…despite accusations that I only knit mustard yellow sweaters, MIELLYN.

I was immediately fascinated by the unique construction. As a bonus, the pattern contains so many of my favorite elements: Cropped, loose-necked, nearly seamless and free. :)

My chest measurement is around 35”. My gauge on the Size 8 needles was 17 sts and 24 rows - a little larger than the pattern - so I knit the 32” chest size to account for the difference. The finished sweater had a looser fit than the pattern photo, but was perfect - until I blocked it, at which point this baby greeeeeeeew. Now, I love an off-shoulder look as much as the next child of the 1980’s, but one careless shrug and the sweater was at my waist.

Update: Photos capture this sweater in its post-blocked, loosey-goosey state. I’m relieved to report that two tumbles in the dryer and one firm ironing (at Wool setting) were enough to shrink this baby down a bit and make it wearable. Still a mite large, but at least it stays on my shoulders. Maybe I’ll update with some “After” photos at another time.

Regarding the yarn: Purchased on clearance and first used in a cabled scarf that I knit last year. It breaks easily and is full of debris and knots, and I hate knitting with it - BUT THAT COLOR YOU GUYS. Said scarf was blocked without significant growth, so I felt confident enough not to wash/block my gauge swatch for this sweater. What a fool I was.

For the sleeves, I used a stretchy bind-off (k2, slip two stitches back to the left needle, k2tbl, k1, repeat from ) and stuck with a regular bindoff for the hem.

Will knit again in a less rage-inducing yarn one day.

Part of Tin Can Knits’ “Twelve Sweaters in 2015” KAL: Sweater #1.