From rags to riches

So how does one go from this:

to this?
I had promised my friend in the States a handknitted Norwegian jacket, and shown her some old examples. When she fell for this one, although it was only rags left, I started by examining the pictures closely and made a rough pencil draft.

I then knitted a swatch with the yarn and the colours we had chosen. Since this yarn is thinner than the original, some differences would occur.

Then it was just to knit, really....

... on and on....

.. sleeves and all, until it was all done.

The jacket were delivered by hand earlier this week, to the enjoyment for her and the feeling of accomplishment for me.