Oshima the Second has begun. I’m a little further along than these photos, past the ribbing and into the stockinette portion of the arm. Alas, these were taken on a day when there was sun, and if I were to update the picture today it would be too dark and gray for a good indoor picture.

I made an Oshima pullover back in 2013 and I’ve been wearing the heck out of it since. I’ve worn the elbows thin and have made some holes in other places that need to be repaired. It’s been well loved.

At the time I made it out of Jo Sharp DK Wool Tweed and did just a single strand of yarn to get the pattern gauge. The pattern really calls for two strands of Brooklyn Tweed Loft held together, so that’s what I did this time. I must be a crazy loose knitter compared to Jared Flood (the designer) because I have to go down to a US size 8 to get the gauge he specifies on a US size 10.5. What the what? Honestly, the size 8 needles are a little easier for my hands to wield, so it works out well.

The color I’m using is Button Jar. I’ve admired it from afar for a long time and am happy to have it in my sweaty little mitts. I think this version of Oshima will also be more durable for the long run out of this yarn held double. I’ll try to rotate this one more often so it doesn’t wear out, but really 5 years out of a sweater I probably wore at least twice a week or more during the cold months is pretty darn good.

This sweater might be slow going because I’m going to interrupt its progress to knit a sweater for Matt, and possibly start a number of other small projects. Having many projects on the needles does make it hard to get one big one done quickly, but I rarely get bored with what I’m knitting, and having projects with a variety of needle sizes helps to avoid overtiring my hands and wrists with the repetitive movement.

I’m just happy to have this sweater cast on, so it can quietly progress here and there and probably come January be on my body !