A few weeks ago I released the English pattern of Alva on Ravelry and on Loveknitting. I had the pattern both tech edited and test knitted. Everyone helped me improve and perfect the pattern. Alva was first published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk in August last year. It was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn by Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design and boots by Monica Stålvang. You can see some of the finished ones on the pattern page. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A feminine poncho with a deep shawl collar in a reversible diamond pattern worked only in knit and purl stitches. Close it at the front or pin both fronts together at the back with a beautiful shawlpin. Or you can throw one front across your shoulder or wear it hanging loose. If you prefer, make buttonholes along the double seed stitch edge. The wide shoulder makes it drop down so, add a pair of long wrist warmers to make the outfit complete. The set is knitted in a luscious merino called  Tropical Lane Woolissimo, available at Det Mjuke in Norway.

Size: One size

Finished Measurements:                                                                                                      Bust: 177.5 cm/70″. Length: 77.5 cm/30.5″                                                                                  Shawl collar depth: 30 cm/11.75″. Shawl collar width at widest: 20 cm/7.75″ Wristwarmers: Bottom circumference: 18 cm/7″. Top circumference: 28 cm/11″

Yarn: Tropical Lane, Woolissimo (100% merino, 50 g, 125 m/137 yds). Sample is knitted in Wine 706:                                                                                                                                   Poncho: 18 skeins; 2188 m/2393 yds                                                                                             Wrist warmers: 2 skeins; 225 m/246 yds                                                                                   Note: 20 skeins is sufficent for set; 2413 m/2639 yds http://www.tropicallane.it/work.php?AREA=CHI&L=ENG

Alternative Yarn: Lang Yarns, Merino 120 (100% merino, 50 g, 120 m/131 yds) http://www.langyarns.com/index.cfm?a=spn&PageNum=3                                              Dream in Color, Everlasting DK (100% merino, 100 g, 251 m/274 yds) http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/color-options-for-jilly-jilly-lace-everlasting-sock-dk-and-wisp/                                                                                                                                            Rico Essentials Merino DK,  (100% merino, 50 g, 120 m/131 yds) http://www.loveknitting.com/rico-essentials-merino-dk 

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″). 4 mm/US 6 DPNs or long circular needle for magic loop method for wrist warmers. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 8 stitch markers, waste yarn and yarn needle.1 m/1 yard thin round elastic for wrist warmers if desired.

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows in st st, Double Seed sts and Diamond pattern measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The poncho is knitted in 3 parts and the shawl collar is worked at the same time as the front. The selvedge st is knitted in Double Seed st. At the end the collar is attached at the center back neck and the shoulders are sewn together. Make buttonholes if you prefer. The pattern is reversible, so choose which side you prefer as the right side. You can easily thread a thin elastic through the top of the wrist warmers if preferred. The only sewing required is the join at the shoulders and at the center back neck.