This is my second Great Plains for my nephew, Tristyn since he loved the first one so much. Only this time I’ll be using the MEN’s version of the pattern which was not available until now. So this should be much easier for me without having to improvise so much.

When using 100% cotton yarn like this, I always make the garment a bit larger because it will shrink in a warm dryer the first time washed. It will shrink widthwise and lengthwise, but mostly lengthwise. So I’d advise knitting the sleeves and body about 2 inches longer than the desired finished length. Garments made of this yarn will come out of the dryer wrinkle free and looking fabulous. Delicate cycle is advised when washing by machine.

What I did differently:

• I did a few more rounds before separating the sleeves and body to allow for vertical shrinkage.

• I finished the neckband fairly early because I think it affects other things like the fit of the shoulders and the length of the garment.

• I did a folded neckband just because it’s easier, and I’m not using a contrasting color on the inside. Stitch count is exactly per the pattern. Note that this neck opening is quite high (above clavicle).

• Added 4 more stitches to the body (126 sts each for front and back - 252 sts total). Sleeve stitch count is exactly per the pattern (92 sts to start, ending with 62 sts for ribbing).

• Right before starting the ribbing, I did one increase round where I increased (M1L) every 8th stitch. (36 sts increased; 288 sts total for lower ribbing) I did this so that the bottom ribbing would hang straight rather than pull in. However, I did not do this for the sleeves.

• I did 3” of ribbing for the bottom edge and sleeve cuffs. Tristyn is not around for me to have him try this on. So I hesitate to make the sleeves a defined length as in the pattern. With the ribbing, he can push the sleeves up if they’re a little too long. Longer is better than too short. Also, this yarn is going to shrink in the dryer. I always turn a pullover inside out before throwing it in a warm dryer with 4 or more towels. These clean, dry towels are used to remove excess water from the pullover prior to throwing in the dryer.

• For the sleeves, I started out with 90 sts (82 + 8 picked up under the arm). I decreased 2 sts on every 9th round until I reached 62 sts. Then I immediately started the sleeve ribbing.

• Tristyn likes his pullovers, including sleeves extra long. I think this looks sloppy, but this is the look teenagers are going for these days - oversized and sloppy. So the sleeves will be partially covering his hands. I aim to please… (In-progress photos look extra long to allow for shrinkage in the dryer.)

Needles used:

Neckband - size 1.5 US needles
Everything else - size 2.5 US needles
Bottom ribbing - regular bind off with szie 2 US needles
Sleeve ribbing - JSSBO with size 1 US needle
(Note that my row gauge was exactly per the pattern, but my stitch gauge was slightly larger - even after shrinking.)

Garment measurements BEFORE shrinking in a warm dryer:

Chest circumference - 45”

Length from underarm at side - 21” (18” + 3” ribbing)

Back neck to bottom - 31.5”

Shoulder to bottom of sleeve - 29.5” (26.5” + 3” ribbing)

Underarm to bottom of sleeve - 21.5” (18.5” + 3” ribbing)

Armhole depth - 10”

Shoulder to Shoulder across back - 18”

Neck opening (straight across) - 9”

Ribbing height - 3”

Garment measurements AFTER shrinking in a warm dryer:

Chest circumference - 44” (shrank 1”)

Length from underarm at side - 19” total (shrank 2”)

Back neck to bottom - 28” (Shrank 3.5”)

Shoulder to bottom of sleeve - 26” total (Shrank 3.5”)

Underarm to bottom of sleeve - 19.5” total (Shrank 2”)

Armhole depth - 9.5” (Shrank .5”)

Shoulder to Shoulder across back - 17” (Shrank 1”)

Neck opening (straight across) - 8.25” (Shrank .75”)

Ribbing height - 2.75” (Shrank .25”)

Upper arm circumference at underarm - 15”

(I forgot to take the upper arm circumference prior to shrinking in the dryer.)

Weight of finished garment: 15.2 oz.