Fell in love with Erica Heusser’s mitten chart and was determined to use it to knit a sweater! Cast on 140sts of Royal Bee Yarn (highly recommend) on US 3’s. Switched to US 1.5’s to do twisted rib. After 3/4” ribbing, switch to US2’s and k4 increase 1 around: 175 total. Knit 2 more rows and did German short rows. From marker- 66 sts, past marker-66; next set 6 sts beyond each double st; next set 6 sts beyond double sts. Knit 2 rows resolving double sts. Inc, k5 around to increase to 210. Knit flowers from various Malabrigo lace leftovers. Increase 22 to 232. Knit lozenges from Malabrigo increase to 360. Knit flower garlands using Malabrigo. Used Zauberwolle with Royal Bee for hummingbird chart. Increased to 398 sts (6 pattern repeats-63 st- 1 st between each mitten half). I split one middle chart at middle back so the front chart would be centered. Also, skipped some of the long blue part of the yarn because I wanted the birds and flowers to have some pink. Then skipped some pink to get to more blue and save some pink for sleeves. At underarm split, put 2 full charts at front (126 sts), 1 1/4 chart (77 sts) for each sleeve, and 1 1/2 chart (98 sts) for back to accommodate my small back and large bust. I added 11 sts underarm and created my own chart to accommodate them. Reintroduced yoke motifs in a different order before hem. Twisted 1x1 rib on US 1.5’s before binding off.

For sleeves, followed same plan as body including in kind made up chart for cast on sts. Had to increase after Mayfield chart to 48 sts to accommodate the 8 and 6 st motifs. After all motifs plus 2 plain rows, k2tog/ssk to decrease next row and every 4 rows after that for 6 inches. With 66 sts, reduced 16 sts evenly to 50 sts and switched to US 1’s for twisted ribbing.

Note: Originally tried 414 sts (6 charts with 3 sts between each). Added a thistle flower between the charts to unify the translation to the sweater design and played with chart elements to adjust for stitch counts. Added 9 sts for underarms and created stitch charts to accommodate the extra sts. After getting down to the hem and through part of one sleeve, I realized the back was way too large, and I’d never wear it, so ripped all the way back to just after flower garlands. Increased 18 stitches to 378 6 times the two bird chart (two mittens)- 63 sts each. To avoid the mistake from last time, I also switched to US1s to even out the slightly thicker yarn for this stranded part. This time, it was too small. Tried 3 more incarnations each with a personally adapted chart until I was satisfied with the fit.