Warm and Cozy Sweater

This instructable shows how to make a warm and cozy sweater the easy way.

You will need:

- 150 cm length x 150 cm width (or minimum of 140 cm width) polar fleece or thick jersey or knitted fabric of your liking

- Scissors

- Measuring tape

- Meter Stick or long ruler

- Small ruler

- Chalk or fabric marker

- A sewing machine

- Thread

- Hand needle

- Sewing pins (to hold fabric in place temporarily)

- An iron and an iron board

- A Random Button :)

This is as simple as it gets!

Cut selvage (pic 1).

Mark these measurements on the fabric, following pic 2. Check it to make sure you got it right!

All measurements included in pic. 2 take into account the seam allowance of 1 cm except the for the neck opening where you should add an extra 1 cm.

A seam allowance of 4 cm is included at the hems of the body and on the sleeves.

If you bought fabric that is less than 150 cm (e.g. 140 cm) in width you may reduce the sweater body width up to 10 cm.

This pattern is good for sizes S to XL. For people of S size, the sweater will be loose and drapey and for people of XL size the sweater will be more form fitting.

Cut fabric following the marked lines .

For the sweater body cut a rectangle. Mark the center on this piece of fabric. Fold it in half lengthwise. Mark the neck opening according to measurements provided on the pattern picture. Cut it out leaving a 1 cm seam allowance (pics 1 and 2).

For the sleeves, cut two rectangles. Fold each in half lengthwise. Trim the sleeve in a slightly curved line to reduce the sleeve's width closer to the wrist (pics 3, 4, and 5). Repeat for the second sleeve.

Tip: place the cut sleeve on the uncut one and draw a line along the edge. Then cut the second sleeve with the same curve (pic. 6). By doing this you are ensuring that both curves are the same.

For the collar: if you have a strong pattern on the fabric as on mine try to match the center pattern of the collar (pic. 7) with the pattern on the front of the sweater body (the deeper part of the neck opening will be on the front of your sweater).

As a result of your cutting you should get:

- One rectangle for the body of the sweater with a hole for the neck opening.

- Two slightly tapered pieces of fabric for the sleeves.

- One rectangle for the collar.

For fleece it is better to use elastic seams. Some sewing machines have a function with which you can create specially designed seams for knitted fabric or jerseys which look like the seam on pic.1.

If your machine does not have it use a narrow zigzag seam.

While sewing, make sure to slightly stretch the fabric.

Match the center of the sleeve with the center of the body rectangle (place fabric right side together).

Sew.

Finish the seam with a zigzag or use a serger if you have one. Depending on the type of polar fleece you may omit the finishing.

Repeat for the second sleeve.

Don't sew on top of the pins! You may not only break your sewing machine needle but you may also damage the machine itself. Remove the pins just before your seams get close to them.

Turn the sleeve seam allowance toward the sleeve .

Pin the fabric along the edges of the sleeves and the sides. Try to match the seams of sleeves and the fabric patterns (if you have one) - this step will help to create a more professional look for finished product.

Sew. Once you get to the sleeve seam stretch the fabric a little bit to create a straighter seam and continue sewing.

Fold the collar fabric in half and sew it on the short side. Crease the seam allowances open. Double the collar over, leaving the seam inside.

Place the collar into the neck opening and pin it evenly, slightly stretching the collar fabric. Check to make sure you pin it evenly! Sew.

To finish the bottom of the sweater mark a line on the wrong side 8 cm from the edge of the fabric.

Fold the fabric so the edge aligns with the marked line. Pin it.

Stitch with a zigzag or any other decorative stretchable seam.

Do the same for the sleeves.

Now you are almost finished your sweater!

Iron the seams on low settings. Check for and trim any loose threads.

You are done!

Put it on and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

From a leftover piece of fabric cut a rectangle wide enough to wrap your head and a minimum of 30 cm in height.

Fold it so one side overlaps another by one centimeter (pic. 3).

Stitch using a zigzag (pic. 4).

Cut the fabric close to the seam on the right and wrong sides (pics. 5 and 6).

Gather the fabric along one edge using a hand needle and thread (pics 7 and 8).

To finish your beanie take a random button or cut a circle from a piece of sturdy plastic. Cut a circle from the fabric slightly bigger than button.

Gather the edges of the circle together using a threaded needle to make an enclosure for the button.

Attach the button on top of the beanie.

Roll up the unfinished edge a couple of times and your hat is ready to go!

Stay warm!