You can’t beat a good old basic, can you? We all need cosy, warm knitwear, and my brown chunky cable knit cardigan ticks all the right boxes. I know it’s not the most exciting make to show you, but I also know that we can’t always make fancy stuff, as that’s not what we need in our day-to-day lives 🙂
Brown has been a very on-trend colour these last few months and I’ve wanted to add more brown to my wardrobe because it’s a no-brainer with my colouring. This knit fabric is a delicious pure wool Italian deadstock from Croftmill. They have several colours, and I ordered some in the cream shade too. I noticed that the brown colourway had a slightly more felted look about the stitches compared with the cream so I’m guessing it’s been pre-treated/washed. I took a chance and I didn’t pre-wash it myself (I like to live dangerously, lol) When I need to clean my cardigan I’ll use one of those cold-soak wool washing solutions and then squeeze it out in a bath towel afterwards.
I’ve mashed two patterns together to create my cardigan. It’s the body and neckband of the True Bias Marlo cardigan with the armholes of the Fibremood Griselda sweater. I’ve then added a back yoke to play with cable direction and completely omitted the bottom band and cuffs that the Marlo has.
That back yoke is great for adding the much-needed shape that is necessary to cope with my forward shoulders. On the top edge of the lower back piece, I curve the outer edges down about an inch (2cm-ish) on each side. When I don’t add shaping like this, any design with a straight un-darted back would stick out at the hemline.
This lovely knit wasn’t the easiest to sew up. The seams were quite bulky and the hems were prone to stretching out a bit. As a result, I ended up hand-sewing the hems of the sleeves and body, and also down the edge of the seam that attaches the neckband to help it lie flat. I also covered the seam around the back neck with some colourful lining.
I wanted a different closure than buttons and to be honest, I didn’t feel like attempting buttonholes in this fabric (wise decision I hear you say 😉 ) so I chose what I think ended up being the star of this make and that’s some huge 30mm antique-gold coloured snap fasteners. I love how they look!
I love this with my cream corduroy trousers. It’ll be a great wear-with-everything cardi, either on its own or layered over a top and I’ll probably use it as a jacket when the weather warms up too.
Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet, sorry that it was a bit of a shorter post, but I hope you enjoyed it nevertheless.
See you soon!
It’s a lovely little handy make. I really like your choice of snaps. I went and had a look at Croftmill and am really impressed with the gorgeous fabrics that they have. Great resource for those of you in the UK. I actually bought a cardigan last year in the same style in a lighter beige brown and ended up wearing it so much.
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Thanks Vicki, so lovely of you to say. Yeah, Croftmill have some fabulous stuff. I have to try and curb my visits to their website as I can guarantee I’ll always find something I want :). I like the sound of your cardigan. Pieces like that become real workhorses in our wardrobes.
This is lovely, and the colour is perfect for you, I imagine this will be worn a lot as it’s very versatile.
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Ahhh, thanks ever so much Helen!
Hi Diane, great garment! Are those snaps at a place I can purchase? They are so attractive.😁 Thanks. I’m knee deep in my winter “utility collection” sewing too. So far 4 Papercut Rise cotton knit turtlenecks, a gift fleece Page hoodie. Now making lined lightweight wool pants.
Author
Thanks ever so much, Heather! Wow, you’ve been a busy bee with you’re sewing. I wish I could say the same but these last few days my head has been full of kitchen design and finalising details for a complete refit in early Spring…so many decisions!
PS here is a link to the snaps that I bought https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282978337384?var=583161050801
“On the top edge of the lower back piece, I curve the outer edges down about an inch (2cm-ish) on each side. When I don’t add shaping like this, any design with a straight un-darted back would stick out at the hemline.”
Hmmm: I have never thought about this before and I have forward shoulders, too: can you tell me how much you add to your shoulder seam at the outside edge? Perhaps it is a difference in how forward one’s shoulders are??
This is a lovely sweater that fits you perfectly, Diane. I love your adding the yoke for fit and design interest, as well as the beautiful snaps (so cleanly and consistently sewn on, of course). I thought your hems were machine-sewn, but realize you must have purposely stitched through to the right side to make it very secure — it looks great!
Author
Thank you Joan! I’m glad you love the details I used on what’s otherwise quite a simple design.
So about the back yoke seam…Think of it as if I’m adding a horizontal dart partway down the armholes except they’re part of a horizontal yoke seam. As for my shoulder seams I straighten them off maybe about 1cm(less than half an inch and it does depend on individual needs) which is a little less than the amount I adjusted the yoke seam by, so just drop the armhole curve to suit and add a little to the hem so that side seams match. In effect I’m ultimately adding a bit of length at the centre back sweater to allow for my posture and removing excess at the sides making the back hang nicely. I hope you can understand my ramblings 🙂
so beautiful and well made!
Author
Thank you!
I imagine that wool cable knit fabric was hard to work with – but you did a beautful job! I also noticed the lovely tortoise shell necklace that goes with the cardigan.
I haven’t sewn any cardigans but recently have made several vests out of tweed wool fabric. The vests have come in handy with our very chilly months of January and February here in Maryland.
Do you have any plans to make some vests?
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Thank you so much Marjorie! I don’t have any immediate plans for vests but I’ve got some off-cuts of fabric from other projects that couyld be used for some. I’m just wondering If I’ll get the wear out of one though…hmm. Maybe I need to try one.