The last of my sweater knitting supplies arrived last week.  I immediately went to work.

A skein of yarn as it came from the store.

The same skein unrolled.

That skein and it's buddies rolled into balls, ready to knit with.

Once my yarn was prepared I knit a test swatch to measure my gauge.  In order to knit a sweater that fits I have to knit with the same gauge as the pattern author.  I always use a needle one size larger than the pattern calls for, since I tend to knit with stress, which leads to tight stitches and small sizes.  For this swatch I used a needle one size larger and the gauge is just right.  Gauge is measured by the number of stitches (horizontally) and rows (vertically) within a certain measurement, in this case 4 inches.  My assistant double checked to be sure.  Although, I question his helpfulness.  He counted 1, skipped 2, counted 3, 4, 5, and then 9, 7, 8, before stopping and declaring it perfect.

Measuring for gauge.

Once I had my gauge figured out, I moved on to sizing.  I measured my bust (and that of my assistant, at his request), determined which pattern size would fit best, and highlighted all of the relevant points in the directions.  That way I won’t make a stupid mistake like casting on 52 stitches instead of the 60 I need to make my sweater fit.

Directions, highlighted for easy reference. Notice that my bust is only 10 inches larger than that of a 2 year old. I pretend this doesn't negatively impact my self esteem.

Once I had finished all of that, it was time to get started.  I cast on my 60 stitches.  It took me three tries to get the first inch of knitting right, I had never knit anything with three needles at once.  I did eventually get it worked out though.  My knitting began with the neck opening, defined the arm holes, and I’m currently working the body from the arms down to the waist.  So far it’s been fun, and I’m liking the way it’s working out.  In fact, I can’t wait to finish it so that I can wear it!

Maybe I'll just wear it anyway.

Cheeks: Let’s sing a song!

Me: OK.  Do you want to sing The ABC Song, Twinkle Twinkle, or Row Row Row Your Boat?

Cheeks: No.  This song!  Gaaaaaaarlic Gaaaaaarrrrlliiiiiiiiiic Garliiiiiiiiiic!

When we first moved into this house we laughed about a sticker left on the sliding glass door in the dining room.  It’s one of those decals that is supposed to keep birds from flying into the glass.

We wondered, was it a greeting?  A command?  A reminder?  Or a cruel irony?

Since December, I’ve used it as if I put it there.  I eat my breakfast right next to that window every morning and, when I look out past it at the cold I think, “I will welcome spring.  Winter won’t last forever.”  Spring is probably the only season that I never take for granted but, in the middle of winter it seems like it will never be warm again.  A little reminder that the sun always returns made all the difference.

Today it’s 85 degrees and sunny.  Spring is at hand.  Cheeks and I are sporting sunny arms, faces, and feet for the first time this year.  Even though I had to close the curtains to keep the heat out of the house, there it is, shadowed on the fabric.  My personal reminder to be glad I made it through another winter.

Welcome, Spring.