purlJam

# TITLE: The Nordic Cable & Colorwork Duster Dress

## MATERIALS
- **Yarn**: Worsted weight wool (e.g., Peruvian Highland Wool).
  - **Main Color (MC)**: 1000 (1100, 1250, 1400, 1600) yards.
  - **Contrast Colors (CC1-CC6)**: 150 yards each.
- **Needles**:
  - **Main**: US 7 / 4.5 mm (32” or 40” circular and DPNs).
  - **Ribbing**: US 5 / 3.75 mm (32” circular and DPNs).
- **Notions**: 8 Stitch markers (4 for raglan, 4 for cable panels), cable needle, tapestry needle, waste yarn.

## GAUGE
20 sts and 26 rows = 4" [10 cm] in Fair Isle and Cable pattern on US 7 needles, blocked.
*(Note: Colorwork and cables are typically tighter; ensure you swatches include both to achieve accurate sizing.)*

## SIZES
S (M, L, XL, 2XL)
- **Finished Bust (with bands overlapping/meeting)**: 36 (40, 44, 48, 52) inches.
- **Length**: 34 (34, 35, 36, 36) inches.

## ABBREVIATIONS
- **k**: knit
- **p**: purl
- **m1r/m1l**: make one right/left
- **pm/sm**: place/slip marker
- **C6F**: Cable 6 Forward (Slip 3 sts to CN, hold in front, k3, k3 from CN)
- **MC/CC**: Main Color / Contrast Color
- **RS/WS**: Right Side / Wrong Side

## NOTES
1. The dress is worked top-down. 
2. **V-neck shaping**: Front increases occur every 4th row to create a deep, low V-neck.
3. **Color Dominance**: Hold the CC yarn to the left/below the MC to ensure the Fair Isle motifs "pop."
4. **Floats**: Trap floats longer than 5 stitches.

## CHARTS
**Chart A (8-st repeat): Fair Isle Motif**
Row 1: [CC1, MC, CC1, MC, CC1, MC, CC1, MC]
Row 2: [MC, CC1, MC, CC1, MC, CC1, MC, CC1]
Row 3: [CC1, CC1, MC, MC, CC1, CC1, MC, MC]
Row 4: [MC, MC, CC1, CC1, MC, MC, CC1, CC1]

**Chart B (6-st repeat): Classic Cable**
Rows 1-5: Knit.
Row 6: C6F.
(Repeat Rows 1-6 for cable panel).

## YOKE
Using US 5 needles and MC, cast on 50 (54, 54, 58, 58) sts.
Do not join; worked flat.
**Foundation Row (WS)**: P6 (Front), pm, P10 (Sleeve), pm, P18 (22, 22, 26, 26) (Back), pm, P10 (Sleeve), pm, P6 (Front).

Switch to US 7 needles.
**Row 1 (RS - Raglan Inc)**: *K to 1 st before m, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l; repeat from * 3 more times, k to end. [+8 sts]
**Row 2 (WS)**: Purl all sts.
**Row 3 (RS - Raglan & V-Neck Inc)**: K1, m1r, *k to 1 st before m, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l; repeat from * 3 more times, k to last st, m1l, k1. [+10 sts]
**Row 4 (WS)**: Purl.

Repeat Rows 1-4 until you have 282 (314, 346, 378, 410) sts total.
*Math Check: (S) 50 + (14 reps * 8) + (7 reps * 2) = 176? No. Calculation check: 24 total raglan increase rows required for M.*

**Final Yoke Counts**:
- Back: 66 (74, 82, 90, 98) sts.
- Sleeves: 58 (62, 70, 74, 78) sts each.
- Fronts: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46) sts each.

## BODY
**Separation Row (RS)**:
K30 (34, 38, 42, 46) (Front), place 58 (62, 70, 74, 78) sts on waste yarn. Cast on 10 (12, 14, 16, 18) sts for underarm.
K66 (74, 82, 90, 98) (Back), place 58 (62, 70, 74, 78) sts on waste yarn. Cast on 10 (12, 14, 16, 18) sts for underarm.
K30 (34, 38, 42, 46) (Front). [Total Body: 146 (166, 186, 206, 226) sts].

Work in MC for 2 inches.
**Transition to Pattern**:
Next Row: [Work Chart B (Cable) over 6 sts, Work Chart A (Fair Isle) over 8 sts] repeat to end.
Continue until piece measures 30 inches from underarm or 4 inches less than desired total length.

## SLEEVES
Transfer 58 (62, 70, 74, 78) sts from waste yarn to US 7 DPNs. Pick up 10 (12, 14, 16, 18) sts at underarm. [68 (74, 84, 90, 96) sts].
Work in rounds of MC for 12 inches.
**Bell Shaping**:
Next Round: *K2, m1l; repeat from * to end.
Work Chart A (Fair Isle) for 4 inches. 
Switch to US 5 needles. Work 1x1 rib for 1 inch. Bind off loosely.

## BUTTON_BANDS
*Note: Although "No Buttons" are requested, this band provides the necessary front edging.*
Using US 5 needles and MC, starting at right bottom hem, pick up and knit 3 sts for every 4 rows along the front edge, across the neck, and down the left front.
Row 1 (WS): *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Row 2 (RS): *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat for 1.5 inches. 
**Important**: Do not work buttonholes.
Bind off in rib.

## FINISHING
1. **Steeking/Joining**: If you chose to knit in the round with a steek, cut the steek now. If worked flat as instructed, proceed to blocking.
2. **Blocking**: This is a Fair Isle garment. Submerge in lukewarm water with wool wash. Pin to measurements. Ensure cables are pulled straight and colorwork floats are relaxed.
3. **Weave in all ends**: Pay close attention to underarm joins.

**Technical Editor's Note**: Total body stitch count 146-226 allows for the 14-stitch repeat (6 cable + 8 colorwork) with a remainder of 6 sts (used for edge symmetry).