Comments on: Comparing fine gauge and chunky knitwear

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:55:24 +0000

I always prefer fine knits, but I do have one chunky sweater that I love — cable-knit zip cardigan from Old Navy that is for weekends only. Nice and warm!

By: cathy

cathy — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:45:32 +0000

My sweater wardrobe is pretty much all thin knits. I have three chunky sweaters that I never wear but refuse to let go of. Layered thin cashmere and cotton cashmere is all I will wear in the winter… either that or some kind of thin knit sweater even if it is cheap. This year I’ve noticed a lot of the chunky runway stuff made its way to the stores… some the styles look very interesting but I know I could never wear them; I’m just too small.

By: Angie

Angie — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:11:17 +0000

Thank you ladies. There seems to be a consensus that chunky knits are wonderful and that there is a time and place for them. I cautiously agree.

Unfortunately, you need to be super slim to pull off a chunky knit. There’s no two ways about it in my opinion.

Personally, I’m the odd one out in this one. I can take or leave fancy stitch and yarn interest on chunky knits. As much as I appreciate the skill involved to produce the complexity of chunky knitwear, the end result never seems to wow me, which is why I refrain from wearing it. That, and that I aesthetically prefer the look of fine gauge knits in all manners of speaking (on and off the hanger). But that doesn’t mean that I don’t think that chunky knitwear can look great on the right person. It can.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:21:20 +0000

You have to love the texture that gets added with the chunky knits. I especially like the monochromatic look where you do all one color but with big texture changes you get with a smooth silky top paired with a chunky knit. But you have to be model skinny to really have the chunky knit look great – not me, I’m afraid! My love of this look is more theoretical than practical.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:17:47 +0000

I love chunky knitwear but I’m a full curvy girl – I’ve finally learned that chunky knits make me look fat – there’s no other way to say it!

I think the chunky knits can use really interesting yarns (I’m a knitter) that look so good. It kills me that I can’t wear sweaters made from them.

By: Eva

Eva — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:18:53 +0000

I am glad there are so many supporting the chunky knit sweaters. I like them both for difference purposes. I agree with you on the benefits of fine knits. Chunky knits are more casual – and there are occassions for casual, you know when everyone else in the group is wearing their Holiday themed sweaters! I think the chunky knits layer very well. They are the top piece. They work with cami’s when it is not as cold, or with long sleeves/turtlenecks when it is very cold out. But I agree with most that they look better on the slimmer bodies because they do add bulk.

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:39:19 +0000

I almost always wear fine gauge to work. It looks much more polished, it doesn’t give me lumps (I have enough of those already without making more!), and it’s more comfortable for sitting in the office all day. I get overheated too quickly at work if I’m wearing a chunkier knit. Layers of a cami, fine gauge knit, and scarf work much better for me. Then I can lose the scarf if I get too warm.

But I wear lots of chunky knits at home since I’m always freezing cold once I’m not in an environment where someone else has to pay the heating bills! My thermostat at home is alway set lower than the one in my office!

Plus, I like a chunky knit sweater & a scarf on a cold, dry day instead of always having to drag a coat along to wherever I’m going. It’s more comfortable to wear a sweater to the mall than lugging around a wool jacket once I get inside.

By: Sal

Sal — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:24:09 +0000

Generally, I’m with you, Angie … but lately I’ve been drawn to the chunkier stuff. Always offset by other, sleeker pieces of course.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:42:10 +0000

I actually wear both. Chunky knitwear is less versatile, but it certainly has its place. I would definitely wear either the red or the green sweater above. So while I don’t think I’d want a closet full of chunky knits, a few are certainly not out of place, especially for someone like a SAHM with a more casual life style.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:16:14 +0000

I love the look of both for totally different reasons.

Chunky knitwear has so much more textural interest to it, than fine guage knit. Fine knit is more polished and classic–and comfortable under jackets.

Unfortunately, chunky knits do not look good on my body shape. So, I rarely wear them.