Bifukolla is an elegant colorwork yoke sweater designed by Rakel / Lopamunstur. The sweater is worked bottom-up in the round, with the body and sleeves joined together for the striking charted yoke. The pattern covers sizes XXS–5XL, offering a comfortable fit for many body types.
The design uses Icewear Alpaca Wool (50 g = 100 m), a soft yarn perfect for colorwork, with Ístex Léttlopi suggested as an alternative. Yarn requirements are easy to follow: Color A requires 6–15 skeins depending on size, while both Color B and Color C require only 1 skein each.
You will knit ribbing on 4 mm needles and stockinette on 5 mm needles, using circulars and DPNs as needed. The gauge is 18 stitches × 26 rows = 10 cm on 5 mm. With its folded neckline and bold yoke design, Bifukolla is a modern take on the traditional Icelandic sweater.
The Bifukolla sweater, designed by Knitterfromiceland (Lopamunstur), is a modern interpretation of the traditional Icelandic yoke. This pattern is knitted from the bottom up in the round. The body and sleeves are worked separately before being joined together for the yoke, where the striking colorwork unfolds in rhythmic, geometric patterns. The design is written for sizes ranging from XXS to 5XL, with detailed measurements included so you can achieve the ideal fit whether you prefer a close or a more relaxed silhouette.
The recommended yarn is Icewear Alpaca Wool, a soft and durable blend that comes in 50 gram skeins with 100 meters each. Its smooth texture makes colorwork crisp and clear, but if you prefer a loftier and more traditional Icelandic feel, Ístex Léttlopi is a suitable alternative. Depending on the size you choose, you will need between six and fifteen skeins of the main color. Two contrast shades are used to bring the yoke motif to life, and for both of these, only one skein each is required across all sizes.
The knitting is done with circular needles in 4 mm and 5 mm lengths of 40, 60, or 80 centimeters depending on the section, and matching double-pointed needles are used for smaller circumferences such as the sleeves. Ribbing is knitted on 4 mm needles, while the stockinette and colorwork sections are worked on 5 mm needles. The specified tension is eighteen stitches and twenty-six rows to ten centimeters on 5 mm needles. Since the designer tends to knit tightly, you may find that a smaller needle size such as 4.5 or 4 mm is necessary to match the gauge, which makes swatching an essential part of the process.
Bifukolla has thoughtful finishing details that give the sweater a professional look. The neckline is worked in a one by one rib, then folded double and sewn down to form a comfortable and neat edge. After knitting, the only finishing required is seaming the underarms, weaving in the yarn ends and giving the garment a gentle wash and block so that the fabric settles evenly.
With its timeless Icelandic character, easy-to-follow construction and polished neckline, Bifukolla is a project that appeals to knitters who enjoy traditional colorwork and want to create a garment that is both classic and contemporary.
I learned to knit at age 6 and fell in love right away. Over the years I’ve mostly focused on traditional Icelandic Wool sweaters (lopapeysa). After a burnout in 2023, knitting became my therapy. I couldn't decide which patterns to knit, so I decided to try and make my own. The process made me feel alive again, and that’s why I haven't stopped since. My inspiration comes from colors, nature, and even music or memories.
