Testknit for Hiroko.

Baselayer is the good basic raglan sweater with lots of neat details and possibilities for choosing the right shape that is suitable. The waffle-stitch gives a wonderful and airy fabric.

As usual, there are a lot of nifty knitting techniques thoroughly explained in the pattern (for example provisional CO with two different needles, underarm gusset, double-knit cuffs with thumb-hole, german short-rows, buttonholes in a double-knit fabric etc etc.). The pattern would suit a beginner knitter on the knit-nerdy side because of the in-depth explanations about choosing fit and adapt the pattern. It is a bit verby and detailed (haha), so now you know. I love it, and if you love to know how to make a sweater look store bought, this is the pattern for you.

Shaping and fit: I chose the EFB (equal front back) - version, so it has only limited shaping of the body.
I initially wanted to make the long version of the cuffs with thumb openings, but changed my mind - it is not cold enough in Paris (or I just forgot about it now that it’s May - I will probably regret it in October).

I messed up the short rows front hem and decided to not rip it out. I might change my mind at some point. The back hem has the correct rounded shape.

Yarn : knit up in Ulysse from dererum natura, one of my favourite yarns, the sweater is lofty and light, and will be very toasty. It is the perfect match for this sweater, and the stitch definition makes the Waffle texture really stand out.

I found the perfect buttons matching the texture in the tiny, old fashion haberdashery shop in Conflans-Saint-Honorine in the suburb of Paris.