Well, I’m really clocking up my Andrea Mowry Knits, having faded in every possible way. This knit however, is without fade and mottled fabric (as per pattern) - I love a good mottled fabric, but I’ve really over done it. Example: this mottled, stash-busting glory by Pickles design, finished over winter. So I decided to simply knit with a single tone and opted for Drops in the most eye-catching sea-green. If a colurway has any reference to the Sea you can most certainly guarantee I’ll have stashed some! and I stashed plenty. I love Drops, as you know - affordability, quality and colourway choice make it my ‘go-to’ yarn - the Lima is really lovely stuff to work with and being an alpaca enthusiast, it has in bundles, all the qualities I appreciate in a good yarn.

Design: ‘boxy’ shape and ‘boat’ neckline. Knitted WS facing i.e. stockinette facing outwards and the reverse stockinette becomes the RS of this garment. Top-Down: which I’m increasingly becoming accustomed to. split-hem and then knitted in-the-round until armpits and then the front and back worked separately and seamed together at shoulders (following shaping) and ribbing. The BO worked so that the seam is exposed - this little detail I loved.

Sizing: cast on for the 34” (larger than I’d usually opt for) thinking I may not quite attain gauge, working with a DK weight yarn (as opposed to the recommended worsted). Plus, I’m a tight knitter and so tend to have to up my needle size. However, I’ve managed to attain gauge using recommended needles and a slightly lighter yarn. The fit is perfect. ‘Boxy’ it is, but perfectly so - the design needs to have positive ease and so I’m thrilled with outcome. There are occasions when you simply don’t need to shrink every garment to attain a super fitted pullover - note to self Colleen!

Mods:

1) I’ve picked up 46 Sts for the sleeves, which is less than pattern spec (even though I’ve consistently picked up every loop along the arm edge). I’ve thus modified sleeve decreases and spaced as follows: 2.5”, 5”, 8”, 11” and 14” - left me with 36 stitches at cuff point. I’ve worked until 16” before commencing 2” of cuff ribbing. I’ve well fitted sleeves.

2) I’ve added a couple of extra inches to the body measurement before dividing for front and back.

3) regular cast on and bind-off. I really couldn’t see the benefit of tubular cast on or bind off, though I note many gushed about it. Honestly, I’ve attained a really neat finish that is both stretchy and sturdy and so I’m very happy with this. I have done tubular cast-on and BO before, I liked the finish but I wasn’t convinced that the effort was really rewarded. Juts my personal opinion.

4) I’ve knitted the sleeves in reverse stockinette to match the body (knitted sleeves ‘inside out’, as with body). This is just personal preference and my preference for consistency in fabric.

What I love: the colour. The relaxed fit. The split-hem and the ribbed neckline. The reverse stockinette fabric - Yes! Another tremendous design by ‘drea. A sleeveless mottled version next perhaps….