My first ever intarsia project. I stopped in at my LYS to get some advice before starting the colorwork… they recommended carrying the main color across the back rather than using bobbins but the pattern says specifically not to carry across the back! I was pretty conflicted about what to do but decided to go with the advice from the lady at the yarn store and carried the main color across.

After starting the colorwork, I can see that using bobbins for the main color sections would have been migraine-inducing!!! Carrying the yarn does make for thicker fabric… I hope I don’t regret this decision. :-P

9/14: Finished the back awhile ago and am now almost done with the front. Had to rip back a ways because I was engrossed in a TV show and realized I’d forgotten to start the armholes about 10 rows late. Other than that I’ve gotten the hang of the intarsia technique and am making faster progress than I expected.

Did have the unpleasant realization when I was nearly done with the back that I perhaps should have done the 37.5” size to fit a 33” bust, because (1) I’m lazy and didn’t do a swatch (my most shameful bad knitting habit) and I tend to be a tight knitter and (2) I didn’t really understand the concept of positive ease (only recently learned what it meant and why it matters for sizing garments). Being lazy I decided it was too late to start over. Blocking will possibly/hopefully be the answer.

9/23: Knit the sleeves to be 3/4 length. (After the first couple sequences, I reduced the number of rows worked even between the decrease rows by one.)

9/25: Blocked all pieces. Finished all seaming and weaving in ends, as well as knitting the collar, while on a flight to St. Louis. Tried it on mid-flight and my neighboring passenger said it looked great. I will block again but even without it I have to say I am quite pleased with the end result!

Final thoughts: Carrying the main color across the back worked just fine from my perspective. It may result in a slightly thicker fabric but not in any way detrimental to the overall look. Also, blocking again once it was all put together made a huge difference and I’m thrilled with the fit, so making the 35.5 size worked out just fine!!

2021 update: I love this sweater - STILL - and I can’t believe how few people have knit this. The fit is great, the design/color-work is stylish. And hopefully this is helpful, but as I’ve noted on several projects, Brooklyn Tweed Shelter and Loft both block and stretch like a dream. Hands down my favorite yarns to work with and actually wear!!!