07-01-2016

Gauge swatch, unblocked, 2.75mm needles:

29 sts and 45 rows to 4”

I like the way this gauge swatch looks.

Gauge swatch, blocked, 2.75mm needles:

29 sts and 43 rows to 4”

07-03-2016

Gauge swatch, unblocked, 2.5mm needles:

29 sts and 50 rows to 4”

This gauge swatch seems a little too tight.

07-05-2016

Gauge swatch, unblocked, 3.25mm needles:

27 sts and 40 rows to 4”

07-06-2016

Gauge swatch unblocked, 3.5mm needles:

24 sts and 37 rows to 4”

Clearly I shouldn’t try to do gauge swatches while pregnant either. Now that I’ve done all this work, it seems fairly obvious that I should have started out with 3.5mm needles. ugh…

I’ll be using 3.5mm needles as the large size with 5.5mm needles for bind offs.

I’ve decided to use size M to the upper bust, switch to size L for the bust, and finally size XL for full hip. I’ll also be adjusting the armhole depth to 20cm and the upper armhole circumference to 31 cm.

Used Old Norwegian Cast On, so I skipped the first RS row.

Moving increases in 1 more row from edge.

07-21-2016

Reached row 55 for Medium size. I am increasing length to that of size Large. So I’m switching the last 4 rows of increases to every other row instead. Keeping the same stitch count as size Medium.

07-26-2016

Cast on for XL size at sleeve separation and including increases every other row so front and back numbers will match L size.

07-31-2016

Took a break on this while traveling to Ireland. This project isn’t that portable. Now that I’m back, I’ve decided to include vertical bust darts increases.

I’m not following the pattern as far as width of stripes goes at the top. I chose to start with a 4 row stripe and increase the width of each stripe by 1 row as I go. Switching to the pattern for the short row stripes on the body.

08-06-2016

Started Vertical Bust Dart Increases at the beginning of the first section of short rows for the crazy stripes.

08-10-2016

I’ve decided I don’t like German Short Rows after all. I thought I loved them. But I hate picking up the last SR (that was created at the end of a purl row) on the knit side once you start knitting in the round again. It keeps coming out completely wonky. I’m certain it’s not a tension issue. I’ve looked and looked at it. There’s almost something knot-like going on. I looked online and found several people with a similar problem, many people who didn’t understand the problem, and no answers. I don’t have any problems with the double-stitches that were created on the knit side being picked up on the knit side and vice versa…it’s just the last one before you switch back to in the round on Rows 10 and 20 of the crazy stripes section that are an issue.

I’ve decided to switch to Shadow Wrap Short Rows instead. These look like they will be the exact same no matter which side they were first created on or which side they end up getting knit or purled together on. So…I’m ripping back and trying again because I’m just that picky.

08-15-2016

Finished increases at sides so numbers will match the Large size now. Right side vertical bust increases are finished and I’ve started the left side vertical bust increases.

08-24-2016

I finished the first set of short rows. While the Shadow Wrap Short Rows definitely work well for the last purl wrap that will be picked up on the knit side once knitting in the round again, I’ve decided I don’t like them normally only because mine are too loose. I keep having to go back and tighten them all up. I figure if I use German Short Rows for all the other turn arounds and the Shadow Wrap for the last one only, it will make my tightening work much easier, and I won’t have the weird last short row that never looks right from the knit side.

09-03-2016

Finished the second section of short rows as well as the optional color blocks. I did the 3 needle bind off. Hoping blocking straightens things out along the sides a bit more…

09-05-2016

Working on the hem, and I’ve decided to do 4 rows of ribbing in the CC color before the bind off.

09-08-2016

Making neckline match hem in length.

09-09-2016

Starting the sleeves. Thinking of doing full-length. Adjusting the stitch count and decrease rate for a better fit.

09-16-2016

Decided to keep the sleeves 3/4 length after all. I like just having 1 set of color repeats on the arms.

09-22-2016

Weaving in ends! I did this throughout, so I only have the arms to do!

09-26-2016

Just need to block…have delayed a few days on this…blocking not being my favorite activity…I also need an afternoon when my 2-year-old naps in bed (not in the car as he has been prone to do lately). I’m too tired by the time he’s in bed for the night for the intricacies of blocking.

01-24-2017

Frogged the whole thing. It was beautiful and fit nicely. There was just one problem: the positioning of the color pattern made my right boob look visibly larger than my left. That’s not actually the case in real life. It did the same thing to my sister. I really love the pattern though, so I’m going to give it another go with different color and stripe placement.