Lisa saw this version here and wanted one the same.

After debating about the yarn (wanted non-itchy, and everything seemed to have some itchy comments, including Plymouth worsted, Cascade 220, Berroco vintage. Did consider Berocco Remix, non-wool) decided on the Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Tweed, which is supposed to be softer and less itchy than the WOTA non-tweed.

14 skeins in Oyster (MC) then 1 each of the Hudson Bay stripes - from the bottom: blue (Prussian Heather), gold (Brass Heather), red (Firecracker Heather), green (Forest Heather). 8 row stripes, both front and back. Had nearly 1/2 (22 grams) left from each of the CC, and 29 grams left of the MC.

Project Notes:
- I decided to use a 4.5 mm needle for more stability. My unblocked gauge is 19 stitches/4 inches in stockinette, and 18 stitches/4 inches in seed stitch. I like the fabric this way - can’t imagine it on a 5 mm needle.

NOTE TO SELF - next time, go down a needle size for the seed stitch bottom.

• 6 rows seed stitch at the bottom, then 6 stitches each side in seed stitch.

• knit back to about 27.5 inches using 6 skeins of MC.

• for fronts, as everyone says the fronts dip due to the short rows, I’m going to add another row 3 and 4 (without the short rows) after 2 full repeats, so essentially a repeat of 10 rows: 1-4, 1-4, 3-4. -I did this 3 times then went to the regular pattern of 4 rows. -108 rows above the green stripe for the back. Added 8 more rows for the front to account for bust.

• 354 pieces of fringe. I thought about doing multi-coloured, but ended up with just eh MC.

• added buttons, but didn’t do buttonholes, as I don’t expect this to ever be opened up, so just sewed buttons on through both front and back.

• 40.5 x 27.5 inches unblocked.

• used just over 12 skeins of MC for the body (made it shorter than the smallest version, for reference).

Note about the Pattern:

• Without attaching the sides with buttons, this is quite sloppy and floppy, and I can’t imagine how it would behave in the wind. With the sides attached, you have to get it right on the shoulders, so the sides flow nicely, and there isn’t excess droop on the fronts or the back.
• I would have liked to attach a loop or two and toggles, but I’m not sure where the recipient would place them, so I’m going to send a large shawl pin along as part of this gift. I can’t imagine walking outside with this without it being fastened at the front, as it would flap open unless you hold it closed.
• I love the original intarsia stripe design, and I love the Hudson Bay stripes I made. I also like the brioche fronts. It’s just the fit that is not appealing.

Designer’s suggestions for variations here.