And The Winner Is...

Thank you, thank you, Gentle Readers! Your input is always spot on.  I *may* have spent the last two days down the Ravelry Rabbithole.  Every time I'd tell myself to get back to work, another comment would come in and I'd drop everything to go explore that suggestion.  Not a bad way to spend time, you understand...

I was delighted to find how often your favorites and mine are the same.  Each time one of you reported in on something you're making, I'd look it up and think "Oh I always meant to make one of those!".  Great minds think alike, no doubt.

Here's the project I decided on:

This is (one version of) Janet Szabo's Follow the Leader Aran Knitalong ("FLAK").  See it HERE.  Rather than a regular knitting pattern, it's a series of 8 lessons for how to knit your own traditional Aran, from the top down.  You can make a cardigan or pullover, any neckline you want, and substitute any stitch patterns you like.  You can work it flat or in the round, seamlessly or in pieces.  The only constants are: top-down construction, shoulder straps, peasant sleeves, and cables that more or less get along (compatible row-repeats).  This has just the right appeal for me: I get to make and learn from my own design decisions, but still follow steps mapped out by a pro.  I've taken Janet's classes and own her books, but I never explored the FLAK until now.  For a really well-spent day hour or two, hop on over to Ravelry and have a gander at the 147 FLAK projects there.  Guaranteed mind blow.

And now, A Cunning Plan:

I noticed in Janet's Ravelry group that there hasn't been a knitalong of this pattern in quite a little while.  Are any among you interested in staging a revival with me?  Send a comment, along with your desired beginning date if you have one, won't you?  I can't think of a better way to learn than by sharing the process with my favorite knitters:  YOU!