You are looking at the latest knitting in progress. It is the second sleeve from Oblique from Knitty. I love this pattern more and more as I knit it. I also love the yarn I chose: Cascade Eco Plus in a rich red called (ta-daaaa!) Valentine. Love it.

I decided to fake myself out and begin the sweater with the sleeves since I hate doing sleeves. For some reason, when the body is finished, I feel done, so the sleeves are always a tedious chore. They always take longer than I expect. So far, starting with the sleeves has been a welcome change, and by the time I get to the body, I’ll have the stitch patterns down pat. I’m probably delusional thinking I might get this done by Valentine’s Day, but it is fun to try anyway.

Check out my cutie patootie garden gnome stitch marker. He is one of four, from Wee Ones on Etsy. She does the most wonderful stitch markers out of Fimo. I am having her make me some dachshunds (of course).