My row gauge is way off so modifying as I go 34 rows versus 28), but it is proving fairly easy to accommodate.

The top ziggurat bit with the crochet cast-on that seems to go the wrong way off the first shoulder seam is not wrong. TRUST THE PATTERN! Fortunately, I’ve made another Ziggurat (two actually) and the process works, you just have to follow the instructions to the letter and carefully examine the diagrams. It is a bit mind-bending while doing it, but it results in a beautifully finished, strong garment with seams that aren’t going to bag out on you.

While working the tuck, the multiple hanging circulars are a bit of a nuisance, but they indeed work better than trying to prevent DPNs from falling out. After 7 rows I was able to get everything back onto one needle (a couple rows before the pattern). Do what works for you.

Mods: I lowered the neckline in back by two rows and in front by about 8 rows. I LOVE the look of the pattern but my Princess-and-the-Pea neck would find any intermittent rubbing annoying enough that I opted to lower the neck. Will likely shorten the pattern as well to something that better suits my body shape. Stay tuned!

Finished! very pleased with the slightly longer upper torso. I didn’t need to lower in back, and might be able to wear the front comfortably with only 4 rows lowered. Need to shorten, but think it is about 24”.

The Vera yarn shrinks a LOT in length, like 3/8” over 4 5/8” of stockinette in my swatch. I wanted to be sure it ended where I wanted, so I put the stitches on a stitch holder, put it in a large lingerie bag, with the yarn ball as well (since tape yarn is a pain to re-join). Popped the whole thing into the dryer until dry. Cotton takes a long time to dry, and if I tried air-drying during humid summer days, it would smell, so dryer it had to be. When knit to high hip length, it shrank over 2”--pretty much exactly as washing my swatch (now there’s a wonder!).

And oh, if you try this washing thing--put the ball in a yarn sock (which I don’t have), use a rubber band, or something…. took over an hour to untangle the mess that came out of the dryer. Lesson learned.

Pattern suggests using a needle two sizes smaller for the ribbing on the hem. Looked messy, so pulled out the 10” I had cast off and used one size smaller (so total of three sizes below the needles used for the body). MUCH better. Even with the mock side seam, the knitting wants to twist a bit, so really glad I didn’t eliminate that detail with this yarn.