Lessons:
This was my first time picking up stitches. For the arms, I used this method by picking up the bar between the edge stitches:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezrO0wbIOak

This method did not work well for me. I could not tell how many stitches I was picking up. It was especially difficult along the purl edges. I had to drop some stitches from the second arm b/c I had picked up too many and it ended up looking odd. For the neck, I used a different method to pick up stitches. It was VERY clear that I was picking up the correct amount of stitches and I much preferred this method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HjjpYmQrQ8

I liked the EZ casting on - casting off method. However, for the neck, I did it way too tight at first. Next time, I will be sure to do it much more loosely. Despite loosely casting off the second time, the neck was still so tight that I couldn’t sew down both sides of the v-neck. I decided to just sew down one side and decide what to do with the second size after blocking (since my superwash will grow some). It is currently blocking. This may be my fault for using the superwash, but I am still disappointed with the opening in the neck. My skinny boy has an average sized head and I need this to fit him at 3 (next year). I am in FL and we really don’t have any cold days left. Anyhoo… if I do this again, I will consider using the larger needle (and not going down a needle size for the neck) AND possibly picking up every stitch.

For future reference:
http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2008/1/5/whits-knits-...

This project isn’t difficult, but had a lot of new things for me, so I am rating it medium. I did manage to figure them all out. It wouldn’t have taken me so long (although I do think I’m a slow knitter), but I am so busy with my 2-year old and 9-month old that I could only rarely work on it.

Evan’s chest is currently 50cm and I expect him to wear this more next year. I love the way it is looking. The pattern almost makes the fabric look shiny. So cool!

Notes:
1/2 - Finished ribbing and started pattern

1/6 - Finished first zig

1/7 - Finished first zag

1/11 - Finished 1st ball of yarn (50 g) about 5 inches into vest

1/29 - Split for armholes with pattern row 11.

2/9 - Finished the back. 32 rows not including the 5 last rows with more specific instructions. These 32 rows ended up being a little more than 4.25 in. on one side and 5 in. on the other side. I hope the armholes aren’t too wide!

2/10 - Started on front after the split. Started with row 12 for row 2.

2/12 - Starting v-neck right front with pattern row 19 - 9 rows into the 32 total for the top

2/13 - finished right front, 37 rows (32 +5)

2/15 - finished left front, 37 rows. Grafted one shoulder with Kitchener stitch. Weaved a few loose ends.

2/20 - picked up stitches on the first armhole. This is my first experience picking up stitches and I really don’t know if I did 2/3 like the instructions say or more than that. Hopefully it will look ok.

2/26 - finished knitting, but the neck isn’t even sewed together yet and it’s WAY too small. It hardly gets over his head now. I am going to try to take it out and bind off again, this time really loosely. If that doesn’t work, I may tear out the whole ribbing on the neck and redo it by picking up every stitch and using a size 6 needle (instead of going down a needle size for the ribbing. Hopefully this works, my kid has a regular-sized head, but a small chest and I was hoping this to fit for next year (3 years old).

2/28 - reversing the binding was easier than I expected. I rebound very loosely. It is still way too tight to sew both sides of the v-neck down. I am just sewing one down for now. After I wash and block (it’s superwash), I will see if the other side can be sewed down and still expected to fit over his head next year. I may have to fashion some sort of tie or button on the inside of the garment to pull the second side of the neck down after I slip it over his head. I am really disappointed at the size of the neck opening in this.

2/29 - Blocking now. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with the neck opening, but is looking really nice after wetting and pinning down!