This pattern has been fully tech-edited by beccas and test knitted up to size 2XL. The largest size is currently being test knitted and I will update the pattern if we find any necessary adjustment.

STORY
The Harbin Sweater is inspired by my hometown, Harbin, in northeastern China. The colourwork motifs on the circular yoke are inspired by common sceneries in Harbin, also known as the “Ice City” thanks to its famous ice and snow festival during winter times. From top to bottom, the sweater is decorated with colourwork motifs that resemble the snow-covered Songhua River Rail Bridge, pine leaves, St. Sophia Cathedral, icicle hanging over roof tops, and snowflakes melting into a white snowy ground. Knitted with water-repellent Icelandic wool, the sweater is perfect for wearing into a snow fight!

OVERALL WORKFLOW
The sweater is worked seamless from the top down. First, a double-folded collar is worked. Then the yoke is worked with the stranded colourwork technique and shaped with increases. There are four colours in this section but only two colours are used per row, so it is surprisingly easy and fun to knit. Then you divide the sleeve and body sections of the yoke, work a small length in the flat on the back piece to raise the back neck and improve the fit of the sweater. Then you cast on some underarm stitches and proceed to knit the body in the round. Finally, you will work the sleeves.

SIZES
XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust circumference: 84.5 (93.5, 98, 106.5, 115.5) (124.5, 138, 146.5, 155.5) cm
33.25 (36.75, 38.5, 42, 45.5) (49, 54.25, 57.75, 61.25)“
Designed to fit with 5–14 cm / 2–5.5“ of positive ease for size XS to XL, and 0-5 cm / 0-2” of positive ease for size 2XL to 5XL.

Length: 58.5 (60, 62, 64.5, 67) (69, 72, 74, 76) cm
23 (23.5, 24.25, 25.25, 26.5) (27.25, 28.25, 29.25, 30)“
Length is measured from the centre of the back neck to hem (including the length of collar).

Yoke depth: 21 (21.5, 22.5, 23.5, 25) (27, 29, 30.5, 32.5) cm
8.25 (8.5, 8.75, 9.25, 10) (10.75, 11.5, 12, 12.75)“

Sleeve circumference at upper bicep: 33.5 (35.5, 40, 40, 42) (42, 46.5, 51, 55.5) cm
13 (14, 15.75, 15.75, 16.5) (16.5, 18.5, 20, 22)“

Sleeve length to underarm: 40.5 (42, 42, 43.5, 43.5) (44.5, 44.5, 45, 45) cm
15.75 (16.5, 16.5, 17.25, 17.25) (17.5, 17.5, 17.75, 17.75)“

GAUGE
18 sts × 24 rows = 10 cm/4” square in single-colour stockinette stitch on 4.5 mm/US 7 needles.
18 sts × 22 rows = 10 cm/4” square in colourwork stockinette stitch on 5 mm/US 8 needles. Gauge is measured after blocking.

SUGGESTED NEEDLES
3.5 mm/US 4 (40 cm/16”, 80 cm/32” and 100 cm/40”) circular needles and DPNs (or longer circular needles for magic loop) for neck, body and sleeve ribbing.

4.5 mm/US 7 (40 cm/16”, 60 cm/24”, 80 cm/32” and 100 cm/40”) circular needles and DPNs (or longer circular needles for magic loop) for body and sleeves (single-colour sections).

5 mm/US 8 (40 cm/16”, 60 cm/24”, 80 cm/32” and 100 cm/40”) circular needles and DPNs (or longer circular needles for magic loop) for body and sleeves (colourwork sections).

… or needles that get you the right gauge.

YARN
Ístex Léttlopi (100% Icelandic wool; 50 g = 100 m) in the following colours:

• Fjord blue (#1701) (Blue) : 6 (6, 6, 8, 8) (9, 10, 10, 11) skeins
• Ash (#0054) (White): 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 4, 5, 5) skeins
• Rust (#9427) (Brown): 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 2, 2) skein
• Lyme grass (#1706) (Green): 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1, 1) skein

For yarn substitution, you may use other heavy DK or worsted-weight woollen yarn that obtains the suggested gauge. The required yardage is approximately

• Blue: 550 (600, 600, 750, 750) (850, 950, 1000, 1050) m or 602 (602, 656, 821, 821) (930, 1039, 1094, 1149) yards
• White: 250 (300, 300, 350, 350) (350, 350, 450, 450) m or 274 (328, 328, 383, 383) (383, 383, 492, 492) yards
• Brown: 65 (70, 75, 80, 80) (90, 90, 120, 150) m or 71 (77, 82, 88, 88) (98, 98, 131, 164) yards
• Green: 40 (50, 50, 50, 50) (50, 60, 60, 70) m or 44 (55, 55, 55, 55) (55, 66, 66, 77) yards

These yarn would be a good substitution for Ístex Léttlopi: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Vidde, Erika Knight Wild Wool, Zitron Nimbus, Filcolana Peruvian Highland Wool.

You may also change the colour scheme. My test knitters have been very creative with their colour choices so please do check out the Project page and you may find some great inspirations.

Always swatch before substituting yarn.

NOTIONS
stitch marker, tapestry needle, waste yarn or stitch holders

ANIMAL CROSSING CROSS-OVER

If you play the “Animal Crossing New Horizons” game on Nintendo Switch, you can download the ACNH version of the Harbin sweater via the designer code shown in the photo. I re-created the design in ACNH so that your character can wear the same sweater as you (even before you finish knitting it in real life)! My island is Harbin-themed, so it is perfect to visit my island wearing the Harbin sweater. You can visit my island via the “dream” function using my dream code: DA-2122-1858-1001, or check out my island tour video: