Keira Cardigan in Black

Keira Cardigan free pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.comKeira Cardigan free pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.comKeira Cardigan free pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Keira Cardigan free pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.com
Keira Cardigan free pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Lately, I was so busy sewing (and reading and knitting in order to muster some willingness towards the cold season) that I completely forgot to blog some of the makes we photographed a little while ago. One of these is another version of my KEIRA CARDIGAN, which I released a few weeks ago:

Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

The KEIRA Cardigan pattern is a pay as you wish pattern – so it’s basically free unless you choose to pay for it. You can download it here and read more about it here.

Pattern & Adjustments: As mentioned above, I used one of my own patterns for this cardigan. This one is actually one of my test versions I made prior to releasing this pattern. I sewed it up pretty much over a year ago, as I was planning to release the pattern last winter. I made the version with the wide binding around the edges. I only tweaked the sleeves a bit after this one, as the fit was a bit too snug – still wearable though.

Fabric: This jumbo ribbed jersey, which I suspect is almost certainly 100% polyester, is really comfy and was a breeze to sew with. I bought it ages ago in a local fabric store when I still lived in Queen’s Park, London. It was ÂŁ1.50/m, 60 inch wide. I bought 2 metres of it. The fabric has made an earlier appearance on the blog, as a Lady Skater/Ultimate Pencil Skirt Frankendress. A little black dress I made with a self-drafted sequinned cardigan which is the original KEIRA cardi I based the pattern on.
After wearing this cardigan for more than a year, I am surprised how well this fabric holds up. As you can see in the picture we took recently, there’s no trace of the innumerable times this garment has been in the wash. Pretty good for spending no more than £3 on it considering I managed to squeeze out two garments.

Keira Cardigan free pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Keira Cardigan free pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.com
img_8764

Keira Cardigan free pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.comKeira Cardigan free pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.com

cardigan: handmade, KEIRA Cardigan by Audrey & Me Patterns
skirt: handmade, Ultimate Pencil Skirt by SEW OVER IT
belt: Primark
T-shirt: C&A

I’ve worn this KEIRA loads in the past year. All through last winter and spring and now again since it’s become really chilly again. Through summer I sometimes wore it instead of a light jacket. It goes with pretty much anything; mini skirts, fitted dresses, skinny jeans – it really is your wardrobe BFF! So far I’ve made four KEIRAs which are rotating pretty quickly as I love wearing them at the moment.

What’s your favourite (handmade?) garment this season?

Have a great week!

xx

Charlie


Happy sewing!
♥

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New Pattern: Hello, Keira Cardigan!

Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.comFree Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.comFree Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

  HELLO KEIRA!

Have you been looking for the perfect chic little cardigan to go with most of your outfits? Well, look no further! Say ‘hello’ to KEIRA, everyone! This lovely lady is the newest addition to my little pattern family! 

She is a true allrounder.

KEIRA is incredibly comfy with a wide cut around the bodice and snug sleeves for an elegant, feminine silhouette. The minimalist design will allow you to go wild with adding your own touches. Add a binding for a sleek finish or play around with decorative trim to add fun details.

Made in a warm wool or knit fabric it will be the perfect companion for cold winter days. Use a lightweight jersey and it will be perfect for layering in the warmer seasons. And if you don’t want to go without it in summer, whip one up in a breezy chiffon!

After two years, Audrey & Me Patterns (which is me!) is finally releasing a new pattern and I am so excited to share this one with you! Have a look:

Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com
Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.comFree Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com
Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

This KEIRA is made with a lovely warm double-sided wool knit, which is the perfect fabric for this pattern! It’s super cosy and has enough stretch for the snug fit of the sleeves. As the armhole seam hits the upper arm just above the elbow, it is perfect for layering over t-shirts and thick jumpers without feeling restricted in your movements. Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.comFree Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com
Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.comFree Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

This pattern is a really quick sew and suitable for beginners. It offers different ways to add own touches and variations, so advanced sewers will have fun with it, as well! Included are sizes 6-22 (UK), all nested together so it is easy for you to grade between sizes. (Edit: Don’t be confused by Size 22 missing in the sizing chart. It IS included, I’ll update the chart asap!)

The pattern includes instruction for two different styles of finishes. You can add a wide binding for a clean, minimalist finish or leave the edges raw, decorated with fun trims and ribbons!

Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com
Free Pattern! Keira Cardigan by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Oh, the best part? As my first pattern, The Fairy Tale Cape, this pattern is a Pay-As-You-Wish pattern! This means you can download it for free or donate whatever amount you feel is appropriate. So feel free to try out the pattern to see whether you like it. And if you do, you can show your appreciation by making a small donation if you want.

I’ll share some more variations and simple hacks of this pattern on the blog in the next couple of weeks – so keep you eyes peeled for more!

You can DOWNLOAD the pattern HERE.

xx

Charlie


Happy sewing!
♥

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Recycled Denim Beanie (Free Pattern + Wool And the Gang Giveaway!)

Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com (Click through for more info & pics)Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com (Click through for more info & pics)Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com (Click through for more info & pics)Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.comRecycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com
Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

  HELLO AUTUMN

It was the first day of autumn this week and although I wish for summer to last just a little bit longer, the colder season has undeniably arrived. I found myself wearing woollen socks, comfy cardigans and sipping hot chocolate on the sofa the last couple of days. With the beginning of autumn the weather changed here in Germany. The air is crisper and the mornings are really foggy now. So I try my best to adapt to the changing seasons and find some joy in thinking up my autumn/winter wardrobe and digging out some of my warmer handmade clothes.

I finished my first knitting project last weekend! It was a super easy and simple project to dive back into my knitting, which is a hobby I only keep up during the colder seasons.

The lovely folks over at WOOL AND THE GANG sent me some of their very popular Billie Jean Yarn, which is now back in stock. They’re giving away two balls of Billie Jean Yarn for one of you lucky ones and I’ll share the knitting instructions in case you want to make a hat like mine. (All opinions are my own. Giveaway at the end of the post!)

Those of you following my blog know that I’m a big fan of recyling and upcycling, well, generally using secondhand products to create unique things while being a friend to nature. The Billie Jean Yarn is made using upcycled pre-consumer denim waste. This waste is ground back into fibre and then woven into beautiful yarn. The process does not make use of chemicals and dyes and therefore is super eco-friendly. That’s pretty amazing, right?

But not only that, just look at how preeeeetty it is:

Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

photo credit: Wool And The GangRecycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

photo credit: Wool And The Gang

Well, long story short – I’m very much in love with Billie Jean! I chose the “Dirty Denim” which is one of three different colour options on offer. The Dirty Denim is 60% Upcycled Denim and 40% Upcycled Raw Cotton and super soft on the skin. No fear – it does not smell like jeans at all!

It gives your knitting project a unique look with its edgy and effortless cool look. For a hat or cardi it’s perfect to wear with actual jeans or a white shirt. The Dirty Denim really gives the effect of a lot of texture, so I didn’t use a special pattern – it would’ve been hard to see. I knitted with metallic knitting needles as the yarn is easily separable which was a bit tricky with my bamboo needles.

Now onto making your own cosy & warm Billie Jean hat!

  KNITTING INSTRUCTIONS

You’ll need two balls of Billie Jean Yarn. I used roughly 150-180g to finish my beanie including the pompom. So two balls á 100g should be enough even for larger sizes. The recommended needle size is  US 8 / 5mm, but I found that smaller needles worked better for me. So I’ll stick with that in the instructions.

Size:
54cm head circumference. Adapt to your size and tension if necessary.

Beanie Pattern:
With 3.5mm cast on 80 sts.
Row 1 (right side): K1, *p1, k1, repeat from* to last stitch. So you’re basically just alternating between a knit and a purl stitch.

Now work in rows (knit the knits and purl the purls), repating row 1 another 29 times. (Or less if you want the brim to be narrower!)

Change to 4.5mm needles.

Row 31 – 75: Knit all stitches. Keep working in rows in a simple stockinette stitch for another 45 rows.

Row 76: *k2tog, repeat from* to last stitch (40sts).

Row 77-78: Knit all stitches.

Row 79: *k2tog, repeat from* to last stitch (20sts).

Row 80: Row 77-78: Knit all stitches.

Row 81: *k2tog, repeat from* to last stitch (10sts).

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail, and thread tail through remaining 10 stitches.

Pompom:
Cut two cardboard circles, 11cm in diameter. (Cardboard from a pizza box will do!)
Cut a 4 cm hole in the centre of each to create two rings.

Hold the two rings together and wind yarn evenly through the centre hole and around the edge until the centre hole is full with the wraps. Slip the blade of your scissors between the two pieces of cardboard and carefully snip through all the loops of the wound yarn. I used to IKEA cork coasters hold it up with one hand while cutting with the other. It makes it a bit easier.

Thread a long length of yarn between the two card rings and around the centre of the pompom, then tie tightly in a firm knot to secure. Remove the cardboard and fluff up the pompom. You can then trim the pompom with scissors, if necessaryto get a more even shape.

Use a darning needle to sew the pompom onto your beanie and to hide any loose threads.

And you’re done!

Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.comRecycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com
Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

Recycled Denim Beanie by Thisblogisnotforyou.com

To have a chance at winning two balls of Billie Jean Yarn in your colour of choice, just head over to Woolandthegang.com, check out the color options and leave a comment below, letting me know which one you like best!

The giveaway closes on Friday 7 October 2016 at midnight (UTC) and I’ll annouce the winner shortly after on the blog.

GOOD LUCK!

xx

Charlie

Please note: A winner will be selected at random from all entries entered before midnight on 7 October 2016 and the winner will receive the prize described above. There is no cash alternative, and your prize is non-negotiable, and not refundable. If the prize isn’t claimed, another winner will be selected at random.


Happy knitting!

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Make the Cape: Hello Sewalongers!

Fairy Tale Cape by thisblogisnotforyou.comHello my fabulous sewalongers! My Fairy Tale Cape pattern was released over a month ago and it is about time to host a sewalong! I’m absolutely over the moon about how many of you downloaded the pattern – it’s even #1 in the Top To Sew category on AllFreeSewing.  Thank you guys, you are the best!

The pattern comes with detailed instructions and illustrations, so this sewalong will focus on how to make variations of the cape, such as:

  • drafting and adding a Peter Pan collar
  • adding armholes/armslits
  • adding a full lining

…and other useful tips for designing and sewing your very own cape!

Fairy Tale Cape pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Here’s my varation of the Fairy Tale Cape:Fairy Tale Cape by thisblogisnotforyou.comVery sherlock-y, isn’t it? And it was raining here in Londontown, that’s why I’m wearing gumboots. (That was last week – now the weather is just perfect and sunny and I could wear my Elisalex at the NYlon blogger meet up last saturday!)Fairy Tale Cape by thisblogisnotforyou.comI kept the length of the cape, but decided to swap the hood for a cute Peter Pan collar! Instead of 10 buttons, I only added 6 this time plus two hidden snaps.Fairy Tale Cape by thisblogisnotforyou.comMy cape has armslits and a full lining. It’s made to be worn outdoors and will come in handy now that the weather is getting warmer everyday – byebye coat!Fairy Tale Cape by thisblogisnotforyou.comThe fabric is soft, lightweight linen I bought at Saeed’s Fabrics in Walthamstow. It is lined with soft lime-coloured cotton.
Fairy Tale Cape by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Are you sewing along? If you are, let me know!

There will be a link party at the end of this sewalong were you can link up your fabulous capes!

The next part of the sewalong will be coming this week and covers:

Printing & Assembling the Pattern // Choosing Design Variations & Fabric

In the meantime, go get your pattern if you haven’t done so yet! x


Happy sewing!
♥

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The Gang’s Capes – PamĂ©la

Fairy Tale Cape pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.comToday I’m featuring this wonderful navy blue Fairy Tale Cape made by PamĂ©la, one of the lovely ladies who tested the pattern for me.

Fairy Tale Cape pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.comShe decided to make the cape without the hood and combined a navy knit fabric with 6 silver buttons.
Fairy Tale Cape pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.comI’m in love with this version of the Fairy Tale Cape! It is super elegant and navy blue is my favourite colour! Now I feel the need to make a copy of this version for myself!Fairy Tale Cape pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.comFairy Tale Cape pattern by thisblogisnotforyou.com

And thumbs up for striking the same pose as the lady on my pattern illustration – you are awesome, PamĂ©la!

If you’d like to make your own version of the Fairy Tale Cape – you can download the pattern here!


Happy sewing!
♥

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