DeChanel Cardigan

As I'm clearly unable to afford the gently used Chanel cardigan for a meager $1,075 plus $35 shipping I decided that I would make my own. Not a duplicate, not a copy but my own. I love the timeless style but the brand is really secondary.

I went to Michael's and bought 4 skeins of Loops & Thread Woolike in black. $2.99 per skein. I still had a skein of it at home from back when I was knitting socks for my husband. Yes, my cardigan is going to be made from sock yarn!

I have no pattern but I have a Chanel-like cardigan I found at the Goodwill store a while ago. The fit is perfect and I like the way it looks on me. The measurements of that cardigan combined with the gauge (40 sts x 48 rows) will end up being my pattern, written as I go along.

A word about the yarn: even thought it's cheap and 85% acrylic and 15% nylon and Made in China - it still feels incredibly soft and has a nice drape. It takes forever to produce an inch but I love how "un-bulky" it is.

I have several ideas for the trim but I also have to figure out a way for the edging. I'm not going with white. I don't like the stark contrast. I decided to go with a light beige instead. It looks softer. I used my swatch to try out several techniques. I would like to stay true to look of the inspiration piece but I think my first priority has to be something that will prevent rolling.

To see the finished piece, click here.