Today is my birthday. So I did what I always do and at the beginning of the month I put aside what I was working on and cast on a birthday sweater for myself. Learning how to knit was a gift I gave myself ten years ago, so I might as well make myself things that are super special since I've got the skills. You can see last year's birthday sweater here.

Birthday Nurtured

This year I decided I really wanted to use a green yarn I've had in my stash forever, Katia Concept Cotton Merino in a deep green and black they don't make anymore. I paired the yarn with the Nurtured Sweater, a pattern that I've had in my queue to knit forever.

Birthday Nurtured

I've tried to use this yarn twice and frogged those projects because they just weren't quite right and I'm so glad I did because it was perfect for this textured slip stitch pattern. This sweater is a bottom up construction and I added two inches to the body because it is very cropped. I could have added one more inch but I'm fine with the length that it is currently. I also was lazy and didn't swatch. I used the sleeve as the swatch and probably should have gone up a needle size just to get a slightly looser gauge because I don't typically make my sweaters this fitted - but again, I was being lazy so I'm happy with the final results. And if you look closely, you'll see I haven't woven in all the ends yet. I will by the time it gets chilly enough to wear this one.

Birthday Nurtured

Since going back to work and school full time and still recovering from my PE's, knitting has been a bit slower for me. At the end of the day I'm pretty worn out, which I've been told gets better with time and is part of my strength building I have to work on. It's fine, I just have to really think about what I want to make and what I can actually execute in the little free time I have. I am glad I worked on this at the beginning of the month because I knew going back to work would drastically change things for me. I'm still taking my time, protecting my energy and space so that I can do the things I need and want to do in order to stay healthy and happy. Thanks for all of the encouragement and kind notes on my last posts, I truly appreciate it.