Doesn't Everyone Begin to knit their Christmas Gifts 20 days before the holiday?

Never let it be said I try to be prepared for every gift giving occassion. I returned to sock knitting, but...

My father often has a cold neck and has taken to wearing dickies to solve the issue. I got a bee in my bonnet that I could knit him one.

I found a free pattern on Ravelry. I have modified it (of course, why not try to modify a pattern when the item needs to be quickly knitted). It was knit in pieces and then seamed.

Justification for the modification. 1. I hate seaming knitted garments. Almost as much as it appears I also hate blocking completed knitting projects. 2. I don't think seaming on the shoulders nad neck would lead to a very comfortable neck dickie.

In reading through the notes from other knitters I am not the only one who has modified this item to not have so many seams. The modifications I have found have been to knit the neck portion on magic loop. I have that in my modification plans. But I also plan on knitting the front and back pieces all in one piece. Once I finish the front I will be placing some stitches on a holder to be picked up when I return to knitting in the round for the neck. On the back piece I plan on casting on stitches to complete the neck in the round.

This will either be a complete genius idea or an absolute disaster. Stay tuned to find out the answer.

I have completed the front and have begun the back. Just about 6 more inches to knit on that side and then to pick up some stitches and do the neck.