I never knew that bust darts were even a thing until recently. I’ve watched a couple of YouTube tutorials about it and they seem simple enough - short rows in the appropriate places - but I’ve only seen it demonstrated on straight stocking stitch (aka stockinette stitch) so it would probably be more difficult to incorporate into a colourwork sweater unless the designer had included them. I think it tends to be more necessary on knits with negative ease that are close fitting. I have some tops that are purposefully longer at the back to cover the bottom!

We all seem to be commenting on the colours - and that’s because the combo is particularly effective. The pop of green really lifts the darker colours. And the knitting looks neat too. I’m sure it will be stunning when it’s finished. 🥰

What a great way to use up leftover bits and pieces. I somehow find these kinds of knits the most fun. How to make the most of what you’ve got. Love the sweater and I’m sure your SiL will love wearing it. 😍

@Betsy Moll me too :)

@Kelly Archer thank you. That’s very kind. I’ve knitted for almost sixty years but it was only about ten years ago that I found the confidence to begin seeing the pattern as a starting point and trying new things. Just go for it. When you come to realise that worst that can happen is you frog things a few times, it gives you confidence to try. 🥰

Hi Heather. I can relate to this. I’ve been knitting for almost sixty years too. My mum taught me when I was about five and I’ve knitted most of my life. But think about it - back then the only way to learn about knitting was what someone else showed you or from figuring out the pattern of reading a book. So you were limited to what patterns you came across or what your teacher knew. It’s really only been in about the last ten years, and the advent of digital online platforms and the internet, that people from all over the world have been able to begin sharing their knowledge and techniques. There has been an explosion of people making a living from creating new patterns and coming up with new ways of doing things. If there were people knitting brioche or top down in the round, or many of the other new techniques I’ve discovered in recent years, I just never came across them back then. So much of it is all new. But I think it’s a good thing. It’s allowing me to still be challenged after 60 years. Still find out new aspects of the craft. Still grow in my capabilities. I think it’s a case of reframing it. It’s not that you’re somehow failing as a knitter, it’s that you have so much more to expand into with all that experience behind you to back you up. It’s exciting! ❤️🥰 (and I’ve never explored steeking yet either).