I’m one of those people who discovered the versatility of a classic cardigan pretty late. Up until design school my everyday style was overly practical, especially during winter. Most of the time I walked around with thick zip sweaters with as high collars as possible. “I refuse to freeze” was my motto, I hadn’t learned the art of layering you see.
I remember what I think was the first classic cardigan that owned. It was a very tight beige rib jersey number that I wore for special occasions, like my uncle’s graduation. But after internships abroad my style changed a lot. I now wanted to look more “polished aspiring fashion professional” and less carpenter on lunch break. More classic cardigans now started finding their to my wardrobe. By the time I moved to Helsinki cardigans were such a staple, that they became the core of my work uniform.
Over the years I’ve become so picky about materials and fit of my cardigans that I now feel I have a cardigan shortage. That’s why I’m always on the look out for them in flea markets and second hand stores. This red number I bought in a flea market in Vaasa a few months ago. I liked that it was a more cold red but felt it was almost identical to an orange one I already own. So I thought I’d elevate it a bit by embroidering something on it.
I decided on such a simple shape as a circle since I hadn’t embroidered on a knitted fabric before. Getting the even circle turned out to be quit the challenge. I had an idea of randomly scattered polka dots in two sizes but what I got annoyingly aligned oval shapes. I kind of like the cochobon shapes now but I would have wanted to get a more random placement of them. What I’m really happy with though is the colour combination. I do have to stop myself though from buying any more red clothes. Ever since that coat, I feel the colour has taken over my wardrobe!
