12/22/08: Finally picked it up with a long size 10 circular and a small ball of yarn and did ribbing around the V-neck (decreasing at the V each time--well, I forgot to the last time, but it looks fine). It looks great! And I’m really all DONE!

12/8/08: Front done, 3-needle bound-off to back. Sleeves sewn into sleeve holes. Clipped side seam together. Once I do the side seams, perhaps do an extra edging on the v-neck, and weave in the ends, I’ll be done!

11/30/08: only a few inches to go on the front.

11/24/08: I had to rip the front back again--first the V-neck was not centered, then when I held the ‘finished’ front up to the back, realized I’d done the sleeve shaping 5” too early! Am back to the sleeve shaping just now, at 13.5”.

11/14/08: Decided to rip back the front and back to the bad yarn changes, stranding to create a more gradual color change. Back finished after maybe 2 days. Front, more challenging. I wish I’d made notes on the v-neck! Nearly there, though.

11/8/08: nearly to the armpits on the sleeves. Matched up repeats again; working out well.

11/1/08: Got the front done! Went ahead and did the 3-needle bindoff with the back; why would you wait? I needed the needles for the sleeves. I pulled yards and yards out of a second ball of yarn to match up the repeats and did very well; quite proud of myself. Started the sleeves, two at a time.

10/12/08: My sister talked me down off the ledge: why would I need bust darts on a ribbed sweater? And what was I thinking I would do with extra stitches in a ribbed pattern? I plan to pick it up and continue as if nothing happened.

6/6/08: up to armpits on the front but considering bust darts.

5/7/08: finished the back; cast on the front.

4/25/08: Completely ripped back and added in waist shaping a la Lily Chin’s VK article. I’ll also change the neck to a V-neck. Am almost up to the bustline already! Love those big needles.

4/10/08: needed something bought from Gail to knit on at the Alameda Yarn Co Knit Night. Yet another not-completely-mindless knit!

Pattern is also in Knitting 2006 calendar. Yarn already in stash.