I made my baby's sweater- but I did it wrong

[SevenVeils]

I made Joseph from Knitty

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring03/PATTjoseph.html

It was like magic to me, seeing an actual garment come together. I'm very happy with myself.

BUT...

I made some errors and was hoping for some input.

First, on the two front panels, there is armhole shaping (where the sleeve attaches), and neck shaping. Are those two supposed to go on the same side of the panel, or on different sides? I did them on the same side but I think that may have been wrong.

Secondly, when I sewed up the sides everything looked great, even, etc- and I love mattress stitch btw- but when I attached the sleeve I found that I had made the armholes way too small. Probably half the size of the sleeve opening

In fact, I didn't bother with the second sleeve. I'm scrapping the whole thing because although it fits fine with no shirt on, if I try to put it on him with a shirt on it is going to be uncomfortable (if I can even get his arm through with a shirt on ). That's why I made it out of yarn that I hate and didn't really want on my baby anyway

I had thought I was sewing it correctly, I sewed up to the beginning of the BO for armholes. How do you know how big to make the armholes? Do you have to hold the sleeves up before sewing the body?

I want to figure these things out before I start on one with good yarn that I like...

[flapjack]

OK, what I do: I tend to run a lifeline (you know about those, right?) through the purl row before the bind off for armholes. An awful lot of patterns ask you to measure armhole depth, and I find it easier to have a fixed point to work from. It makes it easier (most of the time) when you're fitting the sleeves in as well.
The front panels really should be mirror images of each other, with the two neck bits next to each other and the two armpits away from each other : I'm sorry I know that's not the answer you wanted.
Thirdly, it is more important to get your sleeves in right than it is to get flawless side seams, seeing as it's more noticeable. Therefore, always set your sleeves in place before sewing up the side and armpit seam. Use the lifelines to help you, then pull them out before you sew the sides.

[3for3hb]

what are lifelines????????? :

the more i knit the more i realize how little I know

OP, what kind of yarn did you use???