We are so excited about this Blackwood Cardigan hack- it’s super easy, but it makes such an effective change! The extended collar really adds a warm and cozy feel.
We used the shorter view (View B) of the Blackwood Cardigan for this hack, but it will work with either view. Since we used the shorter view without pockets, this hack is so quick and easy to sew up. I used a waffle sweater knit from Blackbird Fabrics.
We only made one change to the pattern: widen the front band to 14 inches. We kept the length of the front band the same. Factoring in seam allowances and folding the band in half, the finished width of the new front band is around 6 inches. You can make the front band any width you like!
Simply follow the instructions for sewing Blackwood, treating your new front band pieces as you would treat the original front band pieces.
Wear your front band folded over or draped in the front, it’s up to you!
That’s it! This super-easy tweak totally changes the look of your Blackwood Cardigan. I know that this one will be getting plenty of use throughout autumn and winter. Stay warm, friends!
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19 Comments on “Blackwood Cardigan Hack: Wide Front Band”
Love it but just one thing – the instructions say the finished band is 14 inches but the starting band piece is 6inches.
No big deal, you just reversed it- the unfinished band is 14 inches, folded in half minus seam allowance it will be a bit more than 6
Nice! I bought this pattern recently and will try this hack. What is that beautiful fabric? And where can we buy it?
This is really nice – I love the original pattern so much that I haven’t changed it much, but I have to make one of these!
What’s the beautiful rib fabric?
Brilliant hack! And so easy.
Brilliant! Thx for this Helen.
Love it!
Love this! Fabric, please…
Brilliant and simple!
I love it! It’s great the way the extra fabric folds at the neckline – not quite a collar, but a soft cozy gather. I like that!
I’ve been fiddling with this pattern a lot, but haven’t tried this yet! I have the perfect fabric in my stash for it…hmmm. Guess I know what I’m going to work on this weekend!
Ohhh I like this and need to give it a whirl!
Love this hack. Can’t wait to try it and I love the fabric you used
Interested
This is fantastic!
I loved this idea and applied it to a heavier olive green textured knit, to the longer length. However I used the bottom band material for a belt instead, and this makes a completely different look, and is great for colder weather as a sweater jacket outside. I had done a modified version of this on a previous Blackwood, as I cut my bottom band out and it was too short for my doubled neck band, and so as no to waste material made a wide belt from the soft knit. The green belt is only 2 inches wide. I now have 4 Blackwoods, 1 original and 3 hacks. LOVE this pattern 🙂
Thanks Nancy! I love the idea of sewing a tie to go with this hack – what a cozy layering jacket! Thanks for sewing Blackwood!
Loved this hack. I have made two now a red one and a brown one both in merino wool. These are first Helens Closet makes.
Thanks so much, Maureen!
I just used this hack after feeling uncomfortable with the original band on my first Blackwood. Now I have a cardigan I love!