Dudes, longline cardigans are everywhere. Seriously. And I want one.
There’s the Driftless, the Annie, the Kinder, the Blackwood…
And what do I do? Tweak a generic Big 4 pattern to get what I want. Because that’s what I do.
While I love the Blackwoods I keep seeing in my Insta feed, I already had a cardigan pattern on file — McCall’s 6803.
This model will cut you. Don’t try her.
Since I love tweaking patterns, I wanted to try to create the look of the RTW and indie cardigans I’ve been seeing with something I already had on hand. I used a hacci sweater knit from Girl Charlee, rolled up my sleeves, and went to work.
Turns out, it really didn’t require that much sleeve-rolling or work. I just lengthened the front, back, pocket, and band pieces by as much as the fabric would allow, and that pretty much gave me what I wanted. I only had two yards of this fabric, so I was limited in how much length I could add. I measured a RTW longline cardi I bought a few months ago (before I started sewing again) and approximated the length to that.
Spoiler alert: it worked. This is exactly the look I was going for, and I’m glad I was able to use something from my (overflowing? extensive? superfluous?) pattern collection. This sweater is so cozy and I love the larger pockets. So good for holding my phone and burying my hands in!
Much cozy. Very pockets.
I do wonder how long this piece will last. The fabric went through the wash well, and is SO soft! It’s almost… too soft. I know, I know, ridiculous! I’m just concerned it’s going to pill too soon, even though it hasn’t shown any signs yet. If it does, at least I know how to snag myself another longline cardi, since this project was super easy to make. I also wasn’t sure about the chevron print. I know chevrons are super played out, but I was still drawn to this fabric and the richness of the print. In the end, I like it, so I don’t really care what the current status of chevron is in the fashion world. (Seriously, I wear orthopedic shoes. I don’t think the fashion world considers my opinion all that relevant.)
Action Shot!
Besides the length, the only other changes I made to the pattern were to narrow the sleeves quite a bit and also shorten them. This is a unisex pattern, which in my experience, means that the smallest size is still too big for smaller women. Knowing that, I wasn’t surprised that I needed to remove a ton of width from the sleeves, and let’s face it, I’m also a sucker for skinny sleeves. Oh! I also removed the buttonholes and buttons to better mimic the RTW versions I was into. Next time I make this, if I need another version or a replacement (solid color? yes, so necessary!), I’ll try to tweak the band at the back neck, where it totally gapes on me.
Neckband, what are you even doing? Also: camoflage sleeves!
I would also add some length back to the sleeves. I swear I tried it on and marked the appropriate length, but the sleeves in the finished product are a bit too short. Not actually too short but, like, too short to constantly tuck my hands up into, which is what I was going for. Oh well. Appropriate sleeve length it is then.
Finally, budget. The fabric was $12.60 for two yards, with no notions needed. Not bad, and I’m guessing I’ll have my cost per wear down to under $1 (always my goal) before the end of spring.
Welcome to the closet, my Longline Love!
Eureka! I too have been searching for the perfect long cardigan pattern, and I too have this pattern in my stash. After I bought it, I’d put it aside as being too Mr. Rogers (not that he wasn’t a very fine person, I just have a different sense of style!). Your alterations to the pattern turn it from grandfatherly to of the moment! Thank you so much for this.
Yay –that makes me so happy, Sandra! I hope it’s a success! And bless Mr. Rogers, whose legacy I have the deepest respect for, in all aspects outside his sartorial choices.