Yarn Along - Nordic Trail Vest

Clever little name this vest has...
...for those of you that don't Nordic Ski, let me briefly explain the two different styles of this skiing discipline:

1.  Classic, or as it also know, Alternative - the skier has both ski's parallel, often in pre-existing tracks, and moves forward by alternating arms and legs - left arm right leg, right arm left leg.  Picture yourself running in a straight line but with skis on your feet and poles in your hands.  The trail you leave in the snow would look something like this...

2.  Skating, as the name suggests is a movement very similar to ice-skating or roller blading and leaves a trail much like this...

Put the two together and you've got the Nordic Trail Vest.

view of the back section

It's a seamless piece, knit on a long circular needle, with the shoulders finished off by a three needle bind off.

the 'classic' track pattern also runs up the front sides.
Hope a good blocking will show the pattern off a little better.

It's all gone great guns to here but now I've run into a little problem.  I'm meant to pick up 60 sts for the sleeves but no matter how many times I try it, I'm only coming out with 44?  I've knit up a sleeve anyway to see how it looks, it fits OK but feels a tiny bit too snug.  Any ideas how to pick up more sts that actually exist?  should I just make a few?
So the sleeves are on hold for the moment while I tackle the front bands and collar.  The pattern doesn't give a precise no. of stitches to pick up but suggest three out of every four, for 14 rows of 2 x 2 rib.  Fingers crossed I've got enough yarn, it will be a close call.  I'm using the Noro that was once my Shalom.

I've developed a Farley Mowat addiction. All other reading is on hold until I've finished these three (then I'll order myself some more!!).  I even skipped my book club meeting this month as I want no distractions.
To highlight just one - Never Cry Wolf is an amazing read...
'More than a half-century ago the naturalist Farley Mowat accepted an assignment to investigate why wolves were killing Arctic caribou.  Mowat's account of the summer he lived in the frozen tundra alone-studying the wolf population and developing a deep affection for these wild creatures (who were of no threat to caribou or man)-is today celebrated as a classic of nature writing, at once a tale of remarkable adventure and an indelible record of the myths and magic of wolves'.

Linking up with Ginny for Yarn Along if my computer will permit it.  Having IT problems again.  Think the (not so old) gal is on her last legs - there are already two wee vultures with screwdrivers, waiting in the wings to see just what she's made of.

So what's on your needles this week?