Novita Nalle: Joulutarina (A Christmas Story) knitted dress
The feminine Joulutarina knit dress is the loveliest of Christmas garments. The bright, Christmassy red is balanced by the restful shades of grey, blue and white in the yoke. Knitted top-down in the round using Novita Nalle.
Designer
Sisko Sälpäkivi
Size(s)
XS(S)M(L)XL
Finished dimensions
body circumference 88(96)104(112)120 cm / 34¾(37¾)41(44)47¼ in
middle back length 98(100)101(104)106 cm / 38½(39¼)39¾(41)41¾ in
inner sleeve length 46(47)48(48)49 cm / 18(18½)19(19)19¼ in
Yarn demand
Novita Nalle (549) Christmas 550(600)650(700)800 g (010) Off White 50(100)100(100)100 g (043) Stone 50(50)50(100)100 g (044) Graphite 50(50)50(50)50 g (160) Jeans 50(50)50(50)50 g
Needles and other supplies
Circular needles (40 cm / 16 in; 80 cm / 32 in) Novita 3-3.5 mm (UK 10-11 / US 2½-4) or size needed; 3-3.5 mm double-pointed needles for the sleeves
Finished dimensions
body circumference 88(96)104(112)120 cm / 34¾(37¾)41(44)47¼ in
middle back length 98(100)101(104)106 cm / 38½(39¼)39¾(41)41¾ in
inner sleeve length 46(47)48(48)49 cm / 18(18½)19(19)19¼ in
Stitch patterns Ribbing in the round: *k1, p1*
Yoke
Using the shorter circular needle and Christmas, cast on 98(100)100(104)108 sts and work ribbing in the round for 2.5 cm. Switch to the larger needles. Work 1 round in stockinette st, evenly increasing 16(20)26(28)30 sts = 114(120)126(132)138 sts.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of the chart. Repeat the 6 st pattern 19(20)21(22)23 times. Work row 2 of the chart.
Work rows 3–5 of the chart. On row 3, 1 st increased in each pattern repeat. 133(140)147(154)161 sts on the needles.
Work rows 6–8 of the chart. On row 6, 1 st increased in each pattern repeat. 152(160)168(176)184 sts on the needles.
Work rows 9–17 of the chart. On row 9, 2 sts increased in each pattern repeat. 190(200)210(220)230 sts on the needles.
Work rows 18–30 of the chart. On row 18, 2 sts increased in each pattern repeat. 228(240)252(264)276 sts on the needles.
Work rows 31–38 of the chart. On row 31, 2 sts increased in each pattern repeat. 266(280)294(308)322 sts on the needles.
Work rows 39–65 of the chart. On row 39, 2 sts increased in each pattern repeat. 304(320)336(352)368 sts on the needles.
After row 65, work stockinette st in the round using Christmas.
Note: When the yoke measures approx. 23(23)23(24)24 from below the neck ribbing, separate the sleeves: 89(96)102(107)112 back sts + 63(64)66(69)72 sleeve sts + 89(96)102(107)112 front sts + 63(64)66(69)72 sleeve sts.
Body
With the back and front sts, work stockinette st in the round using Christmas: work 89(96)102(107)112 back sts, cast on 12(15)17(22)26 sts for armhole, work 89(96)102(107)112 front sts, cast on 12(15)17(22)26 sts for armhole = 202(222)238(258)276 sts.
When the body measures 10(10)11(11)12 cm from the armhole, place markers at the sides and at the front and back midpoints.
On the next round, increase 1 (knit the strand of yarn between the sts through the back loop) on both sides of the marked sts. 8 sts increased, 210(230)246(266)284 sts on the needles. Repeat the increases every 3 cm 19 more times = 362(382)398(418)436 sts.
When the body measures approx. 70(71)72(73)74 cm from the armhole, evenly increase (sizes XS, S, M) 6(2)2 sts or decrease (sizes L and XL) 2(4) sts = 368(384)400(416)432 sts.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart II. Repeat the 16 st pattern 23(24)25(26)27 times. Work rows 2–10 of the chart, then knit 1 round using Christmas.
Work ribbing in the round for 3 cm, then loosely bind off in pattern.
Sleeves
Place the 63(64)66(69)72 sts on the double-pointed needles and pick up 11(14)17(21)25 additional sts from the armhole cast-on = 74(78)83(90)97 sts.
Divide the sts onto four needles. Using Christmas, work stockinette st in the round. The beginning of round is at the midpoint of the armhole cast-on.
After 3(3)3(2)2 cm, begin decreases: k1, k2tog, work to last 3 sts, skp (slip 1 knitwise, k1, pass the slipped st over), k1. Repeat the increases every 3(2.5)2.5(2.5)2 cm 12(13)13(16)19 more times = 48(50)55(56)57 sts.
When the sleeve measures 38(39)40(40)41 cm from the armhole, begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart II. The midpoint of the piece is marked with an arrow, use that to determine the starting point. Work rows 2–10 of the chart. Using Christmas, knit 1 round and decrease 0(0)1(0)1 sts = 48(50)54(56)56 sts.
Work ribbing for 4 cm, then bind off in pattern.
Knit the other sleeve in the same manner.
Finishing
Pin to measurements wrong side up, mist and allow to dry, or steam lightly.
Finished dimensions
body circumference 88(96)104(112)120 cm / 34¾(37¾)41(44)47¼ in
middle back length 98(100)101(104)106 cm / 38½(39¼)39¾(41)41¾ in
inner sleeve length 46(47)48(48)49 cm / 18(18½)19(19)19¼ in
Stitch patterns Ribbing in the round: *k1, p1*
Yoke
Using the shorter circular needle and Christmas, cast on 98(100)100(104)108 sts and work ribbing in the round for 2.5 cm. Switch to the larger needles. Work 1 round in stockinette st, evenly increasing 16(20)26(28)30 sts = 114(120)126(132)138 sts.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of the chart. Repeat the 6 st pattern 19(20)21(22)23 times. Work row 2 of the chart.
Work rows 3–5 of the chart. On row 3, 1 st increased in each pattern repeat. 133(140)147(154)161 sts on the needles.
Work rows 6–8 of the chart. On row 6, 1 st increased in each pattern repeat. 152(160)168(176)184 sts on the needles.
Work rows 9–17 of the chart. On row 9, 2 sts increased in each pattern repeat. 190(200)210(220)230 sts on the needles.
Work rows 18–30 of the chart. On row 18, 2 sts increased in each pattern repeat. 228(240)252(264)276 sts on the needles.
Work rows 31–38 of the chart. On row 31, 2 sts increased in each pattern repeat. 266(280)294(308)322 sts on the needles.
Work rows 39–65 of the chart. On row 39, 2 sts increased in each pattern repeat. 304(320)336(352)368 sts on the needles.
After row 65, work stockinette st in the round using Christmas.
Note: When the yoke measures approx. 23(23)23(24)24 from below the neck ribbing, separate the sleeves: 89(96)102(107)112 back sts + 63(64)66(69)72 sleeve sts + 89(96)102(107)112 front sts + 63(64)66(69)72 sleeve sts.
Body
With the back and front sts, work stockinette st in the round using Christmas: work 89(96)102(107)112 back sts, cast on 12(15)17(22)26 sts for armhole, work 89(96)102(107)112 front sts, cast on 12(15)17(22)26 sts for armhole = 202(222)238(258)276 sts.
When the body measures 10(10)11(11)12 cm from the armhole, place markers at the sides and at the front and back midpoints.
On the next round, increase 1 (knit the strand of yarn between the sts through the back loop) on both sides of the marked sts. 8 sts increased, 210(230)246(266)284 sts on the needles. Repeat the increases every 3 cm 19 more times = 362(382)398(418)436 sts.
When the body measures approx. 70(71)72(73)74 cm from the armhole, evenly increase (sizes XS, S, M) 6(2)2 sts or decrease (sizes L and XL) 2(4) sts = 368(384)400(416)432 sts.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart II. Repeat the 16 st pattern 23(24)25(26)27 times. Work rows 2–10 of the chart, then knit 1 round using Christmas.
Work ribbing in the round for 3 cm, then loosely bind off in pattern.
Sleeves
Place the 63(64)66(69)72 sts on the double-pointed needles and pick up 11(14)17(21)25 additional sts from the armhole cast-on = 74(78)83(90)97 sts.
Divide the sts onto four needles. Using Christmas, work stockinette st in the round. The beginning of round is at the midpoint of the armhole cast-on.
After 3(3)3(2)2 cm, begin decreases: k1, k2tog, work to last 3 sts, skp (slip 1 knitwise, k1, pass the slipped st over), k1. Repeat the increases every 3(2.5)2.5(2.5)2 cm 12(13)13(16)19 more times = 48(50)55(56)57 sts.
When the sleeve measures 38(39)40(40)41 cm from the armhole, begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart II. The midpoint of the piece is marked with an arrow, use that to determine the starting point. Work rows 2–10 of the chart. Using Christmas, knit 1 round and decrease 0(0)1(0)1 sts = 48(50)54(56)56 sts.
Work ribbing for 4 cm, then bind off in pattern.
Knit the other sleeve in the same manner.
Finishing
Pin to measurements wrong side up, mist and allow to dry, or steam lightly.
