Well, I have good news and bad news about this week’s installment of Sewing for Me, though mostly good. The good: I love this knit cardi pattern. As the envelope promises, this is “sew simple”. I used my serger and had a completed project in my hot little hands in less than thirty minutes (once I cut out the pieces – that was a little trickier since the front pieces are ginormous). Even without a serger, it would be a very quick sew.
More good: I love the versatility of this cardi. It can be tied, swooshed and looped around onto your neck and shoulders to make it look like a wrap top, or worn plain and still look lovely. However, when attempting the wrap/cowl top style, I recommend making sure it doesn’t look like you have giant worms undulating by your neck. It wasn’t until I was editing the photos that I noticed how weird that looked. At any rate, it’s one of those forgiving shapes that will subtly mask the lumpy bumpy bits on a body that’s given birth.
I also like the asymmetry from the back to front. I’ve finally cottoned onto knit sizing from the big 4 commercial patterns, and deduced that I’m between a small and a medium so the fit is spot-on. I didn’t add the elastic on the neck seam, since it seemed unnecessary, plus I looked at other similar cardigans I own and none of them have elastic gathering at the base of the neck.
So what’s the problem? I didn’t choose the best fabric. The drape is spectacular, but this knit is so sheer, it’s bordering on lingerie/boudoir wear, I fear. I actually love slightly sheer knits, but this one takes it a little too far…especially with its nude shade, it sort of feels like I’m wearing a cardigan made out of pantyhose. I was feeling quite self-conscious about my arms in these photos and had to ruthlessly cull out any shots that highlighted the dreaded “AL” (“arm lard”, as M affectionately joked once and seriously regretted it).
Also, I wasn’t sure how to finish the raw edges for this kind of super-thin sweater-knit-type fabric. The hem is meant to be left raw, so I left the sleeve hem raw as well, but I’m noticing a lot of curling and a bit of unraveling. I thought about serging all the raw edges, but they would end up wavy, which isn’t a look I care for.
The infinity scarf was more of an afterthought. With all that sheerness, I felt the need to cover myself up more, and grabbed this five minute scarf I made last week. This dark khaki-colored rayon/jersey knit also has a silky, gorgeous drape and I think it looks nice with the cardi, no?
What I’m realizing is that I need a snug long-sleeved shirt to wear under this cardi. I don’t own any of those. That will solve the problem, I bet. And now I know what I’ll be sewing next (along with a few more of these cardis in different colors because I love this style so much — though next time I will shorten it a tad)!
Love both! I love the inverted V shape made by that second styling of the cardi! I really have to step it up and go online knit shopping… I really wish I could touch and feel what I buy, but I just have to get a grip on the reality that it’s not gonna happen! Ha. LOVE the infinity scarf, too, and making one just got bumped up to the top of our list. We’re in full-on winter mode already. Gorgeous, Sanae!
Buying fabric online is tricky! I have to admit I’ve only done it once, but it was for Japanese fabric I was familiar with, and I imagine knits would be pretty hit or miss. The infinity scarf is so easy to make, gotta do it, Monica!
I think you look fabulous, Sanae. Love the shape and color of the cardi – especially mixed with khaki scarf. Gorgeous!!
Thanks so much Trine! I’ve been wearing that scarf a lot – super comfy and warm!
ooo, love this cardi! very pretty color on you. my favorite sweater is a very similar cut cardigan. I find that the long front gets in the way when I’m doing stuff with the kids so I often wrap the pieces around me and tuck the ends into my front pockets. Odd-looking, but nice and snug! And oh, the infinity scarf…. need. to. make. one.
Do it, do it! You can whip out a scarf in no time flat, Erin, and they make great gifts too. I have quite a few of these types of cardigans and they do get in the way sometimes, you’re right. I’m trying to get a visual of sticking the ends into pockets…pant pockets?
um yes. like front pockets. HA. I usually do it when I’m trying to vacuum or clean- and since I wear mine cardi like this all the time, I do this often. So, wrap each end around your body (in in the opposite direction), and then when you’re nice and snug, tuck them into front pockets. And enjoy your adult-swaddle! 😉
Front pockets! Now that I didn’t think of. Love the adult swaddle – gotta give it a try!
First, your arms have got nothing on mine. The sweater really looks great!
Second, I’ve found with other knit cardis like this one that a long sleeved shirt just makes it difficult to get on and off and you end up pulling everything out of shape (well, I do).
Third, I know the infinity scarf should be fairly simple, but would love to know if you used a tutorial or pattern for the knit. Most that I’ve found are for sheer cottons or the torn cotton tee/strips of knit which I don’t love. I’m really liking the fullness you got from the scarf so any tips would be fantastic.
Oh, sage advice on the long sleeves Alana! I have one thicker cardi that I can wear long sleeves under, but this one might be too thin. The scarf is part of a bigger project I’m working on and a tutorial is coming shortly!
Oooh, very excited to see the scarf tutorial! I’m so happy I discovered your blog when I did. It’s inspirational, aspirational and fun 🙂
Well….”tutorial” might be an overstatement since this is so easy, but yes! As soon as I’m able I post dimensions and such. Thanks for your kind words, Alana 🙂
I didn’t even think about the color of the cardi until you mentioned it. I do love how it looks with the scarf and I bet in the spring/summer it will be a nice lightweight to throw on when sheer is better. 🙂
Haha, it’s very control top, is it not? Yes, this is probably a better spring cardi than a fall/winter one 🙂
I love the cardi! Thank you for the pattern info! I am surprised the cardi on the pattern looks so much shorter than yours! But I like it better longer. For me, the infinity scarf really makes the outfit. I would also be interested in your measurements for it, I love the fullness.
And by the way,…. don´t see no bumpy body, worms or visions of pantyhose 😉
Ah, the bumps are expertly camouflaged, Ute 🙂 yes, isn’t it odd how much longer mine is? I meant to mention that – I think it might be the stretchiness and thinness of the fabric I used. I’ll try to get the measurements soon!
Hi, love the cardi! I think the sheer and nude are very pretty together. Think spring, not winter 🙂 hmm, maybe try ths for finishing the sleeves? http://thesewingloftblog.com/2013/05/21/stretch-stitchsewing-tip/
I wsh they had this pattern in pdf. The pattern itself is affordable but the shipping!!!
Thanks for the link, Grace! My stretch stitch looks different on my machine – not quite as nice-looking. It’s too bad that there isn’t a PDF version of the pattern. Here’s a similar Burda version that’s downloadable:
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/cascade-jacket-082011
Also, this tutorial looks pretty easy: http://atsecondstreet.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-drape-cardigan.html
Love the cardi and the scarf! I just made an infinity scarf for a friend the other day and realized I really need to make one for myself! I love the color of the scarf. The whole outfit looks great Sanae!
I love making infinity scarves, they’re so satisfying and useful! Thank you, Meghan 🙂
well, it doesn’t *look* like pantyhose! i have a very similar store bought cardigan that i wear all the time (including right now) and have been telling myself for months i should hack a few more of them…now i won’t have to! i think it looks great! scarf is cute, too.
Oh, definitely worth the $1.99 price tag, and I also thought the tutorial I included in the comment above looked very doable! Hope Art Fair prep is going swimmingly, Ashley!
I like the sweater, even the sheerness of it. In fact I think the sheerness adds a little something. I did almost choke on my coffee at the AL comment!! At least you don’t suffer from my affliction. A huge nose 🙂
M is still trying to live down that AL comment! 🙂 Your nose is just lovely, Tracy – we are always our own worst critics, no?