Comparing fine gauge and chunky knitwear

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Comparing fine gauge and chunky knitwear

— by Angie

on December 17, 2008

I tend to prefer fine gauge knitwear because it is universally flattering and has the following advantages when incorporated into an ensemble:

It creates a streamlined visual effect
It is easy to layer
It is very versatile (can be dressed up or down)

Chunky knitwear can look nice and is potentially warmer, but it’s also a little harder to wear. In my view chunky knitwear has the following disadvantages:

It creates a bulky appearance (you tend to look bigger than you are)
It is hard to layer
It offers a predominantly casual look

Do you stick to fine gauge knitwear to keep your look sleek and smart? Or do you prefer chunky knitwear? If so, please come to its defense!

Examples of chunky knitwear.

Body Type

22 comments · Add a comment

Tanya

Well, I like both! I guess in general I like knitwear

I agree with everything you said on the fine gauge knitwear, it’s a very nice look.

I do think that there is a place for the chunky one too. I particularly like short slightly swingy chunky cardis with shorter sleeves ( like the grey on you have posted) layered over thin turtlenecks with skinnies and boots. One advantage is that chunky knitwear can be warmer. And well, I guess I get bored easily so I like a lot of variety. But, I can stand to add some bulk to my upper body to balance my hips. I could imagine it not working on, say, inverted triangles.

December 17, 2008 at 8:50 am

hanna

like tanya, i love both varieties! i get bored easily… :\

i particularly like chunky knitwear paired with feminine, refined pieces – like a chunky cardigan over a floaty floral dress with tights and knee-high boots, or with a floaty top, skinnies and boots. but it’s a pain to layer with, so though it might be warmer, it still ends up not warm enough! fine gauge knits work better for my multiple winter layers, and the chunky knits come out to play when it’s cool, not freezing… if that even makes any sense!

December 17, 2008 at 8:53 am

Joy

I agree with you, Angie. Usually when chunky knitwear is worn, a finer knit would have looked better. For warmth I prefer to layer thin layers and have become a big fan of tissue weight turtlenecks and tees as layering pieces. The result can be actually warmer than a chunky piece.
I own a piece very close to the far right picture above but it is a closet orphan. Tanya’s post is inspiring me to try it again over longer sleeves and skinny pants.

December 17, 2008 at 9:06 am

Patience

Like Tanya, I think it depends on your body type and structure. In general, I do like super chunky knitwear (which I consider the pictures to be), but I have found pieces that are a more medium level of chunkiness that work for me. I think you just have try it out. I like the texture that a little bit of chunkiness can provide because I think it adds interest and variety to a knitwear collection. In fact, I am thinking of trying that second curved hem cardigan from yesterday in cream. It looks like it has a bit of texture.

December 17, 2008 at 9:28 am

Patience

I meant to say I do NOT like super chunky knitwear.

December 17, 2008 at 9:32 am

Anna @ Shoe Smitten

(website)

I have both, but I prefer fine-gauge because it’s more flattering on my curves.

December 17, 2008 at 10:49 am

Jessa

(website)

I LOVE knitwear – especially when I knit it myself! I prefer finer gauges as it looks better on my petite frame. I think chunky knits can look cool but I can’t wear them – I get swallowed!

December 17, 2008 at 11:31 am

FINE. but it seems less easy to find inthe last two seasons — is chunky cheaper to make?

December 17, 2008 at 11:33 am

Joelle

I like both and I think each kind has its place. While fine knits layer better and tend to look sleek and dressy, chunky knits have more interesting textures, can give you a funky and artsy look, and tend to present a smoother outward appearance. They also last longer. I have quite a few fine knits that only get worn underneath something else or with Spanx-type underwear because they show too many lumps and bumps. I tend to prefer fine gauge knit for shells, camis, and other inside layers and chunkier knits in cardigans and tunics. And I love chunky knit scarves made of unusual yarn!

December 17, 2008 at 12:29 pm

shiny

I prefer finer gauge as well, but do own some chunky knits and like them for their coziness. I also consider chunky sweaters more casual – it’s what I would be more likely to reach for on the weekends if we are spending a lot of time outdoors.

I have one like the grey sweater on the right, but with 3/4 length sleeves; I like to wear it over a patterned knit or crisp white shirt, and then belt it to create a waist.

The first gift DH ever gave me was a super-thick wool sweater from Jcrew! It’s so warm, I can wear it outside without a coat. In fact, most coats can’t even fit over it. It’s good for having snowball fights or ice skating. Yes, it adds bulk but toss it on with my Uggs…. and it balances out the look.

December 17, 2008 at 12:57 pm

Nicole

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.

December 17, 2008 at 1:16 pm

Sarah

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.

December 17, 2008 at 1:42 pm

Sal

(website)

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

December 17, 2008 at 2:24 pm

Amy

(website)

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.

December 17, 2008 at 2:39 pm

Eva

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.

December 17, 2008 at 3:18 pm

Mary

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.

December 17, 2008 at 8:17 pm

Nancy

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.

December 17, 2008 at 9:21 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

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.

December 17, 2008 at 10:11 pm

cathy

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.

December 18, 2008 at 3:45 pm

Sara

(website)

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!

December 18, 2008 at 11:55 pm

Dale

Active Member

I love it all but I will say, chunky is way warmer for us New Englanders. I can layer fine knits, but they never quite get me really warm. But maybe I am missing a layer–i just layer over cotton tees.

October 11, 2012 at 11:34 am

Deb

Veteran

Chunky knits look great on the thin and tall amongst us, but don’t suit the fuller bodied and petites. I always choose fine knits, preferably cashmere, to suit my petite frame. A few layers of cashmere keeps me warm, comfortable and looking polished. Fine knits are number one every time for me.

December 20, 2013 at 10:45 am

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