Going with the 7 and a smaller size. Will have to keep a watch on length as row gauge will make it all too short.
04-28-2019
Got to row 37, tried on. Two issues: as expected, yoke is too short. It’s also just barely wide enough. It fits, but I think with sleeves it will feel snug.
So. I put in a lifeline, knit a plain row, then increased every twelfth stitch to bring the count up to the largest size.
Knit another plain row, then marked the sleeves, making each sleeve 55 stitches wide, each front and back 101 stitches. Marked the center front and back stitches, and recalculated the next two color work sections so that they line up properly. (Which didn’t take much calculation! Love the math on this pattern)
Plan is to knit the next two color sections, then try it on again.
This fix worked FINE. Separated for the sleeves and now will keep going in the main color. Since my arms are large, I think I will go up a needle size on the sleeves.
Smooth sailing now.
5/12
Sleeves:
Got a few inches past underarm on body, turned to sleeves. Using size 8 needles, picked up underarm stitches as directed, but picked up a couple extras to close the gap at the corners. Total stitches=78
Changed the decreasing to better fit my heavy upper arms. Knit straight for a few inches, then decreased every fourth row down to 60 stitches. Stopped there on sleeve 1, knitting sleeve 2 to match. Going to try it on and then decide on length and if I want some color at the wrist.
Tried it on again - so far, so good. Sleeves are a bit short, so I will add a touch of color and then knit the cuff in the natural. (did that, added two bands of color pattern for a couple of inches, they are perfect! decreased to 52 stitches and knit 2x2 ribbing on number 6 needles for 15 rows, did a k2 tog bind off.)
Body will be plain natural. Likely will increase at the high hip a couple of stitches just to be sure there is enough ease around the hips.
June 21
Since I hate ribbing that shrinks in, I am doing 2x2 broken rib at lower edge, not going to a smaller needle.
June 22
Bound off using a stretchy bind off and up 2 sizes on needle. Might have over done the stretchiness of it but I can redo the bind off if that is the case after a wrt block.
DONE!