'J' Cardigan: Happy Homemade Volume 1

I've had Happy Homemade Volume 1 sitting on my shelf for a while now; I take it down often and flip immediately to the cardigan.  It looked to me the perfect project: quick, simple, and entirely practical for so many occasions.

The key was finding a fabric that would drape as nicely as the cardigan in the book.  I knew that I wanted something that would breath in the summer, but that I could layer over long-sleeve shirts and button-downs in the winter.

When I saw the Nani Iro linen/cotton blend, I knew that it would be perfect.  I tried to use it once before, but I was new to reading Japanese patterns and because the width of this fabric is so much less than a normal bolt, I was left at least a half-metre short. So when Karyn got some more of it at the workroom, I rushed down to pick up my three metres (it goes quickly!)

And look!  My cardigan is finally done!

The linen/cotton fabric was lovely to sew with, although it does have an tendency to unravel on the edges quite easily.  It has a looser weave than most fabrics I've worked with, which is perfect for keeping my fair skin covered in the Toronto heat, but will work just as nicely for fall and winter layering: just what I wanted.

I love this cardigan so much I'm already planning to make one or two more.  I have a couple of fall weddings, and I think this would be pretty in a dressier fabric with a ribbon sash or lace trim.

The best part?  This time I over estimated my fabric purchase, and I have a serious bit of fabric left over.  Now if I could just figure out what to do with it ...