I am so excited — my yarn arrived for this:
Dale of Norway 10903
My husband looked at the picture and, after a very pregnant pause, said, “That’s a ‘different’ sweater.” In Minnesota, that means ugly. Okay, dear, then you don’t have to wear it. He said the same thing when I showed him the yarn for Henry the VIII. It was going to be for him, but when I got that reaction, I made it for myself and called her Henrietta!
Here is the yarn kind of laid out like it will be in the pattern:
Daletta by Dale of Norway
I purchased the yarn from two sources, but I would like to highlight one of them here: Mary Ann Stephens, known as twostrands on Ravelry (who also moderates a group by the same name), is fantastic to work with. So sweet and accommodating. When I told her I wasn’t sure about the blue, she put together photos and some yarn samples for me to decide on the color. She is also notable for her designs — two of which are in the public eye at the moment: Amaryllis Mittens (mentioned in Yarn Harlot’s mitten hunt and now available as a Ravelry download), as well as the Sleepy Monkey Baby Blanket from the Spring 2009 Twist Collective.
Coincidentally, my knitting peep, Kim, just finished said blanket last night — at least she SAID she was going to complete the very last few sts of i-cord bind off when she got home 😉 . Small knitting worlds collide. Mary Ann handles everything Dale, so if you need patterns, yarn, tutorials on Norwegian steeking, help with project questions — she will do it all!
Anyway, I love the yarn and hope to get to it soon, but as you know I am sewing up a storm and have a deadline. It is unnerving to have a deadline with such dire consequences: if I don’t get it finished, I’ll be naked. If I don’t get it right, I’ll look stupid. No pressure! 
Well, I think the sweater is beautiful! However, I might not have a vote, since I’m Norwegian 😉
I love the colors as well, fresh and delicate at the same time.
Hope the yarn arrives soon, please keep us updated on progress 🙂
Warm regards from Norway!!
Comment by Inghild — September 18, 2009 @ 12:10 pm
You could never look stupid, Susan!
Sorry I missed knitting again. I promise to get back with you gals again.
Comment by Kay - From the Back Yard — September 18, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
I like it! :-))
Comment by fleur — September 18, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
Your choices of colors are simply beautiful. Make your sweater and wear it with pride.
Comment by Bertha Mallard — September 18, 2009 @ 6:26 pm
Oh, I know that “Well, it’s different” response! So Minnesotan. But in this case, he is Just.Plain.Wrong. That is a lovely sweater! You will get lots of compliments on it, I know.
Comment by kmkat — September 18, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
I think the sweater will look great on you – I’m counting on you to lengthen it a tad to suit your stature and that will give it an elegance that your DH doesn’t anticipate.
I’m drooling over the colors. But do keep sewing, wouldn’t want you to be chilly on your big night!
Comment by twinsetellen — September 18, 2009 @ 8:03 pm
Beautiful sweater choice — though I will bet it looks better on you than in the picture as it could have used a bit better photo styling.
Comment by GinkgoKnits — September 19, 2009 @ 1:04 am
Your evening wear will come out perfect and be drop dead gorgeous, classy, and elegant! so will the sweater!
Comment by Susan — September 20, 2009 @ 10:19 pm
So, I saved the hyperlinks to last. Had already commented. THEN I went to the Sleepy Monkey pattern. Oh My Goodness, how cute is that. I now own a copy!!! Thanks so much for the tip!
Comment by Susan — September 20, 2009 @ 10:28 pm
I can’t wait to see the new sweater! The colors are so fresh and, well, cheerful! It’s going to be FABulous! But, for now, keep that sewing machine humming and “make it work!”
Comment by Kym — September 21, 2009 @ 11:22 am
i can only guess he doesn’t care for stranded knitting. i’d marry you if you would knit me that sweater.
Comment by dana — September 21, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
Well, your husband will eat his words, I’m sure. The photo took my breath away. It’s drop dead gorgeous.
Comment by Brenda — September 21, 2009 @ 7:54 pm
He said that about Henry?? He did not deserve Henrietta, clearly.
Comment by Carrie K — September 23, 2009 @ 5:58 pm
I made this sweater many years ago and it’s a favorite but, as I commented on Ravelry, some people love it and some reserve comment so I think they are just being polite like your husband. I’ve had several knitters contact me recently about this one so I hope I’ll be seeing some pictures up on Ravelry soon. It was a fast knit for me since I love to watch patterns grow! Happy knitting!
Comment by Claire — September 28, 2009 @ 2:18 pm
I am in the process of picking yarn for the same sweater!! Struggling terribly as I am not good at “colors”. I am starting with a background color of pale yellow since I sem to have aquired a large quantity of that somewhere along the way.
I am considering Navy for the blue, have the apple and the olive but not sure about the rest. I have a large stash of Daletta odds and ends, will need to do as you have done: lay it out and take a look.
Will follow your project with interest!
Comment by Ginny — October 12, 2009 @ 1:27 pm