12/25/11: After much consternation and soul searching, I decided to give this treasure to my sister-in-law. She put it on when, here, Christmas day, and there was no doubt I’d made the correct decision. It fit her perfectly: right, length, width, color, etc. The drape was perfect. Crossback, perfect. So, this Bella Blouse is now at home in Saudi Arabia and I’m perfectly pleased. :)

9/24/11: Took me more than a month to finish the seaming on this…Devil, thy name is procrastination! I still need to wash and block it assembled, but for my first cotton sweater, I am very pleased. The sweater is beautiful. LOVE the yarn and colors. This was the most challenging knit I’ve attempted. I don’t think I’ll try it again, but I’ve learned tons. Despite my concerns pre-assembly, the neck and sleeve insets fit perfectly; I am utterly amazed. My only disappointment it that I’ve decided the sweater is not for me. The more I look at it, the more I see my SIL wearing it. Looking forward to giving it to her for Christmas! It’ll be perfect for Saudi winters.

8/19/11: Knitting is finished; now it’s time to block and seam. Looking forward to seeing this completed.

8/1/11: Finished the body decreases, so am progressing nicely. SS for a while now.

7/30/11: Finished the bottom band and blocked a couple of days ago. Ended up frogging 30 rows as the band was too long. Picked up 260 stitches and am two decreases into the body. Knitting in the round suits the project better and is coming out very clean. Thrilled with the color combo!

7/24/11: Have tried the bottom band on numerous needles and yarns and was truly hating all of it. Finally found Charla’s Charts on the KAL and have been saved from insanity! Have made it through 13 reps of 10, now, so am well along.

For those struggling, the WS rows are always purl or P2tog except for the K on either side of the Leaf “stitch,” and it’s easy to remember to always YO prior to P2tog (WS) or K2tog (RS) on every row.

Another cadence:

• RS row always start K1, P1, K1, YO, K2tog, P2 and end P2, K1, YO, K2tog, P1, K1
• WS rows are always start Slip 1 Purl-wise, P2, YO, P1tog, P1, K1 and end K1, P2, YO, P2tog, P2.

All you have to remember is the middle stitch sequence: leaf pattern starts on R4 and ends on R10.

Pattern Details:
NORAH GAUGHAN used a trailing-bud pattern framed by faggot stitches as the lace border for her flared top. She ran the border horizontally along the bottom
and used the pattern as an inset in the V-neck and as fabric for the short cap sleeves.

Finished Size 341⁄2 (381⁄2, 421⁄2, 461⁄2,
501⁄2)“ bust circumference.

Yarn Berroco Cotton Twist (70% mercerized
cotton, 30% rayon; 85 yd 78 m/50g): #8345 Sensei (copper; A), 5 (6, 7, 8, 8) skeins. Berroco Touché (50% cotton, 50% rayon; 89 yd 81 m/50 g): #7970 nectar
(orange; B), 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) skeins.

Needles Sizes 6 (4 mm) and 7 (4.5 mm). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Removable markers (m); tapestry needle.

Gauge 20 sts and 26 rows = 4” in St st with A on larger needles.