The McKenzie has not turned out as I envisioned, but that is part of the learning experience of Knitting. For my first "design," I'm feeling okay about it. It's neither a startling success nor an abject failure. I do think I will lengthen it by an inch or so and add a tie closure. Some things I've learned:
1) It's good to pick-up and knit on edgings ( rather than knitting it as part of each row)because if you want to change them in anyway, you have to reknit the entire garment. Ouch!
2) Intarsia is not to be feared.
3) Always make stripes in rows of even numbers to avoid lots of ends, as you can just run the unused color up the side and pick it up when you're ready.
4) Often knitting a yarn at a larger gauge than suggested may result in a garment with less body.
If i learn from my mistakes then it's all worth it, especially as I have a sweet little sweater to wear too! I still love the yarn, Dream-in-Color's "Smooshy" I have a lot leftover and I'm planning some cabled mitts.
