This is another absolutely gorgeous top-down, seamless design by the talented Jennifer Wood. I love everything about her style and the easy-to-understand way she presents her patterns. All of them are thoroughly tested.
Needles:
I started out with size 8 US for the neckline. After a few rounds, I switched to size 9 US because of my wide shoulders and the fact that I’m using lighter weight yarn than Jennifer’s sample. Halfway through my 3rd repeat of Chart 1, I switched back to size 8 US needle. This was to give some subtle waist shaping (without any decreases) and because I have a triangular shape (shoulders wider than hips). I also used the size 8 US needles when I picked up the sleeves from their holders because I have thin arms.
I did 4 repeats of Chart 1 because I’m tall and because my row gauge was a little off as usual. Then I finished with Chart 2 and the ribbing. I did two extra cables for the ribbing to lengthen it a bit. So the ribbing measures about 4.75”. The fit is perfect.
For the bind-off, I used Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off and size 1 US needle.
Sleeves:
Jennifer gave me permission to change the sleeve cuff design a bit. Here’s how I did mine:
Rnd 1: (K1,P1, 2/2 RC, P1, K1) 5 times
Rnds 2-4: (K1. P1, K4, P1, K1) 5 times
Repeat above 4 rounds for the desired length of cuff, ending with a Rnd 1. Before binding off, knit one final round where you K2tog in the center of every cable. Use a stretchy bind off.
Before the final decrease rnd, I had 40 sts on the needle for the entire cuff - all knitted with size 8 US needle. I tend to be a loose knitter, but not terribly loose.
The other sleeve has left leaning cables (the opposite). On the round preceding the bind-off, do an SSK in the middle of each cable. This results in a final stitch count of 35 sts for the bind-off.
This sleeve cuff design is a repeat of 8 sts - total 40 sts for my size. Larger sizes could use 48 sts or 56 sts, etc. I think that even the smallest size could use the 40 sts as I did because the cables pull the cuff way in. 40 sts makes a fairly snug cuff - especially if you transition to smaller needle sizes as you proceed down the long cuff. (I didn’t do this because I prefer looser fitting sleeves.) When I knit the other cuff, I did only 2/2 LC (instead of 2/2 RC) in order to have a mirror image of the other cuff. I always use a very stretchy bind off such as “Jeny’s SSBO”.
If anyone else wants to try doing their cuffs like this, I urge you to try on (at least the sleeve cuff) as you knit it. You may find that you need to go UP a needle size or 2 for the cuffs - especially if you’re a tight knitter or someone who prefers looser fitting sleeves. I’m a continental knitter with tension a little on the loose side. I also have thin arms.
Prior to starting the sleeve cuffs:
I followed the pattern sleeve directions, decreasing as specified until I had reached 42 sts. Then I switched to size 7 US needles (1 size down) and knit 8 more rounds straight. Then I switched to size 6 US needles and knit an additional 7 rounds. For the following round only, I switched back to size 7 US needles and decreased 2 more stitches per the pattern directions. This brought me to the required stitch count (40) to start knitting the sleeve cuffs. I then switched back to size 8 US needles for the remainder of the cuff, including Jeny’s SSBO.
Final Measurements:
(I’m almost 5’-8” tall)
Neck opening circumference: 18.75”
Bust exactly per pattern: 37.5”
Total sleeve length from underarm = 19”
(11” stockinette + 8” cuff)
Total body length from underarm = 15.75”
(11” stockinette + 4.75” ribbing)
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