Joann Rogers knows what she likes – contemporary clothing with “non-fussy” stitch patterns – and that’s what she knits. She’s been designing her own patterns for three years and shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, she says she never has enough time to keep up with her “idea file.”
The idea for Joann’s Zihua Cardigan came late last year, just before she went on vacation to a coastal village in Mexico. She packed plenty of Berroco Maya and knit the sample “in dappled shade under the mangrove trees on the beach.” The cardigan, which she named in honor of the village, features long, overlapping fronts and a wide collar, detailed with a reversible chevron pattern. Joann used short-row shaping and a three-needle bind off at the shoulders. All pieces are worked flat and seamed.
Joann donates profits from her pattern sales to charity. You can purchase her Zihua Cardigan on Ravelry and help in the fight against cancer.
How did you come up with this design?
I wanted a big cozy cardigan that I could snuggle up in and wear pretty much all year round. I started playing around with reversible stitch patterns so the fronts could be worn draped open or closed and look terrific either way.
How did you decide on the yarn?
I love Maya, it is one of my favorite yarns – the feel of it, the drape, the colors it comes in etc.
What’s your favorite project you’ve ever made? Why?
One of my first self-published patterns, Ladder-Sleeve pullover, in Karma, ranks up there. It came together so easily. It just flowed from idea to done. It is a fast knit too so it was very gratifying. And I think it looks good on the young and not so young.
If you could knit/crochet something for anyone in the world it would be…?
The most appreciative knitting recipient in my world is my Mom. I have knit for her a lot. She is always asking if I can knit up something to go with a certain skirt or dress. I am so busy but have managed to knit her many things from purses to shawls to sweaters. We are the same size so we can share, too, but it is never enough. So I better say my Mom so she can’t say, ‘But I’m your MOM, how could you not pick me!’
What’s your favorite thing about knitting/crochet?
The peace it brings me. I like to knit quietly, outside if possible, no music or TV. It is like meditation for me.
Do you have a cool design you want to share? Or did you recently finish a project with Berroco yarn? You can email Ashley: apalumbo@berroco.com or post it to the Berroco Lovers forum in Ravelry.