Secret of the Stole III has begun!

I finally managed to cast on for SOTSIII and to my delight Hint 1 just flew off the needles. Here it is (apologies for the lousy picture but we haven't seen the sun in days):



I'm knitting with Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 2 ply in Almond on 3.75 mm circs and #8 clear crystal beads.