Test for Linda Marveng. Test thread is here.

I fell in love with this beautiful and elegant sweater, and it was an enjoyable and relaxing project.
It’s worked flat and seamed, but could easily be worked in the round. For this one, I followed the pattern as written, since I wanted to work with smaller parts instead turning a lot of fabric around. The seaming is not difficult after the parts are blocked, so it’s a good solution for me.
The only thing I changed was working the collar before the sleeves, for better measuring of the sleeve length, and shortening it by 2 cm.

Size: 3

Helpful links:
Sloped bind off by Very Pink

Swatching:
I swatched with main needle 4.5 mm and stretched it in the height to loosen row gauge. When dry, I counted 17.5 sts and 24 rows.
I think I should be able to stretch the sweater parts to the right measurements and will continue with this needle, remembering that I can knit a bit loose.

I tried to steam during the process, but the row gauge was too tight, so I had to wash and block for a more correct result.

First calculations to get correct length and row gauge after blocking - updated below:
First, I calculated the length from row gauge (for updated measurements, see down below):
24 rows = 10 cm
2.4 rows = 1 cm
144 rows = 60 cm (2.4x60)
For the back, this would gave been: 10 rows rib + 9 pattern repeats (9×14 sts) + 8 rows = 144 rows.

The back was then washed and pinned while stretched quite hard to 60 cm length (before shoulder decreases) and 73 cm width, to check gauge. Measurements when dry: the fabric shrinked 10 cm in the length and 2 cm in the width, resulting in 50 length and 71 cm width.

Updated calculations for back after measuring the washed and dry back, laid flat (worked on needles 4.5 mm):
Gauge: 17.5 sts and 29 rows = 10 cm
144 rows = 50 cm.
1 row = 0,3472 cm.
0,3472 cm × 170 rows = 59 cm (will grow when hanging)
2,88 rows = 1 cm (to get there, you will divide 144 with 50).
So, for the back I had to work 26 more rows to get 170 rows, meaning 10 rows for hem + 11 pattern repeats + 6 rows of pattern (shoulders start at row 7).

Updated Front calculations:
44 cm would be 126,72 rows total. Adjusted numbers for rows worked to get the correct length before shoulder/ neck shaping:
10 rows for hem + 112 rows (8 pattern repeats) + 6 rows.
Wet blocked 3 cm longer and to pattern width (to 47 cm length and 73 cm width). Dry before shoulder/ neck shaping: 44 cm length and 71 cm width.

Updated Sleeve calculations:
Almost same as front, shortened to 43.5 cm (2.5 cm shorter than in pattern): 10 rows for hem + 112 rows (8 pattern repeats) + 4 rows.
Increases were made every 10th row as in pattern, then 3 more increases added because my armhole was wider (18 cm) - 10 sts increased total.

Yarn amounts and notes:
Used total: 1505.0 meters (1645.9 yards), 602 grams
This is excluding the seams, which were worked with leftovers from a superwash wool yarn.

Details:
Brown:
https://www.ravelry.com/people/Lysstreif/stash/matilda-al...

• Yarn weight at start: Full yarn weight including cone: 904 g. Cone weight 48 g/ netto yarn weight 856 g. The yarn came with a solid overweight, so I got more than I thought in the beginning, which was great.
• After 144 back rows: 743 g left (incl. cone). 161 g used so far. After finished back: 700 g left (incl. cone). 204 g used total for back.
• After working the front: 550 g left (incl. cone). Used for back and front total: 354 g (about 150 g for front).
• After first side panel (99 stitches total and 60 rows/ 30 ridges): 496 g left (incl. cone). 54 g used for one panel. 52-53 g used for second panel, 444 g left (incl. cone).
• Yarn weight left without cone after finished panels: 396 g.
• Collar: Since my yarn is quite soft, the collar will not stand up very much, but I think it will fall nicely after washing. I made it 6 cm high (2 cm shorter than in pattern/ 20 rounds/ 10 ridges), and 2 less stitches around. 372 g left (weight without cone) after collar - 24 g used for collar.
• Sleeves: 313 g left after first sleeve 59 g used for one sleeve. 254 g left after the second sleeve (all finished). 59 g used for second sleeve (same as for the first one.)

Notes from designer:

Deadline of 17th of February (I got extra time, but managed to finish by the deadline) - pattern release on 20th of February

Needles: 
(4 mm for garter stitch band)
4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle (80 and 60 cm/32 and 24”).
4.5 mm/US 7 straight needle for sleeves.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers (removable), stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 17 sts and 24 rows in St st using 4.5 mm/US 7 needle measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking.
17 sts and 30 rows in garter st using 4.5 mm/US 7 needle measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking.

Other notes:
- Back: Garter stitch band: 10 rows/ 5 ridges = 3 cm.