A year and a half ago, I started and completed a cardigan. I never took photos, which is really unlike me with sweaters. It wasn’t because I wasn’t pleased with it, or didn’t wear it, as I was and did (and do). I just never got around to it—until today!
This is a total copycat cardigan. Case in point:
Guess which one is mine… yeah okay, perhaps the Cath Kidston label and machine-knit stitch size gives it away!
When we were in Dublin in Spring of 2014, I bought a cardigan at the Cath Kidston shop. A boxy, comfortable cardigan in a soft red cotton. I really loved it, and when I got home, I set out to make a similar but hand knit version, in a heavier wool. So I picked out some aqua-ish blue DK weight from my stash, and set to it.
In the end, I copied almost every detail. I worked out the alternating bands of seed stitch, eyelets, and reverse stockinette, I did seed stitch button bands, and I even made the sleeves slightly too long with folded back ribbed cuffs, just like the original. It was really fun to copy a favorite, I have to say! I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and the process.
It wasn’t hard truthfully, as it’s not like I was trying to recreate a lace stitch or something like that (probably outside of my skills). With the stitch patterns figured out and some knitting math, that’s all I really needed!
I measured every detail of the original (body width, length, how far down the neck line came, how wide and long the sleeves were), compared it to my gauge in the stitch patterns, and worked myself up a pattern to recreate the original. I love to knit sleeves top down where possible but in this case, I knit them flat (both at the same time on one long circular needle), so that I could line up the pattern across the sleeve cap and the upper body. That took a bit of finagling and frogging back the very top of the cap if I recall, but the result was worth it.
And then I topped it off with vintage buttons. Kind of hard to match a slightly variegated yarn (a bit more variegated than I usually go for), but these worked nicely!
The only thing I didn’t account for is that even though I’d swatched, the reverse stockinette bands reeeally wanted to grow when the whole cardigan was blocked, so the sweater grew a bit out of control. But since it was superwash yarn, I threw it in the dryer and it shrunk back to size. The fact that it was superwash yarn was primarily the reason it grew, so it was both the problem and savior! And it was possibly the first time I’d ever actually thrown my knitwear in the dryer. Not something I’m eager to repeat!
Frankly, there’s really not much else to say about this, especially since I finished it so long ago! I don’t wear boxy sweaters much except the dead of winter, and it’s the dead of winter right now, so when I put this outfit on (pairing it with my Ginger jeans and the blouse from my grandmother’s square dancing set!), I thought “Hey, let’s actually photograph this sucker!” And so I did.
Right now I’m finishing up two cardigans at the same time, which sounds funny, I realize! But actually it’s because one I had to temporarily pause the first one that I’d started long before Vianne was knit (Katharine Hepburn by Kathy Zimmerman in a sport weight lovely forest green wool from St. Denis, a yarn line that was sadly discontinued) while I waited for some some vintage buttons to arrive in the mail. So in the meantime, I started another (a cropped, second version of the vintage Ten of Hearts cardigan in a bright red Wollmeise DK). Now the buttons are here, and both now only need sleeves and button bands. ‘Tis the season for lots of knitting!
outfit details
cardigan – made by me (Ravelry project page)
vintage blouse – was my grandmother’s
jeans – Ginger jeans, made by me
vintage belt – misc.
Litewood cactus brooch – Match Accessories
earrings – Desperate Beatnik
shoes – BAIT Footwear Emmies
This is amazing. I’m in awe of your knitting skills. Also love the colour goes so well with your hair.
Thanks Natasha! I’ve always loved this color but it’s definitely one I’m preferring a lot lately with my red hair. 🙂
I am insanely jealous of your skills – everything you do is fabulous x
Thank you, that’s sweet of you to say!! 🙂
Oh my this is gorgeous. I have the same CK cardi in coral and your version is a dead ringer. Fantastic job on recreating the pattern.
That’s so cool that you have the same one! I feel pretty happy about the recreation!
Unbelievably cute, and extra impressive since you essentially drafted it yourself from an existing items rather than a pattern.
Thanks! I don’t think I’d ever be able to do that with sewing but with knitting it’s a lot easier for me! 😉
Very cute! I like how you gave it a bit of southwestern flair with the styling. It’s a very fun look for winter.
Thanks, Stephanie! I love that belt with the outfit, I end up wearing it a lot more than I would ever have expected!
Awwwh I love your cardigan gosh you are so talented I have this exact cardigan in coral I absolutely love it they never made anything like it again so sad xx
Darling outfit! You are a multi talented gal! The sweater turned out so well and looks adorable. I’ve just started knitting and have made a few Miss Marple scarves and baby hats. I’d love to have your skills…sigh…maybe someday.
Thank you! You’ll get there, I promise! I love those Miss Marple scarves. 🙂
I love it, it’s very impressive. I love knitting but have yet to try and recreate a pattern, so I am in awe of anyone who is able to do it. You have inspired me to give it a go!
Thank you! Even if you’re not as comfortable with figuring things out like sleeve cap shaping and the like, you could at least start with a pattern you like that fits you well and isn’t written out in too complicated of a manner, and sub in a different stitch pattern!
Wowsers! Your cardigan is brilliant!
Thanks!
Absolutely beautiful job! Thank you for sharing
Marie
Thank you, Marie!
My gosh, this is such a brilliant copy– I’d dare say you’ve even made some improvements on the original! I love the buttons you’ve chosen, and the heft and color of the sweater– so perfect for winter or even a very chilly spring.
I’m also in love with your entire outfit, casual yet incredibly fun and stylish, right down to the belt and shoes!
Thanks so much, Randi! I’m already sick of all the layering I have to do over winter but this outfit did make me smile! 😀 {with hidden warm layers underneath, lol}
So nice that have boxy sweaters in the winter to snuggle in whilst dreaming of the sun finally coming back!
Oh that sun and warmth! Can’t wait… 😉
I absolutely love your cardigan, you are so talented. X
Thanks, Julie, that’s so nice of you to say! 🙂
Hat doffingly impressive work! Your version is absolutely lovely. That cheerful shade of turquoise is such a nice pick-me-up during the dark days of winter, to boot.
♥ Jessica
Thanks, Jessica! I do love that shade. 🙂
What a clever job you have done, it is such a good copy. I like all the pattern details and it looks fabulous on.
Very nice indeed. I could do with one in every colour.