Kaura Cable Dress in Novita Nalle - Downloadable PDF

Kaura Cable Dress in Novita Nalle – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Kaura Cable Dress is a sophisticated, full-length cable knit dress designed by Sisko Sälpäkivi and worked in Novita Nalle yarn. This is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern available free of charge, offering a beautifully structured garment that combines classic cable techniques with thoughtful shaping across a wide range of sizes. The design is rated advanced, making it an excellent project for experienced knitters looking to challenge their skills with intricate stitch work and precise garment construction.

About the Garment

The Kaura Cable Dress is a long, fitted dress with set-in sleeves, designed to be a statement wardrobe piece. The name Kaura means "oat" in Finnish, evoking the warm, natural, textured aesthetic of the cable patterning that runs throughout the design. The dress features structured cable panels that give it both visual interest and a flattering, defined silhouette.

Sizing and Dimensions

• European sizes: EUR 40, 42/44, 46/48, 50, 52/54, 56/58
• UK sizes: UK 12, 14/16, 18/20, 22, 24/26, 28/30
• US sizes: US 10, 12/14, 16/18, 20, 22/24, 26/28
• Body circumference: 104–144 cm / 41–56¾ inches (depending on size)
• Total length: 104–112 cm / 41–44 inches
• Inner sleeve length: 45–50 cm / 17¾–19¾ inches

The generous size range makes this pattern highly inclusive, spanning from a size EUR 40 all the way through EUR 56/58, ensuring knitters of many different body types can enjoy this design.

Construction and Techniques

The Kaura Cable Dress is constructed using traditional flat knitting techniques, with sections worked back and forth on the needles. The pattern involves careful garment shaping, including armhole and neckline shaping worked through a series of bind-offs and decreases.

Shaping Details

• The front bodice is divided into right-hand and left-hand front sections, each worked separately after the body is split for the armhole.
• Armhole shaping is achieved by binding off stitches at the armhole edge and then working decreases every other row, with the number of decrease rows varying by size (5–6 decrease rows depending on the size).
• Neckline shaping is worked simultaneously, with decreases made on every other row totalling 26–28 stitches reduced at the neckline edge, again depending on the size.
• The armhole depth is carefully measured before additional shaping steps are introduced, with the armhole measuring 19–23 cm at the relevant shaping point depending on size.
• A single stitch is maintained and kept consistent at the neckline edge throughout shaping for a clean, professional finish.

Key Techniques Used

• Cable knitting – The signature feature of this design, creating the textured, twisted rope-like panels that give the dress its name and character. Cables require the use of a cable needle to hold stitches to the front or back while others are worked.
• Flat knitting – Working back and forth in rows, particularly for the bodice front sections and sleeve construction.
• Armhole and neckline shaping – Using bind-offs and paired decreases such as k2tog (knit two together) to create smooth, tailored curves.
• Stitch holding – Left-hand front stitches are placed on hold while the right-hand front is worked, a standard technique in garment knitting for working each side independently.

Stitches Used

• Cable stitches – The primary decorative and structural stitch pattern throughout the dress body
• Knit and p