tldr for non-knitters

[emmacrew]

Some years ago I bought Jacqueline Fee's Sweater Workshop to add to my "designing sweaters" library. I hadn't really gotten around to reading it, but I'm under the weather today and the knitting bookshelf is right by the sofa where I've been resting. And I came across this paragraph that just made my mouth fall open. She starts by complaining about

Comments

[pers]

LOLOL I would say a cardigan has a MUCH better chance of being worn. And wtf at the suggestion that cardigans show that a person is indecisive? hahaha How about "prepared"?

[ohsochewy]

So, um, wow?

I'm a cardigan-and-fleece-jackets wearer, I hate pullovers, and I would love to know what climate she lives in that she considers cardigans just accessories.

I also imagine that she has not yet gone through "the change". Don't muss your hair when you're CONSTANTLY DONNING AND REMOVING SWEATERS LIKE CRAZY, there.

[just_laura]

What the fuck? It's not because it would be an interesting look; it's to tie it closed? I'd sort of like to see a picture of that, but not enough to actually search for one. The effect strikes me as a little. . . sewing-card. (Also, hello, let's see. . . either make two sets of freaking buttonholes, plus i-cord, or just knit the damn thing in a tube. I think I'll just make a pullover, thx.)

And WTF, I have a much greater chance of wearing a cardigan--I like to have the option to close or open, and I like having more of my shirt visible. The only pullover I wear has a very, very deep V-neck. I certainly don't think running around wrapped up in a blanket would "present a better picture." o____O

I should write down some bizarre-ass opinions and make them into a knitting book. =p

[hippybngstockng]

*dies laughing*

I have such a cardigan problem, in that I am in LOVE with the concept of them, but can never find just the right one, so I probably have 20 but I only don't hate 4 of them. I will knit forever until I find the perfect pattern for one, and then I imagine I will knit hats for it for the rest of time.

I love cardigans. She's on crack.

[emmacrew]

But look! There are SIX different raglan-decrease line treatments! Really, it was worth writing a whole book!

Just like a tape measure indeed; a sleeve doesn't stretch or move laterally AT ALL. I wonder if she's horrified by all the negative ease designs out there. The Knitting Daily galleries alone could provide conniptions.

[emmacrew]

I think they're useful in showing how stuff looks on "real people," I just ignore the commentary, because she is determined to show everything in a positive light. When she says "wow, this sweater looked great on everyone!" it's my cue to figure out in what specific ways it looks wrong on everyone.

Before the babies Kathryn and I would regularly get together at the bookstore/food court, grab the knitting magazines and sit down at a big table with coffee and cake and go through each one, saying what was done well and done poorly in everything. It's sort of the same exercise (and often lets me see details that the magazine photos obscured).

But seeing someone shove people into sweaters with 9" of negative ease and trying to claim they work makes me a sad panda as well.