitting the first few colorwork rounds.
Many knitters naturally work stranded colorwork more tightly than ordinary stockinette.
If your colorwork section suddenly becomes narrower than the lower part of the hat, tight floats or tighter overall tension may be the cause.
Relax your hands and periodically stretch the stitches gently along the needle as you work.
A plain stockinette swatch does not always predict your stranded colorwork gauge accurately.
If fit is important, consider swatching using both colors and a motif similar to the actual pattern.
This gives you a better idea of how your yarn, needles and colorwork tension behave together.
Working with only two colors keeps this project relatively manageable, but the yarns can still twist around each other.
Develop a consistent method for holding the background and motif colors. Some knitters hold one yarn in each hand, while others carry both yarns in the same hand.
There is no single method that works best for everyone. The important thing is maintaining comfortable, even tension.
In stranded knitting, the way the two yarns are carried can subtly affect how prominent each color appears.
This is often called color dominance.
Whichever yarn-holding method you choose, try to keep the relationship between the background and motif yarns consistent throughout the snowflake section.
Consistency helps the motif look uniform across the entire hat.
Colorwork charts can become surprisingly intuitive once the motif starts appearing on the fabric.
Stop occasionally and look at the developing snowflake.
If one section suddenly breaks the symmetry of the design, check the chart before continuing. Catching a misplaced color early can save a great deal of unraveling later.
Gentle blocking can make a noticeable difference to stranded colorwork.
It allows the stitches to settle, helps minor tension variations relax and can make the snowflake motif appear smoother and more even.
Use a blocking method appropriate for the fiber content of your chosen yarn and avoid overstretching the ribbing.
Winterstorm Hat combines a practical cold-weather shape with a decorative motif that immediately suggests snow and winter.
A wool or wool-rich DK yarn can produce a warm fabric while still allowing the stranded design to remain clearly defined.
The finished hat can make a thoughtful handmade winter gift, especially when the two colors are chosen specifically for the recipient.
Vinterstormlua / Winterstorm Hat is currently a paid knitting pattern.
During our latest review, we searched for a legitimate currently available free version of this exact MaBe design but could not verify one.
The designer currently offers the original pattern through MaBe's Ravelry Store.
The listing includes both English and Norwegian versions and is currently priced at $5.95 USD.
Older pins or websites may describe the pattern as free. Pattern availability can change over time, so we use the designer's currently available listing rather than directing readers to unofficial copies.
Visit MaBe's current pattern listing to see the complete pattern information and obtain the original Vinterstormlua / Winterstorm Hat instructions.
Get the Winterstorm Hat Pattern →
Vinterstormlua / Winterstorm Hat is designed by MaBe. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted chart or complete row-by-row instructions. Pattern pricing and availability can change, so please check the designer's current listing for the latest information.
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| Photo above © Lisa Clarke |
September Sweater / DROPS 150-15 is a classic Nordic-style knitted pullover featuring a patterned round yoke and comfortable everyday shape.
Designed by DROPS Design, the sweater combines traditional stranded colorwork with a practical wool-and-alpaca yarn, creating a warm garment with a timeless Scandinavian look.
The pattern includes a generous adult size range from S through XXXL, making it a useful choice for knitters looking for a traditional round-yoke sweater.
Best of all, the complete September Sweater knitting pattern is still officially available for free from DROPS Design.
✓ Free Official Pattern Available
September Sweater / DROPS 150-15 remains available as a complete free knitting pattern from DROPS Design. The official page includes the current written instructions, diagrams and sizing information.
Pattern: September Sweater
Pattern Number: DROPS 150-15
Designer: DROPS Design
Project: Women's Nordic Pullover
Construction: Round yoke
Sizes: S - M - L - XL - XXL - XXXL
Original Yarn: DROPS Lima
Technique: Nordic stranded colorwork
Availability: Free official DROPS pattern
September Sweater is a traditional round-yoke pullover with Nordic colorwork concentrated around the upper body.
The design uses contrasting colors to create the recognizable geometric motifs associated with Scandinavian-style knitting while keeping the remainder of the sweater comparatively simple.
This balance makes the patterned yoke the visual focus of the finished garment.
Round-yoke sweaters are popular because the patterned section flows continuously around the shoulders rather than being interrupted by conventional shoulder seams.
In September Sweater, shaping and colorwork work together to create the characteristic circular upper section.
Once the patterned yoke is complete, the simpler areas allow the Nordic motifs to stand out clearly.
The official DROPS pattern includes:
S - M - L - XL - XXL - XXXL
Always select your size using the measurements provided in the current official pattern rather than relying only on your usual ready-to-wear clothing size.
The sweater was designed for DROPS Lima.
Lima is a wool-and-alpaca yarn that works particularly well for warm garments and traditional colorwork.
The yarn gives the sweater warmth while allowing the contrasting Nordic motifs to remain clearly defined.
Yes, but gauge and fabric characteristics should guide your choice.
For a colorwork sweater, a successful substitute should:
DROPS also provides yarn-substitution information on the official pattern page.
Color selection is particularly important in Nordic knitting.
If the two shades are too similar in value, the motifs may disappear even if the individual colors look beautiful separately.
Before beginning the yoke, place your yarns next to each other and check whether the motif color is clearly distinguishable from the background.
A useful way to evaluate color contrast is to photograph the yarns together and view the image in grayscale.
If the shades remain easy to distinguish without color, they are more likely to produce clearly visible motifs in the finished sweater.
The patterned yoke requires working with more than one color.
The unused yarn travels behind the active stitches as a float while the other color is being knitted.
The goal is to keep those floats relaxed enough that the finished fabric remains flexible.
One of the most common problems in stranded knitting is pulling the unused yarn too tightly behind the work.
Tight floats can cause the yoke to pucker and can reduce the finished circumference.
Spread recently worked stitches along the right needle before changing colors. This helps provide enough yarn for the float to span naturally across the back of the fabric.
Your stockinette gauge and colorwork gauge may not automatically match.
Some knitters tighten their stitches when working with two colors, while others produce a looser fabric.
For that reason, a colorwork swatch is more informative than testing only plain stockinette.
A sweater represents a substantial investment of yarn and knitting time.
Make a swatch using the yarn combination you intend to use and wash it according to the yarn-care instructions before taking final measurements.
If possible, include some stranded colorwork in your swatch so you can evaluate both gauge and color contrast.
The official DROPS pattern provides diagrams for the patterned sections.
Each square represents a stitch, and the chart shows where the contrasting colors are used.
Place markers between repeats if that helps you notice mistakes before they travel too far around the yoke.
Always use the current diagrams on the official DROPS page.
Images reposted on Pinterest, social media or old pattern collections can be incomplete, resized or separated from important written instructions.
The official source is the best place to check both the chart and the accompanying directions.
Much of the body provides a calmer visual background for the decorative yoke.
This makes it a useful section for settling into an even knitting rhythm after the more concentration-intensive colorwork.
Continue checking the garment dimensions as you work rather than relying entirely on row counting.
The sleeves continue the classic pullover silhouette and require careful attention to shaping.
If you are adjusting sleeve length, remember that changes can also alter the amount of yarn required.
Whenever the construction allows, checking the sweater against the wearer can help you evaluate body and sleeve length.
This is particularly useful if your row gauge differs slightly from the designer's gauge.
This project can help you practice:
If this is your first knitting project ever, a simpler scarf, hat or plain sweater will probably be easier.
However, knitters who are already comfortable with knit and purl stitches and knitting in the round may find a Nordic yoke sweater an excellent introduction to stranded colorwork.
The key new skill is maintaining relaxed, even tension while following the color chart.
A round-yoke sweater can be an attractive first larger colorwork project because the decorative knitting is concentrated into defined sections.
Work slowly through the chart, use markers between repeats, and check the fabric regularly for puckering.
Correcting a colorwork mistake is much easier when you notice it within the same round.
Freshly knitted stranded colorwork can look slightly uneven.
Proper wet blocking often helps the stitches relax and allows the motif to settle into a smoother fabric.
Follow the washing instructions for your chosen yarn and avoid stretching the sweater beyond its intended measurements.
The finished yoke should lie comfortably around the shoulders without severe puckering or excessive loose fabric.
This is one reason both gauge and float tension matter before you reach the finishing stage.
Nordic sweaters have a long-lasting visual appeal because the decorative motifs provide interest without depending heavily on short-lived fashion details.
September Sweater combines that traditional character with a practical everyday pullover shape.
Same Name, Different Pattern
PetiteKnit also publishes a very popular design called September Sweater. It is a different sweater first published in 2019 and uses brioche stitch. The pattern featured on this Amazing Knitting page is the older Nordic September Sweater / DROPS 150-15. Do not mix the yarn, gauge, sizing or instructions from the two designs.
Yes.
DROPS Design continues to publish September Sweater / DROPS 150-15 as a complete free knitting pattern.
The official page contains the current sizing, materials, diagrams and knitting instructions in multiple languages.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the complete copyrighted row-by-row directions or charts. Use the official DROPS page for the full pattern.
Visit DROPS Design for the complete official pattern, diagrams and instructions:
Get the Free September Sweater Pattern →
Begin by choosing your size from the official DROPS measurements and making a gauge swatch with your intended yarn.
Check the contrast between your colors before committing to the full yoke, and practice keeping your floats relaxed if stranded knitting is new to you.
Most importantly, keep the official DROPS pattern open while you work so you are following the current diagrams and instructions rather than an incomplete copy from another website.
Pattern credit: September Sweater / DROPS 150-15 is a DROPS Design pattern. Amazing Knitting provides an independent project guide and does not reproduce the complete copyrighted pattern instructions or charts. Please retain the existing photograph and its original credit from the previous Amazing Knitting page.
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| Photo above © sugarmom96 |
Rosabel Cardigan by Anne Dresow is a beautiful vintage-inspired baby and toddler cardigan combining delicate lace, classic button-front styling and a circular yoke.
The decorative lower section gives the cardigan much of its charm, while the fine yarn and understated silhouette create the heirloom look that made Rosabel a popular baby-knit project.
If this beautiful cardigan brought you here, this guide will help you understand the original Rosabel design, its sizing, yarn, gauge and construction — and what happened to the original pattern.
Although the original digital pattern is no longer available from its former source, you still have options. Below you'll also find free cardigan patterns you can knit today.
Pattern Availability
Rosabel Cardigan is currently discontinued. The Ravelry pattern record states that the digital pattern is no longer available online, and its original publication source, Nordic Baby Knits, is listed as out of print. Amazing Knitting therefore does not link to unofficial copies of the copyrighted pattern.
Pattern: Rosabel Cardigan
Designer: Anne Dresow
Designer Label: Elle & Rose Knitwear
Original Publication: Nordic Baby Knits
First Published: February 2010
Category: Baby / Toddler Cardigan
Sizes: 3–6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 4 years
Original Yarn: Sandnes Garn Babyull Lanett
Yarn Weight: Light Fingering
Yardage: Approx. 600–801 yd / 549–732 m
Needles: US 2½ / 3 mm
Gauge: 22 sts × 32 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette
Style: Vintage-inspired lace cardigan
Current Status: Discontinued / original source out of print
Anne Dresow's Rosabel Cardigan has the kind of styling that makes a baby knit feel like an heirloom rather than an everyday basic.
The cardigan combines a traditional button front with decorative openwork and a circular-yoke construction.
The result is feminine and vintage-inspired without requiring complicated colorwork.
Rosabel's appeal comes largely from the balance between simple stockinette fabric and decorative lace.
Instead of covering the entire garment in an elaborate stitch pattern, the lace creates areas of visual interest while allowing the classic cardigan shape to remain clear.
This makes the design particularly attractive in soft solid colors, where the eyelets and stitch definition can be easily seen.
The original pattern was published in four sizes:
That range allowed knitters to use the same vintage-inspired design from early babyhood into the preschool years.
If you already legally own a copy of Rosabel, use the measurements and stitch counts for your chosen size from that original pattern rather than estimating from age alone.
Rosabel was designed for Sandnes Garn Babyull Lanett, a fine merino baby yarn.
The yarn's relatively fine gauge helps produce the delicate fabric that suits the cardigan's lace details.
The published pattern record gives an approximate total requirement of:
600–801 yards / 549–732 meters
The exact amount depends on the size being knitted.
The published stockinette gauge is:
22 stitches × 32 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm
The listed needle size is:
US 2½ / 3 mm
Needle size should always be treated as a starting point. If you legally own the original pattern and plan to knit Rosabel, use whatever needle size allows you to achieve its required gauge.
Gauge is particularly important in a baby garment because even a small difference can noticeably change the finished circumference and length.
It also affects the appearance of lace.
Fabric that is too tight may prevent the eyelets from opening clearly, while fabric that is too loose may lose the neat structure visible in the original cardigan.
One of Rosabel's characteristic construction features is its circular yoke.
Rather than relying on conventional rectangular armholes and separately shaped shoulder pieces, the garment's upper sections come together into a rounded yoke.
This contributes to the smooth vintage silhouette around the shoulders.
Rosabel does not need multiple colors to create visual interest.
Yarn overs and decreases form openwork details that stand out against the smoother knitted fabric.
If you are working from a legally obtained copy, read the chart or lace instructions carefully and check stitch counts at the end of pattern repeats.
A lifeline can be particularly helpful when knitting a lace section.
Run a contrasting strand through a known-correct row before continuing into another repeat.
If you later discover a mistake, the lifeline gives you a safe point to return to without unraveling the entire decorative section.
Lace usually balances increases created by yarn overs with decreases elsewhere in the repeat.
Missing either one can change the total stitch count and shift the motif out of alignment.
Count stitches periodically rather than waiting until the end of a long section to check your work.
If you already own the original Rosabel pattern but cannot find the suggested yarn, choose a substitute based on gauge and fabric characteristics rather than brand name alone.
Consider:
Good stitch definition is particularly useful because it allows the lace details to remain visible.
Rosabel works especially well in a solid or gently heathered color.
Highly variegated yarn can sometimes compete visually with delicate lace, while a quieter color lets the texture become the main feature.
Soft pinks, creams and pastels naturally reinforce the vintage look, but richer modern colors could give the same cardigan a completely different character.
Lace often looks compressed immediately after it comes off the needles.
Appropriate wet blocking can help the openwork settle into its intended shape and make the motif easier to see.
Always follow the care instructions for the yarn you actually use and avoid overstretching a small baby garment.
Rosabel is a button-front cardigan.
If you knit it from a copy you already own, attach every button very securely and check them regularly during use.
Loose buttons and other small detachable components can present a hazard around babies and young children.
When this Amazing Knitting page was originally published in 2019, Rosabel circulated online as a free digital knitting pattern.
That situation has changed.
The current Ravelry record identifies the original source Nordic Baby Knits as out of print and states that the digital pattern is no longer available online.
For that reason, Amazing Knitting no longer describes Rosabel as a currently available free download.
You may encounter copies of Rosabel on document-sharing websites, Pinterest links or old knitting blogs.
Their existence does not establish that they are authorized distributions.
Rosabel is a copyrighted design by Anne Dresow. Amazing Knitting therefore does not link to third-party copies of the complete pattern when we cannot verify permission from the designer.
Already Own Rosabel?
If you downloaded or purchased an authorized copy while it was available, you can of course continue using your copy. Keep the original instructions and charts together, since replacing them may now be difficult.
Ravelry still maintains the pattern record, which is useful for identifying the design, checking its original specifications and browsing completed projects.
View Rosabel Cardigan on Ravelry →
Rosabel may no longer have an authorized digital download, but there are still beautiful baby and child cardigans you can start today.
These free patterns have already been verified in the Amazing Knitting archive:
The original digital Rosabel Cardigan pattern is currently discontinued.
Its Ravelry record remains online for identification and project information, but it states that the digital pattern itself is no longer available.
We recommend avoiding unofficial PDF copies whose distribution rights cannot be verified.
If Anne Dresow or an authorized publisher makes Rosabel available again, this Amazing Knitting guide can be updated with the new official source.
An unavailable pattern does not make the design irrelevant.
Rosabel remains a lovely example of how a relatively simple baby cardigan silhouette can be transformed through a circular yoke, delicate openwork and careful finishing.
Use it as inspiration, browse the historical projects, or choose one of the verified free alternatives above to begin a new baby cardigan today.
Pattern credit: Rosabel Cardigan was designed by Anne Dresow / Elle & Rose Knitwear and first published in 2010. The existing project photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to sugarmom96. Rosabel is currently listed as discontinued. Amazing Knitting provides an independent historical and project guide and does not reproduce or distribute the designer's copyrighted knitting instructions or charts.
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| Photo above © DROPS Design |
Lamb Dance by DROPS Design is a cheerful free children's cardigan knitting pattern featuring a flock of little sheep around the circular yoke.
The jacket is worked from the top down in DK-weight yarn, combining stockinette stitch, ribbing and stranded colorwork. With five sizes covering approximately 3 to 12 years, it is a playful project for knitters ready to combine garment construction with colorwork.
Best of all, the complete pattern remains free from DROPS Design.
✓ Free Pattern Availability
Lamb Dance / DROPS Children 34-1 is currently available as a free knitting pattern from DROPS Design. Use the official DROPS link below for the complete current instructions, charts and pattern information.
Pattern: Lamb Dance / DROPS Children 34-1
Designer: DROPS Design
Pattern Number: me-054-bn
First Published: March 2019
Craft: Knitting
Category: Children's Cardigan / Jacket
Sizes: 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12 years
Yarn Weight: DK / 8 ply
Suggested Yarn: DROPS Merino Extra Fine or DROPS Lima
Main Needles: US 6 / 4 mm
Rib Needles: US 2½ / 3 mm
Gauge: 21 stitches × 28 rows = 4 in / 10 cm
Construction: Top down
Features: Circular yoke, stranded colorwork, sheep motif, button front
Availability: Free official pattern
Lamb Dance is a children's knitted cardigan from DROPS Design.
Its defining feature is the whimsical band of sheep worked around the circular yoke. Contrasting colors create the sheep and surrounding decorative pattern against the main background color.
Below the patterned yoke, the cardigan becomes much simpler, allowing the colorwork to remain the visual focus of the finished garment.
The official pattern includes five sizes:
When choosing a size, compare the child's measurements with the finished measurements in the official DROPS pattern rather than relying only on age.
The published finished chest measurements are approximately:
64 – 68 – 74 – 78 – 80 cm
The corresponding finished body lengths are approximately:
35 – 39 – 43 – 47 – 51 cm
Consult the official schematic before choosing your size, especially when knitting the cardigan as a gift.
DROPS provides two suggested yarn options for Lamb Dance:
Both belong to DROPS Yarn Group B and fall within the DK-weight range, but their fiber compositions produce somewhat different fabrics.
DROPS Merino Extra Fine is a merino yarn, while DROPS Lima combines wool and alpaca.
If substituting another yarn, matching the required gauge is more important than simply selecting a yarn carrying the same weight label.
The main background color requires approximately 150 to 250 grams, depending on size.
Several contrasting colors are then used for the sheep and other elements of the colorwork.
Because the exact amounts vary by size and yarn choice, check the official DROPS materials table before purchasing your yarn.
The official gauge is:
21 stitches × 28 rows = 4 × 4 inches / 10 × 10 cm
This gauge is measured in stockinette stitch using the larger needles.
Gauge is particularly important for children's garments because even a relatively small difference can noticeably change the finished chest circumference and length.
The pattern uses approximately:
The official pattern lists circular needle lengths appropriate for the different stages of the garment.
Needle sizes are recommendations. Adjust them if necessary to obtain the required gauge.
Lamb Dance is knitted from the top down.
Top-down construction has several practical advantages. The yoke and upper body develop first, followed by the body and sleeves, reducing the amount of traditional garment seaming.
It can also make the overall construction easier to visualize because the cardigan grows from the neckline toward the hem.
The sheep motif sits within a circular yoke.
Instead of using conventional armhole shaping with separately knitted front and back pieces, shaping is distributed around the upper body.
This creates the smooth rounded line that makes Nordic-style colorwork yokes so recognizable.
The playful sheep are the signature feature of Lamb Dance.
The motif is created using stranded colorwork, following the chart supplied by DROPS Design.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce that copyrighted chart here. Use the current official pattern while working the yoke.
If stranded knitting is relatively new to you, pay particular attention to your tension.
The unused yarn carried behind the work should have enough room to span the stitches without pulling the knitted fabric together.
Stretching the stitches gently along the right needle while changing colors can help keep the floats from becoming too tight.
Check the fabric frequently rather than waiting until the entire yoke is complete.
Your tension when knitting stranded colorwork may differ from your ordinary stockinette tension.
If this happens, the yoke can become tighter than the body even when the stockinette portion matches the published gauge.
A small colorwork swatch can therefore be useful before beginning the main sheep section.
Unlike the related Lamb Dance pullover, this version is a front-opening cardigan.
The official pattern calls for:
6 – 6 – 7 – 7 – 7 buttons
The exact number depends on the size being knitted.
Attach buttons securely, particularly when the garment is intended for a younger child.
Useful skills for this project include:
A knitter who has already completed simple garments and is comfortable working in the round should find Lamb Dance an interesting introduction to a more decorative children's cardigan.
The colorwork yoke adds another skill layer, so a complete first-time knitter may prefer to practice stranded knitting on a small swatch before beginning.
DROPS also provides supporting technique information and video tutorials alongside many of its patterns.
The cardigan is part of a small coordinated DROPS collection.
DROPS also published a Lamb Dance Sweater using the same playful sheep theme, as well as a matching Lamb Dance Hat.
This makes the design especially useful if you enjoy the motif and want to create coordinated children's knitwear.
Yes.
Lamb Dance / DROPS Children 34-1 is currently available directly from DROPS Design as a complete free knitting pattern.
The official page contains the current instructions, diagrams, charts, measurements and supporting information.
Amazing Knitting provides this independent project guide rather than reproducing the complete DROPS instructions or charts.
Use the official DROPS Design page for the complete free pattern:
Get the Free Lamb Dance Pattern →
You can continue exploring Amazing Knitting for free children's cardigans, sweaters and colorwork projects.
Explore Free Children's Cardigans →
You can also browse:
Choose the size by comparing the child's measurements with the official DROPS schematic, then make a gauge swatch with your chosen Yarn Group B yarn.
If stranded knitting is new to you, practice carrying two colors before reaching the sheep yoke. Keeping the floats relaxed is important for maintaining a comfortable fit across the upper body.
Finally, always work from the current DROPS page so you have access to the latest version of the pattern and its supporting information.
Pattern credit: Lamb Dance / DROPS Children 34-1 was designed and published by DROPS Design. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted charts or complete knitting instructions. Please use the official DROPS page for the free pattern.