Designing The Milagros Sweater has been one of the most meaningful parts of my knitting journey. Some projects arrive in our lives with intention, and others find us gently, quietly, exactly when we need them. This sweater is both.
From Accessories to Garments
When I first started knitting, my world revolved around cozy accessories: headbands, scarves, beanies, and shawls. They were fun, and familiar. I made a few sweaters, but designing garments of my own felt like a distant dream.
Then, in early 2020, when the world slowed down and we found ourselves staying home, I signed up for a class on how to design a top-down raglan sweater. Cecilia from @mammadoityourself was the teacher.
Her teaching style was clear, and with every class I felt my confidence grow. When the math added up, when the stitches aligned, when the sweater actually fit the way I hoped, it was a moment of quiet triumph. Something inside me shifted. I realized I could design garments.
A Sweater for Everyday Life
That very first raglan felt like a milestone. It gave me the courage to explore more, to learn more, and to start imagining pieces that would become part of our everyday lives.
I wanted to design something timeless:
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simple lines
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soft shaping
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a fit that worked with jeans or skirts
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a piece that could be dressed up or kept cozy
A sweater we could truly live in.
I started by making the first sample for my daughter. Then another, and another. I wrote everything down, had it graded, tested, and finally released the children’s version in 2022. But I always knew this was only part of the story.
A Name with Heart
In March 2022, my sweet father-in-law passed away. His loss is one we are still learning how to carry. He was a farmer in Ecuador, and he owned his land in the town of Milagros. Every time he told stories about his farm, he lit up. He was proud of everything he cultivated there, and he worked with such dedication: supporting his siblings through school, and later his own family.
He was a man of love, humility, and strength. My husband gets so much from him. For that, I will always be grateful.
Naming the sweater The Milagros Sweater felt beautiful and right. A small tribute, filled with respect.
Adult Sizes, Family Matching, and Story Threads
The first version of this design was released for children. Today, the Milagros Sweater is also available in adult sizes from XS through 3XL, so we can match our little ones if we choose, or simply wear a sweater full of meaning and comfort.
This is a basic raglan, but it’s never “just a basic raglan.”
It represents:
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the desire to keep learning
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the joy of handmade clothing
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the beauty of slow fashion
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the stories we stitch into everything we make
It’s a blank canvas. You can add stripes, play with color, embroider flowers, or keep it perfectly minimal. Each sweater is uniquely yours.
What This Sweater Means to Me
Every time I cast on a Milagros Sweater, I feel a sense of gratitude:
For the teachers who share their knowledge.
For the ability to create with our hands.
For the memories we carry in the stitches.
For the family who inspires us.
This sweater reminds me that we can grow, even when we didn’t think we could. That beautiful things take time. And that handmade pieces are never just garments: they are love, effort, memory, and hope.
Find the Pattern:
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I can’t wait to see your Milagros Sweaters come to life. If you knit one, please tag me or send me a photo. I would be honored to see the stories you add to it.
Happy knitting,
Yessy
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