Damentunika mit Ajourmuster in Novita Nalle - NFFP013 - Downloadable PDF

Damentunika mit Ajourmuster in Novita Nalle – NFFP013

This intermediate-level knitting pattern by designer Sisko Sälpäkivi, published by Novita, delivers a beautifully feminine women's tunic featuring an elegant ajour (openwork lace) pattern. The downloadable PDF is available free of charge and covers six women's sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, and XXXL. The finished tunic is a longer, relaxed silhouette with a generous body circumference, a rolled collar, and practical side pockets — making it a versatile layering piece for transitional seasons.

What Is Being Made

The project is a women's tunic knitted flat in separate pieces and finished with a rolled turtleneck collar worked in the round. The tunic features a slightly longer back hem than the front, creating a subtle high-low effect. Finished measurements include a body circumference (below the armhole) of 94–140 cm depending on size, a front length of 68–78 cm, and a back length of 74–84 cm. Side pockets are integrated directly into the body during knitting using a contrast waste yarn held-stitch technique, adding both function and a clean, seamless look.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting – the main body pieces are worked back and forth in rows
• Circular knitting – the rolled collar is worked in the round on a short circular needle
• Waist shaping with decreases – stitches are decreased on both sides beginning 8–10 cm from the cast-on edge, then repeated every 2 cm up to 10–11 times per side, creating a fitted waist
• Integrated pocket openings – pocket slots are created mid-row using a waste yarn (Hilfsfaden) method: stitches are knitted with a contrast yarn, placed back on the left needle, and re-knitted with the working yarn, leaving an opening to be finished later
• Decreasing technique – includes überzogenes Abnehmen (slip-slip-knit / SSK-style decrease) and zwei Maschen rechts zusammenstricken (k2tog) for symmetrical, mirrored shaping on both sides
• Reading a knitting chart – the ajour lace section is worked from a stitch diagram, repeating rows 1–12 of the chart throughout the lace panel

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Grundmuster (Stockinette / Stocking Stitch) – all stitches knitted on right-side rows, all stitches purled on wrong-side rows; forms the main body fabric
• Rippenmuster (2×2 Rib) – worked as *k2, p2* repeat both in rows and in the round; used for borders and the collar
• Ajourmuster (Openwork / Lace Pattern) – worked from a printed stitch chart following the written instructions; incorporates yarn-overs and decreases to create a decorative openwork motif panel. The lace panel spans 59 stitches in width and is repeated over a 12-row sequence

Gauge and Sizing

The stated gauge is 21 stitches and 30 rows = 10 cm in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is especially important in this pattern given the precise waist shaping and pocket placement calculations. The stitch counts for the body range from 109 stitches (size S) up to 163 stitches (size XXXL) after all shaping decreases are complete.

Materials

• Yarn: Novita Nalle in colourway 061 Leinen (Linen) — a DK weight yarn; quantities range from 500 g (size S) to 750 g (size XXXL)
• Needles: Straight or interchangeable knitting needles in size 3.5–4 mm for the main body pieces; a