I finished my J. Crew-inspired striped rollneck sweater last week and it turned out exactly how I wanted (the highest praise/best possible outcome of any handmade item).
The yarn is Cascade Cantata, a 70% cotton/30% wool Aran weight yarn. The final fabric is lovely–squishy and drapey and cozy but not itchy. I used another Petite Knit pattern (the Cloud Sweater) but added stripes and skipped any ribbing before the bottom hems.
This was knit on bigger needles than my rainbow sweater, but I also stopped knitting socks while I had this going and that might be the trick to a timely sweater? It’s not quite timely enough to wear it this spring, since it’s going to be 85 degrees Monday, but it’ll be ready for fall.