Finally, I have a new design to show you; this time it is a seamless A-line dress – Rikona – made by my skilled sample knitter Nadja Bresky, aka 77stricknadel on Ravelry, in Lana Grossa Cashmere 16 Fine. The idea was to design a long dress with a V-neck and polo neck collar. I searched for yarn and came across the soft and incredibly airy chainette yarn by Lana Grossa called Cashmere 16 Fine. No, it is not made of pure Cashmere but of 80% Merino extrafine, 10% Cashmere and 10% Polyamide with an amazing 320 meters/350 yards on each 50 gram ball. I chose a melange colour called “Petrolgrün” 40 and was fortunate enough to have the yarn sponsored by Lana Grossa.

Nadja knitted the dress with a gauge of 23 stitches and 33 rounds/rows using a 4 mm/US 6 needle measuring 10 cm/4 inches square after blocking. The body is worked bottom up in the round up to the armholes, while the sleeves are worked top down.

I spent a long time figuring out how to make the neckband and the collar in one piece; with the neckband in garter stitch, while the polo neck is in double knitting, but I am very pleased how it worked out.

I brought the yarn with me to Munich Knits, where I had agreed to meet up with Nadja, and it was her suggestion to place one cable along each shoulder, so that it could run uninterrupted all the way. I was very grateful for this advice and chose to follow it. Michael has photographed me, at the beach in Ørje, wearing size 2 out of 9 with 13 cm/5 inches positive ease. Below can see the false side seam stitch, worked in reverse stockinette stitch running from the hem to the armhole. I am seated at the lock in Ørje, between the Rødnessjøen (lake) and the Halden Canal.

The test knit of Rikona begins on Monday 21st of July in my Ravelry group, while the pattern will be launched in both English and Norwegian on the 18th of September.