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DOROTHEA’S
LONG OPEN TUNIC
The long tunic shown in the photos above is my own design
and a garment that I love to wear. I used 42 different colours
in it and knitted them as a mirror image. It is a good way
to use up many small amounts of naturally dyed yarns. The
garment is very wearable for all shapes, from small to larger
sizes. It can be knitted in any yarn, though for different
yarns the gauge has to be recalculated. Bear in mind that
the long tunic will stretch lengthwise more or less, depending
on the material used. Therefore it is especially important
to wash it after knitting. Length and width can be adapted
according to preference.
Material:
Cashmere and cashmere-silk-blend, handspun, single, dyed
with natural colours
Weight: 2 lbs 12 oz/1250 g
Length: 40”/100 cm
Width back: 32”/80 cm
Needles: long circulars US size 3/3 mm, for the front border
with neck opening
2 long circulars US size 4 or 5/3,5 or 4 mm, for the front
and back parts
2 large buttons
Abbreviations
st(s) = stitch(es)
Knitting
instructions
Preliminary
Note:
Always knit the edge stitches as a “knotted”
edge: Slip the last stitch of the row with yarn to front,
turn, p the first stitch of the following row. Every “set”
(i.e. 1 right side row, 1 wrong side row) will only show
1 stitch.
Cast
on 280 sts on needle US size 3/3 mm.
Work 144 rows in garter stitch.
Divide the knitting; leave 143 sts for the front on the
needle and knit with 137 sts 28 rows in garter stitch.
The same is done in mirror image for the other side.
Now
both parts are fitted together using Kitchener stitch.
For the neck opening take up and knit 1 st for every 2
rows, then knit 28 rows across all sts (approx. 314 sts)
for the border, using needle US size 3/3 mm.
Cast off and weave in the ends.
Attach loops for the buttons on the sides of the front
at waist height and attach buttons to the back to fit
the loops.
I
have used a 13 cm, 5 inch, long safety pin,
normally used as a stitchholder, to close the long tunic.
To
finish the knitting, wash the garment.
Instructions
for washing:
Woollen goods made from untreated material should always
be hand washed, because wet wool doesn’t tolerate
friction well. Use warm water for washing, about the temperature
for a bath and a mild detergent, suitable for delicates,
or pure soap.
Rinse at least 2-3 times after washing while slowly lowering
the water temperature. Spin out well. If no separate spinner
is available, use the spinning program of the washing
machine, but without the rinsing program! It is helpful
to protect the knitted garment in a net for delicates
or a pillowcase.
Shake out the garment, lay out on a terry towel and pull
into shape. Pat it with the flat hand until it lies flat
and leave to dry. Don’t steam the garment as it
can damage the wool.
These
photos show that the long tunic
is a very versatile garment that can be worn
in many different ways.
Translation
by Bettina Foertig
©
Dorothea Fischer
This pattern is for personal use only or with written
permission from Dorothea Fischer.
dorothea@lustauffarben.de
www.lustauffarben.de
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