WIP - Phalangees Mosaic Mittens

Usually I only post about completed projects, but sometimes there is a project that I just don't enjoy working on, so I need to take a bit of a break.  I was enamored by the Phalangees Mosaic Mittens pattern the moment I saw it.

I don't have circulars the right size to knit these gloves using magic loop/ 2 circular methods.  I'll have to use DPN's and then see what happens when I get to making the fingers. I started knitting Size Large, using size 1.5 (2.5 mm) knitting needles and Palette yarn in Clover (green) and Serpentine (mustard).

Notes from construction:

• I used my normal long tail cast on.  I find this to be plenty stretchy.  
• For the 2" cuffs, 21 rows of 3x3 ribbing.  

The pattern itself is easy to follow, but it got a lot more complicated around the thumb gusset.  Since there are two different charts for the different sized mitts, I can understand why the increases cannot say which row of the chart you're on... but it is hard to keep track of the fact that increase round 9 in round 10 on the chart etc.  I therefore am taking advantage of my magnetic chart keeper not for the chart, but for the increase suggestions!

I hate to say it, but this pattern is kicking my butt.  I had so much trouble getting into the rhythm of it, and mosaic (slipped stitch) knitting isn't as consistent as fair isle.  

Have you ever had a project that you've just abandoned?  I haven't given up hope with this one, I have it saved on stitch holders in case I want to come back to it.