Jennifer is whipping out fantastic new designs faster than I can knit them. But since I finished my River Jumper, the timing was right for another fun test. The shape/basic construction of this one is the same as the River Jumper except that this one will be a much faster project due to the worsted weight yarn and much more stockinette stitch. I’ve chosen Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn because its yardage/weight ratio is almost exactly like Nurtured which is what Jennifer used for her sample. This pullover will be for my college age niece, so I try to choose yarn that’s machine washable on a delicate cycle. I doubt that she’ll be willing to do any hand washing with her busy schedule and limited space living in a university dorm.

Although I sometimes do German Short Rows, Japanese Short Rows are my favorite method. I find them to be less visible than German Short Rows. In fact, they are nearly invisible, if done correctly.

What I did differently (for correct fit):

• I started out using size 6 US needle for all of Chart 1 (front and back). I did this to get a little more drop over very wide shoulders and to slightly increase row gauge. Measurement from shoulder to underarm = 6 inches.

• I completed the entire Chart 1 before joining in the round at the underarm. I did this to have a bit more positive ease in the sleeves. Measurement from underarm to where Chart 2 ends = 3.75 inches.

• After joining in the round under the arms, I switched to a 4 mm needle. Ravelry does not differentiate between size 6 US and size 4 mm needles, but there is a difference if you compare them using a needle gauge. 4 mm is actually like a size 5.5 US, if there was such a thing. So it’s a slightly smaller needle. I was able to match pattern gauge with the latter. Both of these needles make for a rather dense fabric using worsted weight yarn. But this is typical of Jennifer’s patterns.

• Measurement from underarm to set-up round for lower ribbing = 13 inches. Placed markers every 8 sts (front and back) to denote increases for lower ribbing set-up round. Total increased sts = 20. Total sts for lower band = 210 (same as per pattern for my size).

• I did 16 rounds of ribbing for the lower band using the same size needle (4 mm). Then I bound off using Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off using size 1.5 US needle. Length of ribbing, including bind-off = 2.75 inches.

• Sleeves: I picked up 30 sts, skipping every 3rd st all around. I wanted some additional positive ease in the sleeves. Then I did the following 9 times:

Knit 12 rounds straight. Decrease 2 sts next round (per pattern).

I ended the above sequence with 42 sts (multiple of 3). Then I knit 4 rounds straight before starting the cuff ribbing. I did the cuff ribbing exactly the same as the body lower ribbing using the same size 4mm needle.

Had I been knitting this for myself, I would have added 1.5 inches in length from underarm to bottom edge. (Sawyer is shorter than me.) This would have required purchasing an additional ball of yarn.

The twisted rib panels running down each side of the pullover are not only decorative, but they tend to pull the sides in a little, resulting in some automatic waist shaping. For this reason, waist shaping in this garment really isn’t necessary.

Summary of Measurements (blocked):

Body length from underarm (including 2.75” ribbing) = 15.75”

Vertical distance from shoulder to underarm = 6”
(This is the point where I joined in the round.)

Sleeve length from underarm (including 2.75” ribbing) = 19.75”

Width of body = 40”

Neck opening (unstretched) = 18”

I made a video showing how to do the Smocking Stitch (or Wrapped Stitch).

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