I followed the pattern exactly from the beginning until it was the length I wanted from bottom to shoulder, then repeated the same thing again, for front & back. Then I did some basic short row shaping on the shoulders, joined them together, and knit the cowl neck, continuing the pattern into the neck.

I added some extra circumference to the body by working panels to join the front and back together, working plain garter stitch and picking up along each edge to join, up to the armpits.

Then I picked up for drop-shoulder sleeves, working them in reverse stockinette to match the garter stitch body better, by just working inside out in all knit.

I put it down in the summer to switch to other projects since the whole sweater has to sit on my lap while knitting the sleeves! Plan to finish it soon in the fall.

Finished on December 30th, meeting my goal to finish by the end of the year! I did a bit of garter stitch for the cuffs. The fit turned out perfect!!!!