We need a man in the house.

I seem to have a big problem with choosing patterns. I don’t say this because they’re poorly written — generally they’re just fine. Nor because they don’t flatter me. I’m very happy with most of my knits. Occasionally they don’t fit, but that’s my fault. No… the problem I have is that they’re all girls.

Let me illuminate.
Recent patterns completed: Vivian. Margaret.
Patterns currently in progress: Miss BB
Patterns in my queue: Genevieve. Pearl’s Cardigan.

And now? I’m casting on Laura’s Cardigan, by Annie Modesitt. The consistency is driving me just a little bit crazy.

I also tried to vary my colors from the sample sweater. I made a few general changes, but I don’t think I did a good job of going in a different direction! I seemed to have gotten off the highway, but I’m still taking the service road. Oh well. I do really like the colors, and that’s what counts.

So. Why am I making a post just to tell you I’m casting on? Because I’m changing things. Of course. I am the master of my little world, and if I want to change things, I’m allowed. Here goes:

When making Laura’s Cardigan, you 1.) use a provisional cast on and knit some striped ribbing, and then stop, leaving stitches live. 2.) you use a provisional cast on, but make the back plaid shoulders. 3.) Then you pick up the provisional cast on of the plaid, and knit some striped ribbing. 4.) joining all the pieces knit so far, you knit the body straight through the hem. 5.) Only now do you go back and finish the plaid shoulders – this time, the front.

Are you confused? So was I. I drew a little diagram to help:

It begs the question: WHY? The answer is: I haven’t the slightest damn clue. So, this being my own little world, I’ve decided to do things the way I think they make sense. I dunno, maybe you’ll agree with me. Here’s the new order of things as I see they should be done:

That being said, the plaid is intarsia, and I don’t like to travel with intarsia. So while Miss BB is still on the needles, she’ll be my traveling partner, and Laura and I will stay at home and gossip about Miss BB behind her back…