Every Which Way But Loose

Knitwear and I have a love hate-hate relationship. Let’s just say I inherited the Eunice busty gene and you’ll understand the terror of bulky knits. However when Gina, the Queen of Refashion presented a luscious red, ready-felted cardigan and suggested I might like to give the whole cut and paste thing a whirl – well, I’m up for a challenge. What with all the excitement I forgot to photograph a ‘before’ version. Get your imagination out and think somewhere along these glamour lines:



After tying the cardigan and myself in knots last week I had the somewhat alarming notion that it worked UPSIDE DOWN. A sort of bolero-inspired number. In the end, I decided the Eunice gene was all a bit terrifying – though I’m still betting it would work on someone less curvy. Following a weekend re-think, I went with the predictable approach...

(Drum roll thing)

Presenting the refashioned BACK TO FRONT cardi-vest:



Now I’ve seen a photo, I reckon it looks like a back to front cardi-vest. As I type I’m wearing it the right? wrong? (other) way round, and am excited to have discovered the AMBIDEXTROUS cardi-vest. Again, you’ll need to get your imaginations out. Just think the back of me is really the front:



Yesterday I showed a friend. Speechless, she raised an eyebrow. Like a red cardi to a (Taurean) bull, I have vowed to wear this upon every subsequent meet-up, with the possible exception of an occasional mid-summer scorcher.

Finally, the process. No pins. No measuring. Pure wing and prayer:

1. Leaving the top front button where it is (for the back detail in above pic), remove rest of front buttoned up bit and sew closed

2. Cut sleeves off, following shoulder seams

3. Use part of one sleeve for the extra bit of asymmetrical collar detail

4. Take in the seams at the sides to pay homage to a waist which I think is somewhere

5. Nick two buttons from the front button up scrap and sew in place on extra bit of collar detail

6. Hoard all offcuts for future creative output. Think better and forfeit side seam scraps so kids can wear bandannas, do ‘kung fu’ and buy me a little more time to faff about before someone comes over too enthusiastic on the Jackie Chan.