DROPS patterns are insidiously difficult to follow.  And oftentimes, they cannot be made as directed.  However, I really wanted to make this short jacket for a friend’s birthday:

https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=5275&cid=17

My first attempt was less-than-satisfactory.  I could tell that even though I was following the directions scrupulously, this jacket would be way too big.  So I went to http://www.ravelry.com and found a discussion about this pattern, which helped immensely.  And I discovered that I wasn’t alone in finding DROPS patterns difficult to follow.  So I started again from the beginning.

I used a smaller hook (4mm) and did double crochet rather than triple crochet for the flower.  I shortened the sleeves, made them more narrow, and used three chains rather than five for the edging. This sweater was made with three skeins of Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca.

My friend modeling her new sweater: