Hi Grace,

My first swatch on #9 needles came out 5.5" (stitches) x 4.5" (rows). I swatched again on #8 needles and got a measurement of 4.185" (4 3/16ths) x 3.75". 

I'm not sure what to do with that!  I was hoping it would work out in a way that I could make the 32" sweater and get the finished size to 34.5-35". Hmmm... I'm not figuring on overlap with buttons though. Will you be addressing this issue next week?