Women's knitted tunic Novita 7 Veljestä and 7 Veljestä Multiraita

The yoke

Using the smaller 40 cm circular needles and the sand-coloured yarn, cast on 84(84)88(94) sts and work ribbing in the round for 2,5 cm.

Change to the larger circular needles and the multi-coloured yarn. Knit stockinette stitch in the round for 2 rounds, and on the first round evenly increase 28(28)32(26) sts = 112(112)120(120) sts.

Begin the textured lace pattern in the round from row 1 of chart I and repeat the 8 st pattern repeat for a total of 14(14)15(15) times. Work through rows 2-11 of the chart. On row 11, 2 sts will be added to each pattern repeat = 140(140)150(150) sts in total. Work rows 12-20 of the chart.

Using the sand-coloured yarn, work 4(4)5(5) rows in stockinette stitch and on the last row increase 10 sts: *k14(14)15(15) sts, make 1 st* (=pick up the strand of yarn between the st you've just knitted and the one you're about to knit and knit it through the back loop), repeat from * to * for 9 more times = 150(150(160)160) sts. Work rows 21-26 of the chart. Sizes L and XL only: on the last round add 1 st = 150(150)161(161) sts.

Work row 27 of the chart as follows: work the pattern repeat (11 sts + 1 st) for a total of 13(13)14(14) times and work the 7 sts + 1 st on the left edge. 164(164)176(176) sts on the needles. Work rows 28-30 of the chart.

Using the sand-coloured yarn work 4 rounds in moss stitch and then 3(3)3(4) rounds in stockinette stitch. On the first stockinette round evenly increase 1(12)11(11) sts = 165(176)187(187) sts.

Knit 1 round in stockinette st and at the same time increase 15(16)17(17) sts: *k11, m1*, repeat from * to * for 14(15)16(16) more times = 180(192)204(204) sts.

Using the multi-coloured yarn, work 3 rounds in moss st and then 4 rounds in stockinette st. On the 2nd stockinette round increase 15(16)17(17) sts: *k12, m1*, repeat from * to * for 14(15)16(16) more times = 195(208)221(221) sts.

Using the sand-coloured yarn work 2(2)3(4) rounds in stockinette st and on the 2nd round increase 15(16)17(17) sts: k12, m1, *k13, m1* repeat from * to * for 13(14)15(15) more times and k1 = 210(224)238(238) sts. Work 1 more round in stockinette st and at the same time increase 15(16)17(17) sts: *k14, m1*, repeat from * to * for 14(15)16(16) more times = 225(240)255(255) sts.

Work 3 rounds in moss st and then 1 round in stockinette st. On the stockinette round, evenly increase 3(4)1(9) sts = 228(244)256(264) sts.

Divide the work into four sections: first 66(72)78(80) sts from the beginning of round for the back, 48(50)50(52) sts for a sleeve, 66(72)78(80) sts for the front and the remaining 48(50)50(52) sts for the other sleeve.

The lower part of the yoke on the back

Work with the 66(72)78(80) sts for the back, leaving the rest of the sts on hold for example on a piece of scrap yarn.

The back is worked flat. Begin from row 1 of chart II and increase 2 sts on both ends 1(1)1(2)x2 sts and 1x5(5)7(6) sts = 80(86)96(100) sts. When you have finished the increases and worked through the 4th(4th)4th(6th) row of chart II, leave the sts on hold.

The lower part of the yoke on the front

Knit as you knitted the lower part of the back.

The hem

Now move the sts for both the front and the back on the same needle and keep knitting in the round = 160(172)192(200) sts. Work rows 5(5)5(7)-57 of chart II and then work the rest of the garment in stockinette stitch using the sand-coloured yarn.

When the hem measures 19(20)20(21) cm, mark 2 sts on both sides with e.g. a different yarn. On the next round, increase 1 st on both sides of the marked sts (=knit the strand of yarn between the sts through the back loop). Work as established for 12 cm, repeat the increases. Then repeat the increases after 9 cm and finally after 5 cm = 176(188)208(216) sts.

When the hem measures 54,5(56,5)57,5(58,5) cm, work ribbing in the round for 2,5 cm and bind off in pattern.

The lower part of the yoke on the sleeve and the lower parts of the sleeves

Move the 48(50)50(52) sleeve sts on hold back on the larger double-pointed needles. The sleeve is worked flat. Begin from row 1 of chart II. At the same time, from the sts increased on the front and back, pick up and knit on both ends of every 2nd row 1(1)1(2)x2 sts and 1x4(4)6(5) sts = 60(62)66(70) sts. Continue working in the round from row 5(5)5(7) of chart II. Mark the beginning of the round e.g. with a different yarn.

When the inner sleeve measures 2 cm, decrease 1 st on both sides of the beginning of the round. Repeat the decreases every 2,5(3)3(3) cm for 3 more times = 52(54)58(62) sts.

When the inner sleeve measures 11(12)12(13) cm, change to the smaller double-pointed needles. Using the sand-coloured yarn work 2 cm of ribbing in the round. Bind off in pattern.

Knit the lower part of the other sleeve to match.

Finishing

Lay the garment to measurements, wrong side up. Steam lightly through a wet cloth.