Lindy from Stokx Patterns has recently been detailing a cardigan hack from any sort of tee shirt, but specifically from her Kim and Skater tops, and I was lucky enough to be sent the instructions. I immediately knew which fabric I was going to use; some beautiful brown ponte given to me by my friend Jenny, and from which I made a travel capsule wardrobe. When she had a recent destash due to downsizing I received more of this fabric and that’s what I used.
I added some red ponte trim that I happened to have in the stash and used the neckline from View A (the high neckline).
Lindy suggests using the neck cutout for the pockets but I wanted bigger ones so cut them out of a couple of the scraps. I added red flashes at the top and that’s a “me made” label sewn on.
I’m wearing it here with some self drafted trousers which were part of my Paris and London travel ensemble. I’ve worn them multiple times since.
I secured the front with some silk covered snaps that I bought in Iceland in 2015. I know I had six and have six of black and cream ones, but only three brown ones. I made it work but I’ll be keeping an eye out for the other three. I decided to make a feature of them by sewing them on with red embroidery silk. I did also secure it on the inside in case my red thread failed. Are they not the perfect match?
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I’ve worn the cardigan out and about a couple of times – it’s a perfect layering piece for our current weather. I’ve also teamed it with an assortment of red tops, and I have made a mental note to find other things to pair it with.
I wore it with the jeans I made my husband and which are now mine. They are really soft and I am loving wearing them.
I teamed it with my floral linen Stokx Square Pants and feel this is a combination I’ll wear a bit.
I was a bit annoyed that I didn’t think to use the Stokx reach sleeve, and will definitely use it next time. I note that I have some wrinkling around the shoulder and checked the other skater tops I’ve made. It seems more exaggerated on this cardigan and I’m not sure why. It might be something to do with the depth of the armscye, so I shall experiment.
I wore it with my knitted wire necklace. I did it on my knitting machine many years ago and made it as an I-cord. It’s nice to wear it and it works perfectly with this jacket.
Miss G told me she loved my jacket but not the red cuffs. This pleased me immensely as I love that she’s becoming discerning and developing a sense of style.
Speaking of style, here she is having a tea party with some of her toys. She was very strict about who was invited and I wasn’t allowed to introduce any more to the party. There is a big teddy called Yeti Bear on the floor which belonged to her dad as a little boy, but he fell off the table. Poor Yeti!
