I added an inch to the stockinette portion, in anticipation of adding at least a couple of inches in length below the arms. But as I knit it up, I realized this would make the piece much too heavy.

The yarn I’m subbing, Ellan Peruvian Sierra Aran, is a wool/alpaca blend with 92 yards per 50g. Ergo, I’m only to the armholes and that sucker is already just over 250g. So I am leaving the extra inch below the arms, but an going to shorten the armhole depth by one inch. Overall, it should be the same length as the pattern.

I remember now, when knitting a sweater in one piece to the arms, when you get the armholes you say “Whew!” Just like when knitting top down and you get to split for the arms you say “Whew!”

However, I am enjoying the pattern and the yarn, and the combination of the two. The alpaca fuzz lends a halo to the gansey (or is it guernsey) pattern. It’s less crisp and more subtle. Kind of faded. I like it. I did add a little shaping in the body about the stockinette and welt lines. I’m hoping it takes some of the box shape out of it, however minimally.

This is all I’ve been working on. My gifty knitting is stalled while I wait for yarn and other supplies.

Hoping to split for the arms this morning, because I want to take it in the car on our way to the Aquarium of the Pacific today! Whee! We love this place and haven’t been for years. What’s extra nice is this visit is courtesy of a colleague who passed along two tickets he had gotten at an event and couldn’t use. Extra whee!

Hope your weekend is also off to a fantastic start