The 80's called or why I shouldn't thrift

I went to the thrift store to look for overalls for DD#1 Halloween costume. I couldn't find a pair to save my life but I did find this 100% cashmere sweater that looked unworn in the most gorgeous icy grey. It reminded me of the Gap sweater from last season only it was $8 and made out of cashmere--notice a theme here? I examined it pretty carefully and thought if it didn't fit I could unravel it and repurpose the yarn to make something else. (Of course, I've never unraveled a machine knit sweater but I suppose it's a possibility.) Anyway, the moral of this story is leave the thrifting to the pros unless you are in the market for some cashmere lounge wear. I will be wearing this instead of a sweatshirt for those cold, windy field hockey/soccer games. I think it's only slightly more flattering! Check out those deep armholes--a girl could get lost in those! LOL!

ETA: The label is Randall Roy for William Kaspar if anyone is interested.

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12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I love it and would wear it all the time. I think it looks cozy and great - when you don't lift up your arms.

El Cee

Ya know... the color IS divine. I can definitely see why you were drawn to it. I even like the chunky cable pattern and even chunkier turtleneck. But, yep... it sort of has that '80's linebacker shoulder line/big underarm thing going on. Too bad you couldn't do some kind of knitwear "nip/tuck" on it. Hey... it is not at all bad for a real cozy loungewear item.

Anonymous

I think it's cute on you! But you could always turn it into a cozy blanket for Davey.

kellygirl

@IK: I will keep my arms down!
@El Cee: Lol! It's those pesky details. The armholes are monsters! I don't know that I'd mess with the armholes--it's quite possibly doable, just probably not by me.
@Alicat: Lol! Wouldn't Davey just love that! As if he needs more places on which to sleep!

I think I will wear it this winter and then see about taking it apart. I need to get my $8 out of it!

You and IK are on to something here --- Wear it in good health and keep the arms down.

catgirl

Cozy!

Suz

(website)

Well, I am an 80s throwback, but I actually love it on you! And for $8 it is a steal for your purposes! Okay, so it's not Claire's Celine coat or LynD's Chanel dress. But sheesh. I think it's still a score!

Thistle

Hey, it looks like warm cozy and awesome loungewear to me! I would love to snuggle into that come the dead of winter

Vildy

I like it and I've seen plenty of dolman sleeve tops and sweaters featured lately in style pix.

MsMary

I must confess... I loved it in the 80s and I love it now!

annagybe

Totally 80's, especially that particular cable pattern. I would save it for the soccer games. Also I'd definitely keep it a year to see if it's the good old cashmere that's impossible to find these days. Ie, it shouldn't pill.

Diana

LOL, I kind of like it and would wear it as loungewear or even out of the house on really cold days. I actually did use to wear a gigantic men's cashmere sweater to bed back when I lived in a freezing apartment.

But you could always try to unravel it for the yarn and knit something that you'd like better. Although... I did try unraveling a cashmere sweater once and it didn't go so well. I think it works better if the yarn used is a thicker one, like sport weight at the lightest. The one I tried to unravel was like fingering weight and very loosely spun so it kept breaking. I think I ended up with like 50 little balls of yarn. I still have it lying around here somewhere.

Kelly, I think it might be a man's sweater! What do you think? Anyhow, I kind of love it. If you slim the lower part of the sleeve from wrist to elbow, you'll almost be modern. It looks pretty darn good the way you've styled it!

PS I once thrifted the most gorgeous Irish wool sweater for my DH. It was spruce green and had a shawl collar with a toggle and loop closure. He took one look at it and said there was no way he was ever wearing it. SO. After the mourning period was over, I unraveled it and wound the yarn into balls. Where it sat in my knitting bag, oh, for several years. I tried a scarf with it, and even bought myself a sweater pattern for it, but I was not much good at knitting. So sad.

I'm enjoying all of your comments and chuckling aloud all by myself.
@Claire: I'm pretty sure it's a woman's sweater. It's very Vogue Knitting 1980! Your yarn sweater story cracked me up. I can imagine getting a similar response from my DH. I see another theme here--between you and Diana.
@Diana: Lol! I think it's sport weight. It's SO soft and cushy. I'd probably double it if I knit it into something else but find the unraveling a little daunting. It's super cozy though and I could see wearing it around the house during the winter! It feels decadent!
@Una, Suz, Vlldy, Thistle and MaryK: Thanks for the 80's love I love that it is still a score, Suz! I guess my $8 is not totally lost.
@Anna: It feels like the good stuff although time will tell if I will become a walking pill!

Glory

What a find! I would have grabbed it too! When you are done with it send it may way because I log so many hours in the freezing hockey arena it would be fantastic. LOL.

Haha! Seriously though, this one looks thick and like it would be easy to unravel. Once you get going, it should be a snap. It looks like the front is all one piece, ditto for the back, the collar and each sleeve. Each section is probably knit with one continuous string of yarn.

I like it on you! I recently watched an old 80's movie and Demi Moore was just drowning in oversized sweaters like this and she's not a little woman. This one fits you way better than what she wore. Perfect for soccer games.

Amy

I'm more convinced than ever that you can make anything look good.

K. Period.

(Sheepishly:) I kinda like it. By which I mean I like it, but I'm almost a little hesitant to admit it. It looks big and comfy, but I think the fact that you paired it with streamlined and modern items makes it look intentionally retro, rather than tragic, unintentional retro.

Nicole D

You make it look great! I like the way you styled it with the tall boots. Enjoy it.

D'Ellen

Don't you dare unravel it...send it to me. I love it!!!

pil

I was wondering what was wrong with this until I got to the last picture Still - keep and wear! I've been looking for a longish/tunic length cashmere sweater myself.

I love it as a 'stadium sweater'!

Emily

I want to run into the screen and give you a big hug. You look super cozy and cuddly. $8 for a giant cashmere sweater to lounge around in sounds like a luxurious bargain.

Transcona Shannon

Loved it - until you lifted your arms!

Mia

Ha. I wondered what happened to my sweater. Seriously, I had a cashmere sweater similar to this and donated it. Later wished I had kept for lounging.
They just don't make cashmere like they used to....

Reminds me that I have a bin of Vogue knitting pattern sweaters from my MIL in the basement. The armholes are so humungeous! I can't get rid of them out of guilt.

Jaime

Hey don't put down thrifted cashmere lounge wear! I have two men's cashmere sweaters that I live in when at home in the winter.

Firecracker (Sharan)

I'm with Amy. You make it look stylish and fun. Nice, cozy sweater for your field hockey and soccer life!

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