I’ve finally achieved sweaterdom. Clearly, I am rubbish at gauge, because all I’ve had in this department is Fail.

I bought 6 gorgeous balls of MadelintoshDK in a colour called ‘Filigree’ a few years ago, bent on creating my first successful sweater. My first attempt was the Effortless Cardigan. I got this far, realized it was sized to a rhino instead of to me, and frogged it.

Attempt number two was the gorgeous Sous Sous sweater. I decided I would whip it off while driving from Toronto to Newfoundland (first sign of madness; there is no such thing as ‘whipping off’ a sweater). It too turned out to be a gauge disaster, and got frogged. I could have wrapped my entire body in just the front.

Attempt number three (third time’s the charm, right?) I started a Honeytree vest by Tanis Fiber Arts. I swatched, I washed, I pinned, and I asked the advice of a few knitters on Instagram. I was on my way. Ravelry project page here.

Only mod (other than going on a bit longer to create a tunic length):
I added a pretty panel to the back with a super simple stitch:

Cast on a multiple of 5+2
Row 1 (RS): p2, *slip 1, k2, pass slipped stitch over k2, p2* Repeat from * to end
Row 2 (WS): k2, *p1, yo, p1, k2* Repeat from * to end
Row 3 (RS): p2, *k3, p2* Repeat from * to end
Row 4 (WS): k2, *p3, k2* Repeat from * to end

And success! The pattern is very well written and extremely easy to follow. My only change, were I to knit it again would be to give myself a wider band of ribbing in the front, to compensate for my broad chest. The sweater fits perfectly in the back, but it’s never going to close, even with a belt.

Though the weather is finally awesome, this is a great layering piece for cool evenings when you don’t want to resort to a jacket, but want something nicer than a hoodie.

Random shot in the car. I am casting off the sweater, and demonstrating the correct use of the cup holder ;)

What are your favourite sweater patterns? Has anyone tried CustomFit by Amy Herzog? I’m super curious to try a sweater with her!