Self Assembly Required

DIY dressmaking + crafts with Emily

The Chestnut Sweater – Cocowawa Crafts

This is the latest release from Cocowawa which I pattern tested for this summer!

The Chestnut sweater and top are bow-tastic with 3 different versions all covered in the things in one way or another. 

I tested version 3 of the sweater which features bows tied down the back. Not the most comfortable option for lying back in but so pretty!

I did some stash busting with this make as well and used a knit fabric I’ve had in my stash for years. I’d been waiting for a good sweater pattern to come along for me to use it and it was definitely worth the wait. 

It’s a really simple sweater pattern with the additional twist of the open back with a row of four ribbon ties on each side to keep it together. 

For some reason that top bow just wouldn’t lie straight!


I think next time I’d make the shoulders narrower on me. At the moment they’re doing some sort of a drop shoulder thing which I don’t think is that flattering on my shape. 

Overall though, it’s a great jazzed up wardrobe basic especially with winter coming up!

About Me

Related Posts

8 Comments

  1. I had that happen with a knit top I made recently – it was so exaggerated I thought maybe it was meant to BE a drop shoulder but it really didn’t suit me AT ALL. I don’t know who it does honestly. Anyway I removed the sleeve (not easy with bamboo/cotton!) and tried cutting resetting the sleeve at the right spot in the shoulder seam for me but that didn’t work and I ended up tossing the works in the bin – pattern included! 🙂 I think your comment re the ties in the back is worth noting as well – how can you lean back on anything? 🙂

    1. I know I don’t like back bows but I did it anyway! They always seem to dig in the most when I’m driving…
      Looking at the other tester pics of the sweater I think it’s meant to drop just off the shoulder. I don’t think it suits me cut wise though. 😕

  2. It’s a really cute detail, and I am totally into Cocowawa aesthetic, but the bows in the back sound kind of impractical… I don’t think I’ll try.
    It does look lovely

    1. Versions 1 and 2 of the Chestnut have bows in more practical places! Lol.
      It’s a very pretty sweater for standing around in!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d