California Baptist University 2022

Gabby Courtney DIYs her own version of Harry Styles’ cardigan Recreating Styles’

H Harry Styles fan Gabby Courtney, senior early childhood studies major, took on the challenge of creating the patchwork knitted sweater the singer wore at a performance in February on The Today Show. Courtney’s desire to craft her own

“A lot of people were doing their own versions of the sweater, but I wanted mine to be exact, so I did the exact colors Harry had on his cardigan.” In In In making the sweater, she stumbled through the first steps, but her optimistic drive kept her consistent.

knockoff of British designer JW Anderson’s cardigan began at the peak of COVID-19 quarantine. As JWAnderson made Styles’ cardigan unavailable to purchase, the original retail price for the cardigan began at $1,560, according to Insider. Facing that price tag, Courtney decided she wanted to participate in the trend without buying a replica or the original sweater. up-cycle and DIY trend to guide her. “I did not want to be left out and I needed this sweater, but I didn’t know how to knit, so I found this YouTube video of this girl who went through the step by step process.” The YouTuber, To Be So Kat, made 31 tutorial videos that Courtney relied on while making this cardigan. With the step-by-step process laid out, Courtney began her knitting journey, buying the exact thick yarn fabric of blue, yellow, orange, red and green colors and black buttons to complete her replica. Having no knowledge of knitting, Courtney turned to YouTube and TikTok’s

“The hardest part was getting started because I was really scared I didn’t know how to knit, but I am

the kind of person who will learn how to do a bunch of things and I will keep an optimistic view to push me to do so.” While working on the cardigan, Courtney shot progression videos and photos until she finally completed her project. Certain sections of the cardigan, she says, were a lot more complicated than others. “Since I had a bunch of panels of yarn, I had to stick it together especially at the collar of the cardigan. I could not figure out for the life of me how to connect it, and I kept watching the tutorials over and over until I finally got it right, and then once I finished it I was so happy,” Courtney says. Working consistently on the cardigan for months — she put in a total of 120 hours — Courtney’s hard work paid off when her replica matched JWAnderson’s cardigan. She received 475 likes and 60 comments on her Instagram @gabsertzx, “For the people who think I talk about Harry too much, you’re in luck because I now started to dress like him too.”

COLORFUL STYLES Gabby Courtney, senior early childhood studies major, wears her homemade Harry Styles sweater.

WORDS Anyssa Gonzalez

PHOTO Kia Harlan Courtesy of Amanda Chernin

DESIGN Kia Harlan

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Harry Styles Sweater