Top Sari Nordlund Knitwear Designs and Patterns!

Welcome to another knitting-filled chat on YoungFolk Knits! If you’re new here, I’m Kaci, and I love all things fiber arts—knitting, sewing, spinning, crochet, and whatever else I find inspiring. Today, I’m thrilled to share one of my all-time favorite designers with you: Sari Nordlund.

Sari is an incredible Finnish knitwear designer whose work is nothing short of stunning. She has an eye for intricate lace, cables, and texture, often incorporating elements of Japanese knitting charts into her designs. She’s also one of the most prolific designers out there—she’s always got multiple projects on her needles, and each one seems more beautiful than the last.

So, let’s dive into some of my favorite Sari Nordlund designs, including ones I’ve made, ones I want to make, and my thoughts on knitting them!

Rosenlund Top: A Beautiful Blend of Lace and Texture

One of my most recent projects is the Rosenlund Top, a stunning blend of cables, lace, and texture. Sari originally knit hers in a DK-weight cotton, but I chose to go with sportweight cotton from Purl Soho (Cotton Pure), which was gifted to me as yarn support. https://www.ravelry.com/projects/YoungFolkKnits/rosenlund-top

The design is packed with detail—Japanese lace patterns, honeycomb cables, moss stitch, and twisted rib—making every part of the knit engaging. However, I’ll be honest—this was not an easy knit! The Japanese lace pattern at the center is intricate and 24 rows long, making it nearly impossible for me to memorize. I had to keep the charts by my side at all times.

On top of that, working with plant-based fiber on such a complex pattern was tough on my hands. I had to put the project down for nearly a year because it aggravated my wrist pain. If you struggle with hand pain, I’d suggest either using wool instead of cotton or knitting this in short sessions with plenty of breaks. But despite the challenges, the end result is absolutely worth it—it’s a dream knit that I adore wearing.

Florence Tank: A Delicate Lace Vest with a Classic Silhouette

Another top on my must-knit list is the Florence Tank, a lace vest with a button-up front and a v-neck. The design features a double-knit band on the buttons and neckline, which gives it a polished look. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/florence-tank

Sari knit her version using Knitting for Olive Pure Silk held double to achieve a DK weight gauge. While I love this silk yarn for finished projects, knitting it double sounds like a challenge! I’d personally opt for something like Knitting for Olive Cotton Merino for a softer feel or a merino-silk blend for added elasticity.

Berets & Beanies: Chic Accessories That Elevate Any Outfit

Sari doesn’t just design garments—she also creates beautiful accessories. Two hats that stand out to me are:

Bisbis Beret – A classic beret shape that I knit in Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Suri Alpaca for a denser fabric. I loved how the fabric turned out—soft, fluffy, and with a warm glow. I blocked it using a plate, which worked perfectly to shape it. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bisbis

Nete Beanie – From her book Softly Timeless Knits, this beanie features a unique cable pattern that looks incredibly sophisticated. I love the idea of knitting this in a low-contrast marled yarn, such as two fingering-weight woolly yarns held together. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nete-beanie

Speaking of Softly Timeless Knits, I’m hosting a knitalong with Sari for the book until March! If you’re interested, tag your projects with #SoftlyKAL so we can see them!

Sveaborg Collar: The Perfect Faux Sweater Look

The Sveaborg Collar is such a unique design—it’s like wearing the top portion of a sweater under your coat without all the bulk! It features a zipper, cables, and a high turtleneck, making it both stylish and functional. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sveaborg-collar

Sari knit hers in Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino, though I’d personally prefer something like De Rerum Natura Gilliatt for a slightly softer feel. The neutral brown hazelnut color she used is perfect—it’s not too dark to hide the cables but still gives that rich earthy tone.

Poet & Midnight Dancer Socks: Beautiful Lace Details for the Feet

Sari’s Poet Socks have become iconic—they feature stunning lace patterns with a delicate seed stitch texture. This design started as a sweater and was later adapted into socks, making it one of her most well-known pieces. If you’re a sock knitter, I highly recommend trying this pattern! https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/poet-socks

Another favorite is the Midnight Dancer Socks, which have a flirty ruffle detail at the top—perfect for peeking out of boots or pairing with clogs. I knit mine in a soft gray sock yarn, and they’ve been well-loved ever since. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/midnight-dancer

Lumme Pullover: A Colorwork Dream

This circular-yoke sweater is one of Sari’s most popular designs, and for good reason. The colorwork features floral-inspired motifs that look stunning in a variety of colors. I knit mine in Isager Yarn Alpaca 3, using a rusty red for the main color and an oatmeal shade for the floral details. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lumme-pullover

One modification I made was adding Raglan increases after the sleeve split to give me more bust room without adding too much fabric to the shoulders—this worked perfectly for a tailored fit!

Stars Hollow Pullover: Vintage Cabled Elegance

This cabled pullover is a bit underrated but deserves so much love. It has a vintage, oversized feel, reminiscent of the cozy sweaters Rory Gilmore wore in Gilmore Girls. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stars-hollow-pullover

Sari gifted me this pattern, and I immediately picked up Kelbourne Woolens Lucky Tweed in the exact same color she used because it was just too perfect. The cables are intricate yet timeless, and I can’t wait to knit this one up.

Book Club Cardigan: A Library-Lover’s Dream Knit

If you want a sweater that screams “cozy nights in with a good book,” the Book Club Cardigan is it. It’s full of classic cables, has two roomy pockets, and gives off total dark academia vibes. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/book-club-cardigan

I started this as a test knit but haven’t finished it yet (oops!). I used Wooldreamers Mota yarn in a rusty caramel shade, and the cables are looking fantastic. I need to finish this one soon because it’s going to be a wardrobe staple.

Winona Dress: A Chic Summer Knit

Finally, let’s talk about the Winona Dress, a sleek spaghetti-strap A-line dress with a back slit. I cast this on last year using Sandnes Garn Tykk Line , a linen-cotton blend. Knitting a dress is no small feat, and the plant fiber is slow-going on my hands. But I’m determined to finish it before summer so I can wear it with an unbuttoned linen shirt layered on top. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/winona-dress

Video

Check out the video this week detailing these patterns!

Knitting needle kits

Want to Win a Sari Nordlund Pattern?

I love Sari’s patterns so much that I want to gift one to you! Leave a comment on this YouTube video https://youtu.be/AT8MqU7LgsM, and I’ll pick a winner in a future video. You can choose any of Sari’s patterns, and I’ll send it to you!

Thanks so much for spending time with me today—I hope you found some inspiration for your next project. Until next time, happy knitting!