🧶 Beautiful ✨ Detailed 💝 Adorable

Embla's Mom Pattern

Embla's Mom Pattern
4.8★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
2.6K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

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Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journey—perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

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Casual Chic

Relaxed style with a modern twist, perfect for everyday wear while maintaining that handcrafted uniqueness.

About This Embla's Mom Pattern

A top-down sweater knitted in DK/sport weight yarn with a forest-inspired Fair Isle yoke. The garment features optional waist shaping worked only on the back for a subtle hourglass effect. Includes full Main Chart and Finishing Chart, plus sleeve and ribbing instructions.

Embla's Mom Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Worked in the round with circular needles and DPNs, the pattern is charted for colorwork and gives stitch counts for multiple sizes. Clear instructions guide you through dividing for body and sleeves and finishing the sweater.

Why You'll Love This Embla's Mom Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because the yoke chart is both striking and wearable, offering a beautiful forest motif that looks great in different colorways. I appreciate the top-down construction since it lets you try on the sweater as you go and adjust length easily. The optional waist shaping adds a flattering touch without complicating the overall design, and the charts make colorwork fun to follow. Knitting this sweater feels rewarding—it blends traditional technique with a modern, feminine fit that I am proud to wear.

Embla's Mom Pattern step 1 - construction progress Embla's Mom Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Embla's Mom Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Embla's Mom Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love experimenting with color—try swapping the forest greens for autumnal rusts, creams, and browns to create a warm fall version of the yoke.

You can change yarn weight and needle size to make a chunkier or finer sweater; I find bulky yarns give a cozy oversized look while thinner yarns create a delicate drape.

I often shorten the body by a few centimeters for a more cropped, modern silhouette; try the sweater 5-9 cm shorter to test the fit before finishing the ribbing.

If you prefer longer sleeves, add 2-4 cm to the sleeve length before starting the Finishing Chart, or shorten them for a 3/4 length look.

For a subtle change, swap Color C for a metallic or slub yarn to add texture only in the accent areas—this keeps the main colorwork legible while adding interest.

I like to personalize the neckline by working a deeper or shallower neck before beginning the yoke; try reducing or increasing a couple of rounds at the neck cast-on to suit your preference.

To emphasize the waist shaping, you can work the Dec and Inc rounds more frequently for a stronger hourglass effect; conversely, skip them entirely for a straighter boxier fit.

Think about adding small knitted or sewn-on embellishments like wooden buttons or an embroidered initials on the hem for a handmade signature touch.

If youre adventurous, try creating a reversible colorwork by using yarns with similar weights and carefully planning float tension; it isnt required but can produce a unique look.

I also love making matching accessories—use leftover yarn to knit a hat or mittens using a scaled-down version of the Main Chart to create a coordinated set.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the gauge swatch for colorwork can give you a sweater that is the wrong size; measure 22 sts = 10 cm in the colorwork pattern and adjust needle size as needed. ✗ Not using stitch markers at the BOR and section transfers causes confusion when dividing for sleeves; place markers and use stitch holders to keep sections organized. ✗ Picking up underarm stitches incorrectly will leave holes at the join; follow the pick-up instruction carefully and pick up the extra stitch where the underarm CO meets the on-hold sts. ✗ Changing yarn tension between colors makes the colorwork uneven; hold colors consistently and carry floats neatly to maintain an even fabric. ✗ Forgetting to finish the Main Chart before switching colors can disrupt the pattern; complete charts fully and switch to Color A only after the Main Chart is complete.

Embla's Mom Pattern

This top-down Fair Isle yoke sweater combines classic Nordic colorwork with a flattering back shaping for a feminine silhouette. The pattern includes full charted yoke designs and clear instructions for body and sleeve shaping. Youll enjoy knitting a warm, wearable sweater with thoughtful details and optional waist shaping.

Intermediate 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Embla's Mom Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Color A (main body color) DK/sport weight yarn, approx. 650 (700) 750 (800) 900 (950) 1000 meters / 711 (766) 820 (875) 984 (1039) 1094 yards
  • 02
    Color B (yoke and contrast) DK/sport weight yarn, approx. 170 (200) 230 (260) 290 (320) 350 meters / 186 (219) 252 (284) 317 (350) 383 yards
  • 03
    Color C (accent) DK/sport weight yarn, approx. 125 (150) 175 (200) 240 (280) 320 meters / 137 (164) 192 (219) 263 (306) 350 yards

— Tools Required

  • 01
    3 mm / US 2.5 circular needles (40 cm / 16 inches) and DPNs
  • 02
    3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles (40, 60, 80 cm / 16, 24, 32 inches) and DPNs
  • 03
    Stitch markers
  • 04
    Stitch holders
  • 05
    Scrap yarn for provisional joins
  • 06
    Tapestry/yarn needle for weaving in ends and finishing

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Neck :

Info :

With 3 mm / US 2.5 ndl, cast on 92 (100) 108 (116) 124 (132) 140 sts loosely using Color B. Join to knit in the rnd and PM at the BOR.

Next Rnd :

[K2, p2] to end. Repeat the previous rnd until work measures approx 3 cm / 1.25 inches.

— Yoke :

Info :

Switch to 3.5 mm / US 4 ndl.

Next Rnd :

K to end. Begin working from Main Chart and inc as instructed.

Info :

From row 30 of Main Chart and onwards you should have a total of 276 (300) 324 (348) 372 (396) 420 sts on your ndl.

Info :

Continue working from Main Chart until the yoke measures approx. 20 (20) 21 (22) 23 (24) 25 cm / 7.75 (7.75) 8.25 (8.75) 9 (9.5) 9.75 inches or until the yoke reaches the desired depth.

Dividing for Body and Sleeves :

Next Rnd: Transfer 60 (64) 68 (72) 76 (80) 84 sts onto a stitch holder, CO 4 sts, place BOR M, CO 4 sts, k78 (86) 94 (102) 110 (118) 126 sts and then transfer 60 (64) 68 (72) 76 (80) 84 sts onto another stitch holder, CO 4 sts, PM, CO 4 sts, k to end of rnd.

Info :

You should now have a total of 172 (188) 204 (220) 236 (252) 268 sts on your ndl for the body of the garment.

Info :

The pattern continues on the next page.

— Body :

Info :

Begin working the body in the rnd. If Main Chart has not been completed, finish it. Switch to using only Color A upon completion of Main Chart.

Waist Shaping (Optional) :

All shaping is done only to the Back of the garment. The Back refers to the first half of sts counting from the BOR marker. Shaping the garment is completely optional, and can be skipped. For a clear hourglass figure, dec and inc more frequently.

Info :

Work the following Dec Rnd every 3 cm / 1.25 inches, for a total of 6 (6) 5 (6) 6 (6) 6 times.

Dec Rnd :

K1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before next M, ssk, k to end. - 2 sts dec'd

Info :

You should have 160 (176) 194 (208) 224 (240) 256 sts on your ndl.

Info :

Finish decreasing when the body measures approx. 20 (21) 21 (22) 22 (23) 23 cm / 7.75 (8.25) 8.25 (8.75) 8.75 (9) 9 inches from the underarm or when the garment reaches the narrowest part of your waist.

Info :

It is now time to inc towards the hips of the garment. Work the following Inc Rnd every 2 (2) 2 (2) 1.5 (1.5) 1.5 cm / 0.75 (0.75) 0.75 (0.75) 0.5 (0.5) 0.5 inches, for a total of 7 (7) 7 (9) 9 (9) 9 times.

Inc Rnd :

K1, m1L, k to 1 st before next M, m1R, k to end.

Info :

You should now have a total of 174 (190) 208 (226) 242 (258) 274 sts on your ndl.

Info :

When your work measures 34 (35) 35 (36) 36 (37) 37 cm / 13.5 (13.75) 13.75 (14.25) 14.25 (14.5) 14.5 inches from the underarm, or when the garment is approx. 9 cm / 3.5 inches shorter than your preferred length. Begin working from Finishing Chart.

Info :

After completing Finishing Chart, switch to 3 mm / US 2.5 ndl and work 2x2 rib, ie., k2, p2, in the rnd in Color B until the ribbing measures 5 cm / 2 inches.

Info :

Bind off all sts in pattern.

Info :

The pattern continues on the next page.

— Sleeves :

Info :

Join yarns needed for the remainder of Main Chart or Color A if Main Chart is already completed.

Next Rnd :

Starting in the middle of one of the underarm COs, pick up (do not knit) 4 sts from the underarm CO, pick up an extra st where the underarm CO sts meet the on-hold sts to avoid holes, transfer the 60 (64) 68 (72) 76 (80) 84 sleeve sts that were put on hold back onto your ndl, pick up an extra st to avoid holes, pick up 4 sts along the underarm CO. PM to mark BOR.

Info :

You should now have a total of 70 (74) 78 (82) 86 (90) 94 sts on your ndl.

Info :

Work in stockinette st in the rnd and complete Main Chart if necessary.

Info :

Work the following Dec Rnd every 2 cm / 0.75 inches as you progress, a total of 13 (13) 15 (15) 17 (17) 19 times.

Dec Rnd :

K2tog, k to 2 sts before end, ssk. - 2 sts dec'd

Info :

You should now have a total of 44 (48) 48 (52) 52 (56) 56 sts on your ndl.

Info :

Continue working in stockinette st until the sleeve measures approx 37 (38) 38 (39) 39 (40) 41 cm / 14.5 (15) 15 (15.25) 15.25 (15.75) (16.25) inches from the underarm or when the sleeve is approx 9 cm / 3.5 inches shorter than your preferred length.

Info :

Start working Finishing Chart.

Info :

Upon completion of Finishing Chart, switch to 3 mm / US 2.5 ndl and work 2x2 rib, ie., k2, p2, in the rnd in Color B until the ribbing measures 5 cm / 2 inches or to your preferred length.

Info :

Bind off all sts in pattern.

Info :

Make the second sleeve in the same manner.

Info :

Weave in all ends and sew any gaps around the underarm shut if necessary.

Assembly Instructions

  • Transfer the sleeve stitches from the stitch holders back onto your needles and pick up the underarm pick-up stitches as described, placing a marker to mark the BOR.
  • After finishing the Finishing Chart on body and sleeves, switch to 3 mm / US 2.5 needles and work 2x2 rib in Color B until ribbing measures approximately 5 cm / 2 inches, then bind off in pattern.
  • Make the second sleeve in the same manner to ensure symmetry and matching chart placement on both sleeves.
  • Weave in all yarn ends securely and use a yarn needle to sew any small gaps around the underarm shut if necessary for a neat finish.
  • When dividing for body and sleeves, use stitch holders and CO 4 sts where directed to create neat underarm joins before placing body stitches on needles.
  • Block the finished sweater lightly to even the colorwork and set the ribbing and measurements according to gauge for best results.

Important Notes

  • 💡Check gauge carefully: 22 sts = 10 cm / 4 inches in the colorwork pattern to ensure proper sizing.
  • 💡Use stitch markers and stitch holders to keep track of the BOR and the first half of sts when shaping and dividing for sleeves.
  • 💡Complete the Main Chart before switching to Color A for the body to ensure the colorwork aligns correctly.
  • 💡Waist shaping is optional and only worked on the back; follow the shaping instructions carefully or skip for a straighter silhouette.

This top-down Fair Isle sweater is designed to be both timeless and flattering, with an eye-catching yoke and optional waist shaping. Perfect for cozy days and thoughtful handmade gifts, it knits up into a warm, wearable wardrobe piece. Enjoy the process and the cozy result! 🧶✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

Garment chest circumferences range by size: Approx. 78 (85) 93 (100) 107 (114) 121 cm / 30.75 (33.5) 36.5 (39.25) 42.25 (45) 47.75 inches as listed in the pattern measurements.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

You can use a different yarn weight, but gauge and final size will change significantly; adjust needle size and check gauge to match 22 sts = 10 cm in colorwork.

Do I need prior knitting experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and assumes familiarity with knitting in the round, reading charts, increases (M1L, M1R) and decreases (k2tog, ssk).

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most knitters complete this sweater in 12-15 hours over multiple sessions, depending on experience, colorwork speed, and size chosen.