Handmade Wardrobe Project 9: Shawl/cape/cardi-thing!

I'm both embarrassed and shocked to realise that my last completed handmade wardrobe project was just over a year ago (shocked because the time has flown so quickly). Never-the-less, my latest FO (finished object) is one of my favourite projects EVER and has more than made up for it - I plan on never taking it off.  I probably shouldn't admit that it hasn't been blocked yet because I couldn't wait to wear it, but the photos will give me away even if I don't tell you! On the subject of photos, let's not mention the horrible (lack of) light.

So after weeks of working on design commissions for other people, I ordered ten balls of Scheepjes Secret Garden* as my personal reward. I hadn't tried 'Stepping Stone' (colourway 710) and it's the one that goes with my wardrobe (which is almost entirely black and grey). I needed comfort knitting - something relaxing that I didn't have to think about. I made it while we were travelling at half term, and then when we were confined to the house during a family-wide bout of illness. It really was the perfect antidote. Wearing it is just as comforting as knitting it, it's a great big hug of a thing!

Although it's probably best classified as a cape or an oversized shawl (and can be styled as such) I'm mostly wearing it as a 'waterfall cardigan', like this....

FRONT: Worn with the front increases placed as 'raglan sleeves'
BACK: worn as above (really SHOULD have blocked it!)
It works equally well like this, or this....

Worn with the increases running along the arm and secured (left) with magnetic button cufflinks to make 'sleeves'

.... and when worn in those styles, the back is even longer and more cosy .... 

Read about the gorgeous self-striping silk-blend yarn here. 

Being easy to knit, versatile to wear, and made from lovely yarn, this ticks all of my boxes and I'm very happy with it indeed. To make it as versatile as possible, I refined the button-cufflink idea from Seafoam (a convertible shawl-to-shrug) and made magnetic button cufflinks which can define 'sleeves' of different shapes and sizes, even though there are no eyelets along the bottom edge. They can also be used to hold it in numerous different shawl/cape positions if a shawl pin isn't your thing. I'll be back later this week with a tutorial showing exactly how I made those, so stay tuned.

Double-layer shawl coverage, secured with a shawl pin - looks like a poncho
I hadn't planned to write the pattern (because I improvised it for my own enjoyment, and it's quite simple) but a few friends have already asked me to. What do you think? Would you knit this if I made a pattern available?

EDITED: The pattern is now available - find it here: A Great Big Cwtch

*Wool Warehouse affiliate link. The yarn is also available at these affiliated stores - LoveKnitting US and Deramores as well as other Scheepjes stockists. 

24 comments

  1. YES YES YES YES please :D
    Oh gosh its just lovely! Will it be ok for a fatty like me? lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well it's great for a fatty like me, so I'd say a big YES even without knowing your size :D

      Delete
  2. OMG Sarah!!! I really love this one.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes! Just tried searching Rav for it - LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes yes yes!! I love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Absolutely pattern please! I have 10 balls of this yarn sitting here staring at me just begging to be made into something!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Looks amazing, would love to knit this, nice and comfortable and (hopefully) an easy knit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VERY easy! The easiest! It's a lot of knitting - comparable with a big sweater - but very easy!

      Delete
  7. Yes I would. I really like it and would enjoy knitting it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabulous! I'm writing up the pattern today and will get it tested etc so watch this space!

      Delete
  8. Hell yes. And I need to know how to make the mag button cufflink thingamies. Genius idea!! Love the whole look. It's perfect.
    Get writing it up please xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great Claire - the button cufflink post is going live later today! Pattern to follow soon....

      Delete
  9. Hello
    It is just beautiful. Pattern please.

    ReplyDelete
  10. That looks terrible. You should send it to me straight away to dispose of. ;) Yup.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Absolutely yes to the pattern, please! It's just what I need!!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment, and being part of the Crafts from the Cwtch community!

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

The free patterns and tutorials on this site are provided for unlimited personal use. You may print a copy of a pattern or keep a digital copy for personal use only. Please feel free to share links to the relevant posts but do not reproduce or sell any of these patterns (either digitally or in print). If you would like to use any of my images, please get in touch!

Yarn sellers: Please do not print patterns/tutorials to distribute with yarn sales, as this is an infringement of copyright.




Latest Instagrams

© Crafts from the Cwtch. Design by Fearne.