May 18, 2025

Well, the Cardiff arrived before I knew it. Unfortunately it took a couple days before I could cast on - I had to swatch 6 times to meet gauge for the test knit. Yikes! I had to go up 2 needle sizes from the pattern rec, which surprised me since I usually meet Lily’s gauge.

May 31, 2025

Finished the body last night. I have a longer torso so added 6 rows to each decrease section to get length.

Had to tap into the 7th ball for the hem lace, but I suspect 6 balls would have been plenty if I hadn’t swatched so many times.

Hot tip for the lace pieces, for people like me who can’t seem to count cast on stitches -
Lace segments are 6 stitches each, so I took the designated cast on number for my size and divided by 6. For example, if you need to cast on 186 stitches, that means there will be 31 lace repeats. So count out 30 stitches markers and place one on the cast on edge after every 6 stitches, and cast on the final 6 after the last marker is used. No counting beyond 6.

May 31, 2025

Pre blocked 18” length 18” width

June 1, 2025

Finished and blocking. My (6!) swatch(es) didn’t grow. I blocked the yoke before joining in the round (even clipped it up to see what effect gravity would have) and it didn’t grow. I blocked the whole finished top last night and it grew two full inches. I presume the lacey side pattern made all the difference? I am still waiting for it to dry, but it’s definitely grown. I’m not unhappy with it- it’s beautiful! But definitely outside of the less relaxed vibe that Lily intended. This is my first time working with Cardiff Cashmere and it behaved quite differently than all my wool experiences.

June 9, 2025

I stand corrected! My Winnie top is spot on with Lily’s schematic, with the exception that my arm hole depth is 8 inches after attaching the lace, and that is plenty deep. I can wear it without an under layer.

Finished, blocked measurements:
38 inch bust circumference
8 inch arm hole depth
20 inch total length down center (back, center neck to hem)
19 inch total length from top of armhole to hem
11 inch body length