Checkers is progressing. I never thought I'd enjoy intarsia, but this simple pattern is quite enjoyable. Plus, the yarn is amazing. If you are familiar with Alice Starmore's Scottish Fleet yarn, Wendy Guernsey or the guernsey five-ply yarn from Frangipani, I'd have to say that the Shelridge Farm Soft Touch Ultra � 100% Wool Fingering Weight Yarn would be a reasonable substitute. And including it as a substitute greatly increases the range of color choices!