Loosely based on the old Monarch Yarns “Bonspiel” pattern, with some changes: I placed the pockets a little higher and made the shoulders with short rows and grafting. But the biggest departure from the pattern was the front band and lapel area. Instead of working as a separate piece, I picked up all the neckline/front band stitches and worked in garter stitch. This resulted in my lapel stitches being rotated 90° from what the pattern calls for.

I shaped the lapel using an unbelievable amount of japanese short rows… and since the lapel/front band area is double-thick, I had to work the same number of short rows a second time in reverse order… it was not difficult, but very confusing to keep track of.

I used Jeny’s “surprisingly stretchy bind-off” for all the BOs on this project. I initially used a traditional bind-off for the lapel, but after I realized how stiff it made the work, I took it out and bound off again using the stretchy technique. I think I will use that technique for every BO from now on, because it’s fabulous.

As I said, the shoulders are grafted, but I used a backstitch on all the other seams. Usually I use mattress stitch, but the backstitching is stronger and I think more appropriate for this cozy, bulky garment.

The buttons are deadstock from Banasch’s Fabrics in Cincinnati, and appear to be quite old. I purchased them on my way to Louisville, Ky. for a concert, and I’m really pleased with the way they work with this project.