A frequent refrain in my home is, "Mom, I'm cold." My response is always the same – put on a sweater! A sweater acts as a second skin. It insulates the body, trapping warm air, while allowing moisture to evaporate. Wearing a finely knit sweater allows me to keep the thermostat low throughout the winter. As a result, I save money and conserve energy.

Adjust the Thermostat is a 5' globe weighing 280 lbs – 30 lbs of that amount being a turtleneck sweater knit from UV-resistant, mildew resistant, polyester "yarn" commonly used for parachute cord. It is part of the outdoor public art project Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet. The project, founded by Wendy Abrams, is designed to bring attention to global warming and inspire both individuals and community leaders to find solutions. Adjust the Thermostat is one of 125 globes unveiled on the front steps of Chicago's Field Museum in June 2007. The globes are now traveling with Adjust the Thermostat destined for San Francisco in the summer of 2008.

A special thank you to Dr. Keith Burns of Northwestern University and his 2007 Evanston Township High School students for providing the measurements that allowed me to write the pattern.