September 20, 2024

Swatched with US7 needles, unblocked I had almost 22 stitches in 4 inches - way too many. But after blocking and pinning, I had 16 stitches in 4”. Close, but not perfect. And the wild swing with superwash yarn means I could end up with a giant sweater if I’m not careful.

Decided to stick with the US7 needles, make an M3 which is one size up from actual sizing, and then be extra careful not to create too much stretch in any direction when blocking - some stretch, yes, but not an aggressive block. If I pull it off, it should be a perfect fit. Worst case, it’s oversized a bit, but I think I can easily avoid any risk of looking stretched out or as if I was wearing a nightgown.

September 21, 2024

Cast on, through the first set of increases.

September 22, 2024

Joined to work in the round, so things will move slightly faster now just from the lack of purling.

September 22, 2024

Finished up to the sleeve split. Looking forward to splitting them off tomorrow!

September 28, 2024

Finished the body to the start of the front pocket. Set aside to let my hands take a break, the larger needles / yarn make my hands hurt in a way fingering weight does not. Decent progress is being made - deadline for the finish is end of October and that should be manageable.

September 29, 2024

Finished the pocket today and am ready to restart the body. That was a manageable chunk for the day and puts me in a good spot to pick up with the next session of knitting.

October 4, 2024

Working on the body behind the pocket. Making decent headway, about 12” in length from the underarm. Still a way to go, but hopefully on track to finish before the end of the month.

October 17, 2024

Got back to it today and finished off the body to the point where we attach the bottom of the pocket. Just a few inches of ribbing to go - then sleeves … . and the hood … . need to focus to be done by the end of the month!

October 20, 2024

Finished through about 2/3 of sleeve one. Working on 9” circulars instead of my normal DPNs because I want to build my ability with the 9” needles. It’s been slow going and my hands hurt a bit after only a few rows, but I need to develop the technique / muscle memory to be able to flex from DPNs to 9” circs for ease of travelling with projects and hopefully to build up a bit of speed with the 9” needles.

Working on DPNs I would have had the sleeve done already, but I’m determined to make these teeny, little circulars a tool in my kit.

October 26, 2024

Oof, I’ve left myself in a race for the finish line. This will never get blocked before the deadline, but I will get it off the needles and in for the KAL qualifying. I haven’t missed a deadline in this year long KAL for 6 (7?) years - I’m not going to start now.

Finished through the crown decreases of the hood. Once I figured out the picking up of the stitches, it was smooth sailing. Only some short row shaping for the front and the bind off to go! Should have that done tomorrow AM.

Then it’s onto the last sleeve. I’ll have about 3.5 days to pull off the sleeve, knowing that 3 of those days are workdays. So, it’ll be a push, but I should be able to make it happen.

I really like this design so far, and until I left myself in the crunch it was a fast and pleasant knit. Now off to get to knitting!

October 27, 2024

Finished the hood and just over half the sleeve today! Better than expected, but I still feel the pressure to hit the finish line. Hoping to squeeze a few minutes in tomorrow.

October 28, 2024

Only one more sleeve decrease to go before the cuff! I’m going to get to the finish line on time, barely, but I’ll make it.

Thankfully using the 9” circular did indeed get faster and easier as the second sleeve progressed - still not sold that it’s the right tool for me, but it’s nice to know I can use a 9” in place of a set of DPNs for times when DPNs are inconvenient.

October 29, 2024

Off the needles! All ends are woven in, but not yet cut. Put her on Esmerelda (dress form) and she definitely needs some serious blocking. Will get some pre-blocked photos tomorrow to post for the KAL, and then get her right into the soak for blocking. It’ll be a few days before she’s dry and ready for a real photo shoot.

October 30, 2024

Unblocked photo added, need to do glamour shots when blocked.

November 3, 2024

Still drying … . . day 4 and no end in sight.