December 24, 2018:

Mods:

• Despite calling for a larger needle for the stranded portion, the stockinette body is still larger and softer, and ballooned outwards. I took it in with pins, machine sewed two rows of stitches and cut the excess off the seams. All stranded portions are as in the pattern (except for my smaller starting stitch count because of the chunkier yarn).

• After realizing the above, I started with a much smaller sleeve stitch count for the stockinette portion and accordingly increased to get to the stranded portion original stitch count, in time for the underarm bind offs.

• I have been asked again and again for this pattern. It was basically never released by Rowan because by the time it was published in a stand-alone pamphlet, the yarn was discontinued. I think it’s an amazing design and have therefore included a photo of half the chart. I will not answer any questions about stitch counts or the specifics of how the pattern is written, but for those of you who can understand that chart -- have at it!

December 23, 2017: I actually think this pattern was originally for men, but the lady on the cover was the model they had available. This is a self-picked birthday gift by my husband and he picked the yarn. It’s a pretty close match to the original discontinued yarn, Creative Focus Worsted, but my gauge ended up too big.

BACK: CO 99 sts, dec to 98.
--> oops, 46 in instead of 42in as planned. Decreased 6 stitches in the colorwork, and will sew 2 or 3 columns in instead of 1, or even more then machine sew and trim.

FRONT: CO 90sts, dec to 89? Need to figure that out when the time comes, I definitely need to slim up this sweater.