05.06.2023

tubular cast on for size 2, knit 4 rounds flat in double knitting (purl stitches are slwyif) to round the collar a bit more, then 7 rounds with 3mm needles and one additional round on 4s to place markers.

For a simple raglan setup with a ribbed neck, 2 sections of short rows to shape back and front of the neck, this pattern is organized a bit differently than most patterns, i.e. it is wordy to a degree that wouldn’t make it a beginner-friendly pattern in my opinion even though the project itself might be.

I AM enjoying the product, though :)

07.06.2023

about the wordiness: once you’ve managed the short row sections, the pattern is really easy to follow. I think what had me confused was the block of texts you have to navigate before actually knitting the upcoming sections. But what Thea Colman does is give you a somewhat general recipe for a patterned raglan which will enable you to play with the sizes and pattern while knitting. It’s less about line by line instructions - which is why it makes sense to have knit a patterned raglan before, so you generally know the gist of what is happening - than it is about the process. Odd at the beginning, but once I was going for it, it clicked.

I followed size 2 instructions but added 2 stitches to the arms which I will probably decrease out to avoid holes once I pick up the underarm stitches.

Decreases on the side done every 12th row as they come (on a lace row).

16.06.2023

decreases on the arms done every 13th row until 47 stitches remained, k 3 rows, then decreased 7 more stitches. I switched to 3mm needles for the hem.

The sweater is currently blocking and I liked how the yarn I chose has developed a slight sheen to it. It’s a beautifully warm shade of grey. The sweater grows width-wise due to the lace, so the slight negative ease it had before blocking has now turned into a lovely drape with about 2-4” of positive ease.

26.06.2023

I love the fit! The taper to the sides gives it a nice shape and it’s not too much fabric in the pits. I probably could have cast on less stitches for the underarms, but a bit of room doesn’t hurt here. The lace allows for a bit of ventilation ^^