Knitting this sweater for my youngest son (9 y.o.) He chose the color when I had used it as one of the colors in a Fair Isle sweater I had knitted. It is rust w specks of yellow and red. It will go well with his bright auburn hair.

The photo with the tandem bike was taken during the yarn trip. This past weekend, on my birthday, we took a long distance bike ride to buy enough yarn to make the first one of these Guernsey sweaters that two of my three boys have been asking for. It was the only shop in the state that carried the yarn. There’s eight skeins in that rear bike bag!

The body is knitted bottom up. After you knit the yoke, you pick up the sleeve and knit them from the shoulders down.

Old Norwegian Cast-On 168 stitches.

Knitted a garter stitch ribbing for 1 1/2”

Knit body in stockinette w thin verticle stripes of garter stitch.

I dropped all three boys off for basketball ball camp, helped get their beds made in their dorm rooms. Then my youngest son took me aside and asked if I could start his sweater because with them at camp, I wouldn’t have to drive them places. Dad could cook for me and I could knot 24/7! Could I use all those hours and just work on his sweater? I made no promises, but the next day I started working on just his sweater. I also used the time to clear out their closets and take four large storage tubs full to Goodwill!

Working an arrow pattern band between the body section and the cabled yoke.

Sloped bindoffsat shoulders to avoid stair stepped edges.
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/sloped-bind-off/
https://quinceandco.com/blogs/news/techniques-sloped-bind...
Sloped bindoffs at back of neck
http://cocoknits.com/tips-and-tutorials/techniques/a-prop...

Purl side decreasesat neck so they slant right or left as seen from the front/knit side
http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2009/10/purl-decreases-p...

Arm Hole Steeking
Armhole steeks and picking up stitches for sleeves:
http://paper-tiger.net/steeks

More links on Steeking and finishing techniques on my Marius Sweater Project Page: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/heyKerrianne/mariusgenser

Steeking for armhole and neck opening on another Guernsey that was modified set-in sleeves with cap sleeve pick up: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/heyKerrianne/jacks-guern...
Steeking a cardigan with Plötulopi yarn enabling a very minimal steek area: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/heyKerrianne/ryrau---rus...

Placket: on underlying later, after I knit 3 rows starting on WS to make two purl ridges on garter st band, I Stockinette St the last 5 rows for less bulk. Buttonhole Placket was all garter stitch. Knit 4 rows starting on WS. On RS knit buttonholes by binding off one or two stitches depending if button is 1/2” or 3/4” instead of the yo K2tog button hole.
https://youtu.be/F6eHfVXTEIU
http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-i-cured-gart...

Picked up stitches for neck band. Evaluate how stitches to pick up per inch
https://youtu.be/oUPhLYkC0Fw

On neck garter st rows, I neatened the edges by forming a 2-stitch I-cord edge. Knit to last two stitches, move yarn between needles to the front and slip the last two stitches purl wise. Turn fabric and continue knitting (yarn will be in back but two stitches over. This is where it should be for the 2st. I-cord so just start knitting until you get to last two st. on other side and repeat the edging.
Other methods for double or triple I-cord edging. Can be used for split hems, etc.
http://giftofknitting.com/how-to-knit-a-perfect-edge-fini...

Other links for applied I-cord edging:
https://www.masondixonknitting.com/fine-cord-edging-2/
Side edging:
https://youtu.be/9lVisnXB4_8
Cast-on:
https://youtu.be/KxNtbWYXrvg
Bind-off:
https://youtu.be/GyhgyvEgsBM

Updated Measurements for Dan (age 15)
Back neck: 7”
Cross Back: 15.5”
Chest: 41.5”
Waist: 38”
Hip: 40”
Upper Arm: 13.5”
Armhole Depth (set-in sleeve): 8.75”
Back Neck to Wrist: 31”
Shoulder bone to wrist: 21.5”
Underarm to wrist: 18.75”
Head circumference: 23”

Parenting teenagers is challenging, we do our best but there is no playbook. Many parents hold their children like birds in their hands. Then at a certain age, they open their hands and send the bird flying. But you’re not a bird to me, Dan. You’re a kite and I am holding the ball of string. I’m going to let the string out, slowly, bit by bit, over time. Encouraging nudge, push and pull, balancing between too close and tight or too slack. I hope he never has a day where he feels as if someone has just let go of his kite string.

You are the kite, and I am the ball of string;

You are the voice, and I am the song you sing;

And when you fly, I will be following,

‘Cause you are the kite, and I am the ball of string.

At that moment, the kite strings were in our hands. We gently let them go.

Inspirational poster of Michael Jordan The Great stands before you, daring you to beat him. Below his stare reads, “PRESSURE IS PRIVILEGE.”

My drive, my competitiveness, my strong-willed nature — yeah, I try to pass that on to my sons. If you’re going to do something, I have long preached, do the best you can, take pride in it, and do it better than anyone else. When it comes to preparation, be meticulous. Always set aside time to practice even the most fundamental information or techniques.

Further reference that you’re never too young OR too old to respect the fundamentals. You can never be too good at the basics!

No matter how hard something may seem, no matter what situation you’re in, there’s someone out there who dreams of being in it.

Comments after my colleagues and students: “She is an outstanding leader who has a deep and thorough knowledge of the history and techniques. She knows how to inspire, listen, teach, and persevere.”

“Pressure? Please. That’s where she thrives. She finished a 4 1/2 years program in 14 months. She made a career of clutch plays and goals achieved in pressure-packed moments, she developed a reputation as a chemistry student, grad student and later knitter with no fear.”