My First Sweater

I've decided that I'm ready to make a sweater. I am making this for my sister in Florida. Yes a sweater for a Floridian. She's always cold. Don't ask.
I've chosen the Treeline Striped Cardigan by The Purl Bee. I'm going to make some changes to the pattern though. I know..what nerve I have changing a pattern on a garment I've never made before! Al will be helping me though cuz I'm clueless. First off, it won't be striped but solid. The ribbing will all be a pretty mocha brown Manos I got from the Craigslist haul. Then the rest will be an off white color. Very plain and, hopefully, simple. I've already begun a cuff on, my faves!, dpns. So far, so good. There will be a few things I'll be learning on this pattern like button holes, kf&b and sewing a whole garment together. Just to name a few.
I've been looking at photos on blogs about this sweater and the one consistant thing is that everyone loves the stripes. And here I am making it without the stripes. I hope I'm not making a mistake in this aspect of it. I like it because it's easy and simple. I know my sister will like it for the same reasons. Well it's only time and wool, right?
Oh and if you know my sister please don't tell her about this. It's a surprise. I'm not worried about her reading it here because she doesn't have internet. I tell her it's time to move into the new millennium but she's not having it. Oh well. Better for me..this way I can post about her sweater and she'll never know!