Needlework Tuesday - My New Sweater!

Other than keeping up on my temperature scarf, I didn't really do much in the way of needlework...until yesterday. When the sweater kit I ordered from Mary Maxim arrived. 

I really had a hard time deciding on the colour, so I went with a Dark Rose, the one pictured. I'm not a girly-girl, but for some reason I wear a lot of pink.  I was hoping that it was going to be more on the red/raspberry side of the colour spectrum, but nope, it's definitely dark rose...pink. Oh, well. Like I said I wear a lot of pink, so it'll fit right in with my wardrobe.

I couldn't wait to get started, but the pattern intimidated me within 5 seconds of opening it up. I've made sweaters before, but not for a number of years.

Here's the problem:

• I really don't understand the gauge instructions. I know how to check my gauge (although I rarely do it), but this one is overly complicated., at least when I read it.  I decided to skip it and hope for the best.  
• The pattern uses stitch markers. I haven't used them before, but after a quick Google search, I found out that it's really straight forward, so that's one less thing to worry about.  I'm going to use some cute paperclips and/or dental elastics instead of buying some. 
• There's a mistake (at least by my calculations) on the first row!!!! of the pattern. Sheesh. I couldn't figure out exactly what the instructions should have been, so I just ended up purling a few more stitches on the end of the row. That had me worried about the rest of the pattern, so this morning I pulled out my calculator and went through a number of the other rows to make sure I understood what to do and to make sure that the stitches added up correctly. So far, so good.

Not a good way to start what I was hoping was going to be a fun, relaxing project.   I'm hoping it's going to get easier once I get into it.  I remember when I knitted my Aran Fisherman's sweater a number of years ago, I ran into all kinds of obstacles, but I eventually overcame them all...by myself.   If needed, I have a couple of neighbours who are avid knitters, who might be able to help if I run into major problems. 

The yarn feels really nice and so far it's been easy to work with.   I love that the Mary Maxim included a plastic zipped bag to hold the yarn while I'm knitting.  I imagine that it could also be used to store my cardigan once it's complete.   I also ordered the pewter buttons for this sweater, but I'll show them once I'm more into the project. 

Anyway, here's what I have done to date:

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather over at Books and Quilts.  Today she's posting about her temperature scarves.  She's even thinking about doing two more!!!!