Errata: The stitch count at the end of the “Shape Armhole” paragraph is wrong for the second size - it should be 30, not 20.

Using size 7 needles, got swatch gauge of 18 x 24 (washed).

Hmmm. The swatch lied. After several inches, seems a bit too small. Must decide whether to forge on a bit and then wash it to make sure the gauge is OK, or rip it out and go back to the size 8 needles.

Decided to stick with it, but increased a couple of stitches above the waist on the back portion. For the front pieces, cast on one extra stitch at each seam edge, and then increased 2 sts below the bust and decreased them again at the bindoff for the armhole.

After seaming the back and sides together, I think it will work fine. It will have less ease than I had planned, but it will still fit OK.

Actual gauge ended up being more like 17 st per inch overall, but with a good wet blocking, I made it work.

The armholes seemed really big before setting in the sleeves, but it was fine once the sleeves were sewn in.

For the buttonbands, I first picked up 3 for every 4 sts using the smaller needle, which gave me 103 sts (pattern said 105). That was still too big. Picked up 2 sts for every 3 on the buttonband - worked out much better.

I like the buttonbands - the button side is all garter stitch, while the buttonhole side is half garter stitch (to the buttonholes), then half twisted rib. I like it. Besides adding interest and coordinating with the twisted rib at the hem and cuffs, it tightens up the band so that it doesn’t flare out.

Modifications:

Increased length slightly, to 14”.

Made the neckband only 1” wide instead of 1.5”.

By changing the number of stitches for the ribbing on the front pieces and the sleeves, and working p2 at the seam edges, I was able to do the seams by taking a full stitch on each side instead of a half stitch, and the ribbing worked out perfectly.

For the buttonbands, I slipped the first stitch of each row to make a neat edge.

Put in 7 buttonholes instead of just 3 at the top. I only made them 4-st buttonholes instead of 5, because I was using 1” buttons.

I’m happy with it, and like that it has sort of a classic vintage look to it. I’m glad I made the extra buttonholes, because it adds much more versatility to how I can wear it.