Monday, April 18, 2011

Meet Joji Locatelli of JOJI & Enter to Win 1 of her Patterns!

We have our three winners!
Emily won Pole

Sarah the Student Knitter won Penelope

Minkeswim won Fourinone
Congratulations & Please email me at
sandrasingh@sandrasingh.com

so I can email you your patterns.

Earlier this month I introduced the work of the Argentinean knitwear artist Joji Locatelli of JOJI, its time I properly introduce you to her and announce her blog giveaway. Last month I discovered Joji's patterns on Ravelry, the Malabrigo Junkies group was hosting a KAL for her beautiful Pole cardigan and I immediately fell in love with its simplicity and versatility.

Joji has graciously agreed to be interviewed and to donate her patterns Pole, Penelope and Fourinone as the prizes for three lucky winners of this giveaway, information on how to enter below.



Pole

Sizes To fit chest:
30/32 (34/36-38/40-42/44-46/48-50/52-54/56-58/60) inches
75/80 (85/90-95/100-105/110-115/120-125/130-135/140-145/150) cm
Shown in size 34/36 with no ease.



Pole is knit in Malabrigo Merino Worsted, but my yarn Sandrasingh.com 1 Ply Merino Worsted can easily be subbed.




Penelope


Penelope is a fresh take on the old cabled cardigan we all love…A beautiful, modern cardigan, featuring cables and twisted stitches in the lower part of the body. This pattern is virtually seamless.



Fourinone


Unisex Fourinone is a reversible cowl that can be worn with any of its sides facing out. And if you pull the cord and tie the upper edge, you can wear it as a hat. It’s four accessories in one and looks equally great on a man or woman.




All JOJI patterns are sold as PDFs that are emailed to you after the purchase, no shipping charges. Now let's meet Joji!

Hello Joji, thank you for joining us, please tell us about yourself.

I live in Buenos Aires, capital city of Argentina, in South America. I am 31 years old, married for 7 years now, and mother of two very handsome boys, aged 3 and 4 1/2. I am a retired physician (I only worked 2 years as a doctor, until my sons were born) who decided to give it a go at working with yarn. And I made it! When I was finishing my Medical Studies, I realized I was not happy with my career choice. I know, it took me 6 years to notice it... And then it was too late to drop out! I finished my studies, got my degree and license, got married and started working as a doctor, like everyone does, right? But I felt sick every morning in my way to work. I really didn't like it. It hurt me.



When my first son was born, I quit my job to become a stay at home Mom, which was an amazing experience. Soon came my second son, so I spent almost 3 years at home without working.


Two years ago, our economical and financial situation was getting worse and worse, so we had to make a decision: I had to look for a job. And I convinced myself that I would do anything in my power to NOT work as a doctor again!



I currently work for a local yarn store in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am in charge of a lot of things -from making coffee to managing big overseas accounts. I got this job because of all the things I had learned from reading knitting blogs and forums... The yarn store was looking for new distributors and they found it very useful to have someone like me working there. They spoil me very much and treat me like a princess. What else could I ask for? I also work for them as an independent dyer. So what started as just a few hours at the shop ended up as an almost full-time job. A dream job actually!


How did you get interested in designing knitwear?


I enjoy writing patterns very much, although I rarely find time to do it. I don't think I have a philosophy. I just knit for myself or for my family, and if I think that what I achieve is worth writing up a pattern for, then I do it. I always try to design something that I would actually wear. Something that I would pay for if it was hanging at a store....


I usually think a lot about knitted garments when I am about to fall asleep. I think "I could design something like this, or something like that." The thing is that I have so little time to knit my own samples, that I usually end up forgetting my ideas! I know, I should get myself a notepad! Anyway, I think that what inspires me the most is what I see at the street. What people wear, what shapes are more flattering... I would have never thought a draped front cardigan would look good in any shape. And it does! It does flatter a lot of body types! A lot of people bought and wear that kind of cardigans, and I see them at the street all the time. That surely inspires you to design something like that!


I always say I am an amateur designer with no plans of becoming professional. I have a really good job which I like, so designing is something I do in my free time. I also find it very challenging to write something in a foreign language, so it takes me a lot of time! I just hope I can keep doing it as I did until now! No pressures... I just love to see what people make with my designs... It is a huge feeling of accomplishment!


How have the advances in technology and the internet helped you (or hindered) you as a knitwear designer?


Well, internet is a wonderful, wonderful tool. For a woman like me, living in a country so far away, it would have been impossible to work and design with yarn as I do now, without internet access. It has given me access to a public I never thought I would come across with. The first pattern I self-published for sale in ravelry was Pole, and I had such a great reply! I couldn't believe it! In Argentina, people don't buy patterns. There are a few very bad quality magazines, and people are used to buy those and just knit what they can with them... So I could have never made it as a knitwear designer here!



Joji thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us, it was a pleasure getting to know you and we look forward to seeing more designs from you.


There will be three winners for this Giveaway, the fist name drawn will win Pole the second will win Penelope and the third will win Fourinone, the pattern will be emailed to the winner as a PDF. No purchase is necessary to enter and the winner will be announced on April 23, 2011.


Enter this Giveaway:
The more ways you enter, the more chances you have to win and make sure to leave a comment telling exactly what you did to enter. And please make sure to include your contact information.

1. Leave a comment about your favorite JOJI pattern, under this blogpost.
2. Blog about this Giveaway on your blog and link it, leave a comment under this blogpost with the link back to your blogpost.
3. Join my Ravelry group Sandrasingh.com and introduce yourself in the "Welcome Tell us About Yourself..." thread.
4. Announce this Giveaway in your Ravelry group or in another Ravelry group that allows you to announce Blog Giveaways.
5. Friend me on Facebook: Sandra Singh and say you "Like" my post about this Giveaway.
6. Announce this Giveaway (with the link) on Facebook
7. Follow me on Twitter: Sandrasingh
8. Announce this Giveaway (with the link) on Twitter.
9. Sign up for my Newsletter on my Home Page.
10. Sign up to "Follow my Blog."

62 comments:

Sarah {The Student Knitter} said...

wow, way cool! I'm definitely a fan of the first one the best - I love the fan shape in the back and the way it ripples down the front of the cardigan. love!

Sarah {The Student Knitter} said...

oh, i'm definitely a follower too. :)

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love POLE. It is so drapey and yet simple. I would love to knit one for my tall daughter. Would really look good on her.

Peggy (pontiac39@cableone.net

Suburban prep said...

I like the Penelope. All are great designs though.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

I belong to your Ravelry group.

Suburban prep said...

I follow your blog.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Elly said...

My favorite is Penelope! Drop dead gorgeous! I love the drapey, open style.

Elly

Unknown said...

just gorgeous design! i am very excited about pole-- i think i could wear that! i joined you ravelry group, follow you on twitter, and signed up for your newsletter. thank you so much for this interview-- and giveaway! karen (lovelily AT gmail DOT com)

Carolknitssweaters said...

My favorite is fourinone. How cool is that?

MinkeSwim said...

I love Joji's designs. Fourinone is really fun to knit. And it's super warm!

Martha Donley said...

I love the Pole cardigan also. It has a beautiful drape and a unique construction. I signed up for your newsletter.
Martha Donley or llamaleader on Rav.

Debbie said...

I love the Pole Cardigan. Very pretty! I belong to your Ravelry group. I'm your friend on Facebook. I get your newsletter and I follow your blog. gussek on Ravelry Debbie

Rachel said...

I LOVE the Pole pattern! Wow! I can see myself wearing that all the time!

I am a follower and part of your Facebook group.

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

I am a member of your Raverly group.

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

I like the Fourinone pattern.

Lindr said...

Beautiful patterns - hard to choose. I love Pole, but I'm intrigued by the cables on Penelope, and I could definitely see fourinone becoming Christmas presents for almost everyone in the family! I've been looking for a sweater/jacket, though, so I'd have to choose Penelope. I think.

I'm in your Ravelry group (lindaran), I follow your blog, I signed up for e-mail alerts, I 'liked' you on facebook!

nanalisette said...

Her designs are wonderful...at a glance, POLE was my first, but I like the cowl and hat too.

amchart said...

How ingenious is the Fourinone pattern?!
I am a member of your Ravelry group.
I receive your Newsletter.
I follow your Blog.
amchart

Virgi said...

I love all of them but I chose fourinone indeed!!!

Anonymous said...

My favourite is Penelope, by far! I also love her small boy vests - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/a-little-textured-vest and http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lolo-s-vest

Jolene (JoboDesigns on Ravelry) said...

I really like the "Pole" pattern! Very nice!

Jolene (JoboDesigns on Ravelry) said...

I'm a follower over on Ravelry :)

Jolene (JoboDesigns on Ravelry) said...

I'm heading over to FB to like your post there too :)

Unknown said...

i love penelope, it is beautiful.

Federic on Rav said...

I love all Joji's patterns and admire her versatility in design. Pole is my favorite!

Diane Eskritt said...

i would love to have POLE and if that means I have to knit it, then so be it, bring it on

Diane Eskritt said...

i would love to have POLE and if that means I have to knit it, then so be it, bring it on

lanas y tramas said...

Bravo Jojis!!!!! Estoy muy orgullosa de todo tu trabajo!!!!!!!!!

Emily said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
KnittingViolets said...

Pole is my favorite, for sure!

KnittingViolets said...

Just tweeted about the giveaway @knittingviolets

Debbie said...

I love the Fourinone cowl! I also like the clever name!

Debbie said...

3. Join my Ravelry group Sandrasingh.com and introduce yourself in the "Welcome Tell us About Yourself..." thread.
I'VE DONE THIS!

Debbie said...

5. Friend me on Facebook: Sandra Singh and say you "Like" my post about this Giveaway.
I'VE DONE THIS!

Debbie said...

6. Announce this Giveaway (with the link) on Facebook
I'VE DONE THIS!

Debbie said...

9. Sign up for my Newsletter on my Home Page.
I'VE DONE THIS!

Debbie said...

10. Sign up to "Follow my Blog."
I FOLLOW YOUR BLOG!

Debbie said...

http://waddlesworth-debbie.blogspot.com/2011/04/sandra-singh-pattern-giveaway.html
I'VE BLOGGED ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY!

Melissa Zeffer said...

Love Pole! I can totally imagine wearing it to class!

Melissa Zeffer said...

I am already a friend on Facebook :)Just liked your post!

Melissa Zeffer said...

I am a follower! :)

Melissa Zeffer said...

I follow on Twitter @MissMelissaZ

Melissa Zeffer said...

Retweeted your announcement of the giveaway @MissMelissaZ

Connie said...

I love all of these patterns, but Penelope is my absolute favorite. I love this cardigan!

greyowl (ravelry id)

Connie said...

I have signed up to receive you newsletter. Penelope is my favorite.

greyowl (ravelry id)

Audrey Friedman said...

I love the easy drape and figure flattering lines of Pole!

Unknown said...

All I can say is wow. I love Pole, it is such a lovely pattern, very graceful.
I left a comment on your Facebook and Ravelry pages as well.I am winterschild on Ravelry.

Silvina said...

Joji, your designs are so beautiful, and you are such a great knitter!!! Pole is my fav, but all of them are great!!
Silvinasi on Ravelry :)

Eli said...

I really like POLE, the drapey effect is really nice....can I have two favorites??? i love forinone too :)

|chee-uh| said...

Pole is hands-down my favorite pattern.

monkalicious on Rav

mj said...

Wow, that's a hard one to pick just one pattern. I'd probably say Penelope, but Pole is definitely a close second.

Luli said...

I love Pole pattern and I can say... I know Joji, she is the best!

I m following you on twitter too (telareando)

Anonymous said...

Oooo... I love Pole the best. Very nice work!

Marcela (marcelamacari on rav) said...

I love the Pole cardigan

lorraine said...

pole looks like such a fun knit!!

lorraine said...

pole looks like such a fun knit!!

alexxland said...

I can´t decide between Fourinone and Pole. They are both beautiful!!! Joji is a great designer!!!

RubyC said...

I love the penelope. Thanks again for sharing such great giveaways on your blog.

Diana said...

Love the Penelope, and the coverage it provides! I follow your blog and FB posts...btw, I had six deer laying down in my back yard yesterday. ;-)

Thistle Cove Farm said...

They are all lovely but Pole and Fourinone are my favorite.

Kristen said...

Pole is definitely my favorite. I love the drape.

Unknown said...

the Pole pattern is my fave. it really has a fun, whimsical feel to it. A great weekend or everyday pattern, or a night out, sexy pattern. stunning!