Handmade Goals: The Sarah Lund Sweater

Over the holiday break, Blaise and I spent a few days watching the entire first season of Forbrydelsen. That’s the original, Danish production of a show North Americans might recognize as The Killing, available on Netflix. Like hundreds before me, I fell in love with Sarah Lund’s sweaters, those original designs by Guðrun and Guðrun sported by actress Sofie Gråbøl in almost every episode of the show.

Guðrun and Guðrun’s most recent iteration of the sweater, a reverse snowflake/flower print,  looks wonderful. In fact, all of their sweaters make me swoon. But, those beauties are way out of my budget, especially when you figure in shipping, duties, and the exchange.

So, one of my goals for this year will be to knit my own Sarah Lund Sweater. I think my favourite Forbrydelsen sweater might be the slightly less popular diamond pattern on the right, above. But the blue and white classic from the third season is calling me, too. Here’s my master plan!

Handmade Goal: The Sarah Lund Sweater

Step One √
Find a pattern or chart! I’m not an experienced knitter, and I’m certainly no pattern maker. So, I found a few websites that have Sarah Lund copycat patterns. Alison Moreton offers a free chart on Ravelry. And, Mikel Ann translates a supermarket knitting pattern on The Land of Frogs.

Step Two √
Learn to do colourwork! Aside from using self-striping wool, I’ve never done colourwork before. So, I took a class at The Purple Purl with the inspiring Kate Atherley. I made the tiny little fingerless glove pictured below as a test-run for the full-sized patterned beauties I’m supposed to make at home. My friend Stephanie can testify that I was a true gong-show in this class. I spilled tea all over the work table. Though, fast hands ensured no one’s work was damaged. And, Kate helped me streamline my cast-on and taught me how to manage two colours like a boss.

Intermission
Right now, I’m on a knitting break because I’m taking a piano exam in June. And I’m pretty sure my teacher would “Forbrydelsen” me if I worked my hands more than I already do. [I broke my hand a few years ago. So, it’s a real concern.]

Step Three
Taking my cue from the colour work class, I’ll want to make a tiny little test sweater this summer. This way, I can try a row of patterning and work on basic shaping. In all likelihood, one of my daughter Bea’s stuffed bears will have a mini Forbrydelsen sweater before I will!

Step Four
I’ll choose my skeins and Forbrydelsen it!

I’ll keep you updated on my progress!

Have any of you tried the Sarah Lund sweater? Any tips or tricks for knitting something like this? Which design [flowers/flakes or diamonds] and which colours would you choose? Let me know in the comments below!