Cashmerette Brookhaven Sweatshirt Pattern Review and Personalization

If you love sweatshirts but want something that feels just a little more polished, let me introduce you to my newest make: the Cashmerette Brookhaven Polo Sweatshirt*. This is Cashmerette Club’s pattern of the month for February 2026, and it’s one of those designs that instantly earns a permanent spot in your cold‑weather wardrobe.

I’m walking you through the pattern itself, my fabric choices, fit notes, and the small hand‑embroidered detail I added as part of my goal this year to slow down and add more thoughtful finishes to my sewing. Read on or watch here:

About the Cashmerette Brookhaven Polo Sweatshirt*

The Brookhaven is exactly what the name promises: a polo‑style sweatshirt that blends casual comfort with elevated details.

Here’s what makes it special:

• Classic polo placket and collar paired with a cozy sweatshirt body
• Bust darts (yes, really!) that give great shaping for a fuller bust
• Front sleeve dart for subtle, interesting sleeve shaping
• Banded cuffs and hem for that classic sweatshirt finish

It’s a fantastic option if you love knit tops but want something that looks more intentional than a basic pullover. 

Pattern Access: Cashmerette Club Details

If you’re reading this in February 2026, the Brookhaven is available to all Cashmerette Club tiers.

If you’re reading this later, access to this pattern is included with the Cashmerette Club All‑Access tier, which I’m personally a member of and pay for with my own money.

The All‑Access tier includes the monthly pattern, master classes, live events and workshops, and a supportive, size-inclusive community.

If you’re curious, you can check out the Cashmerette Club All‑Access tier and save $10 with code TOMKAT10*. Prefer individual patterns instead? You can also save 20% on Cashmerette collection patterns with code TOMKAT20*.

Fabric Recommendations & What I Used

Body Fabric

This pattern is designed for medium‑weight knits, making it incredibly versatile.

Recommended options include:

• French terry
• Cotton fleece or sweatshirt fleece
• Velour or minky

Stretch is optional for the body fabric (up to about 25–30% stretch max), which means even low‑stretch cotton fleece can work beautifully. Because the neckline has a placket, you don’t need a lot of stretch to get it over your head.

I used a cotton fleece with a bit of spandex from Surge Fabrics*, in the color Scarlet—which is absolutely my red. Even better, it came with perfectly matching ribbing, which I always love.

Style Maker Fabrics is another great place to look for matching sweatshirt fabric and ribbing.

Ribbing & Bands

For the cuffs and hem, you’ll want something with 40–50% stretch. The pattern recommends ribbing, but you can also substitute ponte or cotton spandex (really anything that meets the stretch recommendation). I used the matching ribbing from Surge Fabrics for the cuffs, hem band, collar and inside of the placket. 

Construction Highlights

A few details I especially loved while sewing this pattern:

• Exceptionally clean placket finish—very satisfying to sew
• Clear instructions for the collar and placket interfacing
• Option to finish the neckline seam with twill tape, bias tape, or ribbon

I used petersham ribbon to finish my neckline seam, which adds a subtle but lovely inside detail.

You may notice white stitching in places—this was intentional for the sew‑along so details were easier to see on camera.

There are four buttons on the placket, and the overall finish feels very professional.

I have a complete sew along for this pattern that I'm thrilled to share with you!

Fit Notes & Sizing

I made a straight size 10 using the G/H cup pattern pieces. 

The only adjustment I made was shortening the body by 1 inch, which is something I often do with Cashmerette patterns. That said, I probably could have left it as‑is—the Brookhaven is not cropped, but it is designed to be slightly shorter than a traditional sweatshirt.

I’m really happy with where it hits, and it pairs perfectly with high‑waisted jeans.

Slowing Down with Hand Embroidery

One of my sewing goals this year is to slow down and focus less on how many garments I make—and more on thoughtful, personal details.

For this project, that meant hand embroidery.

Because my birthday is right after Valentine’s Day (and red is one of my statement colors), I wanted a subtle nod to the holiday that I could still wear all winter.

I hand‑embroidered a small heart with an arrow, featuring my husband’s initial and mine inside. It’s sweet, personal, and makes this sweatshirt feel completely unique.

How I Did It

• I used Sulky Stick‑N‑Stitch (a printable, water‑soluble stabilizer)
• Created the design in Canva and tested sizing on paper first
• Printed directly onto the stabilizer
• Stuck it in place and stitched right over the lines
• Used a chain stitch for the heart and a simple outline stitch for the initials

After stitching, the stabilizer washed away completely—first under the sink, then fully disappearing after a trip through the washing machine.

I am not a hand embroiderer—but this made it feel totally approachable.  This project reminded me how much I enjoy small, slow details—especially ones with meaning.

Final Thoughts

The Cashmerette Brookhaven Polo Sweatshirt* is the definition of a beyond‑basic pattern. It’s cozy, flattering, thoughtfully drafted, and endlessly customizable.

With the collar and placket, it feels more polished than a standard sweatshirt—but still just as comfortable. I’ll be wearing this all winter, packing it for cool Florida mornings, and reaching for it whenever I want comfort with a little extra style.

If you love knits, elevated basics, and patterns that actually fit, this one is absolutely worth sewing.

_{*Affiliate links included—thank you for supporting my work! No extra cost to you, but I may earn a commission. Offers may change.}