I tested another pattern for Patterns for Pirates.  Woohoo!  This time around, though…there were two McKinley models, Louis got to be a new face for P4P.

Judy just released her latest pattern.  Well…patterns!  The Grandpa Cardigan for women and the Captain Mack Cardigan just hit her site and it’s ready for you to sew up a million versions like I did.

(I also couldn’t resist making these “Momma Bear” and “Man Cub” shirts for our little photoshoot.  It was a necessary move to make.)

Let’s talk about Louis first.  I made him a 5T, shirt length cardigan with these sweet “old man-ish” elbow patches and fun wooden buttons.  He’s not much of a layering kiddo but I’m hoping I can get him to wear this a time or two this year.  Because it’s adorable on him.

If the sleeves look pushed up, it’s because they are a little.  Louis wanted to make sure that all of his bracelets and his watch were showing, so the cardi had to be scrunched up a bit.  That being said, the sleeves and length on this are generous enough that he’s got a bit of room to grow in it, but not so big that it looks like it’s falling off of him.

For my own sews, I went a little wild and made three versions.  There’s a reason, I swear!  I made the size/style I was assigned.  I wanted to try one in flannel.  AND I wanted to match Louis for some photos together.  So yes, I’m crazy.  But crazy because I had a plan I wanted to execute.

The first I made was in a jersey knit, at shirt length, with 3/4 sleeves.  Honestly this length of sleeve works best for me because I find myself constantly pushing my sleeves up anyway.  I don’t seem to like things down around my wrists, and especially when I’m working.  So most tops of mine end up here anyway.

I HAD to try this in a flannel.  It was calling to me to do so.  I love flannel this time of year.  In fact, I crave it.  And I have a ton of it laying around that I’ve pretty much been collecting over the last few months, ready to sew into something.

In flannel, it does work.  BUT, the neckband is designed to be stretched slightly around the shoulder/neck area, so I had to make length adjustments to that part in order for it to fit.  That was the only adjustment I made to the whole pattern.  Otherwise, this is still a size large, shirt length with long, cuffed sleeves.  You can see that it doesn’t have any stretch, so there is no “give” to the fabric and it fits a lot more snug.  I still love it!

And last but not least, I made this royal striped number in a tunic length.  

Even though it is still only a 3/4 length sleeve, I decided to throw some elbow patches on it.  I’m not mad at that decision.  Because the patches make it a little extra cute.

Whew.  That was a lot of pictures!  I highly encourage you to go take a peak though the album in P4P’s facebook group for inspiration with this pattern.  I obviously put my own style into the fabric choices on this…but there are others that are just TO DIE FOR.

You can find the new cardigan pattern [HERE for womens] and [HERE for youth]
There is also a bundled option if you want both [HERE].
You can also find Patterns for Pirates: Website | Etsy | Facebook 

Curious about the fabrics I used?
Cheetah print – Girl Charlee (not available any longer)
Royal/white stripe – Girl Charlee HERE
Royal blue tonal stripe (Louis’ cardi) – Girl Charlee HERE
Charcoal flannel – Joann Fabrics [some online HERE]