There’s a special kind of joy that comes from watching a sweater grow on your needles—row by row, cable by cable—until suddenly, you reach a milestone moment. This week, that moment arrived: the yoke and cable section of my Autumn Valley Sweater by Drops Design is officially complete!

This pattern’s yoke is such a satisfying blend of structure and rhythm. The cables twist and flow just enough to keep the knitting engaging without feeling overwhelming. Every few rows, I’d pause and admire how the texture caught the light—helped along beautifully by the yarn I’m using: Celtic Yarns Irish Aran in the Bluebells colorway.

Bluebells has this gentle, heathered depth that makes cables bloom. It’s soft but sturdy, rustic yet refined—exactly the kind of yarn that transforms a classic design into something truly heirloom-worthy.

Now that the yoke is finished, I’m happily cruising into the body section. There’s something meditative about this stage: the rhythm settles, the fabric grows more quickly, and you can finally start imagining the cozy finished sweater taking shape. I love this middle stretch of a project—the part where knitting becomes a companionable background hum to the day.

If you’ve been thinking about casting on the Autumn Valley Sweater, consider this your sign. And if you’re looking for a yarn that makes every stitch shine, our Celtic Yarns Irish Aran might just be your new favorite.

Stay tuned—I’ll share another update once the body is done and it’s time for sleeves