🎙️ Pattern Spotlight: “Soundtrack” Cardigan
For all the music lovers out there. 🎶
“Soundtrack” was inspired by favorite movies, train rides, road trips, and those little moments in life that stick with you. It's the kind of cardigan that belongs in the background of a good story — twisting the night away, eating banana splits at the diner, or hanging around in a parking lot having a conversation that somehow lasts for hours.
And, of course, it looks pretty damn good while you're doing it.
A Little Bit of Old-School Charm
“Soundtrack” has all the details we love about a good vintage-inspired cardigan: a classic crew neck, beautifully detailed colorwork yoke, gentle puffed sleeve caps, and shaping throughout for a flattering fit.
It's got that old-fashioned charm without feeling like a costume.
Wear it with a dress. Throw it over a tee and jeans. Layer it over a lightweight knit when the weather calls for another layer. It's an easy piece to work into the wardrobe you already have.
Let the Yoke Do the Talking 🎸
The colorwork yoke is the star of the show.
The main color keeps the cardigan grounded while a small amount of contrast color gives the yoke its punch. That means you can keep things classic with a high-contrast combination or play around with colors that feel a little more unexpected.
And with only about 10 yards of contrast color required, it's a good excuse to dig through that stash and find something fun.
Knit It Top Down
“Soundtrack” is worked seamlessly from the top down, with short-row shaping for the shoulders and sleeves. It's rated 3/5 — intermediate.
Sizes are:
XS (S, M, L) [1X, 2X, 3X, 4X]
It's designed for worsted-weight wool or wool blends, with a gauge of 19 stitches x 27 rows = 4".
The pattern also includes instructions for making covered buttons, because sometimes the little details are what make a cardigan feel like yours. The sample uses six approximately 5/8" buttons.
Add a Little Halloween Magic 🎃
This is where things get fun.
The “Scaredy Cat!” Expansion was made specifically for “Soundtrack” and takes the original cardigan in a whole new direction.
Inspired by iconic vintage Halloween decorations, the expansion gives you a new chart and a sleeve variation to create a spooky version of the cardigan — while using the “Soundtrack” pattern you already have.
So you can knit “Soundtrack” as an everyday vintage cardigan, or add the “Scaredy Cat!” details when you want to get a little spooky.
And yes, the expansion is meant for Halloween babes and anyone who keeps it spooky year round. 🎃
Important: The “Scaredy Cat!” Expansion is not a complete pattern. You need the “Soundtrack” Cardigan pattern to use it.
Make It Yours
That's really the point of “Soundtrack.”
It's a vintage-inspired cardigan, but where you take it is up to you. Choose colors that remind you of an old favorite movie. Go classic with a simple contrast. Make the everyday version you'll wear constantly, or add the “Scaredy Cat!” Expansion when you're in the mood for something a little more mischievous.
However you knit it, make it part of your own soundtrack. 🧶
👉 Shop the “Soundtrack” Cardigan
👉 Shop the “Scaredy Cat” Expansion
You Might Also Like
“Hellcat” Cardigan — If you like your vintage knits with a little more attitude, “Hellcat” brings the same Poison Grrls spirit to another classic cardigan shape.
“Sodapop” Sweater — A vintage-inspired sweater that's right at home with jeans, skirts, and the rest of your old-school wardrobe.
“Sweetheart” Bomber — For another vintage-inspired layer, the “Sweetheart” Bomber brings a little more structure and plenty of personality.
💌 Share Your Project
Finished a Poison Grrls pattern? We'd love to see it!
Share your photos, tell us about your yarn choice, and help inspire fellow knitters by showing how you made the pattern your own.
As a thank-you, you'll receive 15% off your next Poison Grrls pattern purchase, and your project could be featured on our website, Instagram, or in a future 🎙️ Pattern Spotlight newsletter.
XOXO,
The Poison Grrls Team 💋
Meet the “Siren” Peplum Top
A little sweet. A little dangerous. The “Siren” Peplum Top has that fitted vintage silhouette we can’t quit—snug through the bust and waist, then flaring into a soft peplum that looks killer with high-waisted jeans or a pencil skirt.
“Siren” is worked seamlessly from the top down in fingering-weight yarn held together with lace-weight mohair, creating a lightweight fabric with a soft halo. The shoulders and tailored set-in sleeves are shaped with short rows, while waist shaping gives the sweater its defined silhouette. For a little extra drama, an optional mohair ruffle can be added to the sleeve cap after the sweater is finished.
🎥 Video tutorials are included for both the peplum construction and the optional mohair sleeve ruffle, giving you a little extra help with the trickier details.
Designed for XS–4X, with a close, body-skimming fit through the bust and waist.
Some sweaters are made for staying in. “Siren” is made for going out. ❤️
We wanted to design something feminine and a little bit special—the kind of sweater you reach for when you’re getting dressed for dinner, a party, a date night, or an evening out. Something soft enough to be comfortable, but polished enough that it feels like an outfit.
“Siren” has a fitted vintage silhouette, with a defined waist and a softly flared 3" peplum. The shape is close through the bust and waist before opening at the hem, giving it that classic dressed-up feeling without making it fussy. Wear it with a pencil skirt or high-waisted jeans and heels. It works beautifully whenever you want to feel a little more put together.
The fabric is one of our favorite parts. “Siren” is worked with fingering-weight yarn held together with lace-weight mohair, creating a light, soft fabric with a subtle halo and plenty of drape. It feels delicate, but the silhouette gives it some structure.
We also wanted the construction to have a little more tailoring than your average top-down sweater. “Siren” begins at the upper back, with short-row shaping creating the shoulder slope. The front is shaped separately for a precise placement of the shoulder “seam”, and the body comes together at the underarms before the waist is shaped and the peplum opens out.
The sleeves are worked from the armhole with short-row shaping to create a top-down set-in sleeve, then tapered toward the cuff. And for anyone who wants a little more romance, there’s an optional mohair ruffle that can be added to the sleeve cap after the sweater is finished.
We’ve included video tutorials for both the peplum and the optional ruffle, so you can see those details come together as you knit.
The “Siren” Peplum Top is available now in sizes XS–4X. We hope you’ll make one for the next occasion that deserves a little extra effort.
xoxo
🎙️ Pattern Spotlight: "Art School" Sweater🎨
September is a good time for a fresh start.
New projects. New ideas. A little more time for making things as the days get shorter and the first hints of fall start showing up.
This month, we're putting the spotlight on the "Art School" Sweater—an elegant, versatile shape that's ready for you to make your own.
Think of it as a blank canvas.
You bring the yarn. You choose the colors. You decide how far you want to take it.
Dig it. 🎨
Your Blank Canvas
The "Art School" Sweater is the sister of our "Beauty School" design, a different silhouette but the same choose-your-own DIY mentality.
Color block one sleeve.
Color block both.
Knit it in a beautiful speckled yarn.
Or keep it simple and let the shape and soft mohair halo speak for themselves.
There's no single right way to make it.
🎨 Start With the Colors
One of our favorite things about designing a versatile shape is seeing how much the personality can change with a different color palette.
You could keep things classic with a neutral body and one strong accent.
Go artsy with rich, slightly unexpected colors.
Or choose a beautiful speckled yarn and let the color changes happen naturally.
The pattern gives you the canvas. You get to make the decisions.
A Few Palettes to Get You Started…
Or better yet—what colors are already calling your name from your stash?
✂️ What's the Construction Like?
The "Art School" Sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down, so there's no sewing together pieces at the end.
The pattern includes:
Top-down seamless construction
Sizes XS, (S, M, L) [1X, 2X, 3X, 4X]
Drop shoulder construction for sizes XS–L
Modified drop shoulder construction for sizes 1X–4X
Short-row shoulder shaping
Waist shaping
It's a thoughtful, wearable shape with plenty of room for you to put your own stamp on it.
👖 Vintage or Contemporary?
That's another thing we love about this sweater: it doesn't demand one particular look.
Pair it with a full skirt and vintage accessories.
Wear it with high-waisted jeans and boots.
Dress it up or keep it casual.
The mohair halo gives the "Art School" Sweater that soft, nostalgic quality we love about vintage knitwear. But the shape is versatile enough to take it in whatever direction you want.
🎨 Make It Yours
A good handmade sweater shouldn't look exactly like everyone else's.
Pick your colors.
Choose your yarn.
Make it your own.
And shout out to all our fellow art school grads xoxo.
👉 Shop the "Art School" Sweater
The “Art School” Sweater is an elegant and versatile shape designed for you to make it your own. Sister of "Beauty School", color block one or both sleeves, or knit it full on speckle. It’s your blank canvas. Dig it.
This shape can be styled vintage or contemporary, with a skirt or jeans. The mohair halo adds a vibe of vintage, but updated with colors of your choice.
You Might Also Like
If you love the “Art School" Sweater, you might also enjoy:
• “Beauty School” Top — The original sister design, with the same vintage-inspired spirit and plenty of room to make it your own.
• “Beauty School” DK — A DK-weight take on the Beauty School look, perfect when you're ready for a little more cozy.
• “Sweetheart” Bomber — A vintage-inspired layer with plenty of attitude, perfect for the cooler days ahead.
💌 Share Your Project
Finished a Poison Grrls pattern? We'd love to see it!
Share your photos, tell us about your yarn choice, and help inspire fellow knitters by showing how you made the pattern your own.
As a thank-you, you'll receive 15% off your next Poison Grrls pattern purchase, and your project could be featured on our website, Instagram, or in a future 🎙️ Pattern Spotlight newsletter.
XOXO,
The Poison Grrls Team 💋