belated happy new year and six years old

A belated Happy New Year to all! With January already in full swing, I wanted to share a few items from the end of 2020.

First, and most importantly, Jackson turned 6! It’s hard to believe that he’s already marked another birthday, but I’m sure I feel that way every time December rolls around 🙂 The past year was filled with challenges and obstacles for him, as it was for all of us fighting to stay healthy while trying to also stay connected.

Although the last part of preschool was cancelled for him, he jumped headlong into Kindergarten in September and is thriving in his new environment. We are so proud of his thoughtful nature, his inquisitive mind, and his tender heart. In this last year especially, we watched his inner artist blossom and not a day goes by where he doesn’t create something new with crayons, markers, tape, paper, scissors, paint, and/or cardboard! It’s a wonderful outlet for his unique perspective and his emotions.

The past year was also filled with fun firsts like learning to swim and losing his first tooth. So, despite living in a time that is still uncertain and full of unknowns, we are grateful that Jackson embraces each day with excitement and curiosity.

After the last-minute sprint of last year, I started his birthday sweater much earlier, so that I had several weeks to swatch, knit, and finish my idea! His sweater is a modified drop shoulder design, an easy shape that works well for active children. The body is knit in the round to the armholes, then it’s worked flat to the neckline. After joining the shoulders, the sleeves are knit in the round down to the cuffs.

I especially love the way the cable panel pops in the yarn I used, the “Gilliatt” yarn in the beautifully deep teal shade of “Plume” from De Rerum Natura. This French company is producing wonderful Merino wool yarn in an environmentally-responsible way. Each of the cables chosen remind me of a heart shape, as I put my heart into this design for my son.

I also recently completed a new hat for him! His beloved “blue fuzzy” cashmere hat finally needed to be retired after 5 years because it was just too small. I made him a new one that’s bigger with a bigger brim that he can grow into again. This is the Bespoke yarn in the “tropical teal” colorway from Clinton Hill Cashmere.

It’s safe to say that it was an instant hit, as he’s been wearing it every day when he goes outside.

(Nina is wearing her favorite hat as well, her neon pink Birch Hill hat that I knit her last February. It seems like A LOT LONGER ago than 11 months…)

Finally, here’s a fun collage showing my “top nine” most popular images from Instagram in 2020. Please join me over on Instagram if you’re so inclined; it’s the best way for me to stay in touch with all of you and share my newest knitting and everyday events 🙂

I’m not sure what the coming year will bring and I know that we are all exhausted from the political, social, and emotional turmoil. Surviving this pandemic has been a daily exercise in patience and fortitude (and, I think, humility). I want each of you to know that you are TREMENDOUS for taking each day in its turn; your sacrifices for yourself and each other are what will see us through. And I wish good health and true happiness for you in the year to come.

xoxo Danielle