Dear Ann,
As I make my daily rounds, I look at sweaters. It’s a habit that comes very naturally. I look at sweaters that my fellow shoppers and pedestrians are wearing, of course, but I also stand staring in front of shop windows. Knitwear is often the pride of a brand’s collection, and there are some great sweaters in the shops.
Athough I don’t suffer from “I could knit that” syndrome–where you never buy a handknit because you could knit it yourself — I do find it very hard to purchase a sweater that should be knit by hand. This is particularly true of a sweater with cables or Fair Isle, where it’s obvious (to a knitter) if corners have been cut, or lesser materials used. (Even in expensive sweaters you sometimes find fibers that would make them frown and shake their heads in the Hebrides.) But I will buy a stockinette sweater, particularly if it’s fine-gauge, in a fuzzy, slippery or otherwise potentially troublesome yarn, or black.
I look at shop sweaters not just as potential ways out of knitting something myself, but as knitting inspiration. A stitch pattern, color combination, or shape can help me figure out what I should be knitting for myself. And the nice thing about sweaters in shops is that you can try them on and see how they look on you before spending a month or two knitting, only to discover that bold geometrics are really not your thing.
Here are five sweaters that grabbed my attention recently.
I stared at this one in the window of the Riess on Columbus Avenue for a long time, trying to figure out the stitch pattern. (Didn’t succeed.) Stripes interrupted by intarsia-like patches of houndstoothiness. Thumbs up for the shape, thumbs down for the orthopedic turtleneck.
This jacket at Peruvian Connection got me thinking about mosaic knitting as something wearable. How fun would this be to knit? The simple, boxy shape would make it easy. I can’t work out whether it actually has sleeves or just a very wide body with openings through which to stick one’s elbow-length gloved arms. (Fun fact: Peruvian Connection has “art knits” designed by Kaffe Fassett.)
A mohair box-top pullover at Eileen Fisher. Because you don’t have to knit all the sweaters, especially the laceweight mohair ones. And this one is on sale. (Note this is a pullover being worn over a pencil skirt. I’m still on that kick.)
OK, this one is kind of outside of my demographic, I’ll admit. It’s at Topshop. It is breaking out in fluff on the shoulders, it’s kind of busy, it’s kind of confused about what kind of sweater it wants to be.
But it made me think about how much fun it would be to put grommets and studs onto a handknit.
This was the winner, for me, at Rag & Bone. A marled, tunic-length pullover with a dip of a contrasting color at the hem and cuff. I’m not sure about the novelty bouclee-ish yarn, though. It’s kind of stretchy.
Maybe I do have to knit all the sweaters.
Love,
Kay
About #4: I have some Anny Blatt books from the late 80s–several, in fact,–should you wish to pursue this look. 😉
The fluff on the shoulder thing reminds me of the teenguin in the penguin book.
Thumbs up for the mosaic knitting. I think it would be fun to knit. You do it and tell us how it goes!
That first sweater reminds me of old Excedrin headache commercials. But the stitch pattern is intriguing.
I go up to total strangers and ask if I can take a picture of their sweater. Gives me ideas for later.
Francis, I do that too! Not too many of them look at me like I’m crazy.
Sometimes I see a store-bought sweater I would like to knit, but fortunately the feeling passes. If I really like the sweater, I buy it, which is why I have a great Eddie Bauer sweater from yarn that includes camel hair. If winter ever comes, I’ll get to wear it again.
Tommy Hilfiger ad in today’s Times had machine knit fair isle sweaters. Ham-fisted patterns and something I wouldn’t be caught dead in, but made me yearn to knit fair isle.
I love the soft, boxy mohair sweater.
I would like the interrupted stripes a lot better if placement were not in areas that would have me taking aside my best friend and asking, in hushed tones: Does this sweater make it look like my boobs are smiling and my crotch is suprised? Concept 10, execution, 2.
My current favorite trend right now is sweaters where the dye has been artificially aged around details like cables. Not gonna lie, I am in IT and I get all my fashion hints by sharing elevator space with the folks from marketing.
“Smiling boobs and surprised crotch.” Yes, exactly!
Totally agree on the interrupted stripes. Placement counts for a LOT.
Oh you are fearless! For me, putting grommets in a hand knit would be all kinds of stressful…
Years ago (pre cell phone cameras) I followed a woman down Broadway making mental notes on her sweater. She started walking faster and faster, till I realized she thought I was a mugger. When I told her I was looking at her sweater she just thought I was nuts. Grommets on a sweater? Scary. (I did put some in a felted bag once.)
You should be a knitwear advisor to all the clothing companies.
Well, lady, I have to disagree with you on #1. IMHO it is HIDEOUS! Maybe I think so because I already have a tummy, and this sweater would draw everyone’s eyes directly there. Or, as Annam says above, to boobs or crotch. I think it would be super unflattering on anyone, even the lovely model.
LOL, AGREE!! I wasn’t going to say it quite like that, but I did think it was going to be the horrifying example in Learn From My Fail.
That first one is weird, but I can see how it captures the attention with the “figure me out!” patterning.
Maybe Ann will knit you the boxy Eileen Fisher in KIDSILK HAZE?
Mostly I love the black/white/greyness of all of these. So NYC.
Do you know about the mill ends at the Eileen Fisher store in Irvington?
Do tell. Please….
Yes, I too will buy knit sweaters if the price is right or the gauge is fine! However, very recently, after much internal debate, I purchased a pair of convertible, aka “flip top” mittens. (Mittens! So quick. So easy. So little yarn!) However, my hands are wide, but my fingers are short, and these were a good fit. They were also certified Fair Trade. I decided that I could buy them, enjoy them, and figure out what I really liked about them, and what I would change…and then knit my own “improved” pairs for self and others!
I do ask people about the sweaters they are wearing, but I haven’t yet asked if I can take a photo. I think that will have to change. Very interesting post, Kay.
I’m not around store windows so much these days what with the whole commuting by car and not taking lunch, BUT I do watch too much tv and can’t help but notice all the great hand knit looking clothing and accessories going on.
And then of course there’s my exposure to all sorts of recycled sweaters at my favorite vintage shop. I’m pretty sure I saw the one that the Top Shop sweater is modeled after hanging amidst the collection of fisherman sweaters.
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I do most of my inspection on TV, I do like that grommet and stud example- it looks different from a distance and close up – fascinating! Would rust be an issue when washing?
In the local paper today they had pictures of a fundraiser where everyone wore “Ugly Sweaters”. I glanced through the pictures and noticed one guy was wearing what appeared to be a traditional Norwegian ski sweater. This makes me very angry!