bpt is kaput

Bpt is toast. I was trying to get the total count of stitches at the point where there would be 46 to the middle of the second cable.

NOT.

My choices were to have the correct number of total stitches but far fewer stitches to the second cable or to knit on and on and on until I had the correct number at the second cable. All of this sound like gobbledygook?

Because it is.

The increase directions are murky, the math is funky, and the investment in sheer frustration just not worth it.

So I frogged two and a half skeins worth of knitting and tossed the pattern in the trash.

I'm doing the Central Park Hoodie, a far less temperamental pattern judging by the multiple projects on Ravelry. I should have started there, but was stubborn about making Bpt work.

Casting on! Pink Wool of the Andes by Knit Picks, size 6 circulars, and my daughter's hoodie may be finished in time for Fall.

Blasted Persnickety Torment (aka bpt)

I am working on bpt, and it's a completely exasperating design. The directions for the increases are so murky that I've had to frog the cardigan three times.

"Beginning with row 2 of the cable patterns, work Set Up Row [WS] as follows:
Sl 1, p1, CB, p4[5, 7, 8], CF, place marker, p4[6, 6, 6], CB, place
marker, p6[8, 9, 10], DC, p6[8, 9, 10], CF, place marker, p4[6, 6, 6], CB, place marker, p4[5, 7, 8], CF, p2.

Inc row [RS]: Sl 1, *work in patt to 1 st before first marker, k1 into st below, k1, sl marker, work cable sts in patt, k1, k1 into st below, rep from * 3 times more. [inc 8 sts each round.]

All following WS rows: Sl 1, then work all sts as they appear.

Work these two rows [the Inc Row and the WS row] 28[30, 33, 36] times more, ending on a WS row, removing the second and fourth markers on the last row -- 327[353, 383, 411] sts. If you have just completed row 4, work 2 rounds in patt without increasing."

Huh?

So I stopped, started writing row by row directions, and found a PATTERN to the increases. At last.

Turns out there's actually a very clear "formula" hidden in the ridiculously terse increase directions.

Every odd-numbered round, increase as follows: at each marker - increase, K1, slip marker, cable, k1, inc. So you'll do one increase just before the stitch before the marker, then another increase after the first cable + K1.

Makes sense. Finally.

The fruits of knitting labor

Few things in life feel better than the afterglow of hard work. Maybe the physical labor is thanks to a hobby or volunteer project. Maybe it's a matter of paying the bills. In any case, a long shower, good meal, and deep sleep are never better than when you're deeply exhausted, the job is done, and there's nothing to do for the next few hours - or days.

My kicking back from community special eventing has involved much knitting. I cast on and finished the Bold and Bulky Mini-Cardi from Fitted Knits, finished my Baby Surprise Jacket and Boxed handbag (a new custom design I'll share soon), and gathered materials for a bpt for my daughter. I'm on a roll - several things are in the queue and I'm thinking Christmas gifts at this stage.

Details:
Baby Surprise Sweater: Araucania Multi with size 4 needles
Bold and Bulky Mini-Cardi: 3 skeins charcoal and 2 skeins black Lion Wool Ease Thick & Quick
bpt: 10 skeins Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in a light pink