I don't want to freak you all out, but did you realise that Christmas is slightly less than 6 weeks away now...?
I know that making something for the men in your life (husbands, brothers, partners, fathers, sons etc) can be a daunting task. It's hard to know what exactly they might like — enter the
Auden Cardigan.
If you have someone in your life that likes a touch of the vintage mixed with everything modern, then the
Auden Cardigan might just be up your alley.
It's faster and easier to make than you might think (no bust adjustments necessary!), it has lovely details that you can incorporate for a subtle or bold look (saddle shoulders, optional elbow patches and the choice of an incorporated neckline or a contrast one) and it's super snuggly and warm made up in easy-to-sew sweatshirt knits — mmmmmm, fleecy goodness.
Auden was the latest in my
Pattern of the Month series, and so if you'd like to read a bit more about the pattern and how others have found stitching up the
Auden Cardigan for their loved ones (or themselves!!) then please read on...
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It might be spring in New Zealand but it's still cold! Kristina went for Auden
View 2 and used a leftover piece of 'dandy linen' from
Miss Maude (that I've actually had my eye on...) for the contrast band and elbow patches.
I can't wait for the already cut out purple version with black denim elbow patches and an additional band around the bottom (per the model's request, and a mighty fine one at that!).
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When I originally sent Auden out to testers, the number of them who requested a version for themselves was what inspired me make the ladies version,
Juniper. However, a number of those testers actually made an Auden for themselves, so when Nadine put her hand up to make one for herself, how could I resist?
A few things to think about if you're a lady who might want to make Auden — it's going to be a grandpa cardigan on you, but an oh-so-snuggly one and Nadine's is no exception. Check out the sleeve length (noted in the
Final Garment Measurements) and keep in mind that the cuff is deliberately chunky, so feel free to shorten it for a slightly more delicate look.
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More tweedy-contrast bands on Jen's Auden Cardigan! I love this colour combination too — it's really the perfect cardigan for a stroll in the countryside in autumn, don't you think?
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Erica's Auden Cardigan is a great example of how you can modernise Auden using plain fabrics in contrasting colours. The saddle shoulder is subtle when the sleeves and body are made in the same colour but the neckline pops in contrast.
I can also tell that it's been made in a really nice mid- to heavy-weight sweatshirting — it's holding its shape really nicely through the neckline and looking very snazzy (if I do say so myself!).
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Jillayne's cardigan is yet another example of a modern take on Auden and with a few little tweaks to round two, I think Jillayne will have the perfect fit.
The sleeves are deliberately longer on Auden than most men's clothing — David always has 'short sleeve syndrome' and so I thought it would be nice to make a pattern that already has longer sleeves for the lengthy-armed men out there.
Jillayne thinks she added about 1" too much length, but I think it's probably quite a novelty to have sleeves that are too long (David thinks that would be the
best day ever) and luckily, you can roll sleeves back easily or just leave them as is on those cold days.
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I love this quilted knit sweat shirting so much! It almost looks like Auden has been turned into a coat for those extra cold days (which is something I think I need to do). The saddle shoulder detail still stands out, while not taking over the quilted motif.
And that colour!
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Auden + a wool-rayon double knit = cosy perfection. Also, another example of how you can keep the look subtle by sticking to one colour and using the incorporated button band (View 2) with some slightly contrasty buttons to finish off the look.
Marilyn is planning to slim down the cuffs a touch in her next version, but otherwise, I think this looks amazing!
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Dappled and dapper! The first purple Auden I've seen (but not the last, according to Plum Kitchen above!). Rhonda originally tried sizing down and doing a
Full Belly Adjustment but then decided to stick with the straight XXL as the fit across the shoulders and back was spot on.
She does bring up an interesting point about how great it would be if there were different body pieces within a mens pattern to cater for different shapes (like I've done with the multiple bust cups in
Laneway &
Mayberry). It's something I will definitely look into — thanks for the idea Rhonda!
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We all need a little black cardigan, right? With Amanda's carefully fitted cuffs, this is definitely a dressy Auden look, even worn over a t-shirt. I also love the buttons Amanda has chosen here — the shine makes them pop just enough (and not too much!) against the plain black knit.
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This is David's pick of the bunch; Annie's choice of soft buffalo plaid reminds him of the classic NZ Swanndri workshirt (albeit less scratchy), with the addition of beautiful plain black cuffs. Annie didn't use buttons here, as her model prefers to wear his cardigans open, and I have to say I love the look.
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And there you have it! Lots of lovely
Audens — are you inspired to make one?
Plus, here are some previously published
Auden Cardigan Tutorials (just in case you're interested!):
xx
J