I used the pattern’s second smallest size to make a sweater that should last for two winters for my wonderfully tall 10 year old. I knit between the cropped and full length sizes to make a hip length sweater, and knit without a split hem. I followed the full length sleeve directions, but started the decreases after 4 inches and knit in stockinette for 14 inches before the striped ribbing.
I used some leftovers from my husband’s colorwork sweater and bought a few half skeins off the TFA website, I have enough left over for a hat and mittens I think.