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Embla's Mom Pattern

Embla's Mom Pattern
4.8★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
2.9K 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.

⏱️

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

This pattern creates a top-down, yoke-stranded colorwork sweater with optional waist shaping and set-in sleeve shaping via dividing the yoke. It is worked in DK/sport weight yarn using circular needles and DPNs for the sleeves. The Main Chart provides the forest colorwork motif and the Finishing Chart completes cuff and hem motifs.

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

Multiple sizes are included (XS to XXL) with full yarn meterage for Color A, B and C. Gauge and needle suggestions are provided so you can match the finished measurements for best results.

Why You'll Love This Embla's Mom Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because the forest-inspired yoke is both striking and wearable, giving a classic Nordic feel to a modern sweater. I enjoy the top-down construction which lets you try on as you go and adjust length and shaping easily. The optional waist shaping is a thoughtful touch that lets you personalize the silhouette for a more feminine fit. Working the colorwork chart is satisfying and rhythmic, and I always appreciate clear instructions for dividing for sleeves and finishing the cuffs.

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 changing color combinations to make the yoke pop; try swapping Color A and Color B for a more dramatic contrast.

You can make a chunkier version by using a heavier DK or light worsted yarn and a larger needle to create a cozy, oversized sweater.

For a lighter, more delicate version, use a thinner sport-weight yarn and smaller needles to reduce the finished measurements for a more fitted look.

I often experiment with even-odd stitch counts to shift the Main Chart slightly and create a different placement of motifs across the yoke.

If you prefer no waist shaping, skip the Dec Rnd and Inc Rnd instructions for a straighter silhouette that is quick to knit.

I sometimes add a decorative duplicate stitch motif on the body after blocking to echo the yoke colors and tie the design together.

Change the Finishing Chart colors for cuffs and hem to match accessories like hats or mittens for a coordinated set.

Consider knitting the hem longer and turning it up as a neat cuff for extra warmth and style on cold days.

Try stranded colorwork with two strands held together for a marled effect, but note this will change gauge and yarn requirements.

I recommend blocking each sweater gently to open the colorwork and even out stitches, which really improves the finished drape.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not checking your gauge before starting can lead to a sweater that is too big or too small; knit a full colorwork gauge swatch with the recommended needles to match the given 22 sts = 10 cm / 4 inches measurement. ✗ Forgetting to place or note the BOR (Beginning of Round) marker can make it hard to track yoke placement and shaping; place a marker at the join when you cast on and use it to count stitches from the BOR throughout the yoke. ✗ Picking up underarm stitches incorrectly often creates holes where the sleeve joins the body; pick up the extra stitches as instructed at the join points and transfer held sleeve sts carefully to avoid gaps. ✗ Neglecting even tension in stranded colorwork causes puckering and uneven fabric; carry floats loosely and catch long floats every few stitches to keep tension consistent. ✗ Skipping stitch counts after increases or decreases will lead to mismatched shaping; count stitches after the rows where increases/decreases are made and correct any mistakes before continuing.

Embla's Mom Pattern

This elegant top-down sweater features a forest-inspired colorwork yoke and a subtly shaped back for a flattering fit. You will enjoy clear instructions for working the yoke chart, dividing for sleeves, and finishing with ribbed edges. The pattern includes full yarn requirements for three colors and multiple needle size suggestions so you can customize fit and look.

Intermediate 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Embla's Mom Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    DK or sport weight yarn in three colors (Color A, Color B, Color C)
  • 02
    Color A (main body): approx. 650 (700) 750 (800) 900 (950) 1000 meters / 711 (766) 820 (875) 984 (1039) 1094 yards
  • 03
    Color B (contrast): approx. 170 (200) 230 (260) 290 (320) 350 meters / 186 (219) 252 (284) 317 (350) 383 yards
  • 04
    Color C (contrast light): approx. 125 (150) 175 (200) 240 (280) 320 meters / 137 (164) 192 (219) 263 (306) 350 yards
  • 05
    Sample yarns listed: Rauma 3trads (A: 178, B: 1561, C: 103) or Rauma Finull alternative (A: 4078, B: 0425, C: 0422)

— 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
    Scrap yarn for provisional markers/holding
  • 05
    Stitch holders
  • 06
    Tapestry (yarn) needle for weaving in ends
  • 07
    Scissors
  • 08
    Measuring tape
  • 09
    Blocking tools (pins, mats)

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.

Section :

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) 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. 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) 15.75 (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. Make the second sleeve in the same manner. Weave in all ends and sew any gaps around the underarm shut if necessary.

Assembly Instructions

  • Join to knit in the round at the neck and place a BOR (Beginning of Round) marker to track the yoke and back shaping locations.
  • When dividing for body and sleeves, transfer sleeve stitches onto stitch holders and cast on the temporary 4 sts at each underarm as instructed to create underarm gussets before continuing the body.
  • For sleeve construction, pick up the specified extra stitches at the underarm COs to avoid holes, transfer held sleeve sts back to your needle, and place a BOR marker to begin the sleeve in the round.
  • After completing Finishing Chart on body and sleeves, switch to smaller needles and work 2x2 rib in Color B until ribbing measures 5 cm / 2 inches, then bind off all sts in pattern and weave in ends.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to mark the BOR and any section divisions so you can correctly count stitches and shape the back only as instructed.
  • 💡Work a gauge swatch in the colorwork pattern (22 sts = 10 cm / 4 inches) before starting to ensure correct sizing and needle choice.
  • 💡Carry yarn floats loosely across the wrong side in the colorwork to avoid puckering; catch long floats every few sts to keep tension even.
  • 💡When picking up underarm stitches, pick up the extra stitch where the CO meets on-hold sts to avoid holes and ensure a neat join.

This sweater pattern blends classic Nordic colorwork with a modern, flattering top-down shape. Whether you choose the green forest palette or mix your own colors, you will have a timeless knit to treasure. Happy knitting and enjoy making something warm and beautiful! 🧶✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished garment measurements are listed by Garment Chest Circumference for sizes XS (S) M (M/L) L (XL) XXL; pick the size closest to your body measurement and the suggested ease will adjust the fit.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

This pattern is written for DK/sport weight yarn; using a different yarn weight will change the gauge and finished size, so swatch and adjust needle size or stitch counts accordingly.

Do I need prior knitting experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and requires familiarity with stranded colorwork, working in the round, increases (M1L/M1R) and decreases (k2tog, ssk), and reading a color chart.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

This is a multi-day project and typically takes around 12-15 hours, depending on size, colorwork experience, and how fast you knit.