@Mocarroll If this is a surprise, see if you can sneak a jumper of hers that you think fits her well and use that as a guide..even make a quick paper outline so you can lay what you're making on top of it to check you're on track..

If she'll know about it, bonus, you can try it on her as you go.

I'm doing a Rachel Illsley top at the moment, Arte Nuova. No, not a Nordic but I feel her designs are lovely and feminine..what I'd call a more modern take on the Nordic.
I made a rather large stranded item for another lady(different designer) so wanted a bit of a break and chose one with the colourwork just down near the bottom for myself to wear over Christmas. She has some gorgeous designs.
I also have her Shapeshift (8ply) and Nightbook to do later when I'm in the mood. this last one I will change the central pattern to just use the back ground chart,,saw someone else do this and I love this particular mod.

I'm very keen to get to the colourwork because apparently, she uses a really good method of changing colours when doing the rounds. This is praise coming from ladies that were already proficient in the stranded work and they're raving about the technique.

Can I just suggest, if you go with one of the Drops patterns, have a look on ravelry and see how many folk have made that particular design and do read their project notes. Quite often they will mention if they've had issues, found errors etc. I don't know that they have folk test their patterns but I do know Rachel does.

Oh and don't freak at the allover designs by any designer. You can opt just to do a small amount of the colourwork.
Just remember, there's no have to's in knitting, change things up to suit your own taste.

Oh and with top down, you can try it on to make sure things are sitting well. You know, checking the neckline sits well and doesn't hang off the shoulders etc. you haven't knit much and can make early changes.

Looking fab @Celia ! The face will reveal when it's meant to! 

@Ploshkin Oh my word!!!! He is totally adorable and look at that character you've captured!
You have totally rocked the 'tiny'... bravo! 

eta..gotta ask because those arm seams are superb...hand or machine sewn?

@Renegade Sewist here ye go... not a great deal of progress but it's something...

And I lost the phone connection right after the previous post. Let's see how long this connection lasts.

@Flobear Guilty as charged!