I’ve finished my swatch and got my gauge for my new Chuck sweater. I was just going to follow the pattern as written, but you know me.  I can’t leave well enough alone.

I love the general shape of the sweater- the natural-waist hem is perfect.  And, the cables down the front are so cute.  But there are things I think I’m going to change.

First, I like the boat-neck collar, in theory, but I think it has to.  I have pretty narrow shoulders, so I usually end up fussing with drooping shoulders all day if I wear anything with a boat neck.  (Also, I’m constantly cold, so I’ll take any opportunity to be a little more covered-up.)So, that means I’ll keep the neckline shaping more or less the same, but move the sides of the neck in toward the middle just a bit.  To do that, I’ll cast on more stitches for each shoulder, and take away the same number of stitches from the bottom of the neckline.  A little math, but nothing too tricky.

Also, I gotta say, that big ol’ stockinette back makes me a little sad- I think it needs some extra decorations!  (Of course, I tend to like my sweaters to be totally covered with texture or color, so maybe I’m not one to talk.)So, I’m going to add a cable (or maybe two) down the back.  Nothing as elaborate as the front of the sweater, but just something to add a little something special.

I also think I might make the sleeves a touch longer (but I do that on almost every sweater, since I’ve got long orangutan arms).  I won’t have to decide about that for a while, though.

I hope it’ll turn out OK- I love the original pattern so much, I don’t want to ruin it.  In my head, my changes will only make it better- but we’ll just have to wait and see when it’s done.  In the meantime- cross your fingers for me!

Have you ever given an existing pattern your own spin? How did it turn out?