Can you see it? What about here:

That extra repeat of the horseshoe pattern goes a long way to explaining why I used as much yarn the second time I knit the left front, despite going down two needles sizes. And why it seemed bigger than the right front. And why I did have the expected amount of yarn left over from the back. And why even after trying twice to line the stitches up correctly I had to ease the left side seam to get it lining up correctly at the ribbing.

Exactly how stupid can one knitter be? Quite stupid apparently. And also somewhat lacking in self control. I was supposed to start Isabelle’s travel quilt last night, but after a wonderful day where I cleaned the house, Jesse sold the old car, we went to see a friends art exhibition, to a yarn store to choose the colour for my next project (I will be using Claudia’s cardi mod), to the museum and the swimming pool I just couldn’t stop with only the collar to go, I had to keep knitting. If I knew then what I know now I probably wouldn’t have bothered.

Kristine was right, there is crying in knitting.

On the up side, in the finishing of this sweater (which I now have to un-finish) I have come to realise that I will only ever wear it when on holiday to colder places (the snow on the way home next week, Adelaide, Melbourne, Blue Mountains etc). Thinking of it as a comfy, cosy, holiday sweater has completely changed my perspective on it and I am over my arm fit issues.Though if I were going to knit this again I would probably take the middle ground and knit the whole thing on 7mm’s. Never the less, YAY for a positive note to end on…

Thanks everyone for your encouragement and suggestions. As you can see I have seamed up the first sleeve. It is a bit snugger than I would like but I have decided to make the second sleeve as per the pattern (less two needle sizes). I think it will block out just enough, and/or stretch with wear. This yarn has a lot of give and I can get another hand down the sleeve with ease.

This is pattern is supposed to be “one size fits all”, but it is pretty huge in the body if you knit it up at the suggested gauge; However, with sleeves which are more fitted than the body (by design) you run the risk of the sleeves and/or armscye being too small if you knit it on smaller needles as Steph and I have done. I am a US size 10 with arms more like a 12 and I would not recommend making the smaller version if you are any bigger than that as you may run into trouble with the sleeves or armscye.

I have to say that I am really hating my arms today. The weight gain (and inability to maintain the regular exercise routine that I was in) due to my infertility and treatment thereof really get me down sometimes. It seems like every thing in my life goes in cycles, and given that my menstrual cycles are whacky the cylces of my life are whacky and the drugs etc just make it all even more fun. I am in a holding pattern treatment wise at the moment and trying not to think too much about still not being pregnant, about still not having sibling for Isabelle. Somehow trying not to focus on the real problem makes my yo-yoing weight much more frustrating. I remind myself that I have taken the weight off before, kept it off and been blissfully happy with my health and my body for long periods of time. I know that if I have done it before I can do it again once this is over, but some days having a puffy face and fat arms just really gets to me.