Dana's Edit
Curse of the Homecoming Sweater
In 2000, I graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C., with a Bachelor’s of Arts in communication.
Howard University is a historically Black university, founded in 1867, and produces the most Black professionals in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, architecture, religion, law, music, social work, and education.
I love my alma mater so much that I came back to teach here and then earned my doctorate in communications, culture, and media studies in 2023. I am honored to be a part of continuing the legacy and helping to educate young scholars.
This year marks my 25th anniversary of graduating from Howard, so I always knew I was going to go to homecoming to celebrate. In 2020, due to the pandemic, we didn’t have our reunion, so the majority of our class said we would make sure we celebrated in 2025.
I knew this day was coming and kept saying to myself: I should knit myself a cardigan for homecoming. Something special! And yet, even with a five-year head-start, I didn’t.
If you think I didn’t knit a cardigan because I didn’t have the yarn, you’d be incorrect. I have more than enough options. I even picked out fun speckled yarns in Howard’s blue-and-red color palette that I’ve collected over the years—but still I didn’t make the cardigan.
I have grand visions of making an intarsia shawl-collared cardigan with a navy blue body and speckled yarn for the sleeves and shawl. I want an intarsia pattern on the back with a red H in the center and my two graduation years charted out on the back.
I’ve stalled out so many times.
This year, I went as far as picking the base pattern I planned to use: the Fable Cardigan since it is seamed and I’ve made it before. I know it would work.
I charted out the back panel and cast-on the ribbing…and then I set it aside. There are other projects I wanted to work on, other things that have taken precedent, and that cardigan just never became a priority.
I have friends who know that I knit and love my creations. They’ve asked for years if I would make a homecoming cardigan and I always said “maybe, one day!” and yet I have not found a single speck of motivation.
Maybe it’s because I have a plethora of Howard gear, from t-shirts to sweatshirts to pins and bags. I even knit myself the PhD Candidate sweater when I became a PhD candidate! But I don’t want to knit a homecoming sweater.
I hate deadline knitting and immediately drop things when I have a hard deadline in front of me.
I don’t buy sweaters that often because I know what I can make. And yet while I was browsing the racks at Marshall’s (I was waiting for my husband), I bought the cutest knit sweater in blue and red. It looks like something I would knit but it didn’t require any effort on my part.
It isn’t made of the same luxurious wool I would make it with—but it’s soft and cozy and hits the theme.
The pressure is off—even though I was the only one applying it. For once, I’ll enjoy a store bought cardigan instead of forcing myself to make one.
I love reading about the joy you find in knitting. We all have obligations and I don’t want knitting to fall into that category, at least for me. I am glad to read that you were able to wait for motivation, which still may come one day. Your purchased sweater looks great!
What a delightful read! I can relate.
AND, love to see your puppies well outfitted too!
Terrific read! I really like getting these first thing in the morning! Thank you! And congratulations Dr. Dana!
Wow, you sure don’t look old enough for a 25th reunion! I missed my 50th, so I’ll have to shoot for my 75th (Not.) And I never dreamed that the Most Amazing Knitter in the World can be just like us and procrastinate!! So reassuring, so inspiring! Many thanks for your wonderful posts Dana. And I love the family photo!
Jellybean’s cap! This made my day! I always smile when I see we have a new article from you to inspire, challenge and delight us! Also, was it you who recommended The Color of Law? As an attorney working in poverty issues, it was just a phenomenal book.
First, congratulations on all of your degrees! Wow, so cool to know you are so accomplished!
You’ve had me awe with your sweaters (knitting, designing, altering for puppy pal). Amazing!
You are correct about your homecoming sweater- it should be put off til it is fun & not a chore. Love your writing, photos and inspiration!
I whip myself with “shoulds.” You have hit on the biggest whip…I should knit a sweater because I can.
The transition to: If it doesn’t bring me joy, stop, unravel, find a pattern that does,” has been slow, but steady.
You have inspired me to take this final leap. Thank you, Dana! My respect and appreciation for you has just grown some more…which I didn’t think was possible!!
I’m with you, Dana..knit what you love.❤️ Happy 25th, how great that you’re giving back to the University that helped make you what you are.
As my favorite cookbook author Ina Garten says “store bought is just fine sometimes “! You found the perfect one!
Congratulations on all of your accomplishments! And thank you for letting me let myself off the hook for as yet not making a homecoming garment for myself. I’m a 1987 graduate of Florida A & M University and have vowed to make something to wear to homecoming for as many years since. I always talk myself out of it because during homecoming it is usually still 80 degrees and too dang hot to wear much of anything. And in traveling from Michigan at that time, where it is at least a forty degree change in temperature, I don’t wish to make a spectacle of myself at the airport peeling off all the layers.
I really enjoy your posts. And the cap and gown for Jellybean is priceless.
Congratulations, and have a fabulous time at Homecoming!
This advice applies to so much more than knitting. Thank you!
Just one word captures it all….Adorable!
I was thinking as I read this – what about buying a solid sweater and duplicate stitching the letters? But a blue and red fair isle works too. Don’t stress – life’s too short to spend time doing something you don’t want to do. Have fun at the homecoming.
Dana, I was feeling so guilty when I bought a pullover sweater recently knowing I could have knitted the same one. After reading your article, you took my guilt away.
Thank you!!! Love the photo of you, your husband and your ‘littles’.
I love the little Doctorate Dog!
You have given us all permission to take a pass when we want to. I loved reading this, and the photos are so much fun! Thanks!
i love this shared story! and i can relate. throughout my life i have vacillated between absolutely needing a hard deadline to complete a task AND refusing to respond to the pressure of the deadline.
thank you for sharing!
Congratulations! On the reunion and on not giving in to the ‘shoulds’ – that sweater looks great.