A slouchy sweater does great for lounging around and running errands.

http://youtu.be/U8WJdGu2fwM

Materials: 1.5 m of knit fabric, make sure there is some stretch.  Choose the thickness based on how warm you want it to be.

Time: 1-2 hours

Tips: A lot of knit fabrics come in tube form, but if there is no tube you may need 2 metres of fabric.  When you’re cutting the pieces, the stretchiest direction needs to go horizontally on your body.  So the body and sleeves should stretch outwards.  When using a sewing machine, sew a straight stitch first and then go over the raw edge with a zigzag to prevent threads from running.

To size the collar piece, pin the collar fabric into a circle and slip it over your neck.  With the unfinished sweater on, the loop should be a little smaller than the sweater’s raw neckline.  Pat it flat to see the finished effect and adjust the pin to make it bigger or smaller.  There should be a little tension in the collar as it lies on your shoulders.  If it’s too loose, when you’re done attaching it it will stick out upwards and not lie flat.  If it’s too tight, however, the sweater will bunch up at the neck and that won’t look as nice. When you’ve found the right spot, mark where the pin is and cut.

To size the wrist cuffs, measure the circumference of your arm just below the elbow when it’s bent.  Your cuff needs to be as wide as this circumference when it’s stretched or else you cant roll up your sleeves.  When your cuff is relaxed, it should be just a little wider than the circumference of your wrist.

To size the waistband, measure the circumference of your hips.  The waistband needs to be as wide as this circumference when it’s stretched or else the sweater will be tight at your hips.  When the waistband is relaxed, it should be narrower than the raw sweater body so there’s some bunching.

Finally, try to keep all the seams lined up when you add the cuffs, collars, and waistband so it looks professional.

Wear it with: leggings, skinny jeans, or shorts.  Because the sweater is baggy it should be balanced with non-baggy bottoms.

http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+22.41-44/

Working on the sweater made me think of a verse where Jesus sweated (my mind is a funny thing). Right before he was crucified, he already knew the torture that was coming his way and needed to pray. Although his flesh wasn’t looking forward to death, he set his mind on his Father’s plans. I was the one who was evil and was going to get wiped out by a good and just God, but a decision was made by God out of deep unfathomable love for me and Jesus came to bear everything in my place. From this verse, I see how painful his life on earth was in its final moments. But because he is the greatest ever, he did it and set me free. For that I am grateful every single day =)