The Ellie and Mac Twist It Up Top + Cowl + More Inspire Tights

Soft, warm, chunky sweaters and comfortable leggings. They are like comfort food for clothes. Life has felt crazy lately, and when I step into my sewing space, I am drawn to happy, simple, and comforting makes.

Let’s start by talking about the leggings, and then we will chat about this cozy sweater. I made these leggings a few weeks ago, and even though I carefully tried to place the flowers right where I wanted them, I still made a mistake.

I cut them on the cross-grain so that the flowers started at my ankles, but I did not pay close enough attention and caught some of the selvage at the top of my backside. Do you see the mistake? 

It’s ok, though, because I “fixed” it! 🙂 My fix is….a matching sweater that covers my butt! I could fix it by taking off the waistband and taking some off the top of the back, and no one would ever know…. But I didn’t and that’s ok! I liked exactly where my waistband hit and didn’t want to change the rise. I think it is freeing (at least for my perfectionist self) to say that a mistake is ok, especially since it is one that no one will see, and if they do, why should they care? They probably are more concerned about themselves than a selvage peeking through on the top of my pants!

The Cozy Twist It Up Sweater

Enough about my pants… Let’s talk about this sweater that I am feeling so cozy in. The sweater I made is the Ellie and Mac Twist It Up Top. I tested this top and fell in love with its big cowl and comfy dolman sleeve. I used a super soft brushed hacci and keep rubbing it against my face. It also has a short sleeve and tank option and a neckband option instead of a cowl.

I really like how this knot is constructed. It looks more like a nicely tucked in shirt as opposed to a tied together knot. When I signed up to test the top, I actually thought the model had tucked her shirt in at the front and didn’t realize it was a design element of the top until much later. I am glad I signed up because it is really cute. My sewing tip for the knot part is to make it stay inside, you handtack the seam to the inside with just a few stitches. 

Since I am short, I should shorten sleeves, but I purposefully left these long because I love pulling them over my hands. It makes them feel so cozy!

Now, for my thoughts on this top pattern… It came together really easily. Everything matched up. I like that there are options to make it work for whatever season you are in. It is loose fitting on me so it makes a comfortable sweater if you use a sweater knit. If you want a top that is not so warm, use a lightweight bamboo or rayon. I think I would be disappointed in this top if I used a fabric that didn’t drape nicely.

Also, the top is more of a tunic length than top length, which was perfect for wearing over leggings (especially leggings you mess up on). The length also makes the knot land at a good spot on your torso. Knots that land at the fullest part of your stomach will make your tummy look bigger (and make you call it a tummy instead of a nicer name!). This one lands at a flattering spot.

Resources

• My leggings are the Greenstyle Inspire Tights made with Brushed Polyester from Wanderlust.
• My top is the Ellie and Mac Twist It Up Top made with Brushed Hacci from LDG Textiles. This hacci is listed in their December album for maybe $3-4/yard.

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