My gauge swatch with 4mm needles falls about 10% short of the desired gauge. However, I don’t want to go even higher in needle size for this yarn and therefore chose to follow the size L instructions to hopefully end up with an actual M size. I’m also adding a pattern repeat to each side for some additional sleeve length. This gives me a total of 252 stitches for the cast-on (66 chain A stitches an 186 chain B stitches).
To practice some new learnings, I’m following this video from Roxanne Richardson for a provisional cast-on with built-in lifeline.

2024/09/01
This weekend I finished the first part forming sleeves and neck and started with the lower lace part. The pattern is really well written, all details are taken care of and just following it stitch by stitch gives the desired result. It’s for sure an unusual design and this is what makes it so interesting to knit this piece. Also the lace pattern is very easy to memorize and execute making it a pretty mindless evening TV knit after a challenging workday.

2024/09/14
Two weeks later and it is finished - currently drying on the blocking board. I added one more sets of increases (22 stitches per repeat) and another rows 9-16 of the last set to end with 15 repeats before the rib band. Will see tomorrow after it dried if it worked out.

2024/09/15
As usual, blocking does the trick! From a “let’s see if I will like it at all” to a “what a great pattern”! Something really different in style, however very wearable!
I didn’t work a button hole but found these inexpensive cardigan clips from Amazon doing a great job here.