01-27-2019

Halfway through color pattern and here are my thoughts so far.

Yarn: AMAZING! I will definitely be using again.

Pattern: So far working up perfectly. The color section is quite easy. German short rows are genius.

Gauge: My gauge was off ever so slightly by about a half stitch after blocking, but i think it will be okay as I plan on having extra ease for a comfy sweater.

Modifications: Neck ribbing - went down 2 needle sizes and did ribbing on a size 4 needle. I also added an extra row of the ribbing. I noticed in many of the project pics the neck seemed quite large and I wanted it to be a bit tighter and neater looking. It seems to fit just fine.

02-10-2019

I have just a tiny bit to complete on the second sleeve. I did add some an extra color section just before the color on the sleeve.

I used just a little from the eighth skein of the MC and only used 1 skein of the contrasting color. I made a size XL to mostly to accommodate my bust measurements, but in hindsight I probably could have gone 1 to 2 sizes. However, it will be a perfect piece for layering. And - There is a very good chance I will make a second one more fitted in a different color.

My final thoughts on the yarn and colors are chose. The yarn is yummy. I just don’t know how else to describe it. While it is a wool, it is so soft and actually has somewhat of a cotton feel to it, but with the springiness of wool. I cannot wait to use this yarn again. I love, love, love it. The colors are gorgeous and highly saturated. The pictures do not do it justice.

02-16-2019

One last update on this sweater to answer a question a fellow knitter sent me in a message.

Is this sweater easy enough for a beginner knitter who has a little experience under their belt? Yes!!

The pattern is extremely well-written as I am finding everything by this designer is really well written and easy to follow.

The colorwork portion of the pattern is really super simple to do and to remember.

The two most complicated skills needed in the entire sweater is German short rows and picking up stitches to start the sleeves.

German short rows are super easy. I hadn’t done them before this sweater (though I have done other types of short row shaping), but honestly, watch the video in the pattern link. It is super simple.

Picking up stitches for the sleeves may seem a bit scary at first, but it really is quite a simple process. Watch a few videos first and practice picking up stitches on the edges of your swatch. If you do that, new knitter or not, I’m certain you will have no issues with following this pattern and completing the project. Just think of the majority of it like a giant hat. If you can knit a hat, you can knit a seamless top down sweater in the round. So - give it a whirl!