this is the picture from the magazine. i didn't want to go with the traditional oatmeal beige colored yarn that you see most aran sweaters in, so instead i went with...........

this!!!!! it's called Schoeller Stahl Schnellstrick Granda. it's 100% super wash wool and it's not itchy at all. i got it for super cheap from elann.com. there's nothing better than finding a super cheap substitute yarn to work for a pattern!!!!!

just past the armhole shaping for the front

i ran into some problems on the back panel. i lost count of where i was crossing stitches for the cable just to the outside of the center cable pattern. i didn't want to frog the whole thing because the mistake happened way down at the bottom and then again higher up. so i decided to be daring and just frog the cable stitches. this is done by taking a darning needle and stringing all other stitches on some waste yarn. then you just frog down to where the stitches are incorrect.

after redoing just the cable stitches, the stitches came out wonky and uneven. ypu can see them there on the left. so i had to get in there with a darning needle and pull the stitches to even them out.

   

here's a side by side detail of before and after. not too bad eh?

the front and back all done. i'll just use the still slightly wonky side as the back panel so at least i won't see it. hee hee.

and now, for the sleeves. i like to do both at one time on one long circular to assure that they're even and to avoid second sleeve syndrome.

FINISHED!!!!! JUST IN TIME FOR ST. PATTY'S DAY. WOOO HOOOOO!!!!

*note to anyone who wants to knit this pattern: there's a mistake in the cable chart. the chart is meant to be repeated 3 times. when you get to the second and third repeat, the 6 stitch cable pattern on either side of the main center cable pattern doesn't continue correctly. you just have to pay attention and cross the stitches according to what is correct from the first repeat.