**My Opinion and Adaptations:**
OK, here’s the run-down:
1: It was way too long. I cut off about 6cm and would make it even shorter! I will (next time) make the increases/decreases much closer together. I possibly didn’t correctly guage the guage.
2: I don’t think the decreases (after the sleeves are added) are explained very well. I’m a novice knitter but a consummate dressmaker and fudged my way through. Could very well be me.
3: The decreases seem to be too abrupt and created a gathered effect that I didn’t like, so I ripped it back and began the decreases in the last row of the dolls. I decreased the same amount overall, but gradually over a few rows.
4: I’d take out two of the dolls, one each side at the front around the arm socket. It seems to be a little loose. Maybe I should just do the next size down?
5: It’s a great pattern and I love it to bits! It’s all good!

8th May
I wore it tonight, and allowed my One True Love to take a photo. I never ever like photo’s of myself, but have found others’ pictures to be so helpful, I felt I owed it to everyone to share the colours etc. I have made the sleeves a little longer than the pattern.
My love thinks it looks lovely, so I am happy!
Thankyou Kate!
7th May
FINISHED! Just washing it now… allowing it to Bloom before I block it. I’m scared… it looks stretchy! Hope the rolling hems stop rolling after blocking!
My darling One True thinks it’s gorgeous! I’m so happy to have finished, but haven’t exhaled just yet.
3rd May
I am so brave! I’ve cut it off and am on the home run! Never mind the hours of knitting I’ve ditched… it’s gonna be my favourite ever jumper. Ever!
Thankyou Kate!
When I’m done I’ll re-write this and put my personal commentary on the pattern (as in: the opinion of a novice knitter).
30th April
I am so proud of myself! I tried the jumper on last night before I cut it off, and my One True Love exclaimed loudly and spontaneously: “Oh It’s Beautiful!” when I walked out into the loungeroom. Which made me feel lovely and happy and I might have to do something really nice in return. No, damn it, I will!
Youtube is amazing! Anything you need to know.
So I picked up a row (from the back of the stocking stitch) with a darning needle and some contrasting wool, then cut it off, stitch by stitch! Phew! But it works. And now I’m re-doing the rib and it’ll be the best thing I’ve ever knitted ever!

28th April
I’ve actually finished! HOWEVER, it’s too long, so I have to do THIS!
Wish me luck!

7th April
Well, it’s finished, but the neck pulls in too tightly and makes the dolls gather. It’s not sitting rightly. Also, I think it’s a little too long. It IS a little too long.
Can anyone tell me, is it possible to frog a bit from the bottom???
I should be able to figure out the neck and make it looser???
Sigh!
After reading joolds’s comments about the puckering, I’m of a miond to pull it back to decrease something between the doll’s heads. Then I need to make the neck band bigger, I think???
As you see, I’m onto the neckband!! It’s all very exciting. And if I don’t like it on, which I will, then my daughter wants it desperately!
15th March
I have the first few stitches of the Fair Isle or stranded work on my pretty needles! YAY! At last! I can’t wait to get to the dolls.
I used multiple needles at first, near the sleeves, as it was a bit awkward on my circular, but now it’s fine (just a couple of rows in). I am SO happy!
One strange thing… I got to this point and had exactly the right amount of stitches! Crikey, how did that happen?
10th March
Right! I’ve done one sleeve and am into the second. I made it longer, like greenopaldream’s version. I’ve Youtubed i-cord cast-off and Kitchener stitch (good old youtube) and re-read the instructions about saving some stitches from the body AND the sleeves for the grafting…
It pays to read the instructions properly before you freak out! Can’t wait for the dolls!
25th Feb 2010:
Finally, I have finished the body! Now for the sleeves, which are started at least…
Februaury 7th 2010:
I’m still at it. Plodding along happily, but not constantly. I just started the sleeve caps as a distraction from the endless body (which is nearly ready for the sleeves). I even made a skirt to go with the jumper!
19th October: I know, it’s been ages. I’ve been otherwise occupied, which doesn’t mean I haven’t been knitting, I have. And it’s nice. I’ve changed my mind AGAIN about the doll’s colour…

18 Sept: I was a bit worried about how it’s curling as I knit, but I’ve been assured that this is normal and that it will be OK. Thanks!

12 Sept: I’ve done a small section of the i-cord cast on three times now! Didn’t like the colours. So now I’m using the pink as that contrast. link text It’s a gorgeous stitch, although I want to write it out so it’s easier to understand. YOU-TUBE is a beautiful thing!
I bought the matching beret pattern too. Dollheid. Clever girl is Kate!

10 Sept 2009:
Yay! I’ve started the swatch to start the proceedings! It’s such a beautiful colour (Kingfisher).
It’s the first time I’ve worked in the round… the stitches look different. For the swatch, I’ve worked across, left a long strand hanging to go back and knit another row. They tell me the tension is different when you knit in the round so I’m being a good girl and checking my tension. People look at me funny on the train, wondering (I suppose) what messy thing I’m making.
The Morris Empire wool is quite similar to the Yak in texture with multi strands. Very soft and delicious.
I look forward to this project, especially not having to do pearl!
P.S. I’ve not quite finished my last project but can’t sew it together on the train, in case you’re wondering.
P.P.S. I LOVE the birch needles! They are truly the nicest needles I’ve ever used.