NOTES :
Got gauge with 5mm needles.

OCT 2010 Frogged! Pulled it all out because I ended up with really obvious Wrap and Turns in the yoke, and then somehow the button band messed up.
Considering going down a needle size to hide the wrap and turns. Not sure…have to check guage again!

NOV 2010: started again! Kept the 5 mm needles.

Got through the garter yoke and onto the raglan shaping with no problems, and enjoying the yarn a lot more now. Am hoping the neck will still sit on my shoulders.
Decided to continue the buttons all the way down,
and considering skipping the waist shaping, and
perhaps tapering sleeves like SouleMama.

FEB 2011:
Well into the body now, the fit is snug, but I think it will be fine after blocking.
Did the waist shaping after all.

MAR 2011:
Modification on sleeves: knit on ghastly dpns.
SLEEVE 1: decreased 1 stitch at 3 , 5 , 8 , 9.5 , 11 , 12.5 , 14 , 15.5 inches.
SLEEVE 2: decreased 1 stitch at 3 , 6 , 10 ,11, 12, 14, 15.5, 17 inches.
8 decreases in total on each sleeve. (NOTE: use stitch marker for the start of rows, so the decreases end up in a line under arm, and not coiling around the arm like the first sleeve!!)

15 MAR: Blocking: soaked in woolwash, and spread out on towel, no pins. I missed a buttonhole, so am blocking with a toggle in the hole to make a buttonhole.

I bought 16mm square mother of pearl buttons from Helen Yang at Camberwell Market (b2buttonsandbeads.com).

BLOCKED and FINISHED! I realise I should have made the medium size for around the body (the buttons pull a bit below the garter yoke), but the cardi looks lovely with just the top three buttons done up.
The yarn washed up beautifully- am really impressed with this budget yarn and will use again. I feel like casting on another one in medium right away!
I also think I would go down a needle size for the garter yoke next time.