A Good Yarn: Get the Full Knit This Winter

By Felicity Loughrey
November 30, 2010

D&G, Prada, Sonia Rykiel D&G (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images); Prada (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images); Sonia Rykiel (Photo credit should read PATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/Getty Images)

Let’s face it: it’s sweater weather. And at the back of every closet is a pile of lost and found pullovers. Dig deep (and rinse with Woolite) because this year, fashion designers and high street retailers are in a full-knitted swoon.

For autumn-winter, Dolce & Gabbana sent models down the runway in snowflake-knit jumpsuits and reindeer-patterned leggings with ski goggles clamped to their foreheads. Prada went head-to-librarian-toe with belted cable-knit sweaters, wool skirts and thick tights. Bally, Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, See by Chloe and Sonia Rykiel have all spun great yarns this season.

A quick search for designer knits on eBay will pull up a back catalog of Ralph Lauren après ski sweaters. There’s everything from snowflake-stitched tops, Nordic pullovers to creamy Aran knits in lambs’ wool.

So how to wear all this wool? Nashville-based stylist Kyah Hillis, who has dressed singers Mat Kearney, Frally and Poni Silver from The Ettes, suggests layering sweaters over a tunic-length button-down top, “for a very chic look.” She notes, “I would also recommend wearing chunky knits as accessories; like a hat or a scarf.”

It’s wonderful to see knits get designer attention. But by far the most brilliant thing about yarn is the heritage. There are millennia-old traditions behind Icelandic knits, Fair Isle patterns and Irish weavers. And their modern day interpretations can all be found on eBay. So put the needle on it and explore a world of wool.

Apres Ski Sweater

This vintage pullover has a slight Lady Di puff to the shoulders

Handknit Apres Ski Sweater (buy it now price, $24.99)

Alpine Long Cardigan

This slouchy, Alpine-inspired cardigan is perfect over jeans or a plain dress. Pair with Frye boots and you’ve got an on-trend look.

Hollister Knit Long Cardigan (buy it now price, $89.99)

Scandinavian Cardigan

This vintage Nordic cardigan, the color of lichen, is perfection right down to its pewter buttons.

Handknit Scandinavian Cardigan (buy it now price, $29.99)

Patchwork Sweater

A kaleidoscope of wool, this artsy cover-up is crafty in a cool way.

Vintage Patchwork Sweater (buy it now price, $40)

Fisherman's Sweater

Traditionally, a fisherman’s sweater was made of unscoured wool that kept lanolin in the fiber, so they were near waterproof. This version from Madewell is, in fact, rather soft and definitely not waterproof.

Alexa Chung for Madewell Fisherman’s Sweater (buy it now price, $245)

Norwegian Cardigan

Crafted in Bergen, Norway, this sweet sweater can be delivered before the holidays.

Vintage Norwegian Cardigan (buy it now price, $59.99)

Irish Mohair Cardigan

This fluffy mauve mohair cardigan is from the Avoca Handweavers of Wicklow, Ireland whose heritage dates back to 1723. Today, the Avoca Handweavers continue to make gorgeous goods.

Vintage Irish Mohair Cardigan (buy it now price, $42.99)

Scottish Mohair Vest

This cranberry mohair vest is ideal for a weekend brunch date. Pair with dark denim and a long sleeved tee, and order a croissant or two.