Pattern: Buttercup, by Heidi Kirrmaier, available free on ravelry

Yarn: Elann Nilo in Blueberry (linen/cotton blend)

Needles: US 4 and 3 (5.5 st/in)

Notes: First of all, the color of the yarn is completely off in these photos.  It’s actually a nice purple, with very little blue, but it refuses to photograph properly.  I wouldn’t want anyone to buy this color thinking that they’ll be getting this shade!  Anyway, I love this sweater!  The pattern was very simple and easy to follow.  I made the original version, not the revision with the higher neckline.  The neckline is wide, but it’s not scandalous or anything, so I’m pleased with that decision.  It’s about 16″ long from the sleeve separation.  I knit the sleeves entirely on the smaller size to tighten them up, and mine have about 10 less stitches than the pattern called for (not sure if this was my error or the pattern, but I like it that way anyway.)

I did all the a-line increases as well as the increases at the end for the lace.  It is not too swingy at all, and I was a little bit worried.  I picked up stitches for the neckline a 2/3 ratio, including the back neck (usually I would do 1 for every stitch there.)  This really tightened up the neckline, which was quite floppy beforehand.  I also did all the increases at the beginning, resulting in some gathers around the back.  I’m not sure the gathers would work for everyone, but I quite like them because they are unusual.

As far as I’m concerned, I could knit with Elann yarns 90% of the time and be happy.  Nilo is a great yarn, and I recommend it without hesitation.  It’s light and drapey, but not at all hard on the hands.  It does not split, and contains no vegetable matter.  I liked it knit to a DK tension, but I also think it might work as a sport weight.  It does have a little tendency to wrinkle (all linens do) but other than that it was perfect – it didn’t even have a ton of knots like the Elann Luna I used last.

This one finished up quickly – but aren’t sweaters without real sleeves grand?  It’s the best part of summer!