Gamallegur

The Icelandic “lopapeysa” is a fairly recent invention dating back to the 50’s. Traditional lopi sweaters have no front or back and often no shaping. They are worn rather loose with not much fit. I have designed many lopi sweaters for women with a more refined fit but I thought it was time to make one for men as well!

Gamallegur is a different lopapeysa with a rounded neckline and subtle waist shaping for a flattering fit. It has an ingenious construction, borrowed from Old Icelandic men costumes from the 18 -19th centuries: the body is worked from the bottom up and the back higher up but the sleeves are conveniently knitted from the top down. They also have elbow shaping to prevent the formation of holes.

I have to warn you however: it’s not a boyfriend’s sweater. Tailored for men, it has a broader back not particularly flattering on a woman shape.

Instructions are for a zipped cardigan, which is steeked, but also for a pullover.

Gamallegur, which literally means “looking old” in Icelandic, is sort of a male version of my popular Gamaldags (old-fashioned): fairly traditional in look but modern in shape.

Design: Hélène Magnússon

Sizes: 1(2,3,4)5,6,7
Sweater or cardigan (steeked). Slim fit: 0-5 cm/ 0-2” ease. Choose a larger size for a looser fit.
Cardigan shown in size 2.

Finished measurements:
Chest:89(98,106.5,115.5)124.5,133.5,142 cm/ 35(38.5,42,45.5)49,52.5,56”
Body length to underarm: 41(42,43,44)45,46,47 cm / 16(16.5,17,17.5)18,18,18.5”
Sleeve length to underarm: 46.5(46.5,47.5,48.5)49,50,51 cm/18.25(18.25,18.75,19)19.25,19.75,20”
Upper arm: 34.5(36.5,39,42)44.5,45.5,48 cm /13.5(14.25,15.25,16.5)17.5,18,19”
Wrist: 24.5(25.5,26.5,26.5)26.5,28,28 cm / 9.75(10,10.5,10.5)10.5,11,11”
Yoke depth at the back: 24(25,25,26)26.5,27.5,28 cm / 9.5(9.75,9.75,10.25)10.5,10.75,11”
Neckline: 39(41,42,44.5)45.5,48,50 cm / 15.25(16.25, 16.2,17.5)18,19,19.75”

Gauge: 10 cm/4” = 18 sts and 24 rows on 4.5 mm / US 7 needle

Wool: Léttlopi from Ístex, 100% new wool, 50g/skein = 100 m/114 yds

MC: shade 0056, 7(7,8,9)9,10,10 skeins
CC1: shade 0053, 1(1,2,2)2,2,2 skein(s)
CC2: shade 0051, 1(1,2,2)2,2,2 skein(s)

Other material: for the cardigan, a zipper the length of front opening.

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 and 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needles.

Magic loop is used for smaller diameters but you can use DPNs; crochet hook 3 mm.

Notions: darning needle, markers, stitch holders, scrap yarn for provisional CO.

Techniques: The body is knitted in the round from the bottom-up with waist shaping. Then at the armholes, the back is knitted higher up back and forth, underarm stitches are set on hold, stitches for the shoulders are provisionally casted on and the yoke knitted in the round in stranded knitting. Stitches around the armholes are then set on needle and/or picked up and knit and the sleeves knitted from the top-down. Elbow shaping is worked with short rows. The cardigan is steeked.

Steek, provisional cast on and short rows using the yo method: you will find helpful illustrated tutorials on my website: https://icelandicknitter.com/help-info/tutorials/
Try steeking your swatch first!

Pattern: once you’ve made your payment, you will receive an email with a link to download the pattern PDF. We don’t send patterns by snailmail.

Errata:  Mars 2020, 2nd: Clarification sent for higher back. PDF purchased after this date are correct. See errata here.

Correct PDF: Gamallegur ENG2