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.
How serendipitous! I was at Marshall’s last night (waiting on my teenager and friends) and I saw that sweater!! It is no colors of any of my Alma maters, but it was very soft and squishable, and very fair. Maybe this is the universe kicking me to go back and get one too.
Love your smile in each and every picture. Congrats on your degrees and all the sweaters you have knitted!! Blessings to you for allowing yourself to buy a sweater you liked. I love Jellybean and his mortarboard hat and you and your husband holding hands!!
Dana,
Wow! I’m so glad you gave yourself space to enjoy your sweater knitting instead of dread. I loved your Knitstars reel too. Thank you for sharing. Howard is a great pace t land! I hope to knit my first sweater for me in 2025 or 26! Thanks for encouragement and a sweater library I can reference. Do cats like sweaters? I have a new kitten hehehe! Dana
I just read in my local paper that Howard University is thinking about opening a satellite campus in Oakland, California. If they do, you are hereby invited to attend any of their celebrations here they might plan, wearing any sweater you like — as long as you also manage to attend/present a couple of knit-related events while you are here in the East Bay.
Please note: I have no official capacity with Howard, the City of Oakland, or any LYS; I just think it would be great to see you and your amazing wardrobe of knitwear in person…
I love it! I am a loyal alumna of my alma mater (Purdue) but have never been tempted to knit a Purdue sweater, even though I love the color combination (old gold and black). I just buy the comfy sweatshirts from the Purdue shop. But I’m thinking that maybe I will make something in gold and black just for fun and because I like the colors–my 7th or 8th Sophie scarf?
Thanks for your article. I love that Jelly Bean got a PhD (Phenomenal Dog) degree as well.
Making a sweater you wouldn’t wear much is against my belief system, lol. You can make whatever you want, and not make whatever you don’t want. Good for you!
Maybe you’ll make it for your next reunion. Your bought sweaters are beautiful though.
Caught you Dana! Your famous line: “I could but I just don’t want to”. My sometimes mantra now. I know just because I can, doesn’t mean I should or have to. It’s kind of a relief just to say, I can but I just don’t want to! Amen
Love your article! Congratulations!
Jelly Bean in that cap and gown!
You are my sweater hero! Give yourself A break! You deserve it!
Dana, I’m so proud of your accomplishments. Even the amount of sweaters you knit. You’re very talented. I’m always waiting and excited to see the next project. Keep up the good work.
Wonderful!
So glad you let yourself do this! Happy graduation anniversary!
That’s a perfect sweater…because it’s done and it fits. I also hate deadline knitting, and won’t do it. You win!
You’re always an inspiration, whether creating the knit or finding the perfect substitute for purchase. Great article. We can all relate.
As your former (and favorite) Howard U roommate and current bestie, I fully support being able to take the pressure off and buying something you like from time to time. Also I loved seeing all of these photos in one post! You look amazing in all of them.
Its beautiful sweater!! I am not a fan of deadlines either.
Good for you, Dr. Dana! I remember when you got that PhD. Congratulations on your 2- and 25-year anniversaries.
I’m literally wearing a sweater I’ve never regretted buying–a 1985 J Crew classic WOOL rollneck. It’s like the wool was steel–it doesn’t even pill! I wish I knew the wool composition.
One of my knitting friends used to answer the question “Did you knit this sweater?” with “No, not this time even though I could have.” I loved that because I knew that many of her sweaters involved expensive yarn and complicated techniques so if she found a beautiful or whimsical sweater or one knitted from a yarn she loved (cashmere, alpaca, silk or superfine merino) at a price point that was hard to pass up, she didn’t list all the reasons not to buy it, but instead chose to treat herself. And we all deserve a treat sometimes. Happy homecoming, Dana and your new sweater is gorgeous.
If it doesn’t bring you joy, then don’t do it! And congrats all ALL your accomplishments.