So, I know I had no business casting on for a new sweater when I just started my Fireside sweater, but it was the middle of March and getting nicer outside, so I was inspired to make something more springy.

I actually got gauge on size 10 needles, but despite getting correct measurements the sweater seemed huge, so I frogged and now I’m starting again on 9s. Here’s hoping…

What a great pattern! I thoroughly enjoyed knitting this. Great yarn, too. I was worried about pilling, but so far so good. Used quite a bit more yarn than I was expecting!

I had a week of vacation and knitted away like crazy…got the body done in less than a week (that’s fast for me). But, alas, I had to go back to work, and so the pace slowed a bit, but this is still the fastest sweater I have ever knit (the gap in the middle and 3/4-length sleeves helped :).

I love the short rows on the collar; I didn’t quite get the concept of the shaping from reading the pattern, but once I started that section it became obvious what was happening. Cool design!

I had some issues with the top-down sleeves, and knitted the first sleeve cap a few times. After consulting Barbara Walker’s Knitting from the Top, I decided not to pick up the wraps on the short rows. They just sort of snug up to the armhole seam and help it look neat. I was still unhappy at first because, despite picking up stitches around the armhole with a smaller needle, the join still seemed loose. However, after watching a YouTube video on top-down sleeves, I tightened up the picked up stitches after the cap was knit, and it looked MUCH better (start with the end away from the tail of yarn). When I went to pick up stitches for the second sleeve cap, I just used my regular needles since I knew I was going to tighten it up anyway.

It was my first time grafting rib. A little nerve-wracking, but I think it turned out okay.

I made a few minor mods:

• Did garter stitch at the bottom instead of reverse stockinette, to avoid the curling.
• Left out the ribbing on the back of the shoulders - I thought it looked a bit funny.
• Did an extra set of cables on the back of the collar to extend the cables further across the collar.
• Picked up a couple of extra stitches around the armhole, then did a couple of extra decreases later to compensate.

The sweater may be just a tad on the small side, but I could always block it bigger if I so get the desire. :)