I am perpetually chilly in air conditioned settings and love a good lightweight knit sweater for the summer. I began to have cute sweater envy when I saw the Blackwood Cardigan from Helen's Closet and I have always admired Grainline's Driftless cardigan, however I could not justify buying either pattern when I already had a cardigan pattern in my stash, unused but graded for my sizing and cut out and ready to go!
I realized what I liked about the two independent pattern designs were their pockets, cute details and simplicity. So...I added a few of those things to my McCalls pattern and am super happy with the result.
You can see I added pockets that are simply rectangles and belt carriers which are long tubes of fabric. I free handed all of these details as well as the tie belt. Its just a long tube too!
Construction:
The entire sweater was basted on my machine and then serged together with the exception of the pockets and other details. I stabilized the shoulder seam with twill tape and although the pattern instructed you to ease the shoulder seams together I didn't bother with that detail.
Fabric:
This was a length sent to me in a mystery bundle from Fabric Mart Fabrics. I believe its a linen knit and probably has no lycra or very little. Its very breathable and super comfortable.
I find that sometimes the simplest designs with a few added details make me the happiest. I also find that when I use what's in my stash, practice contentment and get to work I can generate the feeling that I am a good steward of my resources (enter smug self satisfied feelings)- and give myself an excuse to fill the now empty hole in my fabric stash :) !! Ha ha!
Happy Sewing and thanks for reading!
Elizabeth
