As you work on Ella’s bodice with the goal of reaching the armhole bind off, please stop at that point without doing the bind off. Here’s why: It is important that the bodice fit you nicely and that the bottom of the bodice hits your body where it should–just above the natural waist.
Here is one way to see if the bodice to the armhole is long enough for your particular figure. Use the schematic in the pattern (for your convenience, I have included that schematic here) to measure from the armhole bind off to the shoulder.
To help you with this customization here is a link to a short little video we did that shows a quick way to get a sense of whether you need to add or subtract rows (or whether it is just right as it is).
After you finish your knitting for the week, it would be helpful to all of us {Melissa and I included} if you were to consider the KAL so far. Did you have enough to do? Any concerns? Tweaks? Are you all ready for Ella Diversions? Can we get a jump start on our fabulous embellishments if you all are ready? Is your schedule so filled that this week’s knitting assignment has been just right? Our sincerest hope is that we at Noni Design’s are able to provide you not with just a beautiful garment to knit, but a beautiful process of knitting.
The Noni Blog 
Ah! I was going to ask at the chat tonight if there was a schematic available! Does the old pattern not have it, or did I not receive it when I ordered?
Hey there! The old pattern does not, but it has chart for different colorways that was omitted in the second edition pattern. Either way you can’t go wrong!
I am looking forward to the tutorial. I am trying to become better at “tailoring” my knitted garments in general and about MEASURING 🙂 I’m particularly interested in the bodice tips because I am long-waisted so always end up knitting more rows to compensate, no matter the project.
I would love to start diversions/embellishments. This week was more lightly scheduled for me, so I knit quickly. That won’t always be the case but I am in the camp of preferring to have too much to knit than too little. The amount and frequency of information from you and Melissa has been great–and the tech-saavy manner in which it has been delivered makes it super easy to keep up.
Thanks for your support Beth! I hope we can provide a bit more tutoring for using many of the online sources. Thank you (and all the other tech savvy ladies) that offer help, insight and encouragement and SPEED! You reply sometimes before I me and I love it!
THANK YOU!
You’re reading my mind because measurements are my weakness and I am stumped. Someone at a yarn shop suggested I put all of my stitches on a lifeline and put the yarn around me. So glad I didn’t!!!! I am short waisted and big busted so looking forward to the chat tonight.
Do you read tea leafs too?
Janet
This is the best comment ever! Totally made me LOL!
Thanks so much for this information. The video really helped me alot!
Thanks for the vid! My husband overheard and tells me he’s happy to be the friend who finds my sweet spot–hahaha–great line Nora. 🙂
Thanks! The video was very helpful.
On a roll with the bodice and working extra because of my long torso. I plan on customizing my Ella by making it a vneck vest, long enough to cover my backside with a wider ruffle (tapered at ends?) AND closed with one of Jul’s swirl pedestal closures (for lack of the correct title at this time of the morning). Time for me to start thinking about the vneck decreases as I get closer to the armholes.
I loved the video, it is so helpful! I was trying to figure out how I’d know if the bodice would be long enough, and I was just about to try measure it (like Janet’s lifeline!) and I’m so glad I didn’t have to do it. I’m really enjoying this KAL and it has the perfect amount of prep and knitting each week that keeps me busy after work and still gives me enough time to get through everything else I have planned. Thank you! x
Thanks Stacy! We are really trying to balance what we assign to keep enjoyment levels high and stress levels low. Please keep providing us with critiques as we knit!
I knit quite a few rows and discovered I had chosen a size that was too big. I’m starting over, and would like to have a coat with very little ease, so I am picking size 36 because my actual bust size is 38. However, my waist is 30, and that would leave a lot of ease at the waist. Is it possible to start with size 32, and then increase into a size 36 at the bust?
Hello Gwendy,
It is possible to start with the measurements for the 32 for the cast on. . . in order to increase to the bust measurements for the next largest size, you will need to figure out how many increases you will have and you will have to do it faster. It’s pretty simple math. You’ve got 4 increase locations in the bodice, so you subtract the starting (CO) figure from your ending figure (stitches around at the bust) and then divide by 4. This gives you how many increases you need per location or the number of times you will increase. Then divide by the number of projected rows (using your gauge and the distance from cast on to armhole) to get the number of rows between each increase. As long as you keep the armhole depth the same as the size 36 you would then follow the instructions for the sleeves for the larger size. You will follow the skirt instructions for the smaller size. If you need more flair faster than you get it in the 32, then you just decrease the number of rows between each skirt increase.
Thank you!
I watched the video and with my husband and grandaughter’s help, measured. I think the length we have so far 4 1/2 inches is spot on…… Thanks for the wonderful advice. Your blog and discussion groups and chat help sooooo much!