I am completely thrilled with how this sweater turned out. The fit is pretty much perfect, the yarn drapes really well, and I just love everything about it. It’s so wonderful when that happens!

After reading the pattern notes of several Ravelry members who said the sweater turned out up to two sizes too large, I am knitting a size 34, but using a smaller needle (4.5mm) with aran yarn to achieve a 36 inch bust.

I got gauge with a 5.5 mm needle as per pattern specifications, started a sleeve in size small as a test, and it came out 2 3/4 inches larger than the schematics indicated it should have.

I knit the back and sleeves in size 34 and decided to knit the front sections two sizes larger than that because after steam blocking, I feel as though if I continue to knit a 34, the front edges might pull apart at the buttons and make gaps.

Adding a total of two or so inches proved to be a good idea for me.

Sleeve modification:

I have made the sleeves two inches longer (as was strongly suggested by other knitters) by knitting 18 rows (3 Chart A & C repeats) and then starting the increases on row 1 of Chart A & C.

I knit the body one inch longer than was written.

I decided to knit this as a scooped neck cardigan after realizing I wouldn’t have enough yarn to complete the pattern as it was written.

Since I would be needing a button band, I left off the six seed stitches on the left and right center front pieces.

Neck Shaping Modification

Once I reached the armhole shaping on the left and right fronts, I began to shape the neck at the same time, as follows:

At neck edge, bind off 10 stitches, then 2 stitches 3 times every other row, then 1 stitch 8 times every other row (24 stitches bound off).

I had 18 stitches for each shoulder on the back of the sweater, so I decreased the neckline and armhole edges until I reached 18 stitches and knit in pattern from that point on.

After assembling the sweater, I used a 4mm circular and picked up and knit 2 X 2 ribbing at the neckline and on the left and right fronts.

The buttonholes were knit using the k2tog, yo method.

I have noticed that many people who have knit this sweater have said that the hemline of this sweater is too baggy and that is exactly why I chose this pattern - I have hips.

This shaped sweater is best worn by women with curves. If less shaping is required, a decrease in the number of seed stitches that form a triangular shape at the hemline is needed.

I had originally knit the Dramatic Lace Top Down Draped Cardigan by Sweater Babe with this yarn and then ripped it out because I didn’t like how it looked on me, and because the front draped edges were curling which I couldn’t stand.

These days, I look at ripping out weeks or months of knitting as increasing my knitting pleasure for less cost instead of something to cry over.

I found that the original colour of this yarn (pale sage), washed me out so I dyed it a darker shade of green which I’m hoping will suit me better.

I would like this sweater ready for spring and I’ve been avoiding casting on because I’ve been feeling as though I need some instant gratification these days.

I received a message, inviting me to join a large project with the Cable Lovers group and I guess this was the push I needed to get this party started.