Oct. 12/09: My gauge is off with this yarn -- the pattern calls for a light worsted, and I’m using DK, but even with smaller needles my gauge is larger than called for. Strange! I don’t want to go down to a smaller needle, because the fabric gets too dense and stiff.

I cast on for the large size, thinking it might be just a bit larger than called for, but I managed to get a twist in the cast-on which I didn’t notice for about 10 rows. Oops! I took the opportunity to measure the knitting when I took it off the needles to frog it, and discovered that I was on track to make a vest with a 54” body -- 48” would be roomy, 54” would be ridiculous. So, now I’m knitting the medium, and hoping it will come out more suitable!

At this gauge, I’m getting 3.5” of length for 1 ball of yarn (approximately). 258 sts circumference = approx. 49”, so 5.25 sts/inch, or 21 sts/4”. I’m getting 28 rows/4”.

Nov. 12/09: I’ve divided for the armholes (after 18.5” instead of 14.5”, because Dan’s tall!), and done the decreases on the front section. I never intended to do the argyle, as I dislike intarsia, but I decided that I do want a bit of interest on the front. I played around in Excel and ended up with a chart for a plaid-esque stripe to go across the chest. Just enough detail, and no more than 2 stitches to carry the non-working yarn in fair-isle. (See project photos for my chart.)