I love this jumper.

My row gauge is out but my stitch gauge is ok. So I am adjusting the number of rows between yoke increases section 1. 1 less knit row each time. I know from a previous project that the Puna will stretch down a little with washing and then wear, but not stretch out…fingers crossed.

Stopped the body and onto the first sleeve. Because my row gauge is out, I calculated the total rows the sleeve pattern uses, and measured that number of rows on the body knitted so far. I then took that measurement away from my desired sleeve length. This is then how much I knit before starting the colour work.

I am very tempted to just do the colour work in the greys, with no pink…. I think it would look amazing… but I will give the pink a go.

I have to say that knitting colour work with the Alpaca is more difficult than with wool, as there is no stretch at all and no grip. It just takes a bit more care, and is a bit slower going.

And so…. the pink doesn’t work very well with the light grey. Maybe I will try the light grey with the dark grey, and then the pink with the dark grey, and see how that looks.

I played around with the colours a fair bit, and ended up using the pink and light grey together further down the sleeve, because I couldn’t work out what else to do. I think it looks OK. I also did an extra decrease row before the ribbing to end up with 56 stitches for the cuff.

My first time with a tubular bind off, but I used this one instead. (K off, P, P off, K). It’s easy and it looks very similar.

Now onto sleeve #2, and then finish the body.

I got carried away and started the pattern on the body. Then realised it’s a bit short for my liking. I don’t want to undo the colour work, so I will knit a few extra rows in MC before starting the ribbing. And I will also knit a few more rows of ribbing. I like longer jumpers to hide my tummy.

And … then I tried it on and the band pulled it in a bit too much. Not a good look as it was a bit too snug fitting in the tummy area for me. Gahhhh. So… I ripped back to about 10 rows before the colour work, and knitted it to the correct length, adding 2 increase rows in there as well. Then I redid the band on 4mm needles so it wouldn’t pull in as tightly.

It’s currently drying. My fingers are crossed

This is a dream to wear. The alpaca drapes amazingly well, and because it’s a bit oversize its not hot either. I really love this, and wear it a lot.