In the past few weeks, I’ve seen lots of Blackwood Cardigan’s by Helen’s Closet popping up left and right! As soon as it was released, I immediately downloaded it and added it to my queue of weekend sewing projects.
I had this beautiful sweatshirt knit from Faberwood that I purchased earlier this year. I was waiting for the perfect project for this gorgeous knit and it was the perfect fit for this beautiful cardigan. I have been trying really hard to use up my stash when possible and this was a great stash use!
The Blackwood Cardigan comes in two versions – a hip length version (that I made) and a longer version that extends to mid-thigh with patch pockets. The hip version immediately caught my eye – every day I wear a very similar combo of clothes – a sleeveless top and a sweater with a pair of pants or jeans. Therefore, this hip length version was right up my alley!
I can’t say enough good things about the instructions for this cardigan. If you’ve never sewn a knit garment, this would be a great first one! Helen does an amazing job at explaining each step in detail and explaining why things are done in a particular way. This is one of the many reasons why I love indie patterns – each one I learn something new or different. Helen goes above and beyond on this.
She includes some great tips for sewing knits either on the serger or on the sewing machine. I sewed mine entirely on the serger (with the exception of tacking the neckband seam allowance down), but Helen includes so many tips for successfully sewing on the sewing machine.
I am not a huge fan of hemming knits, so I love when knit sweater or sweatshirt patterns have a hem band. It is a nice clean finish to the sweater that doesn’t involve double needle hemming (woohoo!). Helen’s instructions are so clear and make sewing the hem band + neckband a breeze.
I didn’t add any length on to the cardigan. I was debating adding 2 inches, but in the ended opted out of it. I think it’s actually a nice length so I’m glad I didn’t add to it.
I styled my Blackwood Cardigan with my new Ginger Jeans and a Sew Over It Silk Cami in a rayon that I purchased from Stitch Sew Shop. This is pretty much my uniform every single day on the weekends and just a change out of the jeans for work pants during the week. I’ve made a couple other cardigan patterns to start replacing all the ready to wear sweaters I have in my closet and this one is another good one!
I used the same fabric as the cami for my waistband facing – not that anyone will see – but it makes me happy that it matches!
Thanks for stopping by and reading about the Blackwood Cardi! Have you made the Blackwood cardi? What’s your favorite cardigan pattern?