On a Whim is a design built directly into CustomFit, which means that each On a Whim pattern is written specifically to your choice of gauge and size.

I won’t lie, I started the summer stressed out by the number of deadline knitting projects I needed to complete this summer. So I took the only rational course of action: Ditched them all for a palate-cleansing sweater or two.

On a Whim was the ultimate guilty pleasure project for me. The yarn was luscious, the design was simple, and the resulting sweater filled a hole in my wardrobe. I made it to please myself – and then went back to my “regular work” refreshed and patient.

Since On A Whim is built into CustomFit, it’s worked in pieces from the bottom up with set-in sleeves. I created the design with a slightly (but not excessively) wide scoop neck and an A-line shape. It’s worked in Stockinette stitch with simple 2×2 ribbed trims, making it an incredibly flexible design.

I created two samples before I was done – first, an elbow-sleeve, tunic-length version for my god-daughter (in the red, here). It uses Indigodragonfly MCS Sock, in the color “Only the exact phrase I used was don’t (Inara)”. The fingering weight fabric, out of wool blended with a generous amount of silk, results in an incredibly floaty garment that is perfect for warmer seasons. For a standard women’s size 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62)” elbow-sleeve sweater in my gauge of 7 stitches per inch, you’ll need approximately 3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8) hanks of MCS.

Then, I made one for me! I created a 3/4 sleeve in a long-sweater length out of Indigodragonfly’s Mergoat Worsted, in “The Brain in Maine Feigns Trading Pain for Skeins”. This worsted-weight version is snuggly, substantial, and perfect for cold days. For a standard women’s size 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62)” 3/4-sleeve sweater in my gauge of 5 stitches per inch, you’ll need approximately 5 (6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) hanks of Mergoat Worsted.

One more note on yardage – while I’ve given approximate quantities for standard size sweaters, CustomFit will make On A Whim in the size and gauge of your choice. And it’s pretty tough to give yardage requirements for any possible combination! If you’re not using the recommended yarn, and/or you’re not a standard size, I recommend Hannah Fettig’s amazing app, stashbot, to get a sense of your yardage requirements.