My gauge swatches were worked flat and measured with NO blocking. With the airy woolen-spun nature of the Quarry yarn and overall size of this cardigan I feel like I don’t want it to grow in any way! I will only block if absolutely necessary, by giving it a very light steaming or by wet misting it gently with a spray bottle while he tries it on.

Knitters Pride wooden tip US 10.5/6.5mm = 14 st x 21 rows
Knitters Pride wooden tip US 10.75/7.0mm= 13.5 st x 20 rows
Knitters Pride wooden tip US 11/8.0mm = 13 st x 18 rows

MOST RECENT POST AT THE BOTTOM:

Nov 28, 2021 The Quarry on US 11s was the correct gauge, but it felt too open and i think it would’ve lacked structure for this cardigan. I decided to go right in the middle of these two needle sizes and got myself a set of US 10.75/7mm wooden Knitters Pride tips! So far it is measuring exactly to Jason’s size request (62” circumference). XXXL

Dec 5, 2021 Cast on a TOTAL of 204 sts (this includes 8 sts per edge to work the button band while knitting the body at the same time). I’m making button holes 3-inches apart as I go.

For the Sleeves I’m using 7.0mm metal (16” circulars) and knitting as per the pattern for the XXL size.

I’m taking a tip from Andrea Mowry’s YouTube Q&A. She says to get your perfect size it’s a good idea to measure a favourite garment. So Jay is measuring his favourite jacket and giving me the dimensions as I request them.

Dec 17, 2021 Really like how this looks so far! I’ve knit the body to 15” and will keep knitting it to 21” to the arm hole area.

Jan 18, 2022 I have the body finished and will carry on to the Yoke Shaping. I will put the 8 edge stitches on scrap yarn and work the set-up as follows:
K39 sts (right front) pm, k1, pm place next 14 sts on waste yarn, K42 sleeve stitches (sleeves are knit already and need to be knit off the needle), pm, K1, pm, K78 (back stitches), pm, K1, pm, place next 14 sts on waste yarn, K42 sleeve stitches, pm, K1, pm, K39 left front stitches.

Jan 21, 2022 Had a heck of a time joining my body and arms. My brain is a bit foggy, which I’ll blame on having Omicron. I forgot to slip the underarm stitches onto waste yarn for the left sleeve and knit them onto the body~ duh! Took me a bit, but I unknit and got it sorted.

Jan 23, 2022 Managed to complete the Yoke Shaping section and decreased to get the same stitch count as the XXL. Something was telling me to go down to a US 10.5 US (6.5mm) for the saddle shoulder shaping. I’ve made the entire cardigan in US 10.75 (7.0mm) so far. Hopefully my intuition serves me well.

Jan 24, 2022 I think going down to the US 10.5/6.5mm for the entire shoulder section was a good call. My husband (44” chest) tried it on for me tonight and we both think it looks Snydie-sized!! I’m very optimistic.
Going to seam up the underarms and start planning the collar and top part of the button band. I left both edge sts (8 per side) on waste yarn prior to starting the yoke shaping. This project is pushing me out of my comfort zone and forcing me to trust my gut!

Jan 26, 2022 I was very motivated by seeing how this looked on my husband and decided to just give’er and get ‘er done. I did the right and left button bands while watching a couple of knitting podcasts and a documentary on Leonardo Da Vinci. I did German short row shaping on the shawl collar. I worked the first short row section as written (28 rows) in the pattern, and then for the repeat I did a reduced 20-row short row section as written by jywv8

I seamed the collar and really like the way it looks! Cannot wait to see it on Jay! He is working up north until the middle of February, so I am going to knit up the pockets and then all that’s left is to attach some buttons which he ordered online.

Pleeeeease oh please SWEET BABY BUDDHA let it fit him!

March 2, 2022 Well, today was “pick up day”! I am soooo happy to report that it fits him perfectly! And he absolutely loves it. I should’ve found a vintage pipe for a photo prop! Sadly I really overexposed the finished photos, but there’s no mistaking how chuffed he is. He has future plans to have the cardigan lined with his Mom’s family tartan (Mclaughlin), so I left the pockets unattached to make it easier for the person to sew in the lining.

WHAT A PROJECT! Success.