The act of putting on a sweater has a certain enchantment. You sense a change in mood as well as temperature the instant the fabric is draped over your shoulders. All of a sudden, the world is gentler, more serene, and a little more tolerant. Sweaters have always been more than just clothes to me; they are symbols of the passing of the seasons, companions to memories, and comforting rituals. After giving it some thought, I realized that there’s more to our love of sweaters than just their usefulness. They do keep us warm, to be sure, but something more profound—almost scientific—is taking place. The psychology of comfort An underappreciated kind of strength is comfort. We are able to concentrate, create, and just be present when we are at ease. Few other articles of apparel can do this as well as sweaters. Sweaters embrace us more than tight-fitting jackets or…
