This is the first time I’ve ever created a sweater (that fits) and really understood what I was doing. I charted the entire front and back so to properly place all the flower motifs. The flowers are based on the work of Takashi Murakami, a Japanese artist known for his adorable and slightly disturbing characters. I was inspired to do this by a long standing love of his work and the video he made with Kirsten Dunst singing “I’m Turning Japanese”

The color work was done with a combination of intarsia and duplicate stitch embroidery. The cuffs and hem are corrugated ribbing with i-cord cast on (hem) and and cast off (sleeves)

I sewed the sweater together and picked up and knit the puff sleeves so to avoid bulky seams. (Also because I couldn’t mentally conceive of how to make it so the extra didn’t have to get sewn in the seam) I used short rows to shape them. The right sleeve was knitted at least 8 times before I got it right. Of course the left sleeve only needed one incarnation. D’oh.

The collar is picked up and knit in reverse stockinette with garter stitch borders and heavily pressed so it lays (mostly) flat. I may go back and redo the bind off to be looser. I thought I wanted it on the tight side but that is making the back of the neck curl under a bit. I’m going to wear it like it is for a while tho. :)

Much love to Sweater design in Plain English and Designing Your Own knits. I couldn’t have done without you.