I am so happy that I finished up the Aaron's Aran sweater this weekend! That thing was really starting to drag me down for some reason. I think it looks pretty good and the arms don't seem too funny-looking:I really hope it fits!
This shows the various design elements, as well as a good representation of the color:
Pattern notes:
"Aaron's Aaron", design from ByMelissa.net
Knit in Cascade 220 in color #7815, on 4 mm needles (except for the sleeves, which I accidentally knit on the ribbing needles which I think were 3.5 mm??)

This was a rather simple design, to the point that I was actually a bit bored with it, but I still might warn absolute beginner knitters away. This is because the pattern is rather spartan, and assumes that you know the basics of sweater construction. Not a huge deal, just something to keep in mind. I really would have appreciated the inclusion of a schematic, especially given the different cables and stitch patterns involved. It's one thing if a pattern is straight stockinette and easy to calculate what the measurements should come out to. A schematic would've helped when I accidentally knit the sleeves using the smaller ribbing needles, so that I could figure out how close the sleeves were to the "correct" measurements.

At the neckline, I attempted to use the bind-off for double rib as described in the Knitter's Handbook (which I've used previously when binding off button bands), but I would really not recommend it for a collar bind-off. It does have some stretch, but not enough to allow it to go over a head. I ended up doing an extremely loose, standard chain bind-off and it seems nice and stretchy.

The only other change I would recommend would be to start with four extra stitches on the sleeve cast-on. The cuff seems a bit small to me, but I guess it will work.
In moving news, we found an apartment on Saturday and signed a lease so we are hopefully good to go. I must say, the apartment stock in Portland left a bit to be desired (at least what we saw of it), but the one we found is newly renovated and a reasonable price (and thank goodness we got it, since it was the only one we liked at all! And on short notice too). The downside? We're moving into about half the square footage than we are used to! I know we are lucky to have lived somewhere so inexpensive and roomy, but as you know junk tends to expand to fill the available space:Ack! We jettisoned as much as we could, and ended up with a decent stack of albums and books to give away, although we're still left with far too many. But some just can't be given away. For example, did you notice the Heatwave album at the front? Noted for excellent hits such as "The Groove Line", the band also had something else going for it:Matching intarsia "Heatwave" sweaters. Oh yeah. I so want to make a replica...someday. (Also love the fact that they provide each member's star sign, I guess so that you can be sure to only moon over the ones that you're astrologically balanced with.)

Have a fun rest of the week!