I’ve made a handful Blackwood Cardigans since purchasing the pattern from indie designer Helen’s Closet last spring (shown here with my gingham Gemma Tank and below, my rayon challis maxi Washi Dress). So this post is part of my new ongoing series called “Made Last Year but Forgot to Blog.” When I first wrote that I was half joking but now I think I am dead serious.

This gold one was intended to be the muslin. It started as an organic jersey in a sad shade of orange-gold (see below) that I had purchased from Near Sea Naturals (now Organic Cotton Plus) years ago and never liked. The color just wasn’t my jam, which of course is the risk you take when you order solid-colored fabric online. I must mention that for me, most of the time the will-I-like-this-color gamble pays off; in this particular case it did not.

HOWEVER. As you can see from the “after” pic that follows, this was a situation quickly remedied with an exciting trip through the wash with a packet of Aztec Gold iDYE:

And now voila I loves it muchly.

The first time I wore it I sat in blueberry jam. This is of course one of the (very few) down-sides of having a toddler.

However that does not stop me from wearing it.

Second version:

Made from a sumptuous silky cream bamboo french terry that I found at Simplifi. Loved it so much I started wearing it before I had a chance to attach the pockets, which is really its only failing (someday I swear one day I will take a half a minute and sew the damn things on).

I did shorten the pattern for this version owing to a shortage of fabric, something that happens frequently to me as I often buy fabric with no project in mind and end up guessing as to how much I will need. Shortening the pattern was easily accomplished by cutting halfway between View A and View B on the bodice pieces, and shortening the neckband accordingly (I wanted a little more length than View B, which ends at the high hip). Aside: the orange and white dress in these photos is a sleeveless maxi Washi Dress that I blogged about here.

The pattern is a frequently-worn favorite for me; I love it and highly recommend. It’s super easy to sew, and the length and style are really quite perfect, especially if you dislike sewing buttons. And don’t take my word for it — the Blackwood Cardigan was named one of Pattern Review’s Top Patterns for 2017! Woot woot, Helen!

Last but not least, a Blackwood made for my momma for her birthday with the floral print from my line of fabrics for Cloud9, Sidewalk knits:

She’s gotten lots of fabulous compliments on it, and it matches just about everything. Double win! Need to get some modeled shots of it on her, right?

Blackwood Cardigans

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