Plum Tart - My first test knit

I spotted Raspberry tart a while ago, when Annamaria Otvos called for testers in her Ravelry group - 11 wild swans.  At the time I thought "no - I've too much going on and I'm not that experienced".  Whilst at Unwind - Brighton, I met up with a Ravelry friend who said I should go for it, and I happened to purchase a sq of yarn in plum from Eden Cottage.
Anyway, that was all the encouragement I needed, I signed up as soon as I returned from Brighton.
Here is the first bit!!  I decided to do a slightly different CO from the recommended as I didn't want my underwear showing or having to wear a t shirt.

I progressed to the short rows quite quickly, but here I encountered my first problem!  Despite doing short rows several times before, I have never realised that you pick up the wrap when coming back round.  I didn't know this and therefore, lost a few stitches off the front.  This wouldn't have been a problem, but the cable pattern hinged on the right number, so I increased to the right number.  This would have been fine, but then the cables didn't run from the ribbing correctly!  Now, for the pattern that wasn't right, but I did manage to get it symmetrical, and for me, that is fine.  You can see the mis-matched ribs here.

After that I split for the arms and it all went swimmingly to the end.  I had a really silly moment with the knots - I couldn't work out how to do them for the life of me, then looked on Google and found that I shouldn't have been taking the stitches off the left needle!!  Silly, but easily overcome.

When I finished and weaved in the ends, I was so excited I took FO photos there and then - I loved it, even though the length was slightly shorter than I would have liked.




Since then I have washed and blocked it and it has grown - hurrah - I loved it anyway but now it is even better.

The yarn was oakworth dk by Eden Cottage in plum - it felt a tiny bit scratchy, but since washing even that has disappeared and now it is lovely and soft and squishy!!

In summary, the pattern is gorgeous and very well written with lots of helpful hints and tutorials.  I would make another at the drop of a hat.  The yarn is lovely and again I would definitely get some more of the same.
Linking up with Frontier Dreams here - come on over for some more.