Esme Cardigan - aka Grandpa Cardigan

Fabric and idea first, then pattern.  That is usually how I work and this time was no different.  The only difference is I couldn't find perfect pattern

Enter Instagram Stories Maria of Keechiibstyle and she was thinking about a cardigan, too.  A suggested pattern was Esme Maxi Cardigan by Named Patterns - no longer readily available  but I found an older copy!  Yea, this was just what I wanted only about mid-thigh.

I found the inspiration at Pinterest, of course, right!  It is Selena Gomez in they style I was wanting to make for my style - photo from Who What Wear

 I held up the pattern to see what length I wanted and then started cutting out.  I did make sure the cables - fabric is a Style Maker Fabrics' Sweater Knit  matched on the upper and lower front. 

The pockets are interfaced at the seam allowance and easy to do, it just needed a minor change.  The pockets have a tendency to bag out, which is fine but not fine.  Let me explain, the Named Patterns instructions have you use lining fabric for all of the pocket bags.  This is not a good look with the pockets bagging out, which leads to seeing the lining fabric on the back (close to the body) part.  I had completed one pocket and noticed this, so I did some unsewing - cut out a new back portion of the pocket bag from the sweater knit and completed the pocket bag again.  This was the perfect solution, my pockets can bag out now, you see pretty cable fabric.  I did do a bit of stitching at the edge of the pockets, to keep the edges in a bit.

On the inside, the interfacing shows and all you pocket construction details.  I took a small portion of the fabric, serged the edges and hand stitched it in place.  This was the perfect solution, makes the inside look all neat.

I really thought I would love and wear this cardigan with a t-shirt and jeans exclusively, which I do and it looks great.  A white tee is needed and I just ordered fabric to make one.

BUT.....

I like it with a blouse just as well.  I am sure I will find so many ways to wear this one, including with this ruffled collar chambray shirt.  I did not make buttonholes and had no intention of putting on buttons.  That all changed when I shared the inspiration photo with my daughter, Kaitlyn, she thought it needed the buttons and she was right.  I like the buttons on the cardigan.

I was between sizes, so I went up, happy I did as I wanted an oversized look, so a bit of sizing information.

Once you get the pockets completed the pattern goes together quickly.  One more change to the sleeve, it has a rolled up cuff, which with this bulkier knit, I did not want.  I made my cuff narrower to act like a band and took 2" off the sleeve length.

The oversized has a great twirl.

My cardigan turned out to be everything I had hoped and I love it so much.  Next styling try, like the inspiration photo, mock turtleneck, flared jeans, loafers.  Stay tuned!