Issue 58 of Love Sewing magazine had a little extra something in it – an article by me! I’ve finally gotten round to blogging about the experience!

I reviewed the McCall’s 6992 sweater pattern which came free with the magazine and was lucky enough to go on a little photo shoot up in Stockport for it!

I’ve done a more detailed post on it below – the word limit on the article meant I didn’t go into as much depth as I normally would do for a pattern review!

So here it is!

If you’re looking for a great versatile sweater pattern then look no further! The Mccall’s 6992 pattern is the one for you!

This is an easy-to-sew basic raglan sleeve sweater which comes with a bunch of variations to help you personalise it to exactly how you want it to be. There’s a choice of hem – either banded or a dipped high-low hem, options for overlays over the front bodice and sleeve cap, and versions with added trims and beads. Options for everyone!

I chose to make view C which uses a contrast patch over the upper sleeve and finished with a hem band. I liked the idea of topstitching an almost military style reinforced patch over the shoulder.

I picked out two contrasting fabrics to make my sweater – a black and white houndstooth ponte and a lovely mustard (of course!) ponte knit both from Minerva Crafts. I love using stable knits like these. They’re just so easy to sew! I’d always recommend starting with a ponte for anyone new to sewing knits.

I decided to use the houndstooth for the main body and sleeves and the mustard yellow for a funky pop of colour for the neckband, cuff, hem and shoulder patch.

This pattern came together really easily. It’s very much like the Linden sweatshirt from Grainline Studio but it has a dart in the sleeve at the shoulder (which may or may not be necessary). I ended up hiding mine under the sleeve overlay anyway.

The method they used to sew it together is one I’ve not used before when sewing up a raglan – it recommends sewing the side seams of the body first and then setting in the sleeve whereas I would normally sew the sleeve in first and then sew up the side seam. It made for an interesting change (though to be perfectly honest you could use any method and it’ll go together just fine!).

All in all, it turned out exactly how I imagined it would! Now I’ve just got to knock up a few more of these and I’ll be all set for the upcoming cold weather!

By the way, these are my Ginger jeans that I made a few months ago. I’m just super pleased I managed to get a full me made outfit in the magazine! 😂

Thank you so much to Amy for asking me to be a part of Love Sewing mag this month and also to the wonderful hair, makeup and photography team!