12/1/09: OK, the pattern for this sweater (worked in sport weight alpaca) is now available as a PDF download from Knit Picks…and if you want to make it in the lace weight, as shown here (you crazy, crazy creature!) you can download the lace weight “translation” addendum from my pattern page.

8/20: I’m done with the second sleeve and now I’m blocking this sucker! That’s thirsty work, I tell you what. FO pics coming soon. Pattern’s already written up, too (except for the numbers part, which I’ll have to adjust for light-worsted gauge once I decide if the Invernal looks good for this, but which is pretty fill-in-the-blanks-y for something as simple as this).

I may make the laceweight version instructions available as an extra or something, but I really can’t imagine anyone else being crazy enough to work this up in threadlike yarn on toothpick needles. It nearly killed me…

8/18: Finished the first sleeve last night. Ugh, I hate second sleeves…they’re worse than second socks!!

8/15: Cast off the hem and started on the first sleeve!

8/13: I’m 90% done with the body and am pretty sure I’ll have enough left from the second skein to do the bracelet-length cuffed sleeves I have in mind for this. I’m really happy with the way it’s turning out so far…the lace trim is super-pretty.

It’s incredibly labor-intensive to work this much fabric in laceweight yarn on #3 needles, though, so I think I’ll work up a second one (and the eventual pattern) in Aslan Trends Invernal--I’ve asked my LYS to order some more of that in winter white and will swatch next week to see what adjustments I need to make for the different gauge, and how the lace looks. I’m hoping the angora glow will be lovely, but not so fluffy as to obscure the texture…

7/28: Got the lace pattern memorized, finally, and am making quicker progress now. I think this will end up being the border of a lightweight, longer-length cardigan…A/C wear for TX in the summer! The yarn is super-soft and really, really nice--truly indistinguishable from Malabrigo, and with 950 yards I might even get the whole garment out of one skein. Awesome!

7/20: I found the Fernfrost scarf by Anne Hanson on Ravelry the other day. Love this lace pattern and think it would make for a great garment, not just a scarf. Trying it out on the plane ride tomorrow to see if it’s something I can work on while I listen to symposium presentations this week in Bucksport…