• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Tutorials
    • Vintage Hairstyles
    • Knitting
    • Sewing
  • Patterns
  • Sewing
  • Home
  • Knitting
    • Patterns
    • Free Vintage Patterns
    • Knit-alongs
  • Wardrobe
  • Travels
  • Contact
Tasha Could Make That

Tasha Could Make That

Vintage knitting, sewing, and a lifetime of craftiness

Cropped Ten of Hearts cardigan

April 5, 2016 by Tasha 36 Comments

Last week, you got a look at the cardigan I’m sharing with you today. Aaand here it is again! I actually finished this two months ago, but had to wait to share it until I finished and photographed the dress I sewed to wear with it!

checked-dress1

This is actually the second time I’ve knit that cardigan pattern. The pattern is called Ten of Hearts, and is a vintage pattern from the 1950s that you can buy from Bex‘s Etsy shop. (My Ravelry project page for it is here, by the way.)

The first version I knit was about a year and a half ago, and it’s gotten a lot of love from me since I finished it. It’s this one, knit in Madelinetosh Vintage in Tart.

Ten of Hearts cardigan and Butterick B5895 trousers

For some reason, I’ve been having several months of realizations about important style and fit things about myself. Sometimes it’s about what I like, sometimes it’s about why I like it, and sometimes it’s about why I like it with something else.

It turns out, cardigans that are the length of my original Ten of Hearts cardigan are great on me with pants, great with pencil skirts…. and really awful with full skirts or dresses.

While I love that cardigan and I wear it quite a bit, sometimes I really wish it was just a couple of inches shorter. And so I knit one!

Cropped Ten of Hearts cardigan

I’m still trying to use yarn from my stash when I can, and I had the perfect red in Wollmeise DK. But the pattern is for worsted weight. So after a bit of math, I worked out that I really just needed to add some stitches on either side of the lace panels on the fronts and back, and it would be suitable for dk weight yarn.

Like my first version, I changed the back from plain to the hearts and lace charts mirrored, which I think looks really neat.

Cropped Ten of Hearts cardigan

Just for the hell of it, I changed the neckline, too. Instead of knitting a plain crew neck, I offset the neckband slightly from the button bands. I really like how that looked on my 6×4 chartreuse cardigan (which I modeled after a vintage cardigan I have) so I did the same for this one.

Cropped Ten of Hearts cardigan

I also did something for this cardigan I don’t always do. In fact I usually don’t! I faced the button bands with a vintage ribbon. This helps prevent gaping when you button up cardigans with negative easeβ€”ones that are smaller than the fullest part of your bust at that point. I don’t tend to actually button my cardigans up very often, and so I don’t usually bother. But this time I did, picking a pretty vintage woven ribbon with roses and leaves. It’s a fun pop on the inside!

tenofhearts2inside

If you’d like to try it yourself, Lauren has a good tutorial on it. I do it the same way, sewing the buttonholes by machine. (And worth mentioning, you don’t need to tack the sewn buttonholes to the buttonholes you make in your knit band, you just line them up and the buttons make it through both together just fine. I wondered about this for a long time before I did it the first time.)

If you don’t own a sewing machine, you can follow my tutorial for how to work buttonholes by hand, and use that to make the buttonholes in the ribbon.

I love the way the ribbon looks on the insides! (I didn’t photograph it, but the ribbon is behind both bands.) The photo below is also a good closeup of the vintage buttons I used. I actually have a matching belt buckle blank that I was going to use to sew a belt for my checked dress, but just couldn’t bring myself to make one after finishing the dress (and mostly, after inserting that zipper twice). Maybe someday. πŸ™‚

buttonband-buttons

And while I left the collar of my dress in so you could see the neckline in the photos above, I do think it’s a pretty fetching combo with the collar out!

Cropped Ten of Hearts cardigan

Overall, it’s a cardigan in my favorite color, in a length that I can wear with dresses and skirts. I don’t typically knit things multiple times but I love this pattern so much, I may just be inclined to knit another one sometime! Probably not in a shade of red again, though. πŸ˜‰

Now, off to finish up my birthday dress this week and a couple of other things… how it is snowing outside when it’s nearly my birthday is beyond me. Being an April baby I’m used to having crappy weather around my birthday, but Mother Nature, this is pushing it!

Cropped Ten of Hearts cardigan

 

  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Knitting, Vintage Wardrobe Tagged With: cardigans, finished projects, vintage knitting

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Juanita says

    April 5, 2016 at 8:53 am

    Hi Tasha!
    I really love that cardigan and I can totally relate to wanting the same cardigan i two lengths. I just wanted to ask you a vintage wardrobe related question: Do you ever knit in cotton or cotton/wool blends? I find it hard to find vintage cardigans i cotton for spring and summer, but I haven’t actually tried to knit one, so I am hoping for some inspiration.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 5, 2016 at 9:37 am

      I usually dislike the feel of cotton yarn, so I nearly never knit with it, I’m afraid! I’ve knit with KnitPicks Comfy, which is a cotton/acrylic blend, and that wasn’t bad. I don’t think I’ve tried any cotton/wool blends, however. For what it’s worth, I do find that Wollmeise dk and the fingering weight are both much more cotton-like in feel when you wear them–cooler than a normal merino, and smooth feeling, in my personal opinion. So I end up wearing a lot of my dk weight cardigans well into Spring and Fall! Not so much in summer, obviously… I rarely wear anything other than machine-knit cardigans in the summer. Fingering weight–even in cotton–would feel too much for me, usually. Hoping to sew some though! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  2. Retro Rover says

    April 5, 2016 at 9:31 am

    its gorgeous and I love the length and the combo with the dress

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 6, 2016 at 5:20 pm

      Thank you! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. looloolooweez says

    April 5, 2016 at 9:32 am

    This is amazingly lovely. I love the heart pattern, and I especially love the detail of the fancy floral ribbon you used for the button facing. It’s the little ‘hidden’ details like that that can make a garment feel extra special.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 6, 2016 at 5:20 pm

      Thank you! It’s definitely a fun little hidden detail, isn’t it! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  4. Jessica says

    April 5, 2016 at 9:38 am

    This is so utterly gorgeous. It’s like the cardigans my mother drew for my paper dolls when I was a kid. It’s like the archetype of cardigan. Perfect and gorgeous, really. And there couldn’t be a better shade of red!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 6, 2016 at 5:19 pm

      That sounds so sweet that your mom did that when you were a kid! And thank you on the cardigan. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. Sara Kristiina says

    April 5, 2016 at 9:42 am

    This is so cute! Love the new cardigan, goes so well with that marvellous dress – which have awesome collar by the way!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 6, 2016 at 5:19 pm

      Thank you! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Julie says

    April 5, 2016 at 10:18 am

    Tasha, I LOVE it. Well, both of them. I try so hard to follow a pattern for knitting a sweater, but don’t have very good luck. I have done some very basic ones for children but that’s it. I’d be happy to knit both versions just plain, without the hearts, if that would be easier. I also love the ribbon facing. So pretty, just like you would find on a vintage handknit. Great job.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 6, 2016 at 5:18 pm

      Thank you so much! Keep at it, sometimes it takes awhile for things to “click”. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. Colette says

    April 5, 2016 at 6:40 pm

    The details on this are just gorgeous ;o) Those buttons!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 6, 2016 at 5:18 pm

      Thanks! I really love those buttons too. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  8. Jessica says

    April 5, 2016 at 7:27 pm

    I see why you waiting until the dress was done before photographing the cardigan – they’re so fabulous together! And the ability to just make a cardigan that’s the perfect length to suit what it’s going on top of is reason no. 1673 that I will one day learn to knit.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 6, 2016 at 5:17 pm

      There’s no time like the present to learn to knit! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  9. Cherie says

    April 5, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    The cardi looks lovely with your lovely dress! (and it’s my color of red) Great job, love the hearts on the back as well!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 6, 2016 at 5:16 pm

      My color red, too! πŸ˜€ Thank you!

      Reply
  10. Susan says

    April 5, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    Really lovely! Did I miss button details?

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 6, 2016 at 5:16 pm

      Thanks! Yep, I mentioned they were vintage buttons. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  11. Heather (Thing I Make, Plus Rocks) says

    April 5, 2016 at 11:20 pm

    Ooo it’s pretty! I love both versions equally, I think. I really love the changes you made to the collar on this one though – definitely going to keep that in mind for future sweaters!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 6, 2016 at 5:16 pm

      Thanks! Yeah, I really think that’s a fun variation on a typical crew neck!

      Reply
  12. Lois Ann says

    April 6, 2016 at 10:09 am

    Everything is just perfect. You truly have amazing taste and talent. I want to be you someday.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      April 6, 2016 at 5:15 pm

      Oh gosh, that’s really sweet of you to say! Thank you. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  13. Nina says

    April 6, 2016 at 9:14 pm

    Fabulous job. I love the touch of the old style ribbon finish. You seem to have adjusted the waist a bit from the other pattern. I like the way the waist looks nipped in. Very fifties. Did you make a change?

    Reply
  14. Nina says

    April 6, 2016 at 9:18 pm

    P.S. My mother made a sweater with the same fit and sleeve length in the late fifties. Also had a grosgrain ribbon facing on the buttonbands. Unfortunately it is too small for me to wear.

    Reply
  15. The Vintage Knitter says

    April 8, 2016 at 2:51 am

    You look gorgeous in both the cardigan and dress. Thanks for the tip about facing the button bands and it preventing the dreaded gaping! I’ve used petersham ribbon to line the inside zipper band on my daughter’s knitted cardigan, but never thought about using it on a buttoned cardie. Inspiration!

    Reply
  16. Lynneferd says

    April 8, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    Tasha, I love your cardi! The dress is wonderful too! The match you got on the seams is so perfect. Great looking ensemble!

    Reply
  17. kittee berns says

    April 10, 2016 at 12:51 am

    This is rillllly cute! I might just have to make one or ten for myself!
    xo
    kittee

    Reply
  18. Jacqui says

    April 23, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    I love that cardigan pattern, but unfortunately vintage patterns are always too small for me πŸ™ It’s a beautiful cardigan and looks lovely on you.

    Reply
  19. Catherine says

    May 27, 2016 at 1:19 am

    You have done a really wonderful job with this. (Great dress, too.)

    Was it hard to figure out how to put the pattern on the back? It looks outstanding and I want to try to do something fancy with the back, too. It is so much nicer.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      May 27, 2016 at 2:06 pm

      If you look carefully at the front vs. the back, basically all I did was take the charts for the front (left and right) and placed them in the same location on the back (so the lace panel falls along my side and up to my shoulder). So the stockinette stitches between the hearts are what remains for the number of stitches for my size, if that makes sense!

      Reply
  20. Catherine says

    May 27, 2016 at 5:01 pm

    Yes, it makes total sense. I was just letting it panic me. But now I have a copy of the pattern and so can sit down and read it. Thanks for your time.

    Reply
  21. Jessyka says

    May 31, 2016 at 11:54 am

    I try so hard to make cardigans and ugh.. the Myrna is my nemesis.. lol.. looks great Tasha.

    Reply
    • Catherine says

      June 15, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      Andi Sutherland’s Myrna? Did you see the note on the Ravelry site? (ravelry.com /patterns/library/myrna-3) “The row gauge was originally listed incorrectly. A second version of the pattern was created to match the previously listed gauge so the pattern now comes with two different files.” This might account for your trouble. Check it out, okay, jessyka?

      Reply
  22. Linda says

    June 14, 2016 at 5:51 pm

    I adore your blog and all of the things you make! You are inspiring me to learn to knit! I would love to be able to make one of your gorgeous sweaters…or sew as fabulously as you do.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

About Tasha

Welcome! If you’re into vintage style, knitting, sewing, and general craftiness, well then grab your favorite drink because you’re in the right place! I’m Tasha. Read more...

  • P

Tasha Could Be In Your Inbox

Yes, add me, please!

My Knitting Patterns

Wondrella cardigan - new knitting pattern!

Wondrella cardigan – new knitting pattern!

Fortesse beret - new knitting pattern

Fortesse beret – new knitting pattern

Fortesse pullover - new knitting pattern

Fortesse pullover – new knitting pattern

Confidette bolero - new knitting pattern!

Confidette bolero – new knitting pattern!

Legendaire pullover hands behind head

Legendaire pullover – new knitting pattern release

Fayne beret: new knitting pattern release

Fayne beret: new knitting pattern release

Knitting pattern release: Sprigs and Berries

Knitting pattern release: Sprigs and Berries

Nisse: knitting pattern release

Nisse: knitting pattern release

Debut knitting pattern release: Victory

Debut knitting pattern release: Victory

Categories

Some Favorites

Getting a cardigan right

Getting a cardigan right

Our great 1950s kitchen renovation reveal

Our great 1950s kitchen renovation reveal

50s topper coat for spring

50s topper coat for spring

Nancy Drew and the Clue in the Epic Sweater

Nancy Drew and the Clue in the Epic Sweater

A plaid bolero, a dress, and a belt buckle walk into a bar

A plaid bolero, a dress, and a belt buckle walk into a bar

Spring green batwing sleeve bolero

Spring green batwing sleeve bolero

Topics

1940s sewing birthdays blouses briar rose knitalong butterick butterick B5895 buttons cardigans christmas clogs craftsy dresses fair isle knitting fall for cotton finished projects fitting a 1940s pullover project giveaways haircuts Hollywood 1678 jacket hollywood patterns knit for victory knitting patterns knitwear design mccall's outfits pants resizing knitting patterns reviews sew for victory sewing with knits simplicity skirts stranded knitting susan crawford tailoring vintage vintage clothing vintage hair vintage knitting vintage knitting college vintage knitting patterns vintage pledge vintage sewing vintage sewing patterns wisconsin

Posts

Footer

Tasha Could Be in Your Inbox

Yes, add me, please!

  • P
  • © Copyright 2023 Tasha Could Make That. All Rights Reserved.
  • • Privacy Policy
  • Created with ✨ by Moxie Design Studios
Scroll Up