This is my second Great Plains pullover - designed by Jutta von Hinterm Stein. 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 1.5 - 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 3 additional sleeve increase sets to allow for shrinkage in the dryer. However, in retrospect, this was not necessary since the sleeve caps are quite large - even if you follow the pattern exactly. I had to use a sewing machine and serger to take in the upper sleeve/body area in both front and back. Next time I make this, I will increase far fewer sleeve sts to begin with and then increase more frequently approaching the underarm.

Needles used:

Neckband - Size 1.5 US needles
Everything else - Size 2.5 US needles

Measurements before shrinking in a warm dryer:

• Body circumference = 46”

• Back neckband edge to bottom = 28.25”

• Underarm to bottom edge = 17.5” (14.5” = 3” ribbing)

• Shoulder width = 19.5”

• Armhole depth = 10.5”

• Upper arm circumference = 16”

• Neck opening across = 8.5”

• Shoulder “seam” = 4.75”

• Sleeve length from shoulder = 28”

• Sleeve length from underarm = 20” (17” + 3” ribbing)

Measurements after drying in a warm dryer:

• Body circumference = 45.5”

• Back neckband to bottom edge = 26” (shrank 2.25”)

• Underarm to bottom edge = 16” (shrank 1.5”)

• Shoulder width = 18.5” (shrank 1”)

• Armhole depth = 9.25” (shrank .75”)

• Upper arm circumference = 16” (0 shrinkage)

• Neck opening across = 8.5” (0 shrinkage)

• Shoulder “seam” = 4.75” (0 shrinkage)

• Sleeve length from shoulder = 26” (shrank 2”)

• Sleeve length from underarm = 19” (shrank 1”)