A Manly Sweater

"Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."-Franklin P. Jones



I've been reading along as Rachel detailed the saga of her sweater for Matt. Her sweater not only looks great, but is a beautiful tribute to her husband. This lovely story reminded me of my own desire to try to knit something for my husband. It's not that I've never broached the subject before. Our conversations go something like this:

"Honey, I really should knit you something."

"Sure, sweetie, whatever you want."

"What would you like? Socks, a vest, a sweater?"

"Well, if you really want to knit something, I guess a sweater would be OK."

This is far from the positive response you might want if you intend to spend, oh, I don't know, hundreds of hours on something. If he really wanted a sweater he should have said, "I would love nothing in the world more than a sweater you had knit for me with your own two hands," or "I would cherish a handknit sweater from you more than anything else in world." (Nevermind that men only talk like that in romance novels, you get the picture. I want undying gratitude here people!) Without much encouragement, I went about my business knitting for myself and other family and friends who seemed in more need of knitwear.

Lately, however, I think he's starting to feel like he should have a handmade sweater. Like I've somehow given him a crafting snub. All the other husbands of knitters have handknit items, why doesn't he? I guess this means he really would like a sweater, but just didn't know that he was supposed to say something really mushy to get it. So, for the sake of making the love of my life happy, and in honor of Valentine's Day, I am in search of a nice, not-too-flashy men's sweater pattern. Any suggestions?