12-29-2022 -- Ready to cast on. Love the asymmetrical aspect. Just right for knitting on my way to Donegal this Sunday. Could not get gage on US8s, which is the yarn’s label gauge. Perfect 18 st when I tried 7s and that is what the pattern calls for. Yay!

Frogged after an inch and recast on for flat knitting instead of steeking. It’s going fast. Only concerned about the scratchieness of this yarn… very coarse but I hope it will soften in washing.

7-3-2023 -- Have been slowly plugging along. I am at the bust increases on the body of the sweater. I’ve knit in one piece back and forth on circulars -- no steeking. It really is a beautiful piece so far and will be super warm. I see Kasnerak knitted hers as steeked but ended up sewing it together to be a pullover instead of a cardi. Might consider that. Knitting this section is time consuming: size 48 is 10 minutes around in the purl side, 8 min on the knit side at the largest bust point.

7-12-23 — divided for underarms and have started the back, since it is pretty straightforward and easy. I’m keeping in mind that I may need a larger armhole for comfort so waiting to see how that shakes out. My little surprise was that since I am not steeking, the front will require some extra thinking to execute, so I’m doing the back first. Looking gorgeous! Very heavy in the Donegal Tweed, though, and I’m only 3 skeins in. Also itchy and coarse but I see from the web that this yarn softens beautifully after just one wash.
1/22/24 - Modified my sleeves because my gauge on rows is too loose. The measurement for length, instructing to start the ribbed cuffs is measuring from the top of the arm where it connects to the shoulder and not from the pits to the wrist.
2/7/24 - played yarn chicken and won with inches to spare! Ready to block, add facings and snaps then wear!! Hope it gets cold outside so I can wear it!
3/12/24 - kept putting off the finishing since knitting is so much more fun. But tonight I sewed on all the snaps and ribbons, sewed in the ends (very bee because it was mostly one giant piece knitted continuously. Done!!