I've always found that converting knitting patterns between machine and hand is a brain challenge. I've tried different ways and learned some big lessons when converting Andrea Mowry's Weekender to the machine. I used my LK150 because of the yarn weight. The biggest lesson I learned is that matching the swatch isn't necessarily a good thing. For me, the sweater was too stiff and I would have preferred a looser gauge on the machine. Second, I converted the pattern to be pieced together on the sides. Piecing a tight gauge sweater and having the purl side out did not look the way I wanted it to. It was too thick and bumpy. I ended up frogging the whole thing and chalked it up to experience.
Keep at it. The math conversions will build stronger pathways in the brain, and it will get easier.
I've always found that converting knitting patterns between machine and hand is a brain challenge. I've tried different ways and learned some big lessons when converting Andrea Mowry's Weekender to the machine. I used my LK150 because of the yarn weight. The biggest lesson I learned is that matching the swatch isn't necessarily a good thing. For me, the sweater was too stiff and I would have preferred a looser gauge on the machine. Second, I converted the pattern to be pieced together on the sides. Piecing a tight gauge sweater and having the purl side out did not look the way I wanted it to. It was too thick and bumpy. I ended up frogging the whole thing and chalked it up to experience.
Keep at it. The math conversions will build stronger pathways in the brain, and it will get easier.
Top-down is the preferred approach. Get the shoulder cap to shoulder cap and armhole depth measurements first.
You so beautiful work. I hope your plan works for you !