I love this design and bought myself the yarn as a Christmas present. Since the sweater will go to Jim it’s a dual gift.

Dec 15, 2013 - Couldn’t wait, and started nibbling at the edges. Just some ribbing, that’s all. The colors I chose remind me of a mallard duck.

Dec 28, 2013 - just placed the first point of white. And I’ve still got a week of holidays yet!

Dec 29, 2013 - this pattern is a thrill to knit! I’m blasting through it. I’m using the Philosopher’s wool method to catch my floats. It’s not as hard as I thought it would be to knit the motifs, as each row of the picture builds on the one below. I don’t count stitches, I look for placement. Also, LOVE my iPad for chart management.

Sleeve calculations - for a 24” circumference
192 sleeve sts
108 body rows
Pick up 5 sts every 6 rows

Jan 3 2014 - progress slowed as my hands began to hurt. I’m satisfied that the most difficult part is almost done before I go back to work. This has been a lovely project for the holidays.

Jan 5 2014 - huzzah! I’ve finished the first set of charts. Onward to the colors!

Jan 7 2014 - Disaster! My needle broke! Work has come to a halt.

Jan 18 2014 - Needle acquired! Progress resumes.

Jan 20 2014 - cast off the shoulders. I’m going to steek and do the neck next. I want Jim to be able to try it on as I knit down the sleeves so I get the right length.

Jan 25 2014 - I’ve lost enthusiasm for this. I wonder if it’s tied to the winters weather. I find I’m craving bright colors.

Jan 31 2014 - brought the sweater to knit-night. Emily took a turn as a model. It looks just as good on a girl!

Feb 2 2014 - cast off the first sleeve.

Feb 16 2014 - cast off, ends sewn in, and blocking! Tomorrow, we sew on the clasps. But I am, in essence done. Blocking makes it beautiful.