11-30-2024

This has been one of the most fun and enjoyable projects ever! I think the best way to approach it is to not get too stressed at the outset - pick colours you love - high contrast works best - and trust the process (if you love the colours -they will work out!) I had equal parts speckles and solids

I would also recommend 4 skeins of fingering MC- just for cohesion if you’re going for a more scrappy look (mine are sprinkled fibers)

Making size 1 squares - I feel like it will give me the most customization for length and width (i.e. if i want it to be longer - another row of the size 1 wouldn’t add too much length)

My tips to maximize fun and minimize stress:

Start the first 10 squares just by playing - pick colours you’re in the mood for - they are amazing palette cleansers - low risk - I averaged 30 mins per square. I would knit a couple pink ones and then get bored and move on to a purple and green one - and so on. If you don’t love a combo right off the bat- no biggie - you can hide it - or rip it out - 30 mins of knitting is inconsequential for me personally

After 10 - take a look at what you have see what colours you need to add - I realized it was too many darker ones so I needed to make more lighter ones

After 25 or so - re-evalute again - maybe even start to place the ones you want in the front panels (It was clear which ones were my faves that i wanted to showcase) This also helps w/ the colour management to see which combos you gravitate toward and what you may need to knit more of.

I had about 40 squares when i started to pin them together w stitch markers - and played w square placement - needed to knit about 6-8 more based on colours to balance out and to add slightly more length

Generally following a dark/light background alternating pattern

Ended up seaming 45 in total - 25 in the back (5x5 squares) and 20 in the front (2 rows of 5 squares down - with the three v-neck squares)

I wanted a V-neck - so I followed ravelry user bag ‘s notes (below)for those 6 squares (3 are inverse for right side panel)

For v neck squares:
First square, cast on 28, knit 10 rows then bind off 1 stitch every 4th row. 23 stitches at bind off
Second square, cast on 22 stitches and decrease every 4th row. 17 stitches at bind off.
Third square, cast on 16 stitches and decrease every 4th row. 10 stitches at bind off

Working on the sleeves now - didn’t seam the sides- but just pinned them w stitch markers to make sure i have the right size sleeve opening. Had to add more stitches (KFB) than what was picked up to avoid puckering - for me it’s 75 stitches in total - spread out increases evenly throughout the sleeve pickup

12-20-2024

Finished! I did short rows on the back ribbing(both at the back neckline and the bottom back ribbing) so that it wouldn’t ride up and it could be even with the front panels

I also did the button band in three sections - I did not pick up the stitches all at once (two front panels and the neck - each separate) then seamed them together after to hopefully have more structure on the shoulders to minimize slide off

Added pockets (should have left a slit open while seaming the squares together - the top of one square from the bottom)

No balloon sleeves - just decreased ever 8 rows or so

I used every last bit of my MC (4 skeins total of fingerweight held double - to do the sleeves and modified button bands and ribbing; as well as the pocket ribbing and the pocket backing)

Button holes are patty lyon’s perfect button holes

buttons are handmade ones from etsy seller @LadyMayDesignsShop