Hello, my name is Joji, and this free pattern is a tribute to you and our entire crafting community.
If it’s OK with you, I’d like to tell you how it was born.

March, 2020
The whole world is suddenly taken by surprise. A threat to all humanity, a disease, makes us all take pause and stay inside.
We all go through this time differently. Each individual, family, community, nation… however, in my heart, I feel we were all going through the same, together. For the first time the whole world feels that the best you can do is to stay inside and protect others by protecting yourself. And everyone is expected to do the same. Amid this chaos and uncertainty, I feel there is unity.

Argentina began its lockdown March 19 and we are still under strict confinement rules. During these days that turned into weeks, that turned into months, I had the chance to reflect on many things. My mood changed a lot.
Some days were sad, I was scared and lonely. But I found comfort in sharing with my online community. We gave each other courage.
Some days my privilege weighed on my shoulders, realizing how lucky I was that I could work and feed my family. That we were able to stay inside without putting ourselves and others at risk. But I found comfort in extending a helping hand, always met with excitement and gratitude. We were together.
Some days I felt the walls around me getting tighter, the lockdown is very strict. But I found comfort in my patio and my plants and flowers. They were my company and my contact with nature. They help me wander in my mind, pretending I lived in this house in the jungle. The floral motifs in this sweater are a tribute to this place.

During this time I had a Birthday, I turned 40. I often looked up to this day as my gateway to the second half of my life. I had all sorts of adventurous plans for this occasion, but I spent it at home, surrounded by the 3 people I cared about the most. It was humbling and eye opening. I was grateful, so grateful.

I am a 40 year old woman who has spent the last 12 years publishing knitting patterns. Each and every one of them has a story to tell. My needles and words always reflect something that happened to us. I love to communicate. I love to share. Every time I reach out to you with my patterns, I extend my open arms. ‘This is what I’ve created, this is the reason why’.
On a lockdown day I looked down to my knitting and thought: ‘Where is this story?’ This is a story we will never forget, and it was not being documented with my stitches.

I cannot really tell how it happened. This sweater was supposed to be a plain one. Instead, I impulsively thought of these words and drew a chart. It’s almost as if it was already in my head. I just knew what it needed. I am not an experienced colorwork designer, and I can’t really draw. This sweater was building up inside me.

ALL TOGETHER

That is how we will get over this. This is what we need to fight for. Togetherness. To beat the pandemic and all the other diseases that threat and kill us: racism, hunger, discrimination…

This sweater brings a positive message to you. It’s a tribute to you, so it’s a gift, forever. It’s a message of gratitude, from me, for being there. For being a part of this togetherness. I hug you, in a safe, virtual, but warm embrace.

Joji

SIZES
XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL, 4XL). Shown in size M on a 36” bust.
This sweater uses a very large colorwork motif for the letter section in the front and back. This pattern could not be resized to adjust for each individual size. The smallest sizes have more positive ease, otherwise the motif wouldn’t fit. However, every effort has been made to adjust the design so that the neckline and the sleeves fit perfectly.
For the larger sizes we us a very simple dotted floral chart on each side of the main panel to make up for the stitch count difference. The lettering panel is, however, the most prominent and visible panel in the sweater.
Recommended ease: Approx. 10” (25 cm) of positive ease, but could be more or less according to your preference..

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust circumference: 46½ (46½, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68)“ 116 (116, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170) cm.
Armhole Depth: 5¼ (5½, 6, 6½, 7½, 8½, 9¼, 10)” 13 (14, 15, 16.5, 19, 21, 23, 25) cm.
Sleeve circumference (starts mid-arm): 9¾ (10½, 11¼, 12¼, 14, 16, 17½, 18¾)“ 24.5 (26, 28, 31, 35, 40, 44, 47) cm.
Sleeve length from underarm to cuff: 15¾” (40 cm).
Length from underarm to hem: 13¼ (13¾, 14½, 14½, 15, 15½, 16¾, 18)“ 33 (34.5, 36, 36, 37.5, 39, 42, 45) cm.

MATERIALS
Yarn:
3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6) skeins of Yarn 1 Alpaca 2 by Isager (50% alpaca / 50% wool; 50g/273y 250m - LIGHT FINGERING) in color E2S;
4 (4, 4, 4, 8, 8, 8, 8) skeins of Mohair 1, 2, 3, 4 Silk Cloud by Shibui (60% mohair / 40% silk; 25g / 330y 300m) 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins of each color: Tar (1), Graphite (2), Ash (3) and White (4);

Note: One strand of mohair will always be held together with Yarn 1. They can be replaced with a heavy fingering or a sport weight yarn (with or without mohair). It is not a requirement for this pattern that you combine yarns, or that you use a progression of Mohair colors.
The total required yardage of both yarns held together is approx. 819 (873, 955, 1092, 1174, 1283, 1419, 1556) yards 750 (800, 875, 1000, 1075, 1175, 1300, 1425) m
1 skein of Yarn 2 Cozy Merino by Walk Collection (100% merino; 100g/400y 365m) in color Pretty in Pink and
1 skein of Yarn 3 Rustic Fingering by Neighborhood Fiber Co. (100% merino; 110g/475y 432m) in Del Ray.
Needles: US 2½ (3 mm) and 6 (4 mm) circular needles, 32” long.
Other notions: Stitch holders, tapestry needle.

GAUGE
22 sts and 30 rows to 4” (10cm) in stockinette stitch on US 6 (4 mm) needles after blocking. The fabric should be airy and draped, not dense!