Irene Lin never ceases to amaze me with her fabulous designs and expert pattern writing. It’s always a privilege to test for her.

This is not a quick project due to all the twisted rib. However, I love the design and want to knit this again for myself. One thing to note (which may not be obvious in the designer’s photos) is that the armhole is quite deep. The bottom of the armholes (before shrinking in a warm dryer) reached to within an inch of my waistline. This was not expected, and results in a sleeve shape resembling a dolman. I think that my row gauge was off a bit, but nevertheless, the armhole depth on this is way more than average. So you will be able to move around in this sweater with great freedom and look very chic while doing it. I absolutely LOVE how this turned out - one of the prettiest sweaters I’ve ever knit and so comfy.

This yarn has a lovely drape to it. What you see in the modeled photos is how it came out of a warm dryer - completely wrinkle free. As you can see from my measurements below (before and after blocking), it did shrink at least 2 inches in length, but very little in width. My experience is that the garment will only shrink the first time in a warm dryer, so allow the extra 2.5 inches in length when knitting if you use this 100% cotton yarn.

This is not my color, but I chose it for my niece. It will look pretty with her darker hair. I’m modeling in the photos.

Needles used:

Size 6 US - Cast on only

Size 5 US - Regular bind off at bottom edge

Size 4 US - Body and sleeves (except for cuffs)

Size 3 US - I-cord at neckline and sleeve cuffs

Weight of finished garment: 15.6 oz.

Measurements AFTER shrinking in a warm dryer:

Armhole depth (meaured diagonally) - 11.5” (shrank 1/2”)

Length from underarm to bottom edge - 12.5” (shrank 1”)
(8” + 4.5” lace/ribbing = 12.5”)
Lace + bottom ribbing - 4.5” (shrank 1/4”)

Length from center back neck - 23” (shrank 2.5”)

Length from bottom of v-neck (including i-cord) - 17.25” (shrank 2.5”)

1-cord - 1/4” (no shrinkage)

Sleeve length from underarm - 16” (13.25” + 2.75” ribbing)
(Sleeves shrank 2” total, with ribbing only 1/4” of this amount) 3” sleeve ribbing shrank to 2.75”.

To v-point on sleeves from shoulder - 15” (shrank 3”)

Final body circumference - 42” (I forgot to measure before shrinking)
This was considerably more than this size is supposed to measure, but the amount of positive ease was perfect. I guess my gauge was off, but it worked out great using the size 4 US needles recommended in the pattern.

224 sts total around for body.
44 sts around for sleeve cuff

After completing Rnd 7 of the sleeves, I repeated Rnd 7 an additional 35 times before starting the section “…decrease for the cuff”. At this point, the sleeve did measure about 14.25” from the underarm as suggested in the pattern.

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