Pattern notes: I liked the pattern for the most part, but like many others, the circumference of the sleeves was way too small. I finished them completely, despite that little voice in my head telling me they were going to be too small. Yep, little arms were like sausages in a pink casing- no ease at all. I was going to give the sweater to my younger daughter, but who are we kidding here? I frogged it and re-did the sleeves. I made her the size 8 cardigan with what would be sleeves for the size 16! (I also did the same for the somewhat matching sweater I made for my younger daughter.) I still they they could be a little bigger, but they will do- esp since this isn’t my favorite sweater, I don’t mind if she outgrows it a little quicker : )

I think part of my sleeve dilemma might be the pattern sleeves run small. I have seen others post about this, but the other part might be that my gauge is tighter when I work a small project in the round. I think I might pull it tighter to avoid ladders. Maybe I get carried away.

Yarn: I thoroughly enjoyed the yarn. I didn’t have any knots that I had heard about with this yarn. The colors didn’t bleed in the washing process. The yarn softened and smoothed out after a little bath.

Overall: My older daughter LOVES this sweater so much, that I am happy with it- otherwise, I don’t care for it much. She picked out all the colors. I think it’s too pale and there isn’t enough contrast.

The buttons are shiny silver PLASTIC hearts- I thought they were metal, guess I should read the description at the online store better. She thinks the buttons are “sparkly” like jewels. I don’t care for the ribbing on the buttonband and the way it pulls up at the bottom. Also I picked up too many stitches on the front buttonband, so it’s wavy, which I don’t like. I could fix it, but I want to be done with it at this point!

So, overall, I don’t love this sweater, and I haven’t ever had good luck with anything that promises to be a “quick” knit. BUT my daughter is positively joyous about this sweater- so for that I am happy.

2/26 Just waiting on buttons…my notes are on my blog, but I will try to update this too….