Last week found me knitting furiously with my deadline fast approaching. I wanted to have Gabe’s sweater finished in time for quietly celebrating the day he joined our family, three years ago. I kept wishing for a bit more time. There was irony in that, because this three year mark in the early months and years was something I dreamed of sometimes, especially on the hard days. My friends with adopted children of their own assured me that things would get easier, but that it would take about three years for things to settle. I can say that we reached a certain level of comfort earlier even than that though, maybe about six months ago. I also realize that for many reasons Gabriel and I still have a long way to go, and that’s okay. He knows I love him, and I know he loves me. (His relationship with Jonny it seems was cemented before they even boarded the plane in Liberia.)
There were many stops and starts with this sweater early on. And even during the last couple of days, I found myself having to rip the cuff back on one of the sleeves and add another stripe in hopes that Gabe will be able to wear his sweater next year as well (I just had to edit because I accidently wrote “next week” that would be true as well at the rate this boy has grown these past years.) Every morning I would see Gabe picking up his sweater, checking my progress. I don’t think any thing I have ever knit has been met with such excited anticipation. Friday found me knitting the last few stitches, and weaving in ends for a good hour and a half or so. I plunged the sweater into a bathtub of water, soaked it a bit, and then carefully squeezed it between towels before laying it on the sweater rack inside our dryer. My plan was to run the dryer on low heat that night, and wake up to a nice dry sweater. Only the next morning, the sweater was still wet, and after another hour of attempted drying, I realized that our dryer was broken, not heating (it still is! oh, the laundry!) For the next day and a half Gabe’s sweater was stretched on that drying rack, in front of the woodstove. Poor Gabe, he was so anxious to wear it. Finally on Sunday he was able to wear it for the first time, all three boys wearing their sweaters I’d knit them to Mass. He hasn’t taken it off yet. And I know he likes it because not only did I hear him say that he is going to wear it every day from now on, but he actually let me take his picture wearing it.
p.s. Ravelry notes here. Yarn here. The song that got stuck in my head for weeks while I knit this here.
Francesca B. says
It’s a lovely sweater . The colors are beautiful. I am glad that you reached this mark and you’re more relaxed in your relationship. Parenting is never easy!
OrangeBlossom says
The sweater turned out so beautifully! You can see such joy in his face! God bless you all.
Gracey says
His smile is so gorgeous! And the pictures of him and Silas are just too precious!
Ellen says
That smile of his could melt many a heart and obviously tells a whole lot about much he appreciates not only the gift but the giver. He’s so cute! (Although my boys remind me that perhaps being ‘cute’ is not so great; ‘handsome’ would be a better word, Mom!) I still say cute! Love the striping – it’s really perfect for him.
On the laundry note – have you checked the line that goes from the dryer to the outside? My machine is old and has to go through 2 drying runs/load in order to get dry (yes, we need a new dryer soon too), but when it started going through 3 times and still not dry, I checked the outside vent. It was stuck with lint that couldn’t make it outside. Good thing I caught it then. I cleaned it out and it’s back to its old 2x through now.
Cheryl M. says
Perfect sweater for a perfect boy! Awesome!
ang says
gabe you have a gorgeous smile
and sweater !! 🙂
Sharron says
Oh my goodness! These pictures of Gabe and Silas are so awesome! What a smile he has! And the sweater is beautiful. Good job!!
Eileen says
As a mom of an adoptive son with a few bios thrown in I LOVE seeing the pictures of Gabe so happy. My son has been home for almost 2 years and it has gotten easier but there a more than our fair share of days that I keep waiting for that time when…..
Lisa says
Beautiful Gabriel.
jen says
seriously smiling at the sight of gabe in that sweater.
Jeannine says
That is the most beautiful (handsome?) sweater I have ever seen. Well done, Mama. And there’s all sorts of “knit” metaphors here, no?
jenn says
Such a beautiful sweater for a very handsome young man. He looks so proud! I love Dolly and this song always make me tear up just a little.
Anna says
What a beautiful sweater- he is glowing in it. I am celebrating this milestone with you! So sorry about your dryer. Motherhood……always full of surprises.
jenn says
What a lovely sweater for such a handsome young man. He looks so very happy! I love Dolly and this song always made me a little teary eyed. Perfect.
McKenzie says
I forgot to mention YOU guys are also lucky to have him within your family. I can’t imagine how much growth he’s encouraged in all of you.
Ginny says
Yes! We have been so blessed. (and yes! I would love some of your homespun yarn!!)
McKenzie says
Gabriel is so lucky to be a part of your beautiful family. He’s going to realize this when he grows up (if he doesn’t already) and I know that gratitude will have a big impact on your bond.
Also, all of your handknits are stunning. I love the colors in this sweater. When I finally spin some yarn from our wool, I’ll be sure to mail you some. 🙂
Kelli says
Ginny,
Your sweater is simply “awesome” that you made so lovingly for Gabe. I’m sure that both of you will remember it for a very long time.
Lina says
This is the most beautiful sweater I have ever seen honestly, it’s just marvelous! And your kids are so lovely as well! I was wondering about the diapers are they GMD fitted? How do you like them I used their flats with my girl but they where kind of bulky so I was wondering about these for a next baby…
Ginny says
Thank you! And yes, they are the GMD fitted diapers and I love them. Great price, very absorbent, and they fit well. I have used regular prefolds and do prefer these. I have the ones with snaps.
Rachel says
What a beautiful post and amazing sweater! Such tenderness!
T @ aseedinspired.com says
I have shared here before in the comments section… We came through our three year mark about six months ago… And there is just something about it for sure. When I saw you write three years I started getting all excited for you…then I read and I got even more excited for you.
There is just more of an “at ease” with everyone… I mean they knew i loved them and they us… But now there is just something extra.
I get it and our family is cheering for your three year accomplishment.
I get it. I totally get it.
T
Emily T. says
What a wonderful sweater. I love seeing Gabe lit up. He’s a wonderful young man!
Jeannine says
Well Ginny,
You got me boo hooing. That is so sweet and I can not imagine a sweater more perfect for Gabe than that. He looks so happy and so many happy colors. Way to go!!! It’s lovely.
Jeannine
Sherri says
The sweater turned out beautiful! It is so wonderful to see the joy in a child’s eyes over a hand knit made with such love. He will cherish it forever. I love the stripes and the colors you picked. Just beautiful!
Kerri Warmus says
Everytime you post a photo of Gabe I am always touched by the love that shines out of his eyes for you. It’s really something.
Tonya says
Beautiful story, beautiful sweater, and a beautiful boy. Great job all around!
Sewblonde says
I love the sweater!! But I LOVE Gabe’s smile more!! What a handsome young man he is!!
Herma says
Beautiful story!!
Beautiful sweater!!
And, last but not least.. Beautiful son!!
Enjoy with each other!!
With love, Herma
Kelly says
It looks fantastic on him. The stripes suit him so well!
I adore his smile!
heathermama says
oh my. those pix made me a bit weepy. the sweater is lovely, but your boy… oh so amazing. such wonderful pictures. such a blessing.
Tirza says
You did an amazing job!
molly says
ginny,
that sweater is BEAUTIFUL!!! i think it’s the most stunning handknit sweater i’ve yet seen. the stripes, the colors, the scale, the everything. as is gabe. as are you. congratulations on all the milestones, big and small. (and hopefully, soon, on a working dryer!!)
molly
p.s. are those ikea ropes i spy 🙂 ?
Emilie says
beautiful sweater, beautiful boy! Happy anniversary to all of you!
kari says
Gorgeous sweater and his smile just lights up the pictures!
Diana says
A wonderful sweater for a wonderful boy. Happy anniversary, Gabriel!!!
Maryam says
What a wonderful sweater, and such a handsome boy!
Amber says
It’s beautiful and it suits him well.
EG says
Happy Anniversary to Gabe and the rest of your family!
It’s a very handsome sweater!
Sara says
He’s such a beautiful young man and that sweater suits him wonderfully.
Bridget says
The sweater turned out absolutely gorgeous!
Mary R says
What a beautiful tribute (both knitted and written) to a most wonderful and treasured member of your family.
You brought tears to my eyes. We adopted our son 22 years ago and every day I thank God that He guided us to each other. The road is not always easy, but it is always blessed.
A little bit sheepish says
A wonderful sweater and a lovely story. Congratulations on your three years
Jess says
The sweater is gorgeous and so is the boy wearing it!
Sarah Jane | beautiful dawn says
Gorgeous, Ginny! And I always appreciate your honest, thoughtful approach to your family. Love to you all.
Nikki says
Hi, I have read your blog for around a year now….I have never ever left a comment on a blog before but everytime I see photos of your Gabe I think I should tell you… even though I know you already know it…. that beautiful boy of yours has the most insanley lovely smile I have ever seen in my life. Happy 3 years xxxx
Sylvia - artsy ants says
the sweater is beautiful, and so is Gabriel. just adorable!
kate says
That last photo…my breath caught in my throat and I started tearing up! The love in your family is obvious. Gorgeous sweater!
Sarah says
This is the beautiful sweater! Just perfect for Gabe’s beautiful soul. He is such a special, sweet boy and you are so blessed to have him in your family (and we are blessed to know him too!).
Leanne says
Gabe thank you for modeling the sewater – it looks lovely on you!
i hope your dryer is fixed – poor mumma and her washing!
Love Leanne
Gris fleur says
Wonderful ! I love the idea of knitting a piece of art of a child . Taking time to create for a child is the best way to thank him or her for being your child.
This sweater is lovely by the way.
At the moment, I’m in the process of clearing and listing all the ideas I can get to knit as much as possible all the yarn I’ve stocked. It has been confirmed last week that we will move from UK to Malaysia…Cotton yarn, here I come ! I’m sure after a while, it’s get chilly overthere 🙂
Kelly says
Lovely. All of it. Just lovely.