Thanks again for all of the nice comments on my sweater. I’ve worn it a few times already, and I’m so,so pleased with it.
I started out yesterday rather less pleased with the ladybug sweater.

Not only is it slow as molasses to knit, while watching Hubby play FFXII Friday night and knitting (exciting life, eh?) I screwed up and had to rip out three whole rows. UGH. In a fit of pique I wound up some CTH in gorgeous fall colors and printed off the Jaywalker pattern. But, then, yesterday afternoon, I blocked the little ladybug hat.

(Want a close-up of that ladybug detail? Sure you do.)

And it’s wonderful! The cast-on edge is a little frilly, so I think I’m going to tack it in place, but I’m already so happy with the hat. It’s soft as can be, the machine-washing really evened out my stitches, the ladybug brim isn’t too tight, and the infernal curling is totally gone. It’s just perfect for a little newborn.
So, of course I dove back into the sweater. Twisting in the off-colors every few stitches is preventing those long floats I was worried about, but hoo boy does it make for a hideous WS.

Seriously. The little gold-and-black bits at the bottom are so neat and well-behaved, and the WS of the actual ladybugs is like the black sheep alcoholic sibling who only comes home to hock the silver. Also, fair isle with long stretches of color in rows with three colors? …definitely created by some demon or other.
But all I have to do is look at the hat, and I know it will be worth it. Besides, I’m on a little crusade with this sweater, now. There’s no way it’s going to beat me.