I have several of these cotton rib knit turtlenecks that are a few years old, and would have a lot more wear in them, if they hadn’t continued to shrink and lose their elasticity, as cotton sweaters seem to do.  This one reached the point where I could barely pull it over my head, because the neck doesn’t stretch wide enough anymore.  *Insert big head joke here.*

I liked it enough in the beginning, to crochet trim for the sleeves and bottom hems.  So I don’t want to discard it just yet.

I decided to try cutting it down the front and making it a cardigan.

The ribbed knit made the cutting and stitching easier.  All I had to do was identify the center rib, and follow it.  I first stitched on both sides of the cutting line, using a wide, overlocking stitch.  Then I cut between the two rows of stitching. 

My red thread ran out before I had stitched all the way down the second side, so I had to switch to what else I had on hand–a variegated red.  Not a problem; it will be hidden in the end anyway.  But for now, the patch of light-colored thread on the left side allows for a closer look at the stitches.

I’ve been warned against using the stitch-and-cut technique with crochet, but I didn’t see any other option here.  I think it worked out okay.  Those ends will also be encapsulated in woven fabric in the next step.

I sewed a strip of woven shirting from top to bottom, and….ta-da!  

I included a strip of lightweight fusible interfacing down each side.

For the front closure, I had picked out a card of budget-priced small black shirt buttons for down the front.  But once I reached this point in the project, I decided the look calls for larger buttons.  So, I need to return to the store to see what I can find.  Also, at this point, I like the outcome well enough to invest in more expensive buttons if the look is right.

There is a reason why I chose the grey shirting.  This is just Part I of the project.  Part II is making a skirt from this fabric that has spent too long in my stash.

Part II coming soon…

On cardigans and skirts, and new beginnings, and maybe a trip to Paris someday.

These patterns were all from the same quilter, I believe, but I did not know her/him.  I love trying to decipher where some of the patterns came from.  Some of the scans are cropped, due to the size limits of my scanning bed.  I tried to capture most of the good parts, though.

For a detailed view, click on any of the images.

These two quarter circles may be my favorites.

Or maybe this dress fabric ad is my favorite. 

So many patterns, so little time.  Sigh. 

Fabric stores with good selections of garment fabrics seem to be getting more scarce with each passing year.  That makes me all the more thankful that two of my long-time favorites are still going strong.  Each one is usually an overnight road trip for me.  But always, always worth the trip.

Kaplans Fabrics in Kansas City on the Country Club Plaza; fifty-plus years in business, with luxurious fabrics from suitings, to brocades, to tapestry fabrics, to wedding laces.  When fabric shopping is done, the Plaza is the best place ever for a coffee, meal and a stroll, before getting back on the road.

Pendleton Outlet in downtown Nebraska City.  Upstairs they sell Pendleton ready-to-wear at great prices.  Downstairs is a basement of wonderfully-priced Pendleton fabrics; bolts and ends, and trims and fasteners.

I must take photos on my next visit to each place.

I am always looking for recommendations of unique and special fabric stores.