1650m DK for my size large. Yarn ordered from Sweet Georgia in Lupine colour. Hope it arrives in time to take to St Martin. Aside from other possibilities, I plan to wear it over my elongated Mood Indigo top which is almost done.
Feb 2: I am never good with test swatches but for the record I did one of 2 repeats or 88 stitches. Seems to resemble pattern tension so I cast on as per size L. After an inch or so it goes around me but doesn’t seem way too big. So I shall stumble forward.
Feb 5: Have body rib plus 12 rows of main pattern done. Still seems about the right size and I am becoming familiar with the cable stitches and am starting to enjoy this. Will take this to St Martin for 3 weeks and see how it goes. (Have another easier project with me for plane and distracted times)
Feb 8: Another 5 rows in. Pattern is emerging.
Feb 9: So my tension is large and piece MUCH too big for me.I don’t know why it always takes me so long to identify poor sizing. Starting again on 261 sts for size M although piece will actually size up to size L because my tension is much bigger.
Feb 11: Happy with my rework on 261 sts and 3.5m needle. I am staying with 3.5 throughout rather than switching to larger needle after rib. Finished 16 rows plus rib. Piece is 42.5”. Also is firmer and stitches neatly defined.
As well as smaller needle I switched from brass tip lace type needle to regular stainless. Usually I like the brass for linen and silk. Maybe the large number of stitches prevented ease of movement on the needle. I am now knitting firmer and quicker and prefer the look of the fabric. Also piece is now 42.5” in total which is what I want.
Feb 12: First complete repeat of 32 rows done. Looks like vertical tension is 8 rows per inch.
Feb 16: Put in first buttonhole at 11.5” from beginning. Another 3/4” for second buttonhole, then I separate for fronts and back and begin shaping neckline.
Feb 19: Left front complete. I worked armholes of 8.5” in accordance with size L. My upper arms need room.
Feb 21: Six inches of back complete. Should finish back tomorrow leaving only the sleeves to do. I think I might alter piece to have long sleeves. Have a ton of yarn. (only on 3rd of 8 skeins.)
Feb 22: Body complete. I cast off left/right fronts as instructed. I may undo front castoffs and rework with 3 needle bind-off to attach fronts and backs together. Don’t like seaming larger yarns.
Feb 23: Body now complete and I did work shoulder seams as 3 needle bind-off sneaking in 2 back stitches to 1 a few times to use extra back stitches. The outside border worked out fairly well around top back.
Feb 24: Started first sleeve which will be full length. I cast on 51 stitches to start (from wrist) and worked paired increases every 6 rounds for first 41 rows after rib. Then every 4 rounds. Will follow pattern when I get to the required 105 stitches. (Or whatever seems to fit my upper arm.) Note: 105 stitches worked out fine for fit.
Mar 5: My long sleeves complete and now drying. Ready to seam tomorrow. Found some vintage buttons at Gadabout. (Have 10 left over. Should look good on my new black summer blouse that came with boring buttons.)
Mar 6: Sleeves are set in and underarm sleeve seams complete, even though sleeves were still a little damp.To sew them in I used a double strand of the light fingering weight Egyptian Mercerized Cotton left over from Mood Indigo Lace Top. It is strong, smooth and a little smaller than the Flaxen DK. Colour a hair darker but seems OK.

Final measurements blocked, seamed and buttoned:
Bust 42 Waist 40” The difference is just the way I blocked it. No change in stitch count or needle size. It is cropped so there isn’t a hip measurement. Length is 19 1/4”
The uninstalled long sleeves were 20” in length.
The cuff to cuff sleeve measurement through the back is 62”.

Just needs decent photos when it stops snowing and the light is better. Speaking of photos, I am amazed at how different the colour looks in different light.