The Marigold Sweater
The Marigold Sweater is a beloved design and a favorite among our makers. The Puff stitches and puff sleeves make a dramatic statement and beautiful statement, plus, they are so much fun to make! Many people have put their own spin on this eye-catching and size-inclusive design. You will be surprised at how well this lace pattern pops with different colors, but the original Marigold sweater was made in a very specific color: Turmeric…
The Story of Marigold
It was late May 2020. The pandemic had been ongoing for two months, with no end in sight. A heavy sadness hung over my home as the news of George Floyd’s death served as a stark reminder that our country still has a long way to go when it comes to human rights. It became so emotionally exhausting that I needed something to help process all the pain and fear.
I needed yellow- the color of turmeric.
Turmeric is one of my favorite spices because of its vibrant color and anti-inflammatory properties. I needed something to soothe the inflammation of my soul, so I found the most beautiful golden-yellow yarn I could and began the design process.
I decided to name this sweater: The Marigold Sweater.
Photo by Lerina Winter. Florist: Margaret Joan Florals.
Marigolds are flowers famously used to decorate Ofrendas for Dia De Muertos, the Mexican Day of the dead. The aroma, along with the vibrant color, is believed to guide spirits of the dead back to their families during Dia de Muertos.
I felt this was the perfect name because the floral lace in the sleeve is reminiscent of these gorgeous golden blooms. Just as the marigolds are used to honor those who have passed, I also wanted to honor those who have passed at the hands of injustice.
The Design:
A trend I have been particularly excited about is puff sleeves. Anyone who’s seen my designs knows I’m all about a dramatic sleeve. I came across an inspiration photo (pictured on the right) and, of course, wanted to turn the concept into something uniquely my own. I was drawn to the intricate floral lace and set out to find a version of it that I could adapt. While searching for floral lace patterns, I stumbled upon a tutorial on YouTube for puff stitch flowers. PUFF STITCHES?! How perfect for a puff sleeve! It felt like fate. After watching the tutorial and learning the basic concept, I adapted the stitch counts to suit the worsted-weight yarn I was using.
To watch a tutorial of the puff stitches click here.
This beautiful color and new floral lace pattern was the perfect balm for my soul and I was able to process through my pain as the yarn flowed through my fingers. It was big and dramatic and beautiful and the cuff finished it off nicely.
For the bodice, I went with something really simple and high-necked to support the sleeve. I created texture by doing a front loop only and back loop only to make little ridges through the rows. I then lengthened the sleeve to make it look proportionate to the bodice.
Testing Team:
Once I finalized the design I wrote the pattern with much help from my tech editor Jovette DSouza Pinto and testers. I had the pleasure of working with the very talented and helpful Laura Murphy, April Gopwani, Brittney Hawkins, Ashley Millard, and Crissy Willis. I can’t even begin to say how amazed I am by the support and talent of the crochet community and these amazing makers are no exception. Treat yourself and check out their work ;)
Ashley Millard
