Disaster!

I have been knitting a v necked sleeveless pullover for darling father (OH will not, under any circumstances, wear a knitted garment of any sort). It is a nice little pattern. The v neck is quite deep, which would suit darling father. My late great uncle used to insist on only buying v necked sweaters, but then wore them the wrong way round to keep his chest warm. Darling father likes to show off his ties. It is knitted in aran - I think afghan weight for those used to North American weights. The needles, however, are a small size so you get a very dense stocking stitch which should be lovely and warm.

Knitted the front and back - took slightly longer than I thought because of the smaller needles but it was no problem. Sewed up the right shoulder sleeve with top stitching as instructed. Picked up 131 stitches for the neckband (grumbling all the way through), ribbed the correct amount and cast off.

Then I realised that at the start of the ribbing I had dropped two stitches - right at the front where the point of the v is. And I had cast off.

So I shall swear, grumble and use a needle and the yarn to sew the loose stitches in. But I am not happy. And I still have to pick up two lots of 99 stitches for the arm holes. However I am determined to finish it - if only so I don't have to look at it again.

I would also like to mention that as I was trying not to cry and picking up the dropped stitches with a safety pin, evil cat chose that exact moment to land on my lap and rub her chin firmly and lovingly all around the hand holding the safety pin with loose stitches precariously on the open point. It's reassuring to see malice still in the old girl.