November 24, 2019

Yarn purchased, but I don’t plan to start working on this until after the current sweater is done. However, best laid plans…. lol!

I’m also using stash yarn, purchased at assorted locations, including the actual Briggs and Little mill. I think this yarn is like a sour dough starter. Just a little in the stash keeps you going from sweater to sweater. This will be my third B&L sweater.

November 25, 2019

Cast on at knit night. I used the tubular cable cast on. However, 324 stitches on 2.5mm needles in black yarn is no joke. I’m going to work the ribbing flat then join in the round.

November 27, 2019

I worked about 3 rounds of ribbing flat, then joined in the round. It was hassle free, and there’s only a wee seam to sew.

I decided against working the braids. For my taste, the effect wasn’t worth the effort.

November 29, 2019

Aw shoot. I’m afraid I must rip and reknit. The bottom ribbing flips up with determination and gusto. Also, I don’t like the red there and I have rethought my plan for the bands.

I am loving the pattern. I find the repeats are easy to remember and very entertaining. I’m quite motivated to do this again.

My plan to fix the flip is to cast on 90% of the required ribbing, then increase when I get to the plain.

November 29, 2019

Mocked out the colors in paint. I should have done this from the start. Now I have a roadmap!

December 1, 2019

Ripped on Friday and back where I started by Sunday afternoon. I’m much happier with this iteration.

December 8, 2019

I’m almost done band B so it’s time to start thinking about the sleeves. I want to pickup around the arm and knit my sleeves down. That way I can control the length better. I also prefer to use a steek as I do not own a sewing machine.

The pattern says that the sleeve width should be about 10 to 11.5 inches. At 8 rows to the inch, that means I should start it at approximately row 70 of chart d.

11.5 x 8 = 92
64 + 28 of top chart = 92

December 20, 2019

Began band E. It is going to be long.

December 28, 2019

Finally got it to a point where Jim could try it on. Whew. I was so afraid it was going to be too long and it’s not. It looks damn impressive!

Okay, here’s the details. I used a cashmere sock yarn on the inner side of the neck ribbing. I screwed up the neck steeks a bit. I should have cast off the placket, then cast on the steek again. Suffice to say, I tied a bunch of knots and made sure to splice the yarns when sewing down the neckband.

Next up. I will knit down the sleeves. I’m going to secure both arm hole steeks. It will be good to give the finishing a rest and get back to the knitting.

January 8, 2020

Finished the knitting tonight. Tomorrow, I finish the steeks and sew in ends. Then we block!

I don’t want to take any pictures till after it’s blocked because blocking is magic. Given that I finish by the weekend, this project took 7 weeks.

January 11, 2020

I was anticipating a nice weekend photo shoot to make the most of the waning winter light. But the weather had other ideas and we are getting a deluge of rain. The light is thin and grey. Very disappointing, even if one did try to brave the elements under and umbrella.

So I pack up my hubby and we drove to the local library. The light was good, and the props most excellent! I hope he wears it in good health for many years to come.

August 27, 2023

Dave tried this on and it fit him just right. Sleeves and body.