Miki joined Shirley’s Cable Design-A-Long for this piece during a time of difficult challenges and change in her life. The first thought before putting pencil to paper for the initial sketch was sadness and teardrops. The teardrops inspired a larger theme of flowing water that led to the choice of shimmering blue yarn and the overall stitch pattern. Miki also wanted to add the element of hope that keeps us all going amid sadness, resulting in the rising bird in the shape of a teardrop on the back. Since this was going to be a very special keepsake project, She chose to design something a little fancier – elegant, long, and fitted.