Jan. 18, 2026
Project - Mens Cardigan V3
This was my nemesis project for a few years... I had to make it three times before I got it to the right size for my partner. I already have a project post about this after the second attempt - https://thecraftofliving.com/post/remaking-the-green-cardigan.
After some distance from that saga, I decided to try from scratch, with new yarn and a new pattern. So I chose this one below, which is a similar 
design to the previous one.
The main stitch is slightly different, its called a caridgan stitch which is some kind of twisted one by one rib. It makes it quite stretchy and a bit textured.
2025-11-30
I started with a gauge swatch for the width of the project. I knit quite loose so I needed to go down a few sizes. It took a few attempts, but the left front piece is finished and have been working on the back piece. It seems to take ages. Men's clothes are so much bigger than women's.
...
I realised that the left front piece was going to be too big after blocking. Its the perfect size now, but will likely grow after blocking... So i took the left front piece and blocked and dried it. Indeed, it grew 10% in the vertical direction. Too much growth to look away from.
So I to redid this part of the left front by reducing the number of rows. Luckily, the width seems to be ok so I don't need to start from the beginning, just take over some from the top.
Feels like slow progress, but better slow and right.
When it came to sewing it together it redid some section to make sure everything lined up perfectly and the seams weren't too tight. Often this can ruin the fit of the cardigan if there isn't enough give in the seems.
It all worked out finally though, and I finally can a well-fitting cardigan for him. Yay!
Total Likes: 0
Comments
No comments yet.
Charlotte Leysen
Hi there I'm Charlotte from London and I am a Millennial hobbiest. By that I mean I love making things, for both the process and the outcomes. On this blog I talk about all the things I'm working on and learning each week. On some projects I will go into a bit more detail on what I did and my experience through it.
Some facts about me:
- I am not a perfectionist, preferring to complete something than to attempt to make something flawless.
- I am in a constant cycle of building up inspiration, executing the ideas, then winding down to reflect and regenerate.
- I am interested in almost anything that can be made from scratch using nature / natural materials.
