Yumiko

This summer, we enjoyed hosting designer Yumiko Alexander for a three-day retreat packed with workshops and a fantastic trunk show. It was a fabulous time! Yumiko was our very first guest in our newly remodeled upstairs loft. We worked around the clock to complete the remodel before her arrival!

Yumiko was born and raised in Japan before moving to the United States in her twenties. Her journey as a knitwear designer began in Japan, where she focused on creating garments from wool and other standard knitting fibers. Her passion for design stemmed from a wish to make clothes that fit. While Yumiko is petite by American standards, she is considered taller than the average Japanese woman. Clothing in Japan is often available in only one size! Can you imagine that?

After settling in the Phoenix area, she paused her design career to raise her twin boys. Once the twins were old enough for school, she persuaded her husband to invest in her design business, leading to the creation of DanDoh.

DanDoh designs harmoniously merge simple shapes, rich textures, and distinctive stitch patterns catering to all body types. The result is a signature wardrobe garment that effortlessly blends simplicity with elegance.

Yumiko expanded her company by importing her own line of yarns from Japan. DanDoh’s yarn collection is entirely plant-fiber-based, ideal for Oklahoma’s warm climate.

Cotton Fine is a distinctive yarn composed of pure cotton with a thin viscous rayon film coating, giving it a smooth, crisp texture. It behaves similarly to linen, but the coating washes off, allowing the cotton to soften significantly after wear or washing. Despite its fine nature, it is typically worked with larger needles and two strands held together, resulting in incredibly lightweight garments, unlike traditional cotton items.

Silk+ combines premium mulberry silk with a hint of mercerized cotton, creating subtle specks of color throughout. The resulting fabric is exceptionally soft and lightweight with a beautiful. This yarn is really lovely to work with.

DanDoh’s Linen is spun from clean, crisp linen fibers sourced from Japan. The tonal shades are spun together in a unique chain-ply structure, creating a lightweight yarn with a subtle color blend throughout. The resulting fabric is airy, with a dramatic drape and a soft touch.

While we usually recommend yarn substitutions, we hesitate to do so with DanDoh. Yumiko’s designs shine brightest when knitted with DanDoh yarns. The unique properties of these Japanese yarns are unmatched, and using a different fiber will alter the look and feel of the garment.

Yumiko’s designs offer numerous options, including easy length and sleeve adjustments, allowing you to create the perfect garment. The construction features simple shapes without any shaping, resulting in a boxy, flowing fit that flatters various body shapes and sizes. Some popular designs in the shop include:

Stratum, Waterfall, and Inlet – all made with Cotton Fine.

Bamboo – worked with Silk+.

Chic, Agave, and Joinery – all created with Linen.

Yumiko wore the Joinery top during her visit, which was a big hit. She recently released Connections, an asymmetrical cowl inspired by the Joinery design. It’s a fun accessory to knit and wear, featuring an easy decorative joining technique. It also serves as a great introduction to DanDoh’s Linen yarn.