This pattern is extremely well written and a pleasure to knit. I really liked knitting vertically because it was really easy to check the fit as I went along.

After reading other members’ notes, I have taken their advice and knit one size smaller. The size 34 fit perfectly for a 36 inch bust and the positive ease prevented the vine lace pattern from bunching up at the neckline.

If I were to knit this sweater again, I would make the buttonholes smaller and knit long sleeves.

Modifications

To achieve a flatter neckline, I have knit the vine lace pattern on the bodice using the modifications written by knittingfan

I added 10 stitches to the length of the body.

I added 14 stitches to the length of the sleeves.

I did not knit the lace edging at the hemline of the body of the sweater as I didn’t like the way it flared at the hip. I felt that the lace at the neckline and sleeve edge provided enough interest.

I knit the buttonholes on row 5 rather than row 7 of the button band.

On the left front edge, instead of knitting 15 rows of garter stitch as written, I knit one full vine lace pattern repeat (8 rows), and the final 7 rows in garter stitch. I found that this modification made the center front look more balanced.

Tip:

After knitting the sleeves, leave an ample yarn tail so that you can use it to kitchener stitch the seam. Cutting the yarn too short makes it necessary to join new yarn which isn’t a big deal but bugs me just the same. This only dawned on me when knitting the second sleeve. Woe.