This is my first test for Cristina Ghirlanda. I love her clean, classic lines and well written patterns. They fit very well too.

In order to achieve worsted weight gauge, I held two strands of yarn together throughout. This actually resulted in more of an aran weight, but it worked out well. It does result in a very heavy pullover.

This is really a unisex design. However, if you are knitting this for a man, I recommend a slight modification in the upper body/raglan section. There are a few places in the raglan section of the pattern where there are increases on two successive rounds. This is fine for women’s pullovers. However, it results in a slight puckering with the lifted increases. For women, this is advantageous in that it sort of acts like side bust darts. But for men, it would probably be better to avoid having two successive rows with lifted increases. And it will not harm the fit to knit a few extra rounds in between the rounds with increases. I did not alter the pattern because I wanted this top to be worn by a man or woman. However, if I were knitting this just for a man, I think I would add a few (non increase) rounds in between the successive raglan increase rounds.

I followed the size 4 instructions exactly except for the following modifications.

What I did differently:

• Instead of the cropped version, I made a much longer version. Sleeves are extra long as well. Finished measurements to follow.

• I did not do the garter stitch strip immediately above the lower ribbing.

• Instead of picking up 12 sts under each arm, I picked up 14 sts, decreasing to 12 sts on the following round. This brought me to 65 total sts for the sleeve per the pattern size 4. Then I decreased 2 sts on every 13th round, 8 times (= 49 sts). Then knit 1 round without decreases, and one last round (before ribbing) with only 1 decrease (= 48 sts). This is a multiple of 4 which is required for 2 x 2 ribbing.

• Sleeve ribbing in the pattern is not 2 x 2. However, I decided to match the 2 x 2 ribbing on the bottom of the pullover, since I ended with a multiple of 4 sts. I switched to size 7 US needles for the sleeve ribbing and did 19 rounds before binding off with the same size needle in pattern (JSSBO).

• Before starting the “Hood Top” section, I knitted to 10.5” from the pick-up/neck edge. We have big heads and long necks. I could have even knit for an additional inch or so.

• I grafted the top of the hood closed rather than using the 3-needle bind-off recommended in the pattern. This made for a completely smooth top of the hood. I love the shape of this hood and its clever edging that hugs the face without any drawstring.

• I used a boot lace for the drawstring. Plastic beads were purchased at Jo-Ann. They slide right over the drawstring. Then I secured the beads with a few stitches using sewing thread. See photos below.

Needles used:

Size 8 US - Body and sleeves (except for ribbing); Bound off all ribbing in pattern (lower ribbing). Hood also uses size 8 US needles.

Size 7 US - Lower ribbing and hood casing

Size 6 US - Joining 2 parts of hood casing and following decrease row.

Weight of finished pullover: 2 lbs, 8 oz.

Measurements before blocking:

Chest circumference - 48”

Underarm to bottom edge - 20.75” (17” + 3.75” ribbing)

Sleeve length from underarm - 22” (18.5” + 3.5” ribbing)

RLI - Twisted Right Lifted Increase Tutorial

LLI - Twisted Left Lifted Increase Tutorial

Distributing stitches to 2 separate needles for the hood (video tutorial)

How to graft any combination of knit or purl stitches video tutorial

Test Knit Forum