Okay, I am in trouble here. Serious trouble. With a capital ‘T.’

When we moved here in mid-February, we were coming from a climate that was already quite warm. Like in the 80s kind of warm. And it only gets hotter from there. Summers in Fort Worth are brutal. The only time to take your kid to the park, between the months of June and September, was very early in the morning. Because if the heat and humidity didn’t get you, the bugs surely would. So it was basically air-conditioned house to air-conditioned car to air-conditioned… wherever. Not a lot of fun.

Fast-forward to Utah, and here we are, it’s summer. August. And the days are in the low 80s. And the nights? Well, come dinner time, and there’s a distinct chill in the air. Sleep with your windows open, and wake up in the morning chilled to the bone. It’s ideal.

But we moved here with no cold weather clothing. Well, sure, we had some odds and ends, but no winter wardrobes, with the exception of ski gear, which come on, do you really expect me to run around in racing stripes? When not on skis? Unh-unh. So for the remainder of last winter, we layered. And layered. And then layered some more. And honestly, it doesn’t really get bone-chilling cold here, regardless of what I said. Even in the winter when it’s snowing. But a girl needs some sweaters, you know? And the girl’s daughters? They definitely need some sweaters.

And therein lies my predicament. I want fabulous sweaters for them. Just as fabulous as I would wear. Because they’re going to be wearing them. A lot. I mean, a lot, a lot. And yet, nothing out there was doing it for me, nothing was hitting the nail on the head of what I had in mind for them. And so it had gotten to the point where I was googling knitting tutorials in the evenings. Because if I couldn’t find what I was looking for? I would make it! So, I added “learn how to knit and crochet” to my ever-growing list of Things to Learn Before It’s Too Late. Only problem? There were a lot of other things already on that overwhelming list, and so I was pretty sure that 1) the girls would have to make do in Baby Gap sweaters (not that there’s anything wrong with Baby Gap, it’s just that I get so bored with seeing every other kid on the playground, in the pick-up line at school, at the local Mexican restaurant, in the same exact sweater; and 2) my allergies would get the best of me, because I am allergic to wool. And cashmere. And angora. And just about every other material out there that provides warmth and comfort.

And then, the clouds of frustration parted, a ray of light shone down, and I found them. The perfect sweaters. Seriously, there are just some people out there who get it. Who get that there are moms just like me who prefer muted shades of brown and green and simple adornment, that makes one say to themselves (or to the artist, in my case), upon seeing the sweater for the first time, “can you make this in my size?”

The Anecdotes. The answer to my prayers. And of course, you know where I found this shop, right? Take a wild guess. That’s right. Etsy.

I have purchased three already. One for Pea, and one for Coco to wear now. This coming winter season. And then I went ahead and bought a third sweater, for Coco, to wear next winter season. And I justify this by knowing that Pea’s sweaters? When she’s outgrown them? Will be passed on to her little sister. And then, when Coco outgrows these sweaters? They will be wrapped – preserved – in a special box, for my daughters to pass along to their own daughters, someday. These sweaters? They will never be out of style, never, ever, ever. They are classics, because really, what are classics but simple and elegant designs that can (and will) stand the test of time?

So the three sweaters arrived yesterday. I couldn’t get the package open fast enough. And honestly, I nearly cried when I unfolded them. They are so stunningly gorgeous. And soft. My God, you never knew that wool, even merino wool, could be as soft and cozy as that which is used to create these sweaters. And the sweater that started it all? It’s nearly identical to this one, the “Phillip,” although the original one that I ordered is in a pale shade of purple with green buttons. And while purple? And green? Not my usual colors? The sweater was absolutely to-die-for. So much so that I went on to request a custom sweater, the same style, but in a grey, for Pea. And, whoa. Another to-die-for sweater. She tried it on last night, wouldn’t take it off, took the dogs outside in it, and then came back into the house and announced, in no uncertain terms, that she would like another sweater, from the same place, in purple.

Done. There will be one more sweater coming her way, in what I am sure is to be a lovely and sophisticated shade of purple. It will be in the style of the “Roger,” which is basically the same style of sweater as the second one that I ordered for Coco, to be worn this winter, although Coco’s is in a shade of grey with olive buttons. A neutral, if you will.

I have ordered many things from Etsy since discovering the beauty and rarity of handmade things. But these sweaters? The best of the bunch. Now, if only the woman behind the line would make these sweaters for grown-ups. What I wouldn’t give for an “Oliver…“