Crimson Toaster Sweater 2

The Crimson Toaster Sweater 2 – probably my most worn make of 2017. As an OU Sooner, I can’t get enough crimson in my wardrobe. This sweater was worn to the only OU football game I was able to attend in the 2017 season, again while watching the Big 12 Championship all the way from Rome, and finally while cheering on the Sooners in the Rose Bowl earlier this month. While it didn’t bring enough luck to get my Sooner to the National Championship, I’m still on pretty good terms with it.

Aside from being the perfect gameday gear, this sweater did quite a bit of travelling since being made, as well! In my attempt to pack light for our trip to Italy in November / December, I limited myself to 3 pairs of pants and 5 tops. Two of the tops didn’t work with my big coat as well as I would’ve liked, and were reserved for warmer days, which meant the remaining three sweaters got quite a workout! The Toaster was one of them!

The Toaster Sweater dominated my Instagram feed in autumn / winter 2016, and it caught my eye even then. I loved the interesting neckline of the Toaster 2, and the feedback I was seeing about the pattern was so positive. I was a very new sewist at the time, and wasn’t ready to take on any spontaneous projects outside of my carefully planned party dresses, but you bet this was at the top of my list when autumn 2017 rolled around!

This version was made using a Wine Flecked Loop Back Sweatshirt Knit from Minerva Crafts that has since sold out. I love the texture that is added with the flecked material! (My husband, however, asked if my fabric was “broken!”) It has stood up quite well to wash and wear thus far, which makes me so happy! It is cozy and comfortable, but I don’t feel like a slouch when I wear it.

The construction of this garment was so easy. There are only three pattern pieces (front, back, and sleeve) for the Toaster 2. You really get a lot of bang for your 3-piece-buck with this. The detailed instructions were very thorough, and the pattern itself has lots of nice features. The neckline and the beautiful mitered corners are my two favorite features here. I couldn’t stop admiring the corners once I finished them – I kept flipping the hem up and showing off the awesome insides!

The only modification I made to this pattern was to add 3 inches at the lengthen / shorten line of the front and back – I am a fairly tall girl with a long torso, and I wanted something long enough to keep the chill away. I loved the length I achieved with that extra little bit added in. I didn’t make any alteration to the sleeve length, and even with my fairly long arms, I think they fall at a flattering length.

Sweater: handmade by me
Fabric: Wine Flecked Loop Back Sweatshirt Knit from Minerva Crafts (now sold out)
Pattern: Toaster Sweater 2 by SewHouse7

I don’t imagine that I have a whole lot to say about the Toaster2 that hasn’t already been said, but I truly do love this garment. I’d definitely recommend it as a great easy piece to bulk up your handmade wardrobe. I actually just finished a navy blue version earlier this week which has already been worn twice, and I’ve picked up fabric for a Version 1 & 2 mash-up, as well! How many Toaster Sweaters is too many for one wardrobe?!

• XX Elizabeth