Finnish Yarns and Design Since 1928
Novita Venla: Pohjantähti (North Star) colourwork dress
As low as €6.96
Traditional Scandinavian colorwork patterns inspired Sari Nordlund for the design of Pohjantähti. The dress is worked in the round from hem to waist in Novita Venla.
Novita Talvi 2020 -lehti (in Finnish)
19
Expert
Availability: In stock
N042019
Size
XS/S(M)L(XL)XXL(3XL)Yarn demand
Novita Venla
(499) Charcoal 350(350)400(400)450(500) g
(010) Off White 200(200)250(250)300(350) g
(606) Sandy Beach 50(50)<100(<100)100(100) g
(658) Oat 50(50)<100(<100)100(100) g
Needles and other supplies
Circular needles (40 cm / 16 in; 2 x 80 cm / 32 in) and double-pointed needles (for the sleeves, if you don't use the Magic Loop technique) Novita 2½-3 mm (UK 11-12 / US 1½-2½) and 3-3½ mm (UK 10-11 / US 2½-4) or sizes needed for gauge https://www.novitaknits.com/fi/neulekoulu/kahdet-sukat-kerralla-magic-loop-tekniikalla
Designer
Sari NordlundBody
Using the smaller needles (2 x 80 cm) and Charcoal cast on 480(512)576(640)672(736) sts and place marker for beginning of round. Work stockinette stitch in the round for 4 rounds. Switch to the larger needles. Purl 1 round (= fold row), knit 4 rounds.
Switch to Off White and work stockinette st.
When the piece measures 10 cm from the purl stripe, begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart I. Repeat the 32 st pattern 15(16)18(19)21(23) times. Work rows 2-58 of the chart.
Work stockinette st using Charcoal until the piece measures 57(57)58(58)59(59) cm from the fold row. Next round: work 240(256)288(320)336(368) sts, place marker (front midpoint), work to end. The beginning of round is at the back midpoint.
On the next round make pleats: k0(2)0(4)0(4), *slip next 6 sts onto cable needle and hold in back, knit together the first st and the first st on the cable needle 6 times*. Repeat *-* 19(20)23(25)27(29) more times, k0(2)0(4)0(4), remove marker. K0(2)0(4)0(4), *slip next 6 sts onto cable needle and hold in back, knit together the first st and the first st on the cable needle 6 times*. Repeat *-* 19(20)23(25)27(29) more times, k0(2)0(4)0(4). 240(260)288(328)336(376) sts on the needles.
Knit 1 round and at the same time evenlydecrease [sizes S(M)L(XL)3XL] 6(0)2(16)12 sts or increase [size XXL] 2 sts = 234(260)286(312)338(364) sts.
Work stockinette st. Move the beginning of round marker: remove marker, k58(65)71(78)84(91), place marker for beginning of round (left side).
When you have worked for 6(7)7(8)8(8) cm after the pleats, on the next round place right side marker 117(130)143(156)169(182) sts from the beginning of round = 117(130)143(156)169(182) sts on both sides.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart II. The starting point for each size is marked with an arrow. Keep repeating the 26 st pattern as needed. Work rows 2-42 of the chart.
Note: After row 32 [the side measures approx. 18(19)19(20)20(20) cm from the pleats], work next round to last 6(6)8(8)10(10) sts. Bind off the next 12(12)16(16)20(20) sts, removing the marker. Work to last 6(6)8(8)10(10) sts before marker. Bind off the next 12(12)16(16)20(20) sts for the other armhole and remove the marker. 105(118)127(140)149(162) sts in the front and back.
Now switch to working flat.
Back
Working flat, resume the colourwork pattern on the next row of the chart. On every other row decrease 5(5)7(7)8(8)x1 st at both ends = 95(108)113(126)133(146) sts.
After you have completed the colourwork section, work stockinette st using Off White for 1 cm.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart III. The midpoint of the piece is marked with an arrow, use that to determine the starting point. Work rows 2-11 of the chart.
For the rest of the piece work stockinette st using Off White.
When the armhole measures 18(19)20(21)21(22) cm, on the next RS rowbind off the middle 43(44)45(46)49(50) sts for the neckline and work to end. Work one side at a time. On every other row bind off 2x2 sts at the neckline edge.
When the armhole measures 20(21)22(23)23(24) cm, bind off the 22(28)30(36)38(44) shoulder sts.
Knit the other side in the same manner.
Front
Work like back until the armhole measures 12(13)14(15)15(16) cm.
On the next RS row bind off the middle 35(36)37(38)41(42) sts for the neckline, then work to end. Work one side at a time. On every other row bind off 4x2 sts at the neckline edge.
When the armhole measures 20(21)22(23)23(24) cm, bind off the 22(28)30(36)38(44) shoulder sts.
Knit the other side in the same manner.
Sleeves
Use either the Magic Loop technique or double-pointed needles.
Using the smaller needles and Charcoal cast on 60(64)64(68)68(70) sts and place marker for beginning of round. Work k2 p2 ribbing in the round for 4 rounds. Switch to the Off White yarn and work ribbing until the piece measures 9 cm.
Switch to the larger needles and Charcoal. Work stockinette st in the round. On the first round evenly increase 3(1)3(3)5(7) sts = 63(65)67(71)73(77) sts.
When the piece measures 13(12)10(10)10(10) cm, increase 1 st on both sides of the beginning round: k1, increase 1 (= knit the strand of yarn between the sts through the back loop), work to last st, increase 1, k1. Repeat the increases every 1,5 cm 21(23)25(26)25(26) more times = 107(113)119(125)125(131) sts.
Note: When the piece measures 35(36)37(38)38(39) cm, begin the colourwork pattern on row of chart II. The midpoint of the piece is marked with an arrow, use that to determine the starting point. Keep repeating the 26 st pattern as needed. Work rows 2-42 of the chart.
Note: After row 32 [the piece measures approx. 47(48)49(50)50(51) cm], work next round to last 6(6)8(8)10(10) sts. Bind off the next 12(12)16(16)20(20) sts, removing the marker.
Switch to working flat. On every other row bind off 5(5)7(7)8(8)x1 st at both ends.
Note: After you have completed the colourwork stripe, use Off White for the rest of the piece.
Knit the other sleeve in the same manner.
Finishing
Pin to measurements wrong side up, mist and allow to dry. Sew the shoulder seams.
Neckline: using the Off White yarn and the smaller circular needle and beginning at the right shoulder seam, pick up and knit 116(118)118(120)120(122) sts from the neckline edge. Work k1 p1 ribbing in the round for 10 cm. Switch to the larger circular needle and work ribbing until the collar measures 18 cm. Bind off in pattern.
Attach the sleeves (see the red marks in the pattern).
Finished dimensions
body circumference 78(88)96(104)112(120) cm / 30¾(34¾)37¾(41)44(47¼) in
length 95(97)99(101)102(103) cm / 37½(38¼)39(39¾)40¼(40½) in
inner sleeve length 47(48)49(50)50(51) cm / 18½(19)19¼(19¾)19¾(20) in
Stitch patterns & gauge
Stitch patterns
Stockinette stitch in the round:
knit all rows. Colourwork in the round: work stockinette st
following the chart and instructions. Stockinette stitch (flat): knit the right side rows and
purl the wrong side rows. K2 p2 ribbing in the round: *k2,
p2*, repeat *-*. K1 p1 ribbing in the round: *k1, p1*
Body
Using the smaller needles (2 x 80 cm) and Charcoal cast on 480(512)576(640)672(736) sts and place marker for beginning of round. Work stockinette stitch in the round for 4 rounds. Switch to the larger needles. Purl 1 round (= fold row), knit 4 rounds.
Switch to Off White and work stockinette st.
When the piece measures 10 cm from the purl stripe, begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart I. Repeat the 32 st pattern 15(16)18(19)21(23) times. Work rows 2-58 of the chart.
Work stockinette st using Charcoal until the piece measures 57(57)58(58)59(59) cm from the fold row. Next round: work 240(256)288(320)336(368) sts, place marker (front midpoint), work to end. The beginning of round is at the back midpoint.
On the next round make pleats: k0(2)0(4)0(4), *slip next 6 sts onto cable needle and hold in back, knit together the first st and the first st on the cable needle 6 times*. Repeat *-* 19(20)23(25)27(29) more times, k0(2)0(4)0(4), remove marker. K0(2)0(4)0(4), *slip next 6 sts onto cable needle and hold in back, knit together the first st and the first st on the cable needle 6 times*. Repeat *-* 19(20)23(25)27(29) more times, k0(2)0(4)0(4). 240(260)288(328)336(376) sts on the needles.
Knit 1 round and at the same time evenlydecrease [sizes S(M)L(XL)3XL] 6(0)2(16)12 sts or increase [size XXL] 2 sts = 234(260)286(312)338(364) sts.
Work stockinette st. Move the beginning of round marker: remove marker, k58(65)71(78)84(91), place marker for beginning of round (left side).
When you have worked for 6(7)7(8)8(8) cm after the pleats, on the next round place right side marker 117(130)143(156)169(182) sts from the beginning of round = 117(130)143(156)169(182) sts on both sides.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart II. The starting point for each size is marked with an arrow. Keep repeating the 26 st pattern as needed. Work rows 2-42 of the chart.
Note: After row 32 [the side measures approx. 18(19)19(20)20(20) cm from the pleats], work next round to last 6(6)8(8)10(10) sts. Bind off the next 12(12)16(16)20(20) sts, removing the marker. Work to last 6(6)8(8)10(10) sts before marker. Bind off the next 12(12)16(16)20(20) sts for the other armhole and remove the marker. 105(118)127(140)149(162) sts in the front and back.
Now switch to working flat.
Back
Working flat, resume the colourwork pattern on the next row of the chart. On every other row decrease 5(5)7(7)8(8)x1 st at both ends = 95(108)113(126)133(146) sts.
After you have completed the colourwork section, work stockinette st using Off White for 1 cm.
Begin the colourwork pattern on row 1 of chart III. The midpoint of the piece is marked with an arrow, use that to determine the starting point. Work rows 2-11 of the chart.
For the rest of the piece work stockinette st using Off White.
When the armhole measures 18(19)20(21)21(22) cm, on the next RS rowbind off the middle 43(44)45(46)49(50) sts for the neckline and work to end. Work one side at a time. On every other row bind off 2x2 sts at the neckline edge.
When the armhole measures 20(21)22(23)23(24) cm, bind off the 22(28)30(36)38(44) shoulder sts.
Knit the other side in the same manner.
Front
Work like back until the armhole measures 12(13)14(15)15(16) cm.
On the next RS row bind off the middle 35(36)37(38)41(42) sts for the neckline, then work to end. Work one side at a time. On every other row bind off 4x2 sts at the neckline edge.
When the armhole measures 20(21)22(23)23(24) cm, bind off the 22(28)30(36)38(44) shoulder sts.
Knit the other side in the same manner.
Sleeves
Use either the Magic Loop technique or double-pointed needles.
Using the smaller needles and Charcoal cast on 60(64)64(68)68(70) sts and place marker for beginning of round. Work k2 p2 ribbing in the round for 4 rounds. Switch to the Off White yarn and work ribbing until the piece measures 9 cm.
Switch to the larger needles and Charcoal. Work stockinette st in the round. On the first round evenly increase 3(1)3(3)5(7) sts = 63(65)67(71)73(77) sts.
When the piece measures 13(12)10(10)10(10) cm, increase 1 st on both sides of the beginning round: k1, increase 1 (= knit the strand of yarn between the sts through the back loop), work to last st, increase 1, k1. Repeat the increases every 1,5 cm 21(23)25(26)25(26) more times = 107(113)119(125)125(131) sts.
Note: When the piece measures 35(36)37(38)38(39) cm, begin the colourwork pattern on row of chart II. The midpoint of the piece is marked with an arrow, use that to determine the starting point. Keep repeating the 26 st pattern as needed. Work rows 2-42 of the chart.
Note: After row 32 [the piece measures approx. 47(48)49(50)50(51) cm], work next round to last 6(6)8(8)10(10) sts. Bind off the next 12(12)16(16)20(20) sts, removing the marker.
Switch to working flat. On every other row bind off 5(5)7(7)8(8)x1 st at both ends.
Note: After you have completed the colourwork stripe, use Off White for the rest of the piece.
Knit the other sleeve in the same manner.
Finishing
Pin to measurements wrong side up, mist and allow to dry. Sew the shoulder seams.
Neckline: using the Off White yarn and the smaller circular needle and beginning at the right shoulder seam, pick up and knit 116(118)118(120)120(122) sts from the neckline edge. Work k1 p1 ribbing in the round for 10 cm. Switch to the larger circular needle and work ribbing until the collar measures 18 cm. Bind off in pattern.
Attach the sleeves (see the red marks in the pattern).
This pattern is publish in the latest issue of Novita Magazine. You can buy your own copy here
Beginner
Have you just learned to knit, maybe still trying to figure out the very basics like knit and purl stitches? Or are you picking up knitting again for the first time since elementary school? Start here.
Technique
Beginner-level patterns include only basic knitting techniques: knitting and purling. You’ll also need to cast on and cast off stitches. The projects can be worked flat or in the round. Easy, regular decreases are used. Most patterns are worked in stockinette or garter stitch. Other simple stitch patterns may occur, and they are always detailed in the written pattern. Stripes of different colours may be used, but no more advanced colourwork.
Patterns
All patterns are written and do not include charts. Abbreviations are not used. Getting gauge is not crucial to the finished piece. Patterns include mostly accessories such as scarved and beanies. Pillowcases and other home decoration pieces.
Adventurous beginner
Got the basics covered? You’d like to take a swing at your first pair of socks, perhaps some easy cables or colourwork? A treasure of patterns awaits you on this level.
Technique
Patterns on this level may include simple colourwork, cables or lace. Colourwork patterns repeats are relatively short, cables simple and symmetrical and lace patterns easy and relatively small, covering details rather than entire pieces. The colourwork, cable and lace stitches are not worked into decreases or increases. Colourwork yarn floats are short, max. 3-4 stitches. Picking up stitches may occur. On this level, you’ll also find easy patterns using domino knitting, log cabin knitting or tunisian crochet.
Patterns
Patterns may include simple charts. In case special techniques are employed, they are detailed our in the instructions, either as text or e.g. through videos. The patterns may also suggest ”shortcuts”, i.e. easier ways to accomplish a technique. Most of the basic socks with heel flaps or afterthought heels are on this level, as well as mittens with no-gusset thumbs. There’s also plenty of sweaters, usually yoke sweaters or raglan sleeve sweaters.
Intermediate
So knitting is a regular hobby for you? Abbreviations, charts and instructions are no more than a walk in the park? Perhaps you’re looking for something to challenge yourself with, even at the odds of frogging?
Technique
In addition to basic techniques, some special techniques may be employed on this level, e.g. short rows. The same pattern may include both lace and cables. Magic loop knitting or entrelac, two-coloured brioche stitch, also here. In general, patterns require a more advanced ability to "read" your knitting. Lace patterns are also more advanced than on the previous level, but the lace stitches are still worked on right side only. Intarsia may be included, but in relatively simple and symmetrical patterns.
Patterns
Patterns on this level can feature concurrent shaping, e.g. neckline shaping at the same time as sleeve decreases or sleeve decreases into cable pattern. Sweater sleeves may require more advanced shaping. Most of our sweaters are at this level. Other patterns include e.g. magic loop patterns and toe-up socks.
Advanced
Turn off that telly and lash the doors, maximum concetration required! Although this skill level doesn’t bring much more in terms of technique, there’s simply more going on at the same time. Skill, concentration and perception are requisite.
Technique
On this level, you’ll find more advanced intarsia patterns, including intarsia in the round. Brioche patterns with decreases and/or cables are also here. Beginning of rounds may shift and multiple markers are needed. Lace or cable stitches may be worked also from wrong side. We’ve also included patterns featuring steeks here. Steeking isn’t hard as such, but requires the nerves and confidence of an experienced knitter.
Patterns
Patterns may include complex steps and require simultaneous reading of both charts and written instructions. Gauge may vary over different steps of the project. The patterns often feature much details and a combination of techniques. The size of the project is not what determines whether it’s advanced or not; focus is on technique, overall complexity and the risk of errors during the project.
Gauge and Swatching
Every pattern is based on a certain gauge, expressed as stitches or rows per 10 cm. It is important that you make a swatch to check your gauge before you start the actual project. If your gauge doesn’t match the pattern’s gauge, your finished garment won’t be the correct size either.
Swatching Start by knitting a swatch. Use the yarn, the needles and the stitch pattern you intend to use in the project. Make the swatch a little wider than 10 cm, so that you’ll be able to measure the stitches properly. Block the swatch by pinning it to a surface, then steam it gently. Count the stitches; put a pin in a stitch, then measure 10 cm from that stitch and put another pin there. Count the stitches from pin to pin – that’s your gauge! If needed, measure both horizontal and vertical gauge (rows). If you’re measuring rib or brioche stitches, stretch out the swatch slightly before measuring.
Adjusting gauge
If your gauge doesn’t match the pattern gauge, you can adjust it by switching needle size. If your swatch has too few stitches per 10 cm (i.e. your knitting is too loose), switch to smaller needles. Conversely, if your swatch has too many stitches per 10 cm, your knitting is too tight and you’ll need a larger pair of needles. Always knit another swatch in order to determine proper gauge and sizing. Also note that the pattern yardage only applies to the pattern yarn, the yardage may differ if you choose another yarn.
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