For a very long time, I’ve been trying to do a blog post — an overwhelmingly large blog post — that’s basically a roundup of patterns for knitting the array of basics that every high-functioning wardrobe depends on. I’ve finally come to the realization that it can’t (and shouldn’t) be done in a single post, and also that if the goal is to encompass the building blocks, well, that takes both knitted and sewn pieces. Many of us are striving to make as much of our wardrobes as possible with our own two hands (whether “as possible” means 5% or 50% or 100%), so my goal here, ultimately, is to compile a nice tidy set of patterns to work from. Here you’ll find nothing fancy or on-trend — just the basics, sure the stand the test of time.

I imagine most of these posts will include a small number of patterns that would fit the particular bill in various ways, but I’m kicking it off with maybe the greatest wardrobe workhorse of all — the button-down shirt — and in this case I’m featuring just one pattern: the Archer Button Up Shirt by Jen Beeman of Grainline Studio. Now, as you may know, Jen and I have collaborated on a pattern and become pals in the process. But long before I knew Jen, I knew how highly regarded this pattern was/is. And if you’re making a garment this necessary and detailed and fitted, you want it to be drafted by an honest-to-goodness professional pattern drafter. So one of these days, when I’m ready to brave sewing my own button-down, it’s Archer I’ll turn to.