Burnside Tunic - Part 2

I finally picked this up, again, a couple weeks ago.  I think that I was going to the Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival made me feel inspired.  I mean, I was going with my friend, Lisa, who does NOT have a yarn problem (it's really a time problem....as in no time to use said yarn).  Anyway, I knew there would be soft and pretty and just beautiful fibers.  Lots of things that make me ache for days that I can sit and create without anything closely resembling "can you," "will you," "I need you to."    

As an aside, I have to share a funny from this past weekend.  It was Saturday afternoon and we were all sitting down watching a movie (most likely Mary Poppins, as it's been the current favorite).  I had my knitting in my lap trying to make a bit of progress.  My oldest was sitting with Dada and said to him, "Why does Mama always have to do that?"  I honestly can't recall the answer, but it did make me chuckle.

So, anyway, I did buy one pattern and a yarn cake to use for it.  I'm sure I'll get to it eventually.  It might not show well in the picture but it's from Twisted Fiber Art and starts (or ends) in a rose color--depending which end you start with.  Really, it's something to see.  It was a small (and crowded!) booth, but I couldn't not buy something there.  That's not to say other booths didn't have pretty things (oooh, the sparkles), but this one I couldn't pass up.

I did finally finish the main body of Burnside.  The cables didn't really get easier, but they did become sort of routine.  I didn't have to keep flipping through the pattern to remember what the symbols meant.  I am far from good at M1 (make one) stitches, but they are what they are.  There is some natural shaping to the body, so there were decreases on the gussets and then increases to the bust.  

Starting the front

Front is done!

Then came another anxiety-inducing first:  two working yarns.  To do the front neck, there are stitches in the middle of the row that are bound off and then a new yarn continues the rest of the row.  Both sides of the neck are then worked at the same time.  Those rows worked up really quickly.  

Then come the next challenges:

• The back since I can't attach the new yarn in the same way, though, it's worked in one single piece.  I hope it works up quickly
• Attaching the front and the back with a three-needle bind-off.  I did this type of bind once before and it was ok, but not great.  
• picking up stitches for the collar.  I haven't done this before.  I only hope I pick up the stitches evenly enough that the collar doesn't end up funky.  Once started, it will be really easy since it's just ribbing in the round.  

Once that's done, I can weave in my ends, soak and block.  I have three hanks of yarn right now and am wondering how much I'll have left.  I know I didn't order extra.  I also know this yarn will relax (I used it for the Demetra sweater, so have experience with it).  Fingers crossed.  Wish me luck--I might be able to finish it in time for it to be way too warm of a garment to wear.