The pictures don’t do it justice. I’m a terrible model and he doesn’t take the greatest pictures. But I love the finished outcome!

I started this with size 7 & 8 needles. Made many mistakes and I’ve decided now to rip and start again. I am going to use 8 & 9 instead. I had trouble with the gauge and I think this will be better.
2011.09/11 From the beginning, 2 rows done.
2011.09.17 Third start. 2011.09.28 I have never had a project go this slow. It’s not the pattern, it’s me. Even with lifelines and stitch markers I have made enough mistakes to tear my hair out over. I’ve ripped this third start back 2 times and will do another 12 rows of ripping. I can’t tell if I’m knitting on the rs or ws now. I may have to rip the whole thing and start again. It’s a good thing I don’t give up so easy.
Okay….back on track and I have 13 1/2 “ of 21 done on the back. Yeah!
2011.10.05 Finally completed the back. BO stitches have no give. I really think a stretchier BO would be better. Hope to start on the fronts this weekend.
2011.10.09 Cast on for both fronts. This will be the first time I’ve knit two at the same time and on one cable. I CO using the Cable Cast on with #9 on a 24” circ. (Crossing my fingers!)
2011.11.01 Wow, let me catch this up. Still working on it. I have completed the fronts and I’m working on the sleeves. I have found that if you want to be sure they are exactly the same length it is best to cast both on at the same time. I have about 7” of the 12 done and I’m hoping to be finished and blocking soon. This has been a time consuming project for me. There just aren’t enough hours in a day for knitting!
2011.11.09 As of last night I have only 2” left to knit on the sleeves. I would have finished last night but it was getting late and I was afraid I’d screw up again. Hoping to finish tonight so I can block it tomorrow. Cross your fingers!!!!
Yea! 9:47 pm EST, and we have BO! Ready to block.
2011.11.23 Blocking wires have arrived. I hope I’ll have time to block it this Thanksgiving weekend.
2011.12.11 Finally, I have found time to pin it out. I’ve never blocked acrylic so cross your fingers! XXXX
2011.12.21 Finally got around to sewing up the seams. I blocked it but didn’t get around to the sewing for a while. Now all that’s left is to pick up the stitches around the fronts and neck back. I tried it on and so far I’m really pleased with the outcome. Almost done but it may be after Xmas before I really get around to the last knitting.
2011.12.23 Finished! YUK! I don’t know why but it pulls up in the front and is uncomfortable to wear around the neck.
2012.1.1 Went to visit my kids in Virginia. I stopped into a great little yarn store while I was there. At the Yarn Cloud, Robyn was so wonderful when I explained the problem with the sweater. She told me how to fix it and taught me a way to cast off the stitches with a crochet hook.
I ripped back the entire collar, instead of picking up 71 on each side I picked up 3, skipped 1, picked up 3 for a total of 111 on each side. (111,21,111 total of 243 stitches around) Knitted until it was 3” wide and used the crochet method to cast off. It’s wonderful! Feels good and fits great. It is all I was imagining while I was knitting it. Thanks Robyn!