Two years ago, my mom hit a big birthday milestone, so I flew out from California, where we were living at the time, to South Dakota, my homeland, to surprise her. My visit spanned the last couple days of April and the first couple of May, when in California, the weather was absolutely gorgeous, and even starting to stray on the wrong side of “too hot.” I had already busted out my shorts and flip flops for the summer. Imagine my shock and utter dismay when, on the last day of my South Dakota visit, May 2nd, mind you, there was an all-out winter storm. Inches upon inches of heavy snow interspersed with layers of solid ice.

Materials

Yarn: Happy Go Lucky Yarn HGL Worsted, 100% Superwash Merino Wool; 218yds/100g: Color: Salt Silo, 6 (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) skeins.

Needles: Size 7 (4.5 mm): 16”, 24”, and 47” or longer circular (cir) and 1 set 4 or 5 double- pointed needles (dpn). Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: 2 removable Markers (m); 2 safety pins; waste yarn; tapestry needle.