Celesta Wrap Shirt in Novita - 0070012 - Downloadable PDF

Celesta Wrap Shirt in Novita Woolly Wood – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Celesta Wrap Shirt is a beautifully designed knitted wrap-style shirt created by designer Lea Petäjä and published by Novita. This intermediate-level knitting pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF and is worked in Novita Woolly Wood yarn. The design features a flattering wrap front construction, set-in or shaped sleeves, and a clean ribbed hem, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for a wide range of body sizes.

Garment Overview

The Celesta Wrap Shirt is a wrap-front knitted top with a relaxed yet structured silhouette. It is worked in separate pieces — including a right front, left front, back, and sleeves — and then seamed together. The wrap style creates an elegant, adjustable front opening that drapes gracefully across the body. The combination of stockinette stitch for the main body and ribbing for the hems and front edge details gives the garment both visual interest and a polished finish.

Sizes and Finished Dimensions

• Sizes available: S, M, L, XL, XXL
• Body circumference: 90(98)106(114)122 cm / 35½(38½)41¾(45)48 in
• Hem circumference: 74(82)90(98)106 cm / 29¼(32¼)35½(38½)41¾ in
• Body length: 46(48)50(52)54 cm / 18(19)19¾(20½)21¼ in
• Inner sleeve length: 48(49)50(50)51 cm / 19(19¼)19¾(19¾)20 in

The generous size range makes this pattern accessible to a wide variety of knitters, and the clearly graded dimensions ensure a well-fitting result across all sizes.

Construction and Techniques

The Celesta Wrap Shirt is constructed using a combination of classic knitting techniques that are well within reach for an intermediate knitter. The right front piece begins with a cast-on of 80(86)96(102)112 stitches worked on larger needles, followed by a ribbed section for the hem. The construction involves careful shaping through both decreases and increases to achieve the characteristic wrap front silhouette.

• Cast-on and ribbing: The piece begins on the wrong side with a 1x1 rib pattern — p1, k1 — repeated across, ending with p2. This ribbing is worked for 6 cm to create a neat, elasticated hem.
• Transitioning to stockinette: On the right side, the knitter switches to stockinette stitch while simultaneously working evenly spaced decreases — 10(10)12(12)14 stitches decreased — to shape the body from hem to waist.
• Ribbed front edge: Throughout the body, 3 stitches at the right end of the right front piece are continuously worked in ribbing, creating a neat, stable front band that frames the wrap opening.
• Front edge shaping with decreases: Beginning on the next right-side row, decreases are worked at the front edge using k2tog (knit two together), a right-leaning decrease. This decrease is repeated every other row 50(52)56(58)62 additional times, gradually tapering the wrap front edge for the characteristic diagonal wrap line.
• Increases for sleeve or body shaping: When the piece measures 8 cm, increases begin at the right end, balancing the shaping and building toward the upper body and sleeve area.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch pattern for the body and sleeves, worked by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. Stockinette creates a smooth, flat fabric that drapes well and showcases the texture of the yarn.
• 1x1 Ribbing (k1, p1):