I’ve finally finished (except for the zipper, which I’m not putting in because it’s going to be a house sweater). I really did not like the construction - too many hems and seems. Hopefully after I block it again it’ll lay better, but for the time being I think I blocked one side too aggressively, and it just doesn’t lay even. The pattern is well written and easy to follow, but I think it was a bit more than I could chew for my second ever sweater.

5/23/13
Gauge swatches…I’m excited to be starting my first sweater for the hubby!

5/31/13
I was a bit confused on making the hem, but the author of the pattern was really good about answering my questions. Unfortunatley the hem still looked backwards when I followed the line-by-line instructions I verified with her (looked like garter on the RS and st st on the WS). I made it up so that it came out with st st on the RS…the hem might be a row or two longer than it should have been but looks ok to me! The body itself is knitting up pretty quickly.

6/3/13
Just finished the first hank…

6/9/13
Finished the second hank…it’s going quicker than I thought, considering it’s a lot of st st. However, I’ve decided I really prefer my addi turbos! I’m using bamboo circs, and there’s just too much grip. It seems like I have to make an effort to get every stitch off the needles. And so it goes, time to wind another hank.

7/2/13:
Third hank is almost done and so is the body. Despite being mostly st st, it isn’t too tedious.

7/8/13:
Started the first sleeve today. I’m only using one bobbin and carrying the CC and the MC. So far so good!

7/26/13:
I joined the sleeves today and seem to be two stitch markers short…

7/30/13:
So I can’t read (missed one marker completely) and the pattern was missing a marker in it. All is well now and I can get to the yoke! It’s really starting to look like a sweater!

9/11/13:
There were finally a couple of cool days so I was able to get a few rows done. After this week we should be well into fall weather when I can stand to have the sweater sitting in my lap. Can’t wait to finish this (even though I’m not sure on the neck shaping and zipper placement - I’ll tackle that when I get there).

9/22/13:
Coming along. At least each row gets a bit quicker thanks to the decreases!

10/12/13:
And the collar is done! Time to block before continuing. Hopefully I’ll get a little extra in the sizing (fits just so, and was hoping for a bit looser).

10/22/13:
Blocking…I hope it fits better after this.