I really like the pattern stitch used in the original pattern (like a trinity stitch, but with 5 stitches instead of 3), but I didn’t want anything quite that lacy, so I’m using a different stitch pattern instead. If this one turns out nicely, I’d like to make another one using laceweight yarn and the original stitch pattern.

The swatch shows the slip-stitch pattern I’m planning to use - it’s just a k3, slip 1 pattern. On the RS, slip the stitch with the yarn in back. On the WS, slip it with the yarn in front. The slipped stitch is offset by 3 stitches every RS row (slip the stitch that was the center of the k3 on the previous 2 rows).

Since the slip-stitch pattern is garter-stitch based, the row gauge is different from the stockinette. (The stitch gauge is, too, but that’s fine since it’s adding width at the bust.) To adjust for the difference in row gauge, I did a pair of short rows periodically, to add extra rows of the stitch pattern without adding rows to the stockinette panels on either side.

So, after swatching with US5 needles, I somehow managed to pick up US3 needles when I started knitting, and didn’t notice until I had the body almost completely done. Fortunately, it didn’t make all that much difference in the size, and it will still be fine.

Finished the knitting on Dec 31, seamed on Jan 1.

For the ribbing at all edges, instead of just doing plain 1x1 rib, I started with a purl ridge, an eyelet row, and another purl ridge, then did 1x1 twisted ribbing.