Orsetto blue dress

Size
Directions are for 3 years size

Materials
5 x 50g balls of Ornaghi Filati Orsetto: 3 balls blue, 2 balls mélange; one pair 3 1/2 mm needles.

Stitches
Stocking stitch (St st):
*knit 1 row, purl 1 row*
K1, p1 rib:
Row 1: *k1, p1*
Row 2 and foll rows: k the k sts and p the p sts as they face you
K2, p2 rib:
Row 1: *k2, p2*
Row 2 and foll rows: k the k sts and p the p sts as they face you
Pattern stitch:
Row 1, 3: k with blue
Row 2, 4: p with blue
Row 5, 6, 7, 8: k with mélange
These 8 rows form pattern.

Gauge
23 sts and 33 rows to 10 cm in Patt st using size 3 1/2 mm needles.

Back
With size 3 1/2 mm needles cast on 91 sts. Row 1: k1, m1 (make 1 stitch: pick up loop between last and next sts and work into back of this loop), k43, slip 1, k2 tog, pass slipped st over knit st, k43, m1, k1. Cont in patt st, inc or decr sts above previous inc or decr on every second row 47 more times. Shape shoulders. Cont centre decr., cast off 8 sts at beg of next 4 rows (=43 sts). Cast off all sts.

Front
With size 3 1/2 mm needles cast on 91 sts. Row 1: k1, m1 (make 1 stitch: pick up loop between last and next sts and work into back of this loop), k43, slip 1, k2 tog, pass slipped st over knit st, k43, m1, k1. Cont in patt st, inc or decr sts above previous inc or decr on every second row 47 more times. Shape shoulders. Cont centre decr., cast off 8 sts at beg of next 4 rows (=43 sts). Cast off all sts.

Sleeves
With size 3 1/2 mm needles and blue cast on 50 sts. Work in k2, p2 rib 4 rows blue, 4 rows mélange, 4 rows blue. Cont. in St st with blue. Shape sides by increasing 1 st at each end of every following 8th row 9 times (=68 sts). Work straight until sleeve measures 25,5 cm from k2, p2 border (=74 r.). Cast off.

To make up
Join right shoulder seam With right side facing, using size 3 1/2 mm needles and blue knit up 77 sts evenly around neck edge and work 22 rows in k1, p1 rib. Cast off. Join left shoulder seam. Join sides. Sew in sleeves. For each tassel cut 2 lengths of mélange each 20 cm long, fold in half and work tassels equally spaced along cast on edge.