I pretty much have gauge on 3.5s. My row gauge is a little off but it always is. The fabric is more open than I normally like, but I think it is meant to be this way, and I don’t want to make another swatch so I’m going to stick with it.

I plan to make the Medium size, which I think will end up with zero ease in the bust and the stated positive ease on the rest of my body.

The first part of this pattern requires a lot of concentration. I followed another Raveller’s directions to prevent the ‘tulip’ shape of the neckline. I think a better way for me would have been to cast on the same number of stitches and then start the increases in Row 6.

Oh my god, just had a disaster as the yarn snapped on me! Be careful as its a little weak. I hope I managed to fix it successfully.

On the plus side, I think I have a good fit in my shoulders.

24.05.15
I’ve finally separated the sleeves of my Orza! The neckline is looking a little sloppy but I’m hoping it will look better once I do the finishing. Very happy overall as the pattern will require much less concentration from now on.

29.05.15
Progress is much swifter without those pesky sleeves. I’m getting excited as soon I’ll be able to start my stripes! Just as well as my first ball is running low. Quite happy with how the fit is looking too.

01.06.15
Nearly finished the striping, I really enjoyed that bit. I have decided to add two additional repreats of the waist decreases (spaced about evenly in the stripes) to give a slightly closer fit in the body.

07.06.15
I also did two fewer waist increases as I think there is already enough positive ease.

17.06.15
I probably should have done the waist increases but I’m still very happy with the fit of the body overall. I have now cast off the body (used 6.5mm needle) and I’ve picked up the stitches around the neckline. Looking forward to seeing how it looks neatened up.
Next it will be time to start those sleeves. Beaufort stitch is quite slow so I imagine these will take a while.

18.06.15
Not sure with how my neckline looking. I think I cast off with a 5.5mm needle and I think it’s a bit too loose. Don’t want to have to rip back, grr.

19.06.15
Re-cast off with a 4.5 and it’s still a little loose but much better.

27.06.15
Started the second sleeve. The Beaufort stitch pattern is fiddly and very slow compared to a lovely stocking sleeve but will soldier on. Got to try and finish by the end of the month!

31.07.15
Done!

02.08.15
Tried on again before blocking and I think the body is too short. Undid and converted the ribbing into wave breaker stitch. Did four more rows and now starting ribbing again. I think the problem for me was that this fabric is quite stretchy, which fooled me into thinking the jumper was longer than it was. This property also means my body striping is higher than I would have liked, so watch out for that!
I also re knit the neckline again with a 3.75mm needle, holding MC1 together with CC1 and I’m finally happy with it. It’s fairly tight but fits over my gigantic head fine.