05-10-2022

Starting further down than the yoke as I may not hit gauge, and don’t want to pull out 300+ stitch rows with colourwork. As it turned out, this was wise, as my initial start was not the correct gauge, despite swatching, and I had to pull out & start again. Starting on the body section, just a little below the armpits & before the sleeves are joined on. Unfortunately this was a bit of a headache as it involved converting a top down (at this point in the pattern) design to a bottom up design.

Crochet provisional cast on for knitting body in the round. Knitted a couple of inches and did the short row section. Bound off 13 stitches for each armpit. Provisionally cast on full stitch count for sleeves, worked flat (not in the round). Cast off 17 stitches on sleeve - does not match up with body stitches, but have to make allowances for the extra 2 stitches that would have been cast on at the corners according to original instructions - will just have to ensure the 2 sides are seamed appropriately. From this point forwards, I am at the starting point in the original pattern instructions and can proceed as normal.

I want a higher neck, so mods for neckline: followed dec’s for size A. Then 3 rounds straight. Then k4, k2tog = 81 st. Standard 3 stitch i-cord bind off, which pulled the neckline in together quite considerably.

Knitting sleeves on straight needles as not enough width for my circulars, and don’t like doing sleeves on DPN’s.

Love the finished result & very happy with how it has turned out. Really warm for the winter weather as well as a beautiful design.