11/11 - Back soon with notes on my sleeve modifications…

11/5 - Finished the second sleeve last night. Earlier in the week, I hand-stitched a sheer ribbon to the back of the button band (to provide extra support) and then sewed on the buttons. This morning, pressed the neck and shoulder seams so that all would look a bit more finished and lay better. Lovely.

11/2 - The first sleeve is done nearly to the elbow. The “Afterthought Sleeve” method is actually quite easy, which is a relief. It looks as though 1 ball/sleeve may actually be enough after all, but at least doing it this way will save me from more seaming!

10/31 - Blocked and seamed the body of the cardi. The fit is MUCH better this time around. Though I didn’t use as much yarn for the body this time, it was pretty close to my first attempt. This means that I will definitely be picking up the sleeves and working them top-down in the round using the instructions from the back of Wendy Bernard’s Custom Knits. I have one ball + a bit for each sleeve. Wish me luck!

10/11 - Finished the back last night. I used 3 balls + a little bit. Ready to cast on the fronts. Even though I’m knitting a smaller size than last time, i have some concerns that I won’t have enough yarn to do full-length sleeves. I guess I’ll try to pick up sleeves and knit them top-down, if my suspicions are correct.

10/5 - Ok, I’ve had enough time away. I’m starting again… A sick day at home has allowed me to re-swatch, cast on for the back, and knit through to the start of the increases at the upper waist. Can I finish the back before rejoining the world of the healthy tomorrow?

3/17 - After completing the body of the cardi, I’ve decided that I should’ve knit it in size 32”. That must’ve been the original plan, as the size down calls for 8 balls of yarn, which is how much I purchased. Should’ve trusted my original plan. I will be frogging this and starting over.

I only have 8 skeins of yarn, and the pattern calls for 9. Oops. To help compensate, I shortened the overall length to one I deem more flattering. I’ll work the sleeves top-down and simultaneously. Then, I can just knit until I’m out of yarn…