Starting: J's Washbourne/ Big Damn Sweater

I love my husband.  I also have a feeling that this is going to become my mantra for the next several months.

J has wanted Wash's sweater from Firefly since he saw the show.  Long before he met me.  And now my knitting skills are finally where I'm comfortable making this sweater.

This is what he wants, only he wants it in green:

Because Cables are fun!!

Okay, good enough, I can do this.  Thank you Ravelry for useful things like more creative/talented people than me who have already figured out this pattern.

Pattern I am using is here.  This lovely thing is sized for a much smaller person than J.  42 inch chest would fit me nicely, but not him.  I need to add 12 inches around, a third repeat of the cable up and lengthen the arms as well.  It's hell knitting for an ogre.

Currently, I'm on gauge swatch number 5.  I've tried needle sizes 9 through 11, no dice.  Always too many stitches per inch.  I'm back on size 10.5 (the closest I've come) and doubling the yarn.  Hopefully, this will work.  It will make knitting it go slower, but at this point, it's more important that it fits right than he gets it soon.

It's a good thing he doesn't want this until fall.  Personally, my goal is for it to be done by Yule (Dec 21).

Yarn is Berroco Vintage.  I forget the colorway off hand, but dark heathered green.  Will ultimately need about 8 skeins I'm guessing.  Once I figure out the gauge, I'll get that part figured out.

And then, as an off project, I have a pirate hat to knit.  damnit.