A Cabled Poncho

I didn’t design this lovely fabric of alternating single and double cables. It’s an overrun from the local knitting mill and I’ve happily reclaimed the fabric in order to sew a poncho. This was the perfect opportunity for me to choose a pattern from my (Less) Cutting and (Less) Sewing Pinterest Board. But I didn't. I kept with the theme, however, and decided to make a 2 rectangle poncho instead -- not much cutting or sewing there! And with the reclaimed panel of fabric I used, I have enough fabric left to make another poncho as a gift or something else entirely!

There are numerous tutorials for two rectangle ponchos on the web, so I won't do one here. My poncho method was quite similar to this tutorial for a poncho of woven fabric, except that I already had a finished bottom edge and selvages, so I did less hemming. I cut each rectangle 21 inches wide by 30 inches long. My only modification to the classic pattern was to add a a neck band, like this one, which "snugged up" the big neck hole. I've decided to wear mine with the bottom points on the sides instead of in the front and back.

Pre-steamed poncho neck band

I'm sure you've already guessed that I purchased more than one panel of fabric. All the details are in the listing in the shop. (Sold out)

And I'm pretty sure there's enough fabric here for a good size sweater. I'll figure out a cutting layout and post it next time.

O!

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Last edit 14Dec2015

Reversing a Fancy Rib for a Band

It's been a very busy few weeks -- fabric-related and other. The final episode of the major renovations to my living space and workspace is over at last. Construction throughout the rest of the building is still in progress, but I may finally unpack stuff that's been in boxes for quite a while and arrange things so that they make a little more sense. We'll see. I'll move slowly on this.

And I may finally get some sewing in! It'll be one of a few projects I've been going over in my head for weeks, virtually sewing as I've shepherded the knitting of more wool fabric. I'm not exactly sure which project it is yet, but it's from my (Less) Cutting and (Less) Sewing board on Pinterest. I've been collecting these particular projects because they seem quick, rewarding, and are styles I love (at the moment). They're just what I need when sewing is scheduled in fits and starts. The added bonus is that they produce less waste.

I'm seriously considering one of the sleeved scarf/wraps. It's a combination of a wrap with its crossover bodice and a cardigan with its front (or back) opening and sleeves. Not only do I think it will be fun to sew and easy to wear, but it will give me the chance to use my idea of a non-traditional self ribbing. The picture at the very top of this page is of the pieces I've used to test this self ribbing idea of mine. Below is the finished proto cuff.

Ok, it's kind of subtle, but my thought was to use self fabric in reverse for the cuffs. (Using self fabric for cuffs is not new.) I'm not sure I'd use this technique with every type of sweater knit. I think this idea could work with neck or hem bands also. It would be important, of course, to get the length of the band just right. (Yup, this is the project I mentioned in my reply to Georgine's comment on my last post.)

The fabric is Westerly. Though fancier than the typical rib, structurally it's still a rib fabric. You can see the wales (columns) of knit stitches on either side of the fabric. I chose the side with the most knit stitches, the technical face (See the "'Right' Side of Knit - Part 2".) to act as my "ribbing" for the cuff.

It's going to work for me. Now to choose my project!

O!