I’m knitting yarn from an alpaca named Bellathorn. I love that. I am a total alpaca stalker, and found a picture of him. Isn’t he gorgeous?

Gauge in pattern stitch was also 20 sts, not 19 as in pattern, but going to try a size S and go for it anyway.
If it’s the right size, it’ll only be 1” of ease, but I feel like one size up, with 4” ease, would be too much.

Added 8 sts to compensate for gauge difference in chest / pattern section. This was perfect, as it didn’t disrupt the ribbing later.

Two thoughts…I am going to run out of yarn. And I have to limit myself to trying this on only once / day. In mad love. But…running out of yarn. Please, please, sweet Bellathorn, let there be more of you!

Update 6/17. Yes, I ran out of yarn. I had to shorten the sleeves And start the ribbing about 1” below the elbow. Since there wasn’t enough yarn anyway, I used the remainder of the sport weight to lengthen the body 1”. For ribbing on the sleeves and bottom of the sweater, I used the only remaining Bellathorn I could get. - DK weight, 90% alpaca, 10% merino. Strangely, it knit up smaller instead of bigger, so I kept my needle size the same for the ribbing. The change at the ribbing wasn’t noticeable to anyone but me, so I’m glad I could get the DK (it had been super noticeable though trying to use it to make the sleeves full length, oh well). Thankfully, I had enough sport weight to do the neck ribbing.

Love this yarn, love this pattern, love how warm alpaca is and how well the finished sweater fits. Now if only it weren’t 90 degrees outside. It’ll be awhile before I can wear it.

This sweater is full of hours of observing Tea’s last season of soccer, many nap breaks while nannying, and a trip to Milwaukee for Corey’s wedding.

398g finished