Cowl-Neck Sweater From Fleece Blanket

Intro: Cowl-Neck Sweater From Fleece Blanket

In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a comfy sweater with a cowl out of one of those fleece blankets I'm sure you have lying about the house. The large cowl in this sweater has a nice, draped effect, and also doubles as a hood.

Fleece is a great, easy fabric to work with in the winter because it is warm, cozy, and does not need to be hemmed.

STEP 1: What You Will Need

Fleece Blanket - (mine was 55" by 48")
Ruler or Measuring Tape
White Chalk Pencil
Scissors
Pins
Thread
Sewing Machine

STEP 2: Cutting Your Fleece Blanket

One of the great things about this tutorial is that it only requires 5 pieces of fabric

My blanket was 55" by 48". I cut the blanket up so that I had two pieces that were 21" by 24", two pieces that were 16" by 22.5", and one piece that was 18" by 41".

Please keep in mind that these dimensions are for my size and preference, and should be adjusted accordingly to your own.

STEP 3: The Sleeves

Take your two pieces of fleece which are 16" by 22.5" and pin them together.

At the top, mark 2.5" on both sides, then draw diagonal lines down to the bottom corner.

Cut along these diagonal lines.

STEP 4: Sewing the Sleeves

Take your two sleeve pieces and fold them in half.

Pin along the open edge of the sleeves.

Take each sleeve to the sewing machine, and sew where you just pinned.

STEP 5: The Shoulders

Take your two pieces of fleece which are 21" by 24" and pin them on top of each other.

At the top, mark 6.5" in on each side of the shoulder.

STEP 6: The Neckline

Draw a line that is 11" down from the top. Use that line and those drawn in step 5 to draw a U.

Turn it over and draw a shallow scoop.

Cut out along these 2 lines.

STEP 7: Sewing the Shoulders

Sew along the two tops of your fleece to create the shoulders.

STEP 8: Installing the Sleeves

Turn the sleeves right-side out.

Pin the sleeves to the body pieces of fleece.

Carefully sew your sleeves.

STEP 9: Shaping the Sweater

Mark in 1.5" on the bottom of the sweater on both sides. Draw a curved line from the armpits to connect.

Sew along this curved line, then trim the excess.

STEP 10: The Cowl

Taking your 5th and last piece of fleece, join the two ends and pin them together.

Sew along the 18" edge to join.

STEP 11: Installing the Cowl

Like how you did with the sleeves, turn the cowl right-side out, and pin inside the neckline. The joined edges of the cowl should be in the middle of the back neckline.

Carefully sew where you pinned the cowl to your sweater.

STEP 12: Finished!

And we're done!

Super easy. Feels like you're wearing a blanket. Doubles as a hood.

Winning.

Comments

[anamabt]

amazing! love it, just made it :)

[Jokerette]

I have to say, this is the first proper wearable thing I've ever made and my god do I love it. It's slightly too short but it doesn't really matter. I made it out of black, grey and white fleece and I'm super pleased with it.

[hellovillain]

I'm so glad you were able to make your own sweater! That makes me so happy. So sorry it was a bit too short though. That's my bad. I forget that not everyone is as vertically challenged as I am. Still waiting on my growth spurt.

[Jokerette]

To be honest, i wear everything too long as it is; i'm convinced that one day i will grow to be taller than five foot three. Anyway, thank you for putting it up and stuff - i almost cried when i turned it right-side-out and the sleeves didn't fall out. It was a good moment.

[dancingnazguls]

I made this at the start of the winter. I had to make it a bit longer to keep my kidneys warm. but it has been awesome and I have been wearing it for the past 2 months

[hellovillain]

That makes me so very happy! A Happy New Year to you!

[sarahofsydney]

this looks like an awesome project to get the winter started with.. I would love to know how you took your measurement so I know how to get mine right :)

[hellovillain]

Sorry for the terribly late reply. I based the measurements off of a comfy sweater that fit me a little loosely. I measured that sweater and used it as the jumping off point for cutting up the fleece.

[broberts15]

I absolutley adore this! The instructions are seem simple enough. It's been a while since I've sat down and used a sewing machine, but this could be something I could try out. Later on down the road personalize the way I want. It's almost hard to believe that it was a little old fleece blanket before. I bet it's really warm come the the cool weather. Thanks for sharing.

[saosport]

Amazing idea thank you

[D_mon]

hey. you bet. unfortunately it turns out our sewing machine is broken, but i'll get round to it soon or i might think up a way to use contrasting chunky hand stitching as a design feature..not sure yet. i've cut the shapes. anyway i'll keep you posted.

[Penolopy Bulnick]

That is cute and looks so easy to put together! I was wondering what size shirt you wear? See if I can just try to get away with your measurements.

[hellovillain]

Thank you! I am a small (size 0-2), but my mom (size 6-8) also fit it, although on her it didn't have that slightly oversized-look that it does on me. I hope this helps :]

[Penolopy Bulnick]

You should enter this into the Holiday Gifts Contest!

[hellovillain]

I actually have a new Instructable that I will be uploading soon and will be entering in that contest! So stay tuned! ;]

[Penolopy Bulnick]

:) I'll be watching for it! Also, you can enter a contest as many times as you would like.

[D_mon]

this is brilliant, thankyou! gonna make one tomorrow. unfortunately the only fleece blanket i have is bright orange, but it'll do for the first attempt. gonna have to find a nice green one like yours eventually though, thats exactly my favorite colour! you are winning! *high five*

[hellovillain]

Thanks for the high five! I would love to see photos of your sweater once you finish sewing it!

[HollyMann]

I love this and voted for you to win! I can't wait to make one or a few of these..they look so heavenly..so warm..just what I need right now. I live in Wisconsin and walk around my house with a fleece blanket wrapped around me at all times..always cold...

[hellovillain]

Thank you so much for your support! If you do end up making one, be sure to let me know :]