Onaka is a cozy cabled pullover that can be worn as a sweater or a dress. It can be knit at multiple lengths, and the pattern includes yardage estimates for additional pattern repeats, so that the knitter can easily add or subtract length at will. The cable pattern runs the length of the dress on both front and back, and features three large off-set cables with smaller cables nested inside them. Hence the name 中 (Onaka), which is “middle” in Japanese. Wear it belted over flowing pants, or with your favorite over-the-knee boots and some tights. It’s a versatile statement piece.

Onaka is suitable for advanced beginner cable knitters. Please see specific required skills below. Instructions are both written and charted. The pattern has been professionally tech edited to reduce the possibility for error, but if you have questions or believe that you have found an error, please contact me.

required skills
knitting
purling
basic cabling
seaming
picking up stitches around a neckline

finished measurements
28 1⁄2 (30 3⁄4, 34, 36 1⁄4 / 39 1⁄2, 42 3⁄4, 45 / 48 1⁄4, 50 1⁄2, 53 3⁄4)” 72.5 (78, 86.5, 92 / 1 00.5, 1 08.5, 1 1 4.5 / 1 22.5, 1 28.5,
1 36.5) cm bust circumference.

ease
2-3” / 5-7.5 cm negative ease in bust, but can be worn with more ease as desired. Sample measures 30 3⁄4” / 78 cm. Worn with approximately 2.75” / 7 cm of positive ease. Model measures 33.5” / 85 cm at bust, 27” / 68.5 cm at waist, and 38” / 96.5 cm at largest hip circumference.

yarn
8 (8, 9, 10 / 10, 12, 12 / 13, 14, 15) skeins Shalimar Yarns Cush in “Velvet Slippers”; 147 yds / 134 m per 3.9 oz / 110 g; 75% Merino/15% Cashmere/10% Silk

Dress requires approximately 1100 (1170, 1260, 1340 / 1430, 1660, 1730 / 1880, 1960, 2070) yds / 1010 (1070, 1150, 1220 / 1310, 1520, 1590 / 1720, 1800, 1890) m chunky weight yarn.

needles & notions
US 1 0 (6.0 mm) 24” / 60 cm circular needle.
For collar:
US 8 (5.0 mm) 1 6” / 40 cm circular needle.
OR sizes necessary to make gauge.
6 locking stitch markers, 1 in main color to mark join, remainder in a contrasting color
cable needle
waste yarn
darning needle

gauge
1 4.5 sts and 21 rows equal 4” / 1 0 cm in Stockinette using US 1 0 (6.0 mm) needle, lightly blocked.
Each cable repeat is 2 3⁄4” / 7 cm wide and 3 1⁄2” / 9 cm tall.
Gauge is essential to the success of this project. Work a large swatch to ensure an accurate gauge.

customization
Each cable repeat is 3 1⁄2” / 9 cm tall. The pattern
can be easily customized by adding or subtracting cable repeats as desired. Each additional repeat requires approximately 1 (1, 2, 2 / 2, 2, 2 / 2, 2, 2) skeins or 140 (150, 170, 180 / 190, 230, 250 / 260, 280, 290) yds / 130 (140, 150, 160 / 180, 210, 230 / 240, 250, 270) m of yarn.

construction
Dress is worked circularly from the bottom up to the armholes, and then divided into front and back pieces, which are worked flat separately. The shoulders are seamed, and stitches are picked up around the neckline to work the collar circularly. The sleeves are worked flat separately, set into the body, and seamed.