Wee Bit Irish.

I am the realization of the American melting pot. A dash of Italian, a handful of Polish, a generous portion of German, toss in some Austrian, (There are probably a few secret ingredients, because what family doesn't have those? Am I right?) Top with a pinch of Irish. Indeed, my second great maternal grandparents were Katie  and Cornelius O'Leary. A very interesting discovery, because until a couple years ago, my mother would have sworn to you that we weren't of ANY Irish decent. 

Regardless of heritage, everyone in Chicago is Irish, just ask them. This is especially true on St. Patrick's Day, wherein many thousands of college-aged persons and peoples experiencing midlife crisis dress like the Lucky Charms mascot and behave in belligerent displays of drunkenness down the middle of Clark Street. 

I've indulged in my fair share of green beer and Irish Car Bombs, but I'm now at the interim age for St. Patrick's festivities and prefer a lower-key approach. I saw a recipe for baked eggs inside twice baked potatoes last week, which seemed appropriate for a St. Patty's Day brunch, and we busted out the distillery reserve we got last year while we were in Dublin.  

I also managed to block the Fargo sweater I knit using the Studio Donegal I bought during the same trip. How's that for authentic? 

It was a good day to be wearing an Aran sweater. It was COLD. 

Now, about the sweater. First the pattern. Beautifully written. Very easy to follow. I wanted a roomy pullover, so I knit to the instructions for the "36, and I got exactly what I set out for.  I love the semi-seamed construction in this design.  A set-in sleeve and shoulder seam provide a great element of stability to the garment. 

Now the yarn. Like I mentioned above. I bought this yarn in Dublin. From what I can tell, it's not for sale stateside. The perfect storm for a yarn shortage, right? 

By the Time I'd finished the body, I was starting to sweat. I had less than two hanks remaining to get through both sleeves and the collar. 

Knowing the collar was a critical feature of the design, I decided to pick-up and knit it before starting on my sleeves. Worst case, scenario, I thought, I can knit short sleeves.  I knit EXACTLY the "3 the pattern instructs, and bound off.  

Then, using my digital food scale, I divided my remaining yarn into twp equal balls. You wouldn't believe how handy that food scale is for weighing yarn! I highly recommend having one around. 

Then, I had to get a little bit MacGyver. Instead of knitting the sleeves from the cuff as written, I reversed engineered them. Starting from the shoulder-cap, I worked backward down the sleeve to the cuff. I wasn't sure how long I was going to be able to knit my sleeves, but since I'd already divided my yarn, I knew they would be even, no matter the length. 

As you can tell, my fears were for naught. The sleeve length is kinda perfect and very proportional to the rest of the sweater.  I would have liked to go back to add an inch to the collar, but no joke, this is how much yarn I have left. 

Luck of the Irish, no?