Love Japan | Rope Knits

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I designed this pattern in response the earthquake and tsunami that struck the Tohoku region of Japan in March 2011. 100% of the proceeds from Love Japan will go to earthquake relief.

Finished Size: 29″ chest (modeled with 7″ ease).

Yarn: Main color: Cascade 220, 100% wool, 220 yds/100 gr. Van Dyke Brown (#7822); 3 skeins. Contra st color: Cascade 220 Peony Pink (#2449), 1 skein.

Gauge: 18 sts x 26 rows = 4″.

Needles: Needles: #6, #7, #7 dpns.

Notions: tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends (and duplicate stitch, if using).

The pattern is currently available in only one size but I’ll be adding mor

e sizes over the next few days and updating the pattern regularly.

The character (kanji) on the sweater means “love” in both Japanese and Chinese. I considered several different characters but finally went with this one. I think it’s aesthetically appealing, it has a beautiful meaning, and it’s recognized by many people who don’t otherwise read either language.

There’s a bonus to the pattern in that by buying it, you also buy the rights to re-use the intarsia chart in your own work:

Copyright and licensing information: By purchasing this pattern, you also purchase the right to use the intarsia chart for your own designs, free or for sale, as well as the right to sell the finished sweaters on a cottage-industry basis.

If you would like either an Excel (.xls) version of the chart or a K nit Visualizer (.kvc) version, please e-mail me at sarah@ropeknits.com with the Paypal address you used to purchase the pattern. If you reproduce the chart in any way, please include the following copyright notice: © Sarah Barbour, 2011.

It is the designer’s hope that if you profit in any way from this pattern that you will donate some portion of the money you make to earthquake relief, either in Japan or elsewhere. There is no way I can track or enforce this: it is strictly on the honor system—but since knitters are honorable people, I see no reason for concern.

If you use the chart or sell the sweater, I would love to hear about it!