This is my first test for Jessicamknits. With a few changes such as short sleeves, I made this into a cute springtime top.

Needles:

Size 1 US: Neckline ribbing
Size 2.5 US: Everything else except ribbing
Size 0 US: Bottom and sleeve ribbing

What I did differently:

• I could not use 2 sizes smaller needle for the neckline or it would have been too small and caused even more gathers around the neck. To eliminate so much gathering in the future, either use a lighter weight yarn or smaller needles or both.

• I did Japanese Short Rows because I find them to be more invisible.

• I had to eliminate the second set of short rows below the lace because it made the armseye much too low on me. Also, 100% cotton yarn stretches and my row gauge was slightly longer. The short rows above the lace yoke were plenty to lengthen the pullover in back.

• My lower ribbing is 2” rather than 3”.

• With Jessica’s permission, I made short sleeves since this was supposed to be a spring & summer top. I made my puffy sleeves as follows:

Using size 2 US needle, I followed the pattern directions for picking up the 12 stitches under each arm and placing held stitches back on 2 circular needles (80 sts).

Knit 5 rounds straight.

(K4, LLI) around = 100 sts (80 + 20 inc)

Knit 15 rounds straight.

(K4, LLI) around = 125 sts (100 + 25 inc)

Knit 15 rounds straight.

K2tog all around, ending with K1= 63 sts

Switch to size 0 US needle.

(K1, P1) all around, ending with P2tog = 62 sts for cuff

13 more rounds of K1, P1 ribbing = 1.5 inches.

Bind off using Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off.

Things I’d do differently next time:

• The M1L increases in the yoke leave tiny holes with this cotton yarn. I experimented with other types of increases. RLI looks better, but I could still see some slightly smaller holes. LLI left no holes. So if I ever knit this again, I’d substitute Left Leaning Lifted Increases for the M1Ls in the pattern.

• I’d use lighter weight yarn - no heavier than 200 yds per 50 grams and also a smaller needle (size 1 US) since I’m a loose knitter. This would result in less gathering around the neck.

• I would not use a German Twisted Cast On for the neckline because it made my ribbing look a bit wonky with the larger needle I had to use (size 2) to get it over my head. A regular cast-on should work fine.

Measurements:

Length from underarm = 12.5” (10.5” = 2” ribbing)
Note to self: Armsceye was about 1.5” lower than normal even after eliminating all short rows underneath the lace. This was due to my longer row gauge and the stretching of the 100% cotton yarn. This armsceye depth was okay for sleeves, but would have been too low for a sleeveless garment.

Neckline circumference = approx. 20”

Sleeve length from underarm = 5.5” (4” + 1.5” ribbing)

Width measurements are per pattern.

German Twisted Cast On

Japanese Short Rows in the Round
11:20

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