FO: Cypress

Welp, I finished Cypress. The part I didn't understand when reading the instructions became clear while I was actually knitting. I winged it, and it worked! After that part, there was just picking up stitches and knitting the button band. It went fairly quickly, especially since working with larger needles.

I hadn't picked up any buttons when I bought the yarn, so this afternoon I went button hunting. I wanted nicer buttons than the big box stores craft sections offer so I went to Boutique Rix Rax. (note: there was a little yarn store up there called La Maison Tricot, or something like that...didn't get a chance to go inside, but I'll try to make it up there one day when I'm on my own and check it out.) I was looking for wood, or a nice mother of pearl type, but was open to something a little funkier, like an animal face or leaf motif. I did squee a little over some awesome pewter skulls, but didn't think it quite fit. I ended up with some pretty wooden ones, so I was pleased. I think they suit the sweater very well.

I'm happy that I'm finished the sweater, and I like it well enough...but I'm also a little disappointed in it. Maybe it's just because I'm tired or that I tend to be over-critical of myself; it's a little bulky in some places, and my seaming isn't great. It looks home-made, which of course I think is charming when it belongs to someone else, but not for me. Maybe I'll feel better after I wash it and do some light blocking.
I am proud of the front though! First button band! And the back lace panel looks pretty damn good!

My mom came back from her trip to Ireland and Scotland, and she brought me home some wool! Yay! She bought me some Aran weight wool, and some Donegal Tweed on the cone. I will share pictures soon. It's very pretty stuff.
Now, do I knit it, or keep it as souvenir wool?