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This sweater on me?

Ket

Veteran

Need my fabbers’ sharp eyes!

I began knitting this sweater in a dark autumn color palette of pine, crimson, and cream. And… I am now second guessing myself. I’m just not sure if or how it will look on my tall, hourglass, curvy self. I’ll knit it:
No body stripes (non!)
Waist length worn with a longer chiffon blouse under it

Sure it’s a holiday sweater, so it’s fun. But knitting is a lot of time, as we know. So I don’t want to waste it on a dud shape for me either. I don’t have anything similar in shape or style to try on and compare.

What do you all think? Too cutesy or is it worth a go?

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Dressing

39 replies

Latest reply was from Ket

AndiB

Veteran

I kinda love it…

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I don’t see any problem…think it could look really good on you?

April

Veteran

I will say it *is* too cutesy for me, but that could definitely be because of the way they photographed it.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I don’t really understand what “too cutesy” even is.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

You could definitely wear this.l can see it with a Full fifties style skirt,a soft pencil skirt or some wide leg trousers.

Ket

Veteran

AndiB, thank you <3

Jenni, thank you <3 By cutesy, I mean taking cute so far that it maybe reads juvenile. At 5'10.5 and very curvy, I don't think I really read cute.

April, I do think the styling adds to the vintage cutesy feel, for sure.

Cardiff, thank you! <3 I might have to wear it with jeggings for now, until I get some wide leg trousers. But I am definitely seeing a potential vintage vibe with styling, as you mentioned

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’m of two minds on this:

- It’s a “cute” style, yes. However, I think your more sophisticated color palette and treatment of it (not to mention different styling than the model photo) would go a long way to nudge this into territory that feels more right for your style.

- I do have a little caution for these rounded fair isle styles. I love how they look in theory but don’t usually love them on me because they tend to deemphasize shoulders to the point where they make the shoulders look a bit more sloped or rounded. It’s not my favorite effect on myself. When I got a fair isle-inspired sweater a couple of years ago, I chose one with a V neck and a horizontal design, rather than the rounded yoke style for the design. You may not have the same issues I do with that style, but I’d try on some if you haven’t already done so, just to be sure the effect is what you really want.

Just my two cents!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

It would all come down to the styling. Janet makes an interesting point about the shoulders, but that comes down to body (shoulder?) type.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I agree with Janet that the rounding around the shoulders might be an issue. Do you have other items in that style that you like? If so, it’s not a problem.

Pattern and colour combinations are very personal, but for me this combination would be too contrast-y. I mention this only because I’m a Dark Autumn too. I would definitely want to replace the cream with something closer in value to the other 2 colours. My preference would be for a graduation of teals and greens, or a graduation of reds and rusts, or yellows and browns. I would also think about using the lightest colour for the red part of the pattern, the darkest at the bottom and the middle value colour instead of the cream, to get more of an ombre effect. But that’s just my preference, it may not be yours!

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unfrumped

Veteran

For the amount of effort, I might want a pattern that is seasonal but not so holiday, IYKWIM. To be more versatile. And definitely colors that go with multiple items in your wardrobe.

OTOH, knitters who intend to make a lot of items, or tackle a specific holiday, season or color theme every year or more often, might certainly want to do a “ holiday “ sweater that is more suitable than what’s typically at retail.

And I guess that line most creative projects, often something just tickles your fancy enough to be motivating, and it’s not all about what’s practical.

Star

Veteran

I am wary of fair isle patterns on the shoulder area for myself. It emphasizes my slightly inverted triangle shape which I don't want to do. Not sure if this relates to you in any way.

Bijou

Veteran

Ketura, I like it and think your darker green palette will make it look beautiful on you. I have this faire isle sweater (in finds) and really enjoy wearing it - mine has terriers because I own a west highland white terrier. I wear it mainly with jeans and a denim skirt and don't find it too cute, I love the doggie detail. My sweater is not rounded, so it is a different shape and potentially easier to wear than a sweater with the rounded faire isle pattern.

As I live in Australia, Christmas connotations to a faire isle sweater do not apply, I happily wear this throughout my entire winter season. Because hand knits are a lot of work, the only hesitation I have is whether you have a big enough window to wear this sweater for the effort required to knit it.

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Trishasplace

(website)

Member

I like it! Puts out a vintage feel!

Ginger

Veteran

I love fair isle, and I don't think it comes across as cutesy inherently.

RobinF

Veteran

I think it could be cute. Love your color variations. A big difference will be in hour you wear it. I have made a few round yoke fair isle sweaters and never noticed a problem with the shoulders - maybe it is a body type thing? I know they are fun to knit

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Ket

Veteran

Janet I love your point about styling it. Others have mentioned that above. And I do think how an item is styled kind of changes things. (One note does not the whole chord/song make.) I don’t think the shoulders will be an issue?? I have fairly sharp, straight shoulders and haven’t noticed an issue in that regard. I’d anything I feel it can make my shoulders look bigger sometimes, depending on the sweater. I did once have a commercially made fair isle sweater that was too rounded on me. The fair isle bands were kind of curved/rounded (oddly) and it made ny shoulders and myself just look round and frumpy allover. Ultimately I prefer V or turtlenecks and a set-in sleeve design. But i don’t have time and energy to rewrite this pattern for that.

Jaime that is true and I forget that re: styling. I think my shoulders are sharp and straight enough to compensate…we shall see.

Brooklyn I do have others in similar style. I should have thought to post a photo of that ha! Color wise, that’s a lovely point. Not sure if I’ll get another yarn color to substitute for the cream. The colors in this line are somewhat limited in value and nuance. But I do know what you mean. Something for me to keep in mind next time

unfrumped that’s a fair point about wears versus hours of knitting. I have that worry. I’m half practical and half of the thought: thia pattern tockled my fancy for years, so just make it and see if it crashes and burns or floats like a boat. Haha!

Star agree about the fair isle on the shoulders. I’m an hourglass. But I have an aran weight fair isle cardigan that adds a decent amount of hulk and size to my shoulders. It’s just a bit too “linebacker” of a look. I love the sweater so much. But the effect has me reconsidering knitting anything in aran weight again tbh and perhaps even fair isle? Idk.

Bijou I love your Westie sweater! That is fab! I’m not sure if I have a massive window to wear it. On the flip side, the yarn was affordable; I don’t feel I’m out a lot. I think I just felt like doing something different even if the payoff isn’t high.

Trishasplace thank you!!! I love vintage so this is lovely to read.

Ginger yay!! I feel maybe the boldness of the design helps.

Robin that seems to be theme: how I will wear it. Which admittedly I’m not 100% sure. I need to get more bottoms. But hopefully a thicker jegging will work?? I love your sweater! Is that a Jen Steingass design?? They are so fun to knit. Stranded knits are very engaging. I get addicted!

SarahD8

Veteran

Queen Fair Isle reporting in! I love the sweater. It's cute, but not *too* cutesy (I know exactly what you mean), especially if styled just a bit carefully.

If it were me I would also be looking for ways to wear it outside the holiday season to get more wear out of it -- maybe by pairing with unexpected and non-Xmassy colors like rust or plum?

Interesting to see the different opinions about yoke sweaters and flattery (with some people saying they narrow the shoulders too much and some saying they broaden the shoulders too much). I have broad shoulders, and had read at some point that yokes were a no-no, so I avoided them. Then I tried one on and thought, Wait, this is hella flattering! I suspect it must have to do with other body characteristics too, not just shoulders. (I have a broad ribcage, and a small bust. And rounded scoop necklines are my most flattering, so I think the yoke plays into that too.) IDK if that helps you figure out what might/not work for you.

Brooklyn is on to something with her mention of ombre. I don't knit, but I have been doing some research on how fair isle color palettes are constructed (I'm Queen Fair Isle, remember), and per "The Art of Fair Isle Knitting" by Ann Feitelson, "In Fair Isle patterns, colors are arranged symmetrically around the pivot point of the center row; the colors mirror each other at the top and bottom of the pattern. The pattern colors form one sequence, the background colors another." So, ombre (or, sort of a double ombre) is exactly the effect traditionally desired. You are a knitter so maybe you already know this, apologies if so! I am just very excited about what I am learning. Anyway, I know you are committed to your color scheme for this sweater but just in case you want to noodle on it for the future.

Rejoiceandbe

I take it that the pattern is knitted in the round from the top down? If so, as you knit you might want to check where on your body the sweater ends and lengthen it to your most flattering point. (Assuming that you have enough wool in the correct colour). Nice project!
.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I took my time to think about this

Personally, I like everything about this festive Christmas sweater for you, Ket- except the fit. Seems a bit tight and short on the model. May I suggest making it tailored instead of body con, and adding some length. Not too much length! Just three inches or so.

Omitting the stripes is a good idea. Simplify!

Your signature Autumn palette is going to make this piece extra special!

RobinF

Veteran

Ket - Yes, it is a Jen Steingass design. She designs some really pretty color work sweaters!

Ket

Veteran

SarahD8 so neat you’re researching fair isle!! I’m curious what led you to study it. Most non knitters don’t research it haha! As for the ombré effect… the motifs themselves on this sweater don’t support the color blending of true fair isle, like you described. There’s not enough pattern mirroring, especially with the trees. Technically, this sweater isn’t considered fair isle, not in the traditional sense. This sweater design is considered stranded knitting. Fair isle is a stranded knitting technique. But its technique of blending colors via mirroring (for that ombré effect) is unique to itself. Norwegian or Scandinavian style stranded knitting often doesn’t use that effect for a variety of reasons. (I hope I don’t sound nit picky!! That’s not my intent. I love to discuss knitting with others.)

That said, I can knock down the overall contrast level by making the yoke’s background a softer teal/turquoise instead or cream. And I might actually try that. It would make it less holiday-only and allow for color mixing with bottoms. I’m still debating if I want this sweater to scream “CHRISTMAS!!!!” Or be more versatile and use less contrast. You and Brooklyn have given me pause for thought!

for research, have you read or studied any of Alice Starmore’s work and designs? There are many fair isle masters. But she is considered one of the best. Very traditional but beautiful. Mary Jane Mucklestone and Kate Davies are equally beautiful though Davies is less what we know as traditional in her approach, though traditional often in design. I also think you would love Marie Wallin’s work. She designed for Rowan (now independent) and has some of the most complex gradient color blending of any fair isle I’ve ever seen. She sometimes uses upwards of 20 colors or more to achieve a look that is darn near painting with yarn. It’s really something.

You maybe have already seen these designers though! So apologies if you have!! <3

Before I forget… I’m not really sure what makes yoked sweaters tick for some and crash for others. It’s interesting that it works for your broader shoulders whereas someone else commented it over emphasized their inverted triangle shape. I’m going to sit with this one for a while. Or I maybe will post separately to ask Angie if she knows the whys for this. Because yoked sweaters do seem to be a love/hate or hit/miss and I don’t know that I see a pattern as to why. I see lots of knitters knitting and wearing them. But not everyone is flattered by the shape—even if they knit it. So it’s an interesting one.

Ket

Veteran

Angie I’m so touched you would give this thought! Thank you <3 your suggestions on length and adding some ease helps me a ton! I’m going to revisit this beauty and add some length and ease, and then work waist shaping so it’s very tailored (without being severe). So thank you!! I will report back when it’s finished. (Not counting on it being finished by Christmas ha!)

Ket

Veteran

Rejoiceandbe, it’s knit bottom up. So a bit harder to account for. But I have done a lot of body measuring, so we will see! I do find top down is simpler. But even with top down there are bugaboos. I learned last year that yoked sweaters will grow 2 inches or so in length. It has to do with the yoke “settling” on the shoulders, and then the armpit drops 2ish inches, adding 1-2” of surprise length to the torso. Apparently it’s rare for a yoked sweater to truly be right under the underarms. I never knew that or to account for that! It finally explained my sweater that mysterious ended up being 2 inches longer, despite all of my laborious swatching and measurements.

Helena

Veteran

Agreeing with others that the 'cutesy' is driven by the styling; although the piece is cute I think you will be able to wear it your way (esp with the great suggestions from Angie). Enjoy!

Ket

Veteran

Helena I just love your name <3 thank you for the encouragement! I ripped out the sweater to begin again, with more ease, per Angie’s suggestions. So we will see how it works out!

Helena

Veteran

Thank you! The folks at Starbucks disagree though ... my alter-ego "Paulina" does enjoy a latte though hehehe

Ket

Veteran

Oh that’s hilarious!!! Too bad you can’t get a free coffee once in a while for it. Ha! My first name is kind of a doozy for them to spell or pronounce. I often give my husband’s name, even if I’m alone haha!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am very late to respond here, but what a fascinating thread! So much variation in people's feelings about colours, cut, and yoke style here! I am learning as I read...

I like the sweater for you in theory especially if you play with the fit a bit and go with your own colour palette and try it a little less fitted than on the model.

ETA I have a Fair Isle from J. Crew and I really love it. It's quite a heavy cashmere so it only comes out in the depth of winter but it's lovely when I get to wear it. It has a rounded pattern, as you see, but it is quite fluidly fitting and it doesn't make me look too wide or too sloped in the shoulder. Mind you, I have square but not broad shoulders and a small bust.

Mockneck Fair Isle cashmere sweater

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Ket

Veteran

Sub oh I love hearing from you! I was really fascinated by all of the replies as well, especially how mixed everyone's experiences are regarding yoked styles.

Love your J. Crew sweater! It's really gorgeous. I have a pattern for something very similar, and I've had a hankering to knit it for some time.

I appreciate your feedback because while my bust is rather fuller at the moment, my shoulders are square but also not broad. So I'm very curious to see how mis weather will turn out.

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