Knitting the Basic Boring Garments That We All Wear Most Often - Design-a-long

The West End Wrap, pattern available here.

I knit the shawl in the photo above for myself. I made it  because I was wearing one of those cheap dollar store pashminas in black. I wore it so often that it seemed ludicrous not to make myself something nicer. 

That shawl has traveled on every vacation I've been on since I made it and at home I probably wear it at least 3 or 4 times a month. It's knit from alpaca, it's very soft and amazingly warm. It's been invaluable and I'm sorry it took me so long to realize what a great  time investment, knitting a plain black shawl would be.

I need to knit myself a basic boring black cardigan. It's one of those holes in my wardrobe that needs to be filled. Yes, I know I could just go buy one, but to get the quality and fit that I would like is difficult. Even petite garments have sleeves that are too long for me. I'm also thinking that to do a lot of plain stocking stitch I want a really durable yarn. Maybe a wool blend that will stand up to long wear?

I still have lots of my corporate work clothing, the kinds of things that I used to wear with a business style jacket. Many of these items would be wearable in my new more casual life style with a simple cardigan sweater. Of course, I keep knitting things that are more appealing to me with great colours or textures. 

So to engage my interest in making it, I'm thinking of doing a blog design-a-long. I've written a lot lately about customizing patterns and I've taught the skills in classes before but it's difficult in a class setting to have enough time for everyone to keep up with each stage of the process. I'll do it as a series, step by step, so you can see each part of the process and jump in and do your own, if you would like to. If not, I hope it will advance your understanding of the process. The garment will be a classic cardigan with set in sleeves. It will have few  details so that I can wear it with as many things as possible as a completer piece, not the star of the outfit. I'm thinking of pairing it with the many print blouses and dresses I have.  Is anybody interested in joining me?

Links to the other posts:

http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2011/12/knitting-basic-boring-garments-that-we.html

http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2011/12/design-long-tools-and-supplies.html


http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2011/12/design-long-measurements.html

http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2011/12/design-long-taking-measurements.html

http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2012/01/design-long-swatching-yes-you-have-to.html

http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2012/01/design-long-more-details-on-swatching.html

http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2012/01/design-long-paper-pattern-part-1.html


http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2012/01/design-long-paper-pattern-part-2.html

http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2012/02/design-long-paper-pattern-part-3.html

http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2012/02/design-long-paper-pattern-part-4-dart.html

http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2012/02/design-long-paper-pattern-part-5.html

http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2012/02/design-long-paper-pattern-part-6-sleeve.html

http://knittingrobin.blogspot.ca/2012/03/design-long-paper-pattern-part-7.html