Update 1/17/22
Over two years later this thing is still on hold…i took a long break from knitting at the start of the pandemic but also I really hate this color--the heathered gray reminds me of cheap sweatpants fabric (which I have no issue with on its own--I live in cheap sweatpants at home--but the color feels discordant in this design).
I’m afraid to overdye since the core is nylon and won’t take the dye; worried it would only make it worse so will likely start over with another Drops color (the yarn itself is a great sub, imo) and use the gray in a more casual pullover. And I really do love the pattern--interesting construction and so much drama!

Calls for 1350y aran 50/50 wool/acrylic, 155y/50g
Drops Air ordered 10/1

Gauge 11sts, 16rs= 2”, over pattern

Overview
Pretty straightforward pattern, no hand-holding but clear directions. Maybe not the best beginner project--abbreviations aren’t defined, no measurements beyond bust size (and no mention whether that measurement includes any ease--which, after doing the math--it does not), knitter needs to decide what kind of inc/dec are best, etc. Knowledge of knitting terms and garment construction needed as there are limited seaming/finishing instructions (“sew shoulders and weave in ends” and directions for picking up and knitting neckband…and that’s it).

The sleeves are what I’m really curious about. I’ve never seen a pattern where the fullness is concentrated in the elbow area, and the st pattern is interesting and well thought out--ribbing on larger needles separated by bands of garter st but on smaller needles as garter st is wider.
It might look ridiculous--the sleeves are very voluminous--but I’m fascinated and it should be an interesting knit.

Mods

• selvage stitches in stockinette
• cropped body
• cast on extra stitches to make ribbing same width as body, decreased to correct body st count in first pattern row
• changed sleeve increases to 6th row instead of 5th

Yarn
I decided to go with DROPS Air because it’s very close to the original yarn in weight (155y/50g) but also very light--the sweater uses a lot of yarn and looks like it could be really heavy in certain yarns.
Air is a blown yarn, kinda stretchy (when pulled the tube contracts) but ridiculously soft…a pleasure to handle but I’m sure it’ll pill.
The “beige” turned out to be very gray…no hint of brown tones at all; also don’t love the heathered look with the stitch patterns. The nylon core is white and pretty visible so I think any attempt to overdye would only look worse.

Notes
Not sure what to do with the body, but it definitely needs some tweaks for a more modern, updated feel.
I think I want to make it cropped and boxy--ribbing same width as the body. Would need to cast on extra sts and decrease them in the first pattern row.

Or…maybe tall, fitted ribbing with slight blousing like Rachel’s Briony (gorgeous and also in my queue!).

Oooorrrr…longer, slouchy body with ribbing just slightly tighter for an all-over oversized look…but the sleeves are so big and dramatic that I think this might be a bit much.

Main pattern gauge - 21sts/4” on US8
Half twisted rib - 25sts/4” on US5s

My main pattern gauge is 1st smaller than pattern requires…should be fine--bust will be ~38” instead of 36” (may consider adjusting pattern).

To make ribbing same width as body (38”):
Cast on 18 extra sts for both front and back.

Can’t decide so starting with sleeves.

10/30
Cast on sleeves 2AAT. Increases not specified; I used kfb as I thought it would best blend into the garter stitch.

Ribbing panels: 2.5” = 12rs (to start on WS and end after a RS row}
Garter st bands: change to US5 needles/garter st on WS for smooth transition

I changed the increases from the 5th row to the 6th; kfb looks great in garter st but with so many increases next to each other, it does tighten up the whole row which makes the p bumps much smaller. The garter band just looks better and more consistent when the increases are made right before switching to larger needles--at this point the three garter ridges are visible on the RS and at normal tension, so the increases kinda get hidden on the WS (and the change in st pattern and gauge further camouflages any inconsistencies).

Left the decreases in the top half of the sleeves in the 6th row as written; they also look best made on the RS right before changing needle sizes for the same reasons.

11/4
The end of the sleeves was in sight when I realized I had missed two rows in a garter band way back…had to rip back to the halfway point.

11/7
Sleeves finished - 171.7g used/564y
Guess I need to make a decision about the body…

11/12
On hold for a bit while my 8s are tied up in another project.

Final thoughts

For next time

• make cuff ribbing wider (or use larger needles)--the cuff is very close-fitting; I prefer long sleeves to extend 2-3” below my wrist but the size S is too tight to comfortably cover the lower 1/3 of my hand