Mods (I get knitting-geek points for taking notes and transcribing all this):

c.o. 238 sts in long tail, work k1, p1 rib for 15 rows. 2 row spaces b/w each element. Green egg; 2 st space; red egg; 2 st space* x7. k29, begin chestburster, k30, begin chestburster* x2. k8, begin adult left-facing adult alien, k7, begin right-facing adult alien, k8* x2.

For sleeves, c.o. 64 sts in long tail, work k1, p1 rib for 15 rows. Green egg; 1 st space; red egg; 1 st space* x2. Begin increases as in pattern, to 88 sts. When joining sleeves, decrease one stitch on the front and back of the torso (100 sts each for front and back, bringing total # of sts to 340)

For yoke, Begin facehugger, no st spacing b/w* x17. Begin decreases @ row 16 of chart, 2/facehugger (on ends of chart). Every 4th-5th row, decrease another stitch per chart iteration. At 118 sts, work short rows across back as in pattern. Work 7 rows in k1, p1 rib and bind off in rib.

Oct 9/12: the yarn has arrived!

Oct 12/12: gauge swatching started today. Resultant swatch will be run through a washer/dryer cycle tomorrow to see what final blocked gauge is. I’m surprised that I’m not getting the gauge I got for last year’s commission sweater. I had to research free raglan patterns which worked with this gauge. Fortunately, I’d eyed this one previously and think it will work nicely, especially since there aren’t nearly as many short rows in this pattern as in the one I consulted last year. I think I might knit the largest size (rather than the XL) since others have pointed out that the pattern fits a bit more snugly than they’d prefer.

Oct 13/12: just uploaded a mock-up of one side of the sweater. Shit just got real, yo. :P

Nov 1/12: finally casted on after getting confirmation of the chest measurement on Oct. 29.

Nov 2/12: I’m on row 4 of the “eggs”, weaving in ends from row 1 as I go.

Nov 5/12: just completed the eggs. That was a boatload of Intarsia that I’m happy I don’t have to deal with again.

Nov 6/12: if I can convince myself that weaving in ends is therapeutic, I’ll never be stressed out ever again.

Nov 14/12: completed the chestbursters today, on Day 3 of those. Yet more ends to weave in! Update: I’m on track to start the adult aliens tomorrow.

Nov 16/12: I began the adult aliens yesterday, but it’s slow-going. It doesn’t help that I’m pretty sleep-deprived today. I’m hoping to noticeably improve tomorrow.

Nov 17/12: 9 rows left of the adult alien chart before I am done with this section! I should be able to finish it tomorrow!

Nov 20/12: the first sleeve has been cast on and I’ve begun Row 1 of the Intarsia.

Nov 23/12: I’ve completed the pre-joining work on the first sleeve.

Nov 24/12: cast on for the second sleeve today.

Nov 26/12: all of the (damnable) Intarsia is done for this project! Jiggity-jig.

Nov 28/12: Shit. Not only did I discover and fix the fact that I’d forgotten the underarm bind-off for the first sleeve yesterday, but I realized today that I forgot to do the same to the torso. I spent most of this evening so far picking up stitches so I can re-knit that portion. Update: thank Heavens that’s dealt with! I’ve started the Fair Isle on the yoke.

Nov 30/12: six more rows of Fair Isle to go. I’ve done one set of decreases in the yoke for a total of 34 sts decreased so far.

Dec 1/12: Fair Isle is done! Home stretch! Update: I’m calling it a night after uploading (poorly-lit) pictures of the sweater as it is now, with about 258 sts, and the majority of a facehugger.

Dec 2/12: five rows of 1x1 rib left on the neckhole before I bind off and weave in one end (I’ve been diligent)! Then blocking and getting it out outta here!

Dec 3/12: knitting is complete! I have blocking left to do when the humidity is lower.

Dec 5/12: blocking began today. Here’s to hoping that tonight’s lower humidity levels helps with the drying process.

Dec 8/12: the sweater is finally dry today. It was about 95% dry yesterday, when the rain set in.

Dec 9/13: the client indicated that the neckhole for this sweater is a bit too wide, so if I use this pattern again, I’m going to have to decrease a bit more.