VIKING FROST — Men's Nordic Pullover with Asymmetrical Front Motif

An advanced, seamless worsted-weight pullover: heavy and warm for deep winter, worked in a light natural cream ("frost") main color with darker Viking-inspired stranded colorwork. Traditional Nordic geometric bands circle the circular yoke, while a bold OFF-CENTER Viking longship-and-rune motif breaks the symmetry across the front-left chest — exactly as requested.

SKILL LEVEL

Advanced — Stranded (Fair Isle) colorwork with two colors per round, circular yoke shaping, asymmetrical charted motif placement, and float management on worsted weight.

SIZES

Men's S (M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished Chest Circumference: 40 (44, 48, 52, 56)" / 101.5 (112, 122, 132, 142) cm Recommended ease: 4–6" (10–15 cm) positive ease (traditional Nordic fit, allows layering) Finished Length (hem to shoulder): 26 (27, 28, 29, 30)" / 66 (68.5, 71, 73.5, 76) cm

Sample shown in size Medium.

MATERIALS

Yarn: Worsted weight wool or wool blend (choose a slightly "sticky" non-superwash wool for best colorwork and blocking; avoid splitty yarns).

• MC (Main / "Frost"): Light cream / natural white
  • 1000 (1100, 1250, 1400, 1550) yds / 915 (1005, 1145, 1280, 1420) m
• CC1 (Deep): Charcoal or midnight navy
  • 350 (400, 450, 500, 550) yds / 320 (365, 410, 460, 505) m
• CC2 (Accent): Iron gray or deep red (Viking accent)
  • 175 (200, 225, 250, 275) yds / 160 (185, 205, 230, 250) m

Needles:

• US 8 / 5 mm — 32" (81 cm) circular (body & yoke) + 16" (40 cm) circular (upper yoke/collar)
• US 6 / 4 mm — 32" & 16" circular (ribbing) + DPNs or long circ for sleeves (magic loop)
• US 8 / 5 mm — DPNs or long circ for sleeves

Notions: Stitch markers (1 unique for BOR + 8 for yoke decrease sections), waste yarn / stitch holders (underarms), tapestry needle, blocking mats & pins.

GAUGE (CRITICAL — SWATCH IN COLORWORK)

• Colorwork (blocked): 18 sts & 24 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in stranded pattern on US 8 / 5 mm
• Plain stockinette (blocked): 16 sts & 22 rnds = 4" (10 cm) on US 8 / 5 mm

⚠️ Colorwork runs ~2 sts/inch tighter than plain stockinette. You MUST swatch in the round in the colorwork pattern, wash, and block before measuring. Floats must remain loose enough to keep the fabric elastic.

Gauge check math (Medium): Plain body at 4.0 sts/in × 44" = 176 sts. Rounded to a multiple compatible with the 8-st yoke repeat → 192 sts. Confirmed below.

STITCH & COLORWORK NOTES

• Two-handed method strongly recommended (MC in one hand, CC in the other) for even tension.
• Dominant color: Hold CC (pattern color) as dominant throughout — carry it below/left of MC consistently.
• Float rule: Carry the non-working yarn loosely across the back; catch floats every 5–7 sts (worsted floats show more, so trap them).
• Body & sleeves below the yoke are worked in MC only (plain stockinette), EXCEPT the asymmetrical front motif (see Chart C).

ABBREVIATIONS

k = knit • p = purl • st(s) = stitch(es) • rnd(s) = round(s) • MC/CC = main/contrast color • k2tog = knit 2 together • ssk = slip slip knit • m1 = make one • BOR = beginning of round • pm = place marker • sm = slip marker • rep = repeat • rem = remaining

CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW

1. Work body in the round from hem to underarms in MC; work the asymmetrical Viking motif (Chart C) on the front-left chest.
2. Work sleeves in the round from cuff to underarms in MC.
3. Join body + both sleeves onto one long circular at the yoke.
4. Work the circular colorwork yoke (Charts A & B) with evenly spaced decrease rounds.
5. Finish with a tall high folded neck in ribbing.

BODY

Ribbed Hem

With US 6 / 4 mm 32" circular and MC, cast on 176 (192, 208, 224, 240) sts. Pm and join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work k2, p2 ribbing for 3" (7.5 cm).

Verify: 176/192/208/224/240 are all divisible by 4 for k2p2 ✓ and by 8 for the yoke repeat ✓.

Body Setup

Change to US 8 / 5 mm 32" circular.

Place side markers: Knit 88 (96, 104, 112, 120) sts (front), pm (side), knit to end (back). BOR marker = right side seam; new marker = left side seam. Front and back each = half the total.

Asymmetrical Front Motif (Chart C)

The Viking longship-and-rune motif is placed off-center on the front-left chest so the front is intentionally NOT symmetrical.

• Continue in MC stockinette until body measures 9 (9, 9.5, 9.5, 10)" / 23 (23, 24, 24, 25.5) cm from cast-on.
• Motif placement: On the FRONT section, count from the BOR (right side seam) across the front. Begin Chart C at stitch 10 (12, 14, 16, 18) from the right side seam. Chart C is 35 sts wide × 40 rnds tall. This places the motif left-of-center (the ship "sails" toward the wearer's left), leaving a wide plain field on the wearer's right — an authentic asymmetrical Nordic layout.
• Work Chart C in CC1 (hull/ship) with CC2 (rune accents) over these 35 sts while keeping all other body sts in MC. Manage floats within the motif only.

Placement check (M): 12 + 35 = 47 ≤ 96 front sts, leaving 49 plain sts to the left → motif clearly off-center ✓.

Body to Underarm

Continue in MC (motif ends and is not repeated) until body measures 17 (17.5, 18, 18.5, 19)" / 43 (44.5, 45.5, 47, 48) cm from cast-on, ending 8 (8, 10, 10, 12) sts before the BOR marker.

Set aside underarm sts: Place the next 16 (16, 20, 20, 24) sts (8/8/10/10/12 either side of each side marker) onto waste yarn for each underarm — one at BOR side, one at the left side marker.

Remaining body sts on hold: 144 (160, 168, 184, 192) sts (72/80/84/92/96 each for front and back).

Verify: 176 − 2×16 = 144 (M: 192 − 32 = 160) ✓.

SLEEVES (make 2)

Cuff

With US 6 / 4 mm DPNs/magic loop and MC, cast on 40 (44, 44, 48, 48) sts. Join, pm for BOR. Work k2, p2 ribbing for 3" (7.5 cm).

Sleeve Shaping

Change to US 8 / 5 mm. Knit 1 rnd.

Increase rnd: k1, m1, knit to last st, m1, k1. (2 sts increased) Rep Increase rnd every 8 (7, 6, 6, 5) rnds 14 (14, 16, 16, 18) times total.

Sleeve st count after increases: 68 (72, 76, 80, 84) sts.

Verify (M): 44 + 2×14 = 72 ✓.

Work even in MC until sleeve measures 19 (19.5, 20, 20, 20.5)" / 48 (49.5, 51, 51, 52) cm from cast-on, ending 8 (8, 10, 10, 12) sts before BOR.

Set aside underarm: Place 16 (16, 20, 20, 24) sts (centered on the BOR) onto waste yarn.

Remaining sleeve sts on hold: 52 (56, 56, 60, 60) sts.

Verify (M): 72 − 16 = 56 ✓.

JOIN YOKE

With US 8 / 5 mm 32" circular and MC, join in this order, placing a new BOR at the back-left underarm:

1. Back sts: 72 (80, 84, 92, 96)
2. Left sleeve: 52 (56, 56, 60, 60)
3. Front sts: 72 (80, 84, 92, 96)
4. Right sleeve: 52 (56, 56, 60, 60)

Total yoke stitches: 248 (272, 280, 304, 312) sts. Pm for new BOR and join.

Verify (M): 80+56+80+56 = 272 ✓. This falls in the standard 248–432 yoke join range for worsted (fewer sts than DK because gauge is heavier). ✓

Knit 1 (2, 2, 3, 3) rnds even in MC to level the join, closing any gaps at the four underarm junctions with a picked-up stitch if needed.

Setup decrease (even out to a colorwork-friendly count): Work a light setup decrease round to reach a multiple of 8 for Chart A:

Decrease evenly to 240 (264, 272, 296, 312) sts. (M: 272 → 264. Dec 8 sts evenly.)

Verify all counts divisible by 8: 240/264/272/296/312 → ÷8 = 30/33/34/37/39 ✓.

CIRCULAR COLORWORK YOKE

The yoke features traditional Nordic geometric bands (Charts A & B) with four decrease rounds evenly spaced as it narrows. Chart A (main snowflake/star band) is 8 sts wide; Chart B (peerie border) is 4 sts wide. Read charts right-to-left, bottom-to-top.

Place 8 section markers evenly (every 30/33/34/37/39 sts) to track decreases.

Yoke Band 1 — Border (Chart B, peerie)

Work 6 rnds of Chart B (CC1 on MC).

Decrease Round 1 (≈20%)

[k2tog, k to next marker, sm] around to remove approximately 20% evenly: Decrease to 192 (208, 216, 232, 248) sts.

Verify divisible by 8: 24/26/27/29/31 ✓.

Yoke Band 2 — Main Motif (Chart A, star/snowflake)

Work all 16 rnds of Chart A (CC1 dominant; use CC2 for the star centers). This is the widest colorwork band — approximately 2.7" (7 cm) tall.

Decrease Round 2 (≈20%)

Decrease evenly to 152 (168, 168, 184, 200) sts.

Verify divisible by 8: 19/21/21/23/25 ✓.

Yoke Band 3 — Zigzag/Chevron Border (Chart B variant)

Work 8 rnds of Chart B in the chevron colorway (CC2 on MC).

Decrease Round 3 (≈25%)

Decrease evenly to 112 (128, 128, 136, 152) sts.

Verify divisible by 8: 14/16/16/17/19 ✓.

Yoke Band 4 — Small Diamond Peerie (Chart B)

Work 6 rnds of Chart B (CC1 on MC).

Decrease Round 4 (final shaping to neck)

Decrease evenly to 96 (104, 104, 112, 120) sts.

Verify: falls in target neck range 80–120 ✓. All divisible by 4 for collar ribbing ✓.

Total colorwork yoke depth ≈ 9.5–10.5" (24–27 cm) depending on size — deep enough to clear a men's chest.

Work 1 rnd even in MC.

HIGH FOLDED NECK (as requested — extra warm, tall)

Change to US 6 / 4 mm 16" circular. Work k2, p2 ribbing for 8" (20 cm) — this tall collar folds over double for a warm high neck.

(For a single-thickness turtleneck, work 5" / 12.5 cm instead.)

Bind off loosely in ribbing (use a needle 1–2 sizes larger for the bind-off to keep the neck stretchy enough to pull over the head).

Fold collar to the inside (double layer) or wear folded to the outside.

FINISHING

1. Underarms: Graft each underarm using Kitchener stitch, joining the held body and sleeve underarm sts (16/16/20/20/24 sts each). Close any small holes at the corners.
2. Weave in ends — on the back of colorwork, follow the same color's floats.
3. Wet block: Soak in cool water with wool wash, press out excess, and lay flat to measured dimensions. Blocking is essential to even out colorwork stitches and set the floats. Pin to finished chest measurement.
4. Let dry completely before wearing.

CHARTS (KEY)

Legend: ⬜ = MC (cream) • ⬛ = CC1 (charcoal/navy) • ▨ = CC2 (accent gray/red)

Chart A — Main Nordic Star Band (8-st repeat × 16 rnds)

Rnd16: ⬜⬛⬜⬜⬜⬜⬛⬜
Rnd15: ⬛⬜⬛⬜⬜⬛⬜⬛
Rnd14: ⬜⬛⬜⬛⬛⬜⬛⬜
Rnd13: ⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜
Rnd12: ⬛⬜⬜▨▨⬜⬜⬛
Rnd11: ⬜⬛⬜▨▨⬜⬛⬜
Rnd10: ⬜⬜⬛⬜⬜⬛⬜⬜
Rnd 9: ⬛⬛⬜⬛⬛⬜⬛⬛
Rnd 8: ⬛⬛⬜⬛⬛⬜⬛⬛
Rnd 7: ⬜⬜⬛⬜⬜⬛⬜⬜
Rnd 6: ⬜⬛⬜▨▨⬜⬛⬜
Rnd 5: ⬛⬜⬜▨▨⬜⬜⬛
Rnd 4: ⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬜⬜
Rnd 3: ⬜⬛⬜⬛⬛⬜⬛⬜
Rnd 2: ⬛⬜⬛⬜⬜⬛⬜⬛
Rnd 1: ⬜⬛⬜⬜⬜⬜⬛⬜

Chart B — Peerie Border (4-st repeat; work indicated rnds)

Rnd6: ⬜⬛⬜⬜
Rnd5: ⬛⬜⬛⬜
Rnd4: ⬜⬛⬜⬛
Rnd3: ⬛⬜⬛⬜
Rnd2: ⬜⬛⬜⬜
Rnd1: ⬜⬜⬛⬜

(For the chevron variant in Band 3, substitute CC2 and shift the CC stitch +1 each round to form a diagonal, working 8 rnds.)

Chart C — Asymmetrical Viking Longship & Runes (35 sts × 40 rnds, worked ONCE on front-left)

A single, non-repeating pictorial motif:

• Rnds 1–8: Sea/wave border — alternating ⬛⬜ zigzag in CC1.
• Rnds 9–26: The longship hull in CC1 — a broad curved boat shape (widest at rnd 17, ~30 sts across), with a high curved prow on the LEFT side (this leftward prow is what creates the asymmetry).
• Rnds 20–30: A square sail above the hull in CC1 outline with 3 vertical CC2 rune stripes.
• Rnds 31–36: Row of Viking runes (ᚠ ᚢ ᚦ style angular marks) in CC2 across the sail base.
• Rnds 37–40: Small CC1 shields along the hull rail.

The ship deliberately "sails left," and sits left-of-center on the front, so the finished sweater front is asymmetrical as requested. Keep the wearer's right chest as a clean cream field.

PATTERN NOTES & TROUBLESHOOTING

• Asymmetry is intentional. Do not mirror or repeat Chart C on the right — the single left-placed longship is the design feature.
• Tension warning: Worsted colorwork floats are bulky; catch every 5th–7th st and keep floats generous to preserve the pull-over-the-head stretch of the tall neck.
• Neck fit: If the wearer prefers, work the collar on US 6 for the fold and switch to US 7 for the outer fold to prevent it standing too stiff.
• Yarn substitution: A woolen-spun (non-superwash) yarn blooms on blocking and hides small float irregularities — ideal for this heavy winter piece.

Enjoy your VIKING FROST pullover — thick, warm, high-necked, and proudly asymmetrical.