A cardigan is an indispensable wardrobe essential, whether worn over clothes or added as an accent piece to dresses and other garments. These lightweight sweaters hit at just the right height to complement looser silhouettes in pants, jeans, or midi skirts.
Cardigans often get a bad rap as being boring pieces of clothing; however, by following one simple TikTok hack, you can make them appear more stylish and elevate their appearance to make an impressionful statement.
Ribbed bands
Button bands on cardigans can be an easy and effective way to elevate casual wear into dressier attire. From Hadid or Lipa-esque modernity to throwback ’95 looks, buttoned bands provide the ideal solution for both work events and date nights alike.
Button bands add visual interest by featuring an alternate stitch pattern to that used throughout a sweater, adding an element of visual drama.
Working the buttonholes differently from the rest of the garment, such as using yarn-over and k2tog decrease stitch patterns, is especially crucial to ensure the best appearance.
To ensure your button holes match up perfectly, lay a piece of ribbon flat on top of a finished and blocked button band and mark its location with a marker pen. Next, stitch ribbon buttonholes into place using the same method you would for knitting buttonholes – this should ensure they match up exactly.
Reinforcing ribbon buttonholes with knit interfacing is an effective way to keep them looking their best over time, providing extra layers of protection that will stand the test of time and ensure their perfect appearance.
While this step may not be necessary when wearing knitted garments, knit interfacing may offer extra support that keeps buttons and buttonholes looking their best for years.
Buttonholes
Sewing on buttons can often be one of the hardest parts of knitting a cardigan. Buttonholes must be carefully aligned with buttons (and one another) in order to ensure that when worn correctly, the bands overlap perfectly – something which is especially essential when working on V-neck cardigans with V-shaped fronts.
Size matters when selecting buttonholes; too large can appear bulky, while too small could break with each pull of each button and, over time, may stretch or degrade. Classic buttons might be best, while larger decorative or leather ones could add feminine touches.
To create a buttonhole, knit it up to where you want the hole to be and use a standard bind-off stitch to bind off that number of stitches that would form its widest point.
A good practice when trying out different options and selecting what best works for your project. For optimal results, do this on a sample swatch first – that way, you can try other options and find which suits it.
When worn, your sample can indicate if the binding-off technique works as expected and how much the fabric may stretch over time!
Collar or band
A button band (or collar) adds the perfect final touch to any cardigan and gives it a bit more texture and interest. You can either add one after blocking/assembling or knit into it directly for maximum wearer convenience.
To knit button bands into the fabric, work them using needles one size smaller than those used for winding the sweater’s gauge needles. This method, called double knitting, produces very dense fabric featuring stockinette faces on both right and wrong sides – having button bands that won’t stretch with wear and tear.
If you’re following a pattern for the button band, use the stitch count indicated for the collar to determine how many stitches to pick up. Begin working from one non-buttonhole side of the band and complete all specified rows or stitches before beginning work on buttonhole rows.
Remember that buttonhole rows must also be completed after these even rows.
To create a seamless and secure buttonhole, it may be beneficial to add interfacing on the wrong side of the band before working it into your sweater. This is particularly important if your garment features lightweight yarn that stretches and shifts as you thread in the round.
Sleeves
Cardigans are timeless wardrobe pieces. They pair nicely with various shirt styles such as t-shirts, henleys and button-downs and can transform casual looks for formal events or social gatherings. Buttons or toggles tend to work best, while zippers make your cardigan feel more like an athletic sweater.
Buttoning up the sleeves on a cardigan can create an aesthetically pleasing and more feminine silhouette. You can choose whether to do this all the way or only partially, depending on your body type and what’s underneath your cardigan. Cuffs may also add extra length for an added polish and finished appearance.
If you want to add long, cuffed sleeves to your cardigan, start by pushing up the collar of your shirt until it reaches your elbows. Roll it up into a J. Crew roll and tuck it into your sweater sleeve cuff for a more uniform layer – however, ribbed fabric and sleeve cuffs won’t hold as securely against this roll!
Before continuing the sleeve, use stitch markers to mark your buttonholes. Stitch one in each stitch from Rows 1-5 that overlaps with its edge, evenly spaced around the armhole opening – this will help ensure that when seaming, both seams match up correctly!
Conclusion
In conclusion, buttoning a cardigan is a straightforward yet significant aspect of dressing with style and comfort. By following a few simple steps, you can achieve a polished and put-together look that complements your outfit and keeps you cozy.
Whether you choose to button your cardigan all the way up for a sophisticated appearance, leave it partially undone for a casual vibe, or experiment with layering, mastering the art of buttoning adds a touch of versatility to this timeless wardrobe essential.
Remember that personal preference and the occasion play a role in determining how you choose to fasten your cardigan, allowing you to express your unique style while enjoying the functionality and warmth this garment provides.
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