This past week I pattern tested for this adorable sweater, the Fern Cardigan, by Sew Like My Mom. Melissa's pattern ranges from 12 months to girls' size 16. She also sells the pattern for a lower price for a fewer range of sizes. This pattern has different sleeve options and can be worn with or without the tie.
This pattern is seriously a breeze to whip up! I just got my coverstitch/serger back from the shop and had to take my sewing machine in. Waaaaa!!! Such torture...I want them back together again! So I constructed this entirely on my coverstitch/serger machine.
The pattern calls for any knit with 30% stretch. A ponte or double knit would work well with this pattern, but jerseys with more stretch work great, too! I used a cotton/lycra from Raspberry Creek Fabrics with about 50% stretch. (The fabric is no longer available - RCF is actually changing their CLUB fabrics from screen printed to being digitally printed in house. I'm excited to see their first round of new fabrics!) I'm really glad I chose a stretchier fabric because Serenity is at the top of the chest measurement for the 18 month size. She will have a few months, at least, of wear in this cardigan before it is too small.
As you can see in the photos, we found out in testing that the sleeves were a little too tapered from the elbow to the wrist. That has been fixed for the final pattern. I made my ties 2" longer than the pattern called for, just personal preference. The length was perfect on her.
I previously made a dress for Serenity out of this fabric, but it remains un-blogged because the designer I was testing for never released the pattern and has since closed her shop. I love the way the cardigan looks in this fabric even better than the dress, however.
Can you see the Ravenell Bridge in the corner? We took these pictures at Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park. Please note: pansies were harmed in this photoshoot. Ripping their flowers off is just par for the course. They'll be fine. Anyway, it will just encourage them to grow their leaves a little bigger before they bloom again.
These are Cici's first pictures in big girl jeans. I think I might cry, she looks so big! I love this crazy little chatterbox!
