Hi friends! It’s about mid-May, which can only mean one thing…
The Outfit-Along is back for another year! Our 4th consecutive year, to be exact 😉 I’ve announced this annual challenge several times already (well, 3 to be exact haha), so it may not need introducing – but just in case you’re new here, I’ve got details!
I’m teaming up with knit designer extraordinaire, Andi Satterlund, to host a combination knit-along and sew-along. The idea behind the Outfit Along (OAL) is to make a complete outfit by sewing a garment and knitting a garment. This is a great opportunity to fill your wardrobe with more beautiful handmade pieces, and we’ll have two official patterns that will have additional blog support, should you need it.
The official sewing pattern will be the By Hand London Kim Dress, and the official knitting pattern will be Andi’s newest cardigan, Anaheim. I will be blogging about the official sewing pattern and Andi be blogging about the knitting pattern, so we can all sew and knit along together. If you don’t love the official patterns, you can still join in! The Outfit Along is about making an outfit you’ll actually wear, so to participate, all you need to do is to sew a garment and knit a garment to make an outfit. You’re more than welcome to pick projects that fit your own style and skills – after all, you’ll be the one wearing it 🙂 Make a pullover and shorts, make a dress and cardigan – doesn’t matter what the combination is, as long as it makes an outfit 🙂
You can read all the relevant details over at Untangling Knots – as well as a FAQ for common questions – but in a nutshell:
– We will be kicking off the OAL on June 1, 2017.
– The deadline for completion is July 31, 2017, which gives you two months to finish both garments.
– There IS incentive for finishing your garments within the deadline – PRIZES!!! This year, we are welcoming back sponsor Indie Stitches, who is donating 3 prize packages consisting of 2 patterns (winner’s choice), plus free shipping. Winners will also receive 2 patterns of their choice from the Untangling Knots Ravelry store.
– To be eligible for said prizes, you must finish BOTH garments by July 31, 2017 and post them in the OAL Finished Outfit thread in the Untangling Knots group on Ravelry. Prize winners will be randomly selected from those who finish both their knit and sewn garments and post pictures in the appropriate thread by the deadline.
The official knitting pattern, Anaheim, is a sweet cross-over front cardigan that buttons at each side and features and all-over lace pattern. The pattern is knit in one piece, top down, with DK weight yarn and includes sizes XS – 3X (bonus – you can easily move the placement of the buttons to adjust the fit at the waist, should you prefer it tighter or looser). If you’ve never knit a garment before, this pattern is a great one to start with – the sweater is simple (and small!) enough to easily finish during the allotted time, and I can personally vouch that Andi’s instructions are clear and easy to follow (one of her patterns was actually my first knitted garment, too!). Plus, top-down in one piece? YAY NO SEAMING, Y’ALL!
BTW, Anaheim will be 20% off until the OAL begins on June 1st when you you checkout on Ravelry using the coupon code OAL2017 – so yes, get you that discount!
The official sewing pattern, Kim, is one I’ve personally never sewn before (YET) but I think will be a great addition to my summer wardrobe! The pattern features a princess seamed, sleeveless bodice, two neckline options (straight and sweetheart), plus two skirt options (tulip and gathered).
For this year’s OAL, I will not be doing a series of super in-depth tutorials of making the dress from start to finish (I feel like there are PLENTY of these on the internet – including one for the Kim dress!), but I will post tutorials for the changes that I am making to my version of the pattern.
Again, if Kim ain’t your thing – you don’t have to commit! The OAL is about what YOU want to wear, and you can absolutely choose a different pattern! 🙂
As always, you can spread the word by using the hashtag #OAL2017 or use this fancy badge. And don’t forget to join the OAL2017 discussion thread in the Untangling Knots group on Ravelry, for all your OAL chatting needs. Questions? Be sure to read the FAQ on Andi’s official announcement post in case it’s already been covered, but if not… ask away! 🙂
YAY I’m so excited! Who is joining in this year? 😀
LLADYBIRD 
I took part in 2015 – but just realised I have never blogged either piece because I missed the deadline! ( I made a green Myrna and a simplicity dress) But more importantly – I have worn both items loads. I might join properly this year!
Yay! We’d love to have you back this year 😀
I’m in…but with patterns more suited to a rectangle. Off to waste time selecting patterns……
😀 😀 😀
I would love to participate- but I don’t know how to knit. Can I sew two things instead?
You are welcome to participate, but won’t be eligible for prizes. In order to get a prize, one of the garments has to be knit (or crochet). But nothing says you can’t join along for the fun of it 🙂
I really like this idea!
I want to make a dress and cardigan ☺
Do it!!!
I will! I’m thinking a shirtdress or a wrapdress. And a cropped cardigan
Oh, I want to join! I’m awful at sew-a-longs, though, work always gets in the way. I’ve wanted to do this particular one every time in the last for years, so maybe it’s time!
Haha I totally understand – it can be stressful to try to keep up! But we’ve got a pretty long time frame, so hopefully you can make it this time 😀
Do we need to make a dress at all to participate? E.g. could I do pants + top + knitwear? Thanks for hosting again!
Sure! You can knit + sew any two garments you like – it doesn’t have to be a dress. We want you to make something that you will actually wear 🙂
Bummer…I don’t know how to knit so I won’t be participating but I will definitely enjoy seeing everyone’s creations.
Welllll it’s never too late to learn 😛 lol!
I’m french soooo can i join the oal party ??? Where can we post our outfit pictures ? Thannnxxx
You can definitely join! There will be a thread on the Untangling Knots Ravelry group to post your finished outfits, but Andi probably won’t make it available until next month. Until then, you participate in the discussion thread that is linked in this blog post 🙂
Perfect ! I’m in !
I’m going to try the outfit along again this year This will be my third attempt.I do learn a lot and have some great wearable garments I like the pattern choices. I’m hoping third time is a charm so I can knit fast enough to make the deadline!!
Fingers crossed! 🙂 We are excited to have you back!
I’m going to try this year! Moving and travel have made it hard in the past but I want to challenge myself this year.
I totally understand – I always tend to move and travel during this time of year, too! But we can totally do it! I believe in us 🙂
Thanks for hosting again. I’m off to oogle patterns.
Yay!
I entered last year and unfortunately, although my skirt was finished, my Zinone was not. I struggled and put it away. But just 1 month ago, I started it over and am now completing the front neckline and just about to knit the rest of the body! If I finish it by the start date of the new OAL I’ll definitely be along for the ride!
Yay! I hope you get your Zinone finished soon – I am happy to put mine back into rotation now that it’s warm again, and it’s such a versatile little piece!
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
I LOVE IT ALREADY!!! 🙂