I got gauge with size 9s and two strands of yarn held together. I’ll be about 40 yards short of the needed yardage, but I can just make the sweater a bit shorter.

It’s taken me four tries to get this sweater going. It’s helped to write the instructions for the RS and WS on a card, and to divide the sections onto separate lines so that it’s easier to see. I also found an error on the Raglan & Front Inc. Row (RS) bottom of first column, page 2,. The second bracket should be LL1, k1, and not k1 LL1, or else the increase isn’t inside the k1, like on the rest of the raglans.

Since I’ve started this over so many times, I eliminated the back center twisted stitches. I like a plain back more.

Lovely design, I hope for smoother knitting from here on out.

2/7/14 This project is coming out of the closet to finish for the Ravelenic Games. I’ve got the body knitted, and I’ve left it on the needles so I can use any leftover yarn for the length. I’m doing some major mods on this pattern, as I started this sweater before clear pictures of the front of the sweater were posted. I’ve left the front bands on stitch savers, and I’ll knit and attach them separately so they don’t wave. I’m also knitting the fronts straight down instead of angled. For now, on to the sleeves!

2/11 One sleeve done!

2/17 Second sleeve and both front bands done! Knitting the bands and then sewing them in worked well. I’ve got 2 partial balls and one full ball of yarn left to add length to the body. I’ve also ordered a couple of extra balls just in case.

2/23 Finished! It looks good and is quite oversized, as per pattern specs. I’m waiting for it to dry. I’m sure I’ll wear this a lot.