Here’s the little gansey swatch I knit up last night to check gauge:

The textural tree element I worked here will be repeated three times across the chest as part of a larger design. It’s a little more subtle than I was imagining, but it’s growing on me – it will be an understated sort of sweater.

Here’s another view of the swatch on its fieldtrip today:

On the runway is Gustave, my prized Edward Gorey stuffed cat who hangs out with me at the office. Observe Gustave’s knitwear – I did not make it. He came that way as a gift from my hero, Lloyd Alexander, at Christmas. I’m still in awe that my job allows me to work with such a legend. Lloyd, in addition to being one of the greatest children’s books authors of all time, is one of my favorite people, as he is extraordinarily kind and is in possession of a corruscating wit. He also gives a mean Christmas present.