Pattern calls for DK; despite the enormity of my yarn collection, that’s not a large part of it. Besides, it says small to medium size woman. Those aren’t applicable adjectives for my 6’ 225 lb. self, not since long before I reached womanhood. So, I’m testing the pattern, but on bigger size needles and with thicker yarn. Who knows? It may result in something large enough to suit me!
September 19, 2023
Pattern calls for three consecutive needle sizes. I’m going for US 7, 8, and 9, because I usually knit more tightly than most.
Using a newer set of Boye NeedleMaster. Same stiff nylon cable, which doesn’t matter for this project.
29” for working.
September 20, 2023
Since there’s a tiny butterfly of rewound yarn, I used a 3.5mm hook to chain it. It probably won’t be the final tie, but it gives the idea of what it will look like when finished. It also serves to indicate right and wrong side.
In addition to the markers mentioned in the pattern, I have placed another six stitches in from both ends.
I totally goofed on row 12. I was supposed to purl across. I read it. Yet I didn’t do it! I did the two increases, but in the 2x2 ribbing. Dummkopf!
September 21, 2023
4:50 hrs.
Eventually, it’s possible I get going without screwups!
I discovered that my twisted-closed yarnovers aren’t equal. I have four airy columns. My guess is that wrapping the loose side in the opposite direction might cure that. Or maybe just doing M1 (L or R, depending on which side of the Raglan stitches) would be a better option.
While waiting for an answer from Janet Lee, I decided to begin again - different needles and a separate ball of yarn. Now, while trying to get to sleep, it dawned on me that the cast on was supposed to be worked on the smallest size needles, and I used the middle size!! I’m abed, and trying not to get up. So, I can’t see if it’s any looser than the first attempt. I bet it is, so - after a sleep - I’ll probably be beginning a third time, but with the smallest size needles. Third time the charm?
September 23, 2023
One might imagine that a retired professional photographer would notice it was askew. Oh well. At least, I have progress photos.
September 28, 2023
03:15 hrs.
Seven and a half rows of the garter stitch “Interlude”’s ten.
September 30, 2023
With added stitches, it’s now up to 348, and quite crowded on this longest Boye cable - but workable.
3:50 to 5:10 minus a quick bathroom break - to do one row of p4/cable 6. Finish before Hallowe’en? And this was one of the simpler cable rows. Unlikely!
34 cables.
Next row is a resting row! 
October 4, 2023
Ugh!! It took me a few days to work all of row 5. An hour or two for row 6.
I’m changing needle size again from US 9 to 10, in the hope that the change will help things to loosen up.
October 7, 2023
0445 hrs.
Row 14 done! Four rows in one day!!
October 10, 2023
0340 hrs.
Row 19 done.
October 26, 2023
Row 37 finally done!!
I’m going up another needle-size (to a ten-and-a-half) as I work Row 38.
1300 hrs.
Yeouch!!! New and unexpected PAIN, when pushing stitches from cable onto lefthand needle tip, while working Row 39.
It happened twice. I’ll see if I can alter my attack to avoid it.
1400 hrs.
New tactic!
On these rows of alternating cables - cable one column, work even the next - it’s too easy (at least for too-easily-distracted-me) to mess up and not notice it until almost at the end of the row. So, to avoid any more tinking (and dispense with the cable needle), I place the three stitches to be held at back on a locking plastic stitch marker. The time spent placing and removing them more than makes up for time NOT spent tinking back to fix again.
October 28, 2023
0625 hrs.
Row 44 done, and stitch markers placed for next row.
October 29, 2023
2350 hrs.
Rows 45 and 46 done at Sunday Morning Knitting.
In the next row (or two?), the current ball will run out. In preparation, I have added the last rewound ball to the project bag. There are still three intact-from-factory skeins left. If I’m smart, I’ll rewind them, before use - just to check for knots.
November 1, 2023
1015 hrs.
Row 50 done, and markers set for cables in Row 51.
Time to go to sleep.
November 3, 2023
0915 hrs.
Up all night again.
Row 59 done.
I’ve begun rewinding the remaining three 175g balls. I am VERY happy that I didn’t just knit from them! The first one had two joins, and the few yards between them is mixed with twists of green fibres!
Who knows what surprises lurk in the other two!
1115 hrs.
Only one good factory join in one ball, and nothing in the other. Ready to knit the three separate bits after I finish this first chart.
November 13, 2023
1245 hrs.
Finally finished Row 29 of the hand slits!! Stitches all back on the short Boye cable.
68 total rows (including bind-off) minus 29 = 39 rows to go!!!
November 15, 2023
0335 hrs.
Partway through Row 40. Time to sleep.
November 23, 2023
I’m getting there!! Row 59 - the decrease row before the garter stitch hem - is done! Eight rows and the bind-off to go. Then the button bands. It should be done before Christmas.
November 24, 2023
Working on Row 65! Only two more rows after it, and then the cast off!!!
The button bands are supposed to be worked on the smallest of the three sizes mentioned at the start. Pattern calls for DK yarn and needles 5, 6, and 7. I’m using worsted weight yarn, and began with 7, 8, and 9. Having switched up twice along the way … Going down from a 10½, I guess I should use a 9. Considering.
November 25, 2023
0555 hrs.
Bound off bottom of cape!
Using US #9 needles, successfully picked up and knit the stated 134 stitches on the front-left edge.
November 26, 2023
2200 hrs.
Yay! 134 stitches picked up - from bottom of right side, with right side facing - for the second button band!! Nine rows - including the buttonholes - and the bind off!!! The end nears!
To give the edges of the button bands a bit of unity with the cast-on and cast-off edges, I’m slipping the first stitch and either purling or knitting the last - opposite from whatever the second stitch is in order to keep the selvedge stitch snug.
November 27, 2023
0230 hrs..
All knitting DONE!!!
Ends yet to weave in.
Buttons? Probably never.
Photos after it visits the washer and dryer!
November 27, 2023
Instead of a knitted i-cord, I’m doing a crocheted one, with a 4mm hook and using both ends of the smallest ball of yarn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLE6N-RIvB4
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