The colourway is a royal purple called, “Her Majesty”, so I finished the phrase by naming this project, “The Queen”.

This pattern is my go-to for V-necked cardigans and even pullover sweaters. The only substantial change I make is that I move the V-neck increases to the front edges instead of making bust darts as per the pattern. Using the same numbers as this cardigan:

• CO 48 sts (2 for each front, 10 for each sleeve, 20 for the back, 4 for the raglan lines). Increase on every knit side both before and after each of the four raglan sts, and at each front edge.
• Place sleeve sts on holders at 60 sts and CO 4 at underarm. Reduce sleeves by 2 sts every 2nd round, twice, for a total of 60 sts. BO at 3/4 length.
• Reduce sts at both sides of the body by 2 sts every 4th row, 8 times (4 sts reduced each time).
• Work even for 1.5 inches
• Increase sts at both sides of body by 2 sts every 4th row, 6 times (4 sts added each time).

I’ll be adding the Vodka Lemonade lace panels to the bottom at the middle back and fronts.

January 5, 2014: Didn’t add the lace panels as I’m running out of yarn and had to make the body shorter than planned. Ah well, good to know that my other 3 skeins in lime green will need to be a lace cardi. Just the sleeves left to knit.

January 6, 2014: Hating how the bottom edge curls up… and it’s too short! New plan: knit the sleeves, then if there’s any yarn left over, unravel the BO at the bottom edge (ouch!) and knit the body so it’s longer.

Later… Realised what a stupid idea that is as I’ve already added the button band. Damn me and my impatient efficiency! Well, it’s superwash so it’ll stretch a bit (I hope).

My new plan is to finish the sleeves, then pick up sts from the BO edge, knit on a new border, then pick up stitches around the button band and add to it as well, to unify the border with the band.

January 15, 2014: Finished! Only 4 yards of yarn left too. Photos after blocking.

Blocking really did its magic. Really happy with how the extra garter-stitch added to the hem and button band turned out. I tried to take a photo of the button band while I was wearing this sweater (because I never want to take it off!) but it’s hard to see because the colour is so dark, but trust me, it looks professional!

(The placeholder “queen” picture is from this royalty-free photo site).