I am so stupid excited I can’t even begin to explain it. It’s only February and I’ve just officially released my 2nd + 3rd patterns of the year over at Patterns for Pirates. (I believe this makes my 12th + 13th paid patterns under that brand!) 🎉🎉

I’m beyond thrilled to introduce the two newest patterns that were designed by yours truly: Sunnyside Sweaters (in both Youth + Adult sizes).

Of course, we should talk about the pattern name first.

I’ve named all of the patterns that I’ve released under the Patterns for Pirates brand after something West Virginia related. Sugar Maple Skirt = Our State Tree. Friendly City Sweater = Wheeling’s Nickname. Francis Flounce = The “Father of West Virginia”. Etc, etc, etc.

The Sunnyside Sweater is named after one of the best known neighborhoods in Morgantown, WV — home of West Virginia University! Sunnyside is considered a beloved “student neighborhood” and had a true heyday in its time. When I was there, it was still pretty hopping…but I heard some stories about the neighborhood block parties that used to happen before I got there. It sounded WVU level epic. 

Sunnyside is actually where I went to my first official college party. I remember it was next to the Sunnyside Superette (ohhhh the Superette…) and my jeans were wet to my knees after someone yelled “everyone underage, drop your drinks”. Ha. Oh college. the memories.

Anywho. Let’s move along to sewing and stop reminiscing about the good ole’ days, shall we? 

The Sunnyside Sweater is a dolman-style sweater with a generous, oversized fit. It features two hem lengths, crop and high hip, both of which are finished with a waistband to draw the garment back to the body. Alternately, the crop length has an option to finish the waistline with a double drawstring, allowing the wearer to tie the drawstrings at both sides of the waist, providing a unique and adjustable look. Opt for a traditional neckband for a classic look or choose a hood for a more casual and cozy feel. One of the standout features is the ability to create a colorblocked bodice, giving you the opportunity to mix and match different fabric prints and colors, adding a playful and personalized touch to your sweater.

Pattern options for the Sunnyside Sweater includes:

• Necklines: Crew Neckline / Scoop Neckline (adult only) / Lined + Unlined Hoods
• Hem Lengths: Banded Cropped / Drawstring Cropped / Banded High Hip
• Colorblocked + Solid Bodice Options
• All Versions Feature a Drop-Shoulder Dolman Sleeve with Cuffs

The Sunnyside Sweater pattern is drafted for light-to-medium weight knit fabrics with no specific stretch requirements for the bodice. Due to the oversized design of the pattern, fabrics that drape nicely will work best. For bands, use a knit fabric with at least 75% stretch and good recovery.

Specific Fabric Suggestions: Sweater Knits, Ribbed Sweater Knits, Spandex French Terry Blends, Waffle Knits, Brushed Waffle Knits, Double Brushed Polyester, Modal Knit Blends, etc.

Sunnyside Sweater   Sunnyside Sweater – Youth

I made about a million of these sweaters. If that’s not an indication of how much I love the fit of this top on me, I don’t know what is. Here are the ones I was able to get photos of during the testing period.

It feels only natural to share the blue + gold version first, right? Let’s gooooooooo Mountaineers!!

Crop Banded / Colorblocked Bodice / Crew Neckline / French Terry + Ribbed Sweater (??) Knit

This next one is quite possibly my favorite. But it’s really not fair because the fabric I used is just so freaking deliciously soft and a pretty blue. Unfair advantage.

Crop Drawstring / Solid Bodice / Lined Hood / Brushed Waffle Knit from El Centenario Fabric

This next top was one of the early versions that I worked up and I really love it too. But let’s just get used to me saying that I love these Sunnyside Sweaters, okay? I’m a broken record for sure. 

Crop Drawstring / Solid Bodice / Lined Hood / Mystery Fabric from the Walmart bins that I can only think is a French Terry

Not gonna lie, this is one of my go-to sweaters to throw on right now. I love the high hip length SO MUCH. It’s perfect for this Millennial that can’t get over tucking everything into my waistbands. (Don’t judge me.)

High Hip length / Solid Bodice / Scoop Neckline / Sweater Knit

One of the best parts of having a colorblocked bodice is that you can mix-match fabrics AND sometimes you can actually get use out of the large scraps of fabric you’ve had laying around. I’ve been holding onto this piece of rainbow dbp from another project but it was too small of a piece to make a top / bottoms out of. BUT, the colorblocked bodice allowed me to squeeze it into this very St. Patrick’s Day spirited top. So excited to wear it and not get pinched!

Crop Banded / Colorblocked Bodice / Scoop Neckline / Double Brushed Polyester

I don’t know if you have access to a Walmart nearby that offers their mystery fabric bins or not. I don’t go there often, but when I do, I load my cart up because sometimes they have real gems available for a steal. Like 3 yards for $8 total is a fantastic price to pay. I have found some decent fabrics there before too! This is one of those finds. I can’t exactly tell you what the fabric base it, but it definitely is a polyester blend. I think the tiedye on it was SO CUTE in this sweater!

High Hip Banded / Solid Bodice / Scoop Neckline / Mystery Walmart fabric

Whewwwwwww. That was a lot of Katy in Sunnyside Sweaters, wasn’t it? Sorry, not sorry.

Did you have a favorite of the ones I made? 

Pattern: Sunnyside Sweater by Patterns for Pirates
Fabric: explained above each photo set