Sometimes, amazing patterns stay in the vaults for way too long. I drafted the first version of the Touka Sweater in October 2017 for Halloween sweaters for my kiddos. It quickly became my go-to pattern for sweater-making because it was so quick and so easy. I used it for almost every holiday at least once since then! I was constantly putting other newer patterns ahead of the Touka until a few months ago when I declared the time was neigh! I must turn the Touka Sweater I’d loved for so long into a real life pattern!

Covid took the wind out of my creative sails, to say the least. It took a couple of months before I found it again, with the Touka Sweater. It was just so good; it was time I did it right. Once I cleaned up the basic look, I decided to make some variations. The split-toned look has always been a favorite of mine. I love any time a garment has hidden features… which lead to the third view, with the front of the sweater completely contrasting the back of the sweater. I later added the stripes, the pocket options and the appliques. Once testing was underway, I couldn’t refrain from adding more fun stuff to the Touka and thus came the dress length version, the drawstring charms, and additional patches! I really want this pattern to inspire those who want to make their next hoodie spectacular; One that the receiver will love forever!

the blue one

Size 8 for my 9 year old.
Height: 51"

Chest: 25"

Waist: 23"

Hips: 26"

I tried to make all three different version of the looks. I just couldn’t get my hands on some choice print sweatershirt fleece anywhere, which is what I was most inspired to do with that look (I dreamed of a vivid grapic floral print to contrast with a solid back or front, sigh). I took the split-toned sleeves instead and made a vinyl cut-out (by hand; I must be the last living sewist to not have a vinyl cutting machine, lol.) of one of my favorite albums by my favorite K-pop band SHINee (check my previous post to see a whole outfit I dedicated to Tae Min for my begging birthday girl). I had a hard time figuring out where to place the “ODD” on her blue sweater where it would look good and be unexpected, which was a bit stressful because it had to be added after the sweater was made. We both love it soooo much, those colors make me so happy. She styled her outfit herself with pants I’d previously made and her striped socks and red Docs. She has a fantastic eye for fashion; it’s better than I had planned to have her wear!

the green one

Height: 44"

Chest: 22.5"

Waist: 21.5"

Hips: 23"

Again, I tried to make magic out of the solid sweatshirt fleece I had and turned to the fried egg applique’ for inspiration. I double interfaced each piece (also sweatshirt fleece) and Wonder Undered the underneath of the eggs. Spacing was tricky; originally she was supposed to have a flap pocket but the spacing didn’t allow it so I switched to a kangaroo pocket instead. Figuring out the perfect stitch length and width took some trial and error (I divulge the lengths in the tutorial 😉). I had a green stretch vinyl that was almost exactly the same shade as the sweater but off enough that I didn’t feel comfortable using it (I do love solid matchy looks like that though! Ironic since my go-to style is unmatchy 😆). Back-up stash to the rescue! I pulled the blue stretchy vinyl to make a pair of leggings to go with her fried egg sweater. Side note- this is the first photoshoot with glasses for Akira!

the black + white + rainbow one

Height: 59"

Chest: 29.5”’

Waist: 25.5”

Hips: 32”

The Touka Sweater is dedicated to this girl. This, incredible, beautiful, silly teenager (omg when did our kids grow up?! Didn’t I just make her that rainbow dash dress?). Her favorite colors have evolved very recently to black and white and she’s actually showing an interest in fashion. She requested black and white split-toned sweater for her birthday outfit, and I compromised with her by adding rainbow striped pieced sleeve (yes, you don’t just have to do two colors; how about six?!) and a wide red drawstring (with embroidery-wrapped ends). We searched for a fabric that I could make a pleated that would go along with the sweater. I found a Mokana and Makana fabric from two Clamp mangas/animes I highly recommend called xxxholic and Tsubasa on Spoonflower. I used a tutorial from Carbon Chic to make her skirt. She was so thrilled at the end result which surprised and delighted me since her tastes were still different less than a year before!

It is currently an extra bizarre time for us because we are currently close to massive fires which have pushed the release of the Touka and has been weighing on us heavily. These were taken on a day that happened to be right before the fires grew. My birthday, the next day, marked the change in it all and as it stands a week later, I have yet to see a blue sky since these were taken. I thought about just postponing the release altogether, but it was exactly what I needed to keep my mind busy from obsessing about what was and is going on with us in Portland right now. I have to say I’m incredibly grateful for this day’s weather. I’m even more grateful to my amazing testers!!! Wow, I was so happy to have so many kind but thorough, creative amazing women test the Touka. Again, thank you to Marilyn, Emily, Kacey, Jo, Natasha, Gayathri, Heather, Ellen, Laurie, Thao, Mariana, Rebecca, and Suzanne!

Speaking of all of those extras, I must share my adorkable little girl in her Totoro Touka Sweater dress with matching Totoro socks! 😂

The Touka is on sale at the moment for $8 instead of $10 but it won’t last long so grab a copy and show me how you would make it special!! And if you do, please, please, please share it with me on Instagram @sew_chibi !

Thank you for reading all about the Touka Sweater Pattern! I am so happy to finally share it with the world. ❤❤❤