Very important note about counting stitches: When you are counting stitches in pattern, make sure you count stitches after a wrong side row, or do not count the yarnovers on the right side row, as the yarnovers will add to your stitch count temporarily until you work the corresponding wrong side row. If you count all the yarnovers, you will think you have far too many stitches!

Sizing: Since many have commented about how well this cardigan fits, I thought I should add my notes about sizing. I cast on for the smallest size, even though that sounded small for me. I did this because I was able to try on a 32/34 and concluded that the stitch pattern was very stretchy, and because I have a tendency to loosen my gauge when knitting a project, and I knew I would try it on to make sure it fit as I knit. Which I did, a lot! The fit for the chest was fine and I separated the sleeves as called for on the pattern. For the waist shaping, I again tried it on as I knit and didn’t follow the decreases/increases as written.

I knit to the waist ribbing using the the numbers for the smallest size, but determined I wanted a looser fit, and ended up increasing for the 32/34 size to the ribbing. This fit perfectly, and I still had half a skein of yarn left over after making the extra increases. I think I also knit my sleeves to fit me, and they were a little shorter than called for in the pattern, so probably saved a little bit on yarn there. Even with the extra increases, I only used 966 yards of yarn.

The button band: I added some ribbon to the back of the button band because I felt the shank buttons I chose needed something more substantial than the knit fabric to sew them on properly. I found the pretty ribbon that matched so well that it seemed meant to be.

Boo the 11-month old kitty wanted to help sew on the buttons then decided to thwart my attempts at sewing by soliciting pets and generally being cute. Or scary, your call. Yes, he really does have those big eyes!

Notes while knitting:
04/24/13 Wasn’t sure if I would be able to get gauge with this yarn, but it worked out fine with a US4, so I am starting! I love, love, love this color. It is perfect for me. The yarn is hand-dyed, but I am not going to alternate skeins the whole sweater. I might alternate as I incorporate new skeins however. Two skeins look a little darker, so using those for the body to start.

05/05/13 I am loving working the pattern stitch for this cardigan. I wasn’t sure it would be enjoyable knitting, but it has been highly addictive. One more row, one more row… The pattern is gorgeous as it works up and I think this would be a great summer cover up sweater worked in a finer gauge as well.

Individual weight of skeins at start: 116g, 114g, 115g, 114g