Lace Tunique in Novita 7 Veljestä Pohjola - Downloadable PDF

Lace Tunique in Novita 7 Veljestä Pohjola – Free Knitting Pattern Summary

This free downloadable PDF pattern by designer Lea Petäjä guides knitters through the construction of a beautiful women's lace tunic worked in Novita 7 Veljestä Pohjola (also known as 7 Brothers North), an aran-weight yarn. The finished garment is an elegant, longer-length tunic featuring a sophisticated lace yoke that transitions from a classic stockinette body, making it a rewarding project for intermediate knitters. The pattern is available in six sizes ranging from XS through XXL, with a completed body circumference of 88(96)104(114)122(132) cm and a total length of 76(78)80(82)84(86) cm, making it a generously sized, wearable layering piece.

Design Overview

The tunic is constructed in separate pieces — back and front — and is shaped through strategic decreasing along the sides to create a flattering silhouette. The lower body is worked in stockinette stitch, while the upper portion introduces a charted lace pattern that elevates the design with delicate, openwork detailing. The combination of a smooth, solid fabric below and an airy lace section above gives this tunic a refined, feminine aesthetic suitable for a range of occasions.

Construction Method

The pieces are worked flat on straight or circular needles, beginning at the lower edge and working upward. The pattern uses two needle sizes: a smaller needle for the initial ribbing and a larger needle for the main body. This two-needle approach is a standard technique in knitting that ensures the ribbed hem sits neatly without flaring, while the body fabric retains the correct drape and gauge.

• Cast on and ribbing section worked on smaller needles for approximately 4 cm
• Switch to larger needles for the main stockinette stitch body
• A single increase row is worked on the first row after switching needles, adjusting stitch count to 99(105)111(123)128(139) sts
• Side shaping begins at 34(35)35(36)36(37) cm, with decreases of 1 stitch at each end repeated every 3 cm a total of 5(5)5(5)5(4) additional times
• Armhole markers are placed at 57(58)59(60)62(63) cm, followed by 2 rows of stockinette before the lace section begins
• The lace pattern is introduced from a charted design, with three chart variants (Chart I, Chart II, Chart III) assigned to specific sizes to accommodate stitch count differences
• Edge stitches and pattern repeats are carefully assigned per size, with the core lace repeat spanning 17(18)19(18)19(18) stitches plus 1 stitch

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Ribbing – used at the lower hem for a neat, elastic cast-on edge
• Stockinette stitch – forms the smooth, classic fabric of the main body
• Lace knitting from a chart – the upper yoke section uses a charted lace pattern with yarn overs and decreases to create an openwork design
• Side shaping decreases – worked at regular intervals to taper the body for a fitted silhouette
• Stitch markers – used to denote armhole placement
• Flat knitting – pieces are worked back and forth in rows

Lace knitting at an aran weight is a particularly accessible entry point for knitters who are newer to charted lace work. The heavier yarn weight means the stitches are larger and easier to see and count than fine laceweight projects, while still producing a graceful, open fabric when the lace pattern is worked.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Novita 7 Veljestä Pohjola (7 Brothers North) – an aran-weight