Wow! You are jumping right in! What is the yarn that you are using; it has a beautiful sheen. Is there silk? rayon? bamboo?

The foundation chain, if it's the newfangled one that you make as you go (chain/SC or chain/DC), it does have a lot more give to it than a row of chains. That's one of its great virtues; it has as much give (or more) as the row of real crochet stitches. MUCH nicer especially for a neckline, sock top, etc. I've seen different methods for creating it, and am not sure I have it nailed yet (but it's working, whatever I'm doing!); possibly it will be looser or tighter, depending on how you are making the stitches. That said, I can't see anything ruffly or anomalous in your picture! If you are going to work in to the chain later on (I'm not sure how this pattern goes), then it'll probably smooth out anyway. And I'm a new convert to the wonders of wet-blocking to shape the finished garment; that gives you another shot at making things a bit more even! Otherwise, just call it a Design Feature!

Not sure how to count; I'll have to go look at the book to see what the stitch pattern is. If you are working back-and-forth, turning your work each time, then yes, the solid line probably indicates two rows (the little ridge would stick out on the front and not the back [or vice versa], so it only shows on one side in every ALTERNATE row because you are turn your work as you go). Put in a stitch marker and make a note of where you put it, then count two rows and see what it looks like.

Figuring out what little bits of visible yarn are part of "one stitch" or "the next stitch" has actually been one of the most challenging things for me to learn!

Good luck!

hi
when i crochet a sweater i use the method for knitting top down
no seams
sometimes it looks like the sweater in the picture
and sometimes not
but it is fun
also i can change size to fit me better
lily chan has some excellent patterns
for this kind of crocheting
it is fun crocheting
you can be as creative as you want
i find knitting to constrictive and crocheting is faster
sylvia

So how did the sweater come out? I am trying to make the same one but I have some problemes with the conversion to another yarn type as there are no indication of depth and arm opening in the pattern. Which size are you going for?
best regards
Ellen

I LOVE the color of the yarn. What brand and color is it?? I can tell this is going to make a beautiful sweater!