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The Persistence Of Minisweaters

May 11, 2007 at 12:51 am · Filed under Finished

Figure 60: The Trefoil of Ill-Advised Knitting

My knitting mojo has been pretty weak lately. Last weekend I cleared all the frustrating knitting off of my TV-tray and sofa to cast on the Leaf Tie cropped cardigan minisweater object, in neither-serious-nor-useful bright aqua. It’s already 80% finished.

Leaf Tie will be my third minisweater for the year, and I’m vaguely bothered by this. I’m a little bit fad-wary, and I know should just leave the minisweater craze alone. Besides, Jenna says I shouldn’t wear them1.

Figure 61: Too many damned minisweaters already.

So, that’s three sweaters of questionable utility, plus a fourth on the needles somewhere1. The astute reader will note that a full 75% of my collection can be blamed on one Stefanie Japel.

As a repeat offender, I’d love to know: why exactly do I keep succumbing to the questionable appeal of the minisweater? And how long do I have to wear four of them before they’re horribly, ridiculously out of style?


[1] My version is without puffed sleeves. I just can’t muster the neo-Victorian sullenness to pull that look off.

alicia said,

May 11, 2007 @ 9:16 pm

I’ve been wanting to make a long-sleeved version of one of those, but haven’t found a pattern I’m excited about. It would be perfect for work over a cute summer dress! Or whatever!

Leah said,

May 12, 2007 @ 9:22 am

I am firmly in the pro-mini side. It’s a classic style taken from the bolero of the 1950’s & 60’s.

I don’t think you need to worry much about them being out of style. Esp. since all yours are so lovely!

Emily said,

May 13, 2007 @ 8:19 pm

your trefoil is cracking me up. I have only fallen for the minisweater and the bulky socks. I knit a minisweater/shrug, Iris from the Rowan mag from a couple summers ago. I have worn it about four times total since I finished it in May 05. I made it for a specific event’s specific outfit and then it ended up being too warm that day anyway. Minisweaters look good I think, but it just never occurs to me to wear one. Its never minisweater weather.

nicole said,

May 13, 2007 @ 9:52 pm

I love the trefoil! I have fallen victim to the mini-sweater twice (2 of your three Stef Japels). I keep telling myself that I love them, but I always feel awkward when I wear them. I keep telling myself I just need to find the right outfit, when maybe what I really need to do is find the right sweater. Hmm . . .

Maureen said,

May 14, 2007 @ 11:31 am

I’ve fallen victim to the minisweater as well, and I think the problem is two-fold. Stephanie Japel looks so cool in them, and as Leah pointed out above, they have a 1950s new-look appeal about them. However, I have yet to figure out if I’m actually channeling the Japel or 1950s appeal while I’m wearing them! Nevertheless, I had to physically restrain myself from casting on for the leaf-tie shrug the other night, so the problem isn’t going away anytime soon!

P.S. Your mini-sweaters are really cute on you :)

stef said,

May 14, 2007 @ 11:25 pm

I think we can all agree that Stefanie Japel makes minisweaters look unfairly cool. It’s a good thing that I don’t yet have a copy of Fitted Knits, or I’d probably have another three minisweaters on the needles by now.

Mandy said,

June 1, 2007 @ 5:52 pm

I came to check out your blog after seeing you lovely and well-designed hoodie on Magknits, and your brilliant trefoil has made my day. :)

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