This is my fifth test for Cristina Ghirlanda. I love her clean, classic lines and well written patterns. Her designs all have excellent fit too. I knit this top with 2 strands held together. The resulting fabric is quite heavy and warm. My niece has allergies to animal fibers which is why I normally choose vegan or synthetic yarns when knitting for her. Also, cotton feels so wonderfully soft next to the skin. I love the marled effect created by using two slightly different colors of yarn together.

This garment is intended to be worn with 5-13 cm / 2-5 inches positive ease. I’m modeling the pullover for my niece with 5” (12.7 cm) of positive ease.

What I did differently:

Due to my much heavier (than lace) yarn, I did not turn under the bottom hem, nor did I do any decreasing prior to starting the lower ribbing.

Because of longer arms, I did more sleeve rounds before starting the decrease rounds (14 straight rounds + 1 additional increase round + 12 straight rounds).

I made my sleeve cuffs larger (36 sts instead of 30). I first tried following the pattern with 30 sts, but found it to be a bit too tight for the cotton yarn which will shrink the first time laundered and dried in a dryer. When knitting with cottom yarn, I always allow for shrinkage in the dryer which is how this (gift) garment will be laundered.

Needles used:

Size 8 US - Body and sleeves
Size 7 US - All ribbing, including STANDARD bind-off in pattern. I used JSSBO (size 7 needles) only for the sleeve cuffs.

Finished Measurements:

Bust circumference: 41” (shrank 2”)

Underarm to bottom edge: 13.75” (shrank 1.25”)

Sleeve length from underarm: 18” (shrank 2”)

V-Neck depth: 6.5” (shrank .5”)

Back neck opening: 7.25” (shrank .25”)

Neckband ribbing: 1.375” (shrank .125”)

Armhole depth: 7.75” (shrank .5”)

Raglan line / diagonal: 9” (shrank 1.5”)

Upper arm: 12.5” (shrank .5”)

Widest part of sleeve: 15.5” (shrank .5”)

Sleeve cuff and bottom ribbing: 2” (shrank .25”)

Modified Center Double Decrease (for neckband) Video