January 15

I’ve been battling with the strawberry sweater sleeves for a few days now. My first attempt didn't go well at all; I missed a stitch early on and was unable to make the pattern work. So I frogged it.

Attempt number two involved me going completely off-book. While I can get away with doing that on most pieces, I discovered that my creativity didn't work so well with sleeves. Since I didn't like how it looked at all, I frogged it.

And that brings me to attempt number three, which I started this afternoon. I was very careful to follow the pattern instructions to a T and so far, it looks really nice. And I may have let out a sigh of relief tinged with satisfaction as I saw how well the pattern was coming together.

My stop and start, trial and error experience with sleeve construction mirrors the human experience that we all know. Sometimes it takes multiple tries before we're able to "get it right", so to speak. And I think God uses those failed test runs to teach us about patience and perseverance. And when we finally get it right, I think He celebrates right alongside us. 

So for that truth (and for the blessing of sleeves that finally look right) I am thankful.