This sweater has been a dream...a dream to contemplate, a dream to knit up, and definately made for a special dreamy girl of mine.
In the fall, I wanted to make my 2 year old daughter this sweater, in pink of course. With all the holiday gift-making, it got set aside until the New Year. Then we landed in the hospital for 10 days and while there, holding this sweet girl's hand and whispering to her that everything was going to be ok, I was determined that this sweater would be my very next project. With all five of us living out of one hospital room for what seemed like forever, there actually was no time to knit. We were so full with overwhelming emotions, juggling little people's needs, learning how to care for Sunshine's diabetes, and studying everything we could about insulin and injections and pumps and hypoglycemia and insurance coverage and carb counting...well, at the end of the day, I was too exhausted to do much else but curl up around one of the little ones and pass out.
Once out of the hospital, I invited my lovely friend Melanie to knit a tiny tea leaves sweater for her daughter, who also happened to adore anything pink. Separated by a few thousand miles, we emailed back and forth about the sweater. And away Melanie went, clickety-clack, and before you knew it she was halfway done and I was muddling through my fourth attempt with yet another shade of pink! I really was searching for just the right colourway and feel of the yarn. I finally settled on Madeline Tosh's dk merino in Posie. Lovely! Super appropriate considering Sunshine was almost named Posie. More details can be found on my ravelry page (under alittlecraftynest).
Do any of you know that Arthur Lobel story about Owl at Home making Tear Tea? My children cannot handle it as it makes them too sad to think of poor Owl thinking sad thoughts so he could cry and collect the tears to make a pot of tea. Well, this sweater is knit with a lot of tears, too. Mostly happy tears that I still had a girl to knit for. Happy tears envisioning Sunshine running about with her brothers in her blazing pink glory, spreading happiness to all who see her. This sweater was begun during a time of intense emotions...sadness, fear, hope, gratefulness, and especially love.
I'm certain that the loving energy that knit this up surrounds and protects my girl as she wears her tiny tea leaves. The smile I received when she put it on for the first time confirmed all this.
This girl's journeyed a long, long way in the last three months. She is strong and courageous and beautiful and delightful! And she has a very pink sweater of love.
It looks amazing! One of these days I'm going to tackle a sweater. Of course, now that it's hot already in Florida.. that day may be a bit off.. (:
Posted by: eidolons | April 12, 2011 at 04:57 AM
Beautiful pictures of an amazing soul. Thanks for sharing : )
Posted by: Emmalina | April 12, 2011 at 05:38 AM
Jules, now you are making me cry!
This is such a beautiful gift for your beautiful daughter- so full of love and thoughtfulness- you will treasure this always. Someday little Fairy girl will have someone to give it lovingly to, and will talk of you who made it with such love and devotion!
Oh Jules I had fun making this with you- and yours came out gorgeous. Let's think of another project- this time for boys. I am going to cast on soon another cardi like Asa's green button down one- I'll email you soon- maybe you'd like to make one too? :)
Oh and of course: we had considered Posie too! For Asa, should he have been a girl.
Lots of love to you!!!!
Oh and I did get your lovely email and do plan to write soon.
<3
Posted by: Melanie | April 12, 2011 at 05:43 AM
Cute! I'm in love with the strawberry hair clip too!
Posted by: Mavis | April 12, 2011 at 07:21 AM
A sweater filled with loving tears. What a sweet tale.
Posted by: shayray | April 12, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Beautiful post, Jules. You have a pretty little sunshine indeed. She will cherish the sweater for a long time, as will you.
Posted by: soili | April 12, 2011 at 12:24 PM
such a sweet post for such a lovely little lady! Children amaze me with their strength every day. The sweater came out gorgeous! I'm almost finished w/ a pink one for a friends little girl, then onto a green one for my pink-disliking daughter:)
Posted by: angie | April 12, 2011 at 03:20 PM
It's beautiful :) I love the color :) I just finished my second TIny Tea Leaves :) I love this pattern so much!
Posted by: Heather | April 12, 2011 at 07:20 PM
The sweater is beautiful and your little sunshine is just so full of sweetness! She really does look so string and brave! We love pink in this house too.
And in answer to your question, yes, I make almost all of the girls clothes, though they do have some jeans and a few regular t-shirts. I don't like to sew knit fabrics! But this year I am making them some summer blouses so we should really need the t-shirts anyway.
I have yet to knit them any sweaters though! You of course provide much inspiration!
Posted by: renee ~ heirloom seasons | April 12, 2011 at 07:38 PM
I love the sweater and the color is so pretty with Sunshine's big blue eyes. Great job Jules! ♥♥
Posted by: kyndale | April 12, 2011 at 07:51 PM
A heartfelt thank you to all of you for your sweet comments. Each of you brings such delight to my day when I hear from you:)
xo Jules
Posted by: a little crafty nest | April 12, 2011 at 09:29 PM
Oh your beautiful girl! I can't get over the pictures of her with hands in pockets!! Her new sweater suits her perfectly and the colour is so right!
And the story that goes with this precious sweater makes the gift so much greater. A mother's love and care so carefully knit into each and every stitch.
So beautiful, Jules!
Posted by: Rachel | April 13, 2011 at 08:16 AM
Beautiful BEAUTIFUL job on the sweater. You are a wonderful mama. Sunshine is very lucky to have you.
Posted by: Hannah | April 14, 2011 at 05:24 PM