In the cool season, we can't do without a sweater. There is probably no person who does not have it in his wardrobe. This warm and comfortable thing saves us from the cold and is usually comfortable to wear. But in order for a sweater to become a worthy member of your set, you need to choose it wisely, so that it pleases us all the long cool months until the long-awaited summer?
Many of us call all knitted items sweaters, although this is far from true. There are knitted sweaters with buttons, pullovers, cardigans, jumpers, knee socks, swingers. But they all have a different appearance and are made from different materials. We are interested in knitted items without buttons or fasteners.
When buying a sweater, picky buyers usually carefully study the tags that describe the composition of the product. Pure woolen items quickly roll up when worn, and besides, they also prick. For sensitive people (I mean skin) this is completely unsuitable. But things with a mixed composition are perfect for them: wool with silk, wool with cotton, wool with cashmere. If the composition includes polyester, acrylic, elastane, such products also wear very well. This is for those who do not disdain synthetic additives.
Of course, it is difficult to predict 100% in advance how well this or that item will wear. None of us want a sweater to stretch out and lose its original appearance after a couple of months. Therefore, at the time of purchase, we must first evaluate its appearance and our appearance in it. Because even despite the excellent composition, no one needs a poorly fitting sweater.
Knowing the features of your figure, you should understand which sweaters you need to pay attention to and which ones to avoid). Let's look at different types of figures and models suitable for them.
TRIANGLE (PEAR)
If you have this type of figure, you should not choose tight-fitting long sweaters that end at the hips. Thus, you will only emphasize the volume and focus on the widest part.
In order to balance your figure, you should choose a sweater that does not reach the hip line, semi-tight, with a voluminous collar or boat neck. Sleeve length can be 3/4.
You can choose a sweater that has either a horizontal pattern or light-colored stripes at the top.
INVERTED TRIANGLE
This type is characterized by an extended shoulder girdle, which must be visually narrowed, and, on the contrary, the hip area should be expanded. For these purposes, sweaters with a V-shaped or oval neckline, slightly behind the neck and widened in the hip area due to decoration or flaring, are suitable.
A winning model would be one with a wide cuff at the bottom of the sweater, which will widen the hip line. Wide horizontal stripes below chest level also work well.
HOURGLASS
There are many options for this body type. Each owner of this type is allowed different models, but at the same time, you should not hide your charming waist in robes and wide, shapeless models. In this case, the choice of sweater will most likely depend on your style and preferences.
RECTANGLE
This figure does not have a pronounced waist, so it is better to choose a sweater with a belt and a length slightly below the hip line. The neckline should be designed with a small volume. The belt will create an emphasis on the waistline and change the proportions of the figure for the better. It would be good if there were vertical inserts on the sides of the sweater, which would allow you to elongate the figure and narrow it.
Do not forget that large knitting and thick threads increase the volume of the figure, and therefore such things are contraindicated for overweight ladies.
Fine-knit sweaters should not fit tightly to the figure if there are small folds of fat on the sides. This does not add beauty, and all the irregularities stand out perfectly through the thin fabric.
Select drawings and patterns in accordance with the rules of proportions. If the volume in any part needs to be reduced, we choose more muted or darker tones and verticals, but if we need to increase it, we use a light palette and horizontals. I hope the principle is clear to you. Now you know how to choose the right sweater.
With the onset of the cool season, warm knitted items become the main components of our sets. Choose sweaters that will decorate and enrich your look. By the way, this season designers are offering us original sweaters of different models. We couldn’t leave aside the warm clothes everyone needed so much.
Warm yourself with joy for yourself and for health benefits!
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Cashmere
A pure cashmere sweater is a true standard of sweaters. It can cost several thousand rubles due to the high cost of wool and down of cashmere mountain goats. But these sweaters are very warm and light.
When choosing, pay attention to the following points:
- the sweater should fit perfectly;
- you should have a reason to wear it at least four times a year;
- preference should be given to classic dark colors;
- Buy only from reputable sellers.
If you take proper care of this sweater, it can last you more than ten years.
Wool
This is the most common fabric for sweaters. It retains heat perfectly. However, wool sweaters require very delicate care. They can easily suffer from high temperatures and carelessness, especially when washing. Wool fibers lose 30% of their strength in water.
Cotton
Sweaters made from cotton fabric are not as warm, but this is not a drawback. Sometimes you just need a thinner sweater. In addition, cotton items do not cause irritation and can be worn directly on a naked body. And the price of such a sweater will be lower.
Synthetic fabrics
Various man-made fibers imitate the properties of wool or cotton and do not require as much care as natural fibers. The big advantage of synthetic fabrics is that products made from them are much cheaper. But their quality is worse.
Mixed fiber fabrics
Sweaters are often made from several types of fibers. There are two reasons for this:
- Improving fabric quality. Adding synthetic fibers to natural fabrics often increases their strength and other properties.
- Saving. Pay attention to the labels indicating the composition and remember that the quality often depends on the price.
2. Choose a color
The color of a sweater affects the situation in which it can be worn.
Dark items are generally considered more formal, although lighter colors are acceptable in spring and summer.
Bright shades will attract attention to you, so they are more suitable for an informal setting. A bright sweater seems to say that you don't take yourself too seriously.
3. Pay attention to the picture
Solid colored sweaters are more suitable for a business environment, but the pattern gives the item a more relaxed, casual look.
Diamonds are one of the most popular patterns on men's sweaters. However, if you wear such a sweater, remember that the pattern will attract all the attention. It is best to combine such sweaters with sports-style clothing, or they will not go well with suits.
The type of knit affects a piece's ability to retain heat, fit, and even the environment in which a particular sweater is best worn. Typically, chunky, ribbed knit sweaters are thicker and warmer. Items made with a smooth knit are less elastic and do not warm as well, but they look more neat.
5. Pay attention to fit
Even a cashmere sweater for 30,000 rubles will look funny if it doesn’t fit your size.
Each brand uses different sizes to create their clothing, so try to find a brand that will best suit your body shape.
You can also customize the sweater to fit your body at the studio. Not everyone will undertake this, but you can try it yourself using various tips on the Internet.
6. Choose the right fit
Thebestfashionblog.comA quality dark turtleneck sweater should be a staple in every man's wardrobe. If you wear it with dark trousers, you will appear slimmer and taller. In addition, you can wear such a sweater with anything: with a suit, sports jacket or separately.
Overstock.com This neckline goes perfectly with classic shirts (with or without a tie), and also creates the illusion of slimness and draws attention to the face.
saintbernard.com These sweaters are very comfortable because they completely hide what you are wearing underneath. While a shirt is still considered the most natural addition, you can wear whatever you feel most comfortable under under this sweater.
Sarahmeltzer.com This is a great casual sweater that doesn't require a shirt underneath. It goes best with sports-cut jackets. This sweater should fit you perfectly.
Allyearfashion.com This is one of the most versatile and underrated types of sweaters. For some reason, there is a stereotype that this is exclusively an option for old people. It's not like that at all. Cardigans are suitable for men of all ages and go well with everything. They can be worn over a shirt, under a sports jacket or with a suit.
It is also the only type of sweater that has pockets.
Scotweb.co.uk A real Aran sweater is a work of art. Traditionally, in this style of knitting, which originated in Ireland, a particular weave told the story of the owner's family.
It is believed that these sweaters originally had a dual purpose: they not only kept fishermen warm in cold weather, but also helped identify drowned people.
Today in Ireland these sweaters are still knitted by hand, with each sweater consisting of approximately 100,000 stitches!
It is better to wear Aran sweaters over clothes, without hiding them under a jacket.
Donsautobody1.com These sweaters go best with sports-cut suits or jackets and mismatched trousers. They should not match the rest of your clothing in color. It’s even better if such a sweater only emphasizes the rest of the ensemble.
If you're confident in your style, you can also wear a sleeveless sweater with a dress shirt and loose trousers or a nice pair of jeans. This will create a unified look and smooth out the contrast between the shirt and trousers.
A sweater is usually the first thing that falls out of your closet when you, sleepy, get ready for the office on a dark, cold morning. (If before work you freeze in front of the closet in which there is a Batman costume, this means that you have not woken up yet!)
Cashmere sweater- the “gold standard” in the world of sweaters. Cashmere sweaters, soft and lightweight, can be a great investment (if you've run out of kimberlite pipes right before you). A cashmere sweater will upset you only twice: when you pay at the store and ten years later, when the time comes to send it to the country. But don’t be too sad, because you can always visit him there!
Wool sweater- a win-win (though a little prickly if you don't wear a T-shirt) classic! But protect your sweater from high temperatures and humidity: when wet, wool loses strength by 30%. Also, read the label carefully before washing. Otherwise, your cat will have a new thing!
Also in nature there are cotton sweaters(they are not as warm as wool due to the cellulose fibers they contain) faux sweaters And mixed materials. They are easier to care for, they are more wear-resistant, but less warm than their counterparts made from natural materials.
Color
A dark sweater is considered quite formal. Of course, you can’t wear it to your own wedding, but to the office it’s fine. It is better to leave light sweaters for non-working hours. And models of bright colors - in case you are invited to host an entertainment show or take part in road work.
An alternative to a plain sweater is a sweater with a pattern. The classic pattern is argyle, which is essentially an ordinary diamond pattern. It is better to wear it with simple, laconic things, as it is quite noticeable in itself. By the way, for the same reason you shouldn’t wear it more than once a week if you don’t want to be remembered by everyone as “the guy in that sweater.”
Sweaters with an Aran pattern, that is, with voluminous knitted diamonds, stripes and braids, were something like a medieval “Facebook”: from them one could determine which clan and family the owner of the sweater belonged to. By the way, the patterns on the sweater that your grandmother knitted for you can also be called symbols (the vast majority of knitted patterns in ancient times were endowed with magical functions of amulets). This also includes Norwegian sweaters, decorated with a multi-colored pattern of rhombuses, crosses, triangles and snowflakes (usually in the upper part).
We won’t even mention the so-called ironic prints on sweaters. Snowmen, reindeer and other bestiaries are great if you're the hero of a romantic Christmas comedy named Mark Darcy.
Modern stores offer a huge range of knitted goods. However, more and more people are wondering how to knit a men's jumper. After all, a handmade product is in many ways better than a purchased one. And in this article we will talk about how to make the desired thing yourself.
Suitable Yarn
Professional knitters advise first of all to determine the model of your idea, and also decide for what time of year the jumper is knitted. After that, go to the store to buy knitting threads. They should be purchased taking into account the pattern. Experts advise choosing unusual yarn for calm and discreet options. And vice versa, for complex patterns - plain. If you are knitting a men's jumper for the first time, it is better to purchase special yarn that folds into a pattern on its own. And knit the product with stockinette stitch.
Convenient tool
To fulfill your idea, you need to prepare two types of knitting needles - hosiery and ring knitting needles. The first ones are required for knitting sleeves and collars (if provided). With the help of the latter, the main part of the product is formed. Professionals recommend buying metal knitting needles whose diameter is one and a half times the thickness of the thread. Especially if you want to knit a patterned men's jumper. However, now there are models made with garter stitch. They allow working with large knitting needles. The finished product is “holey” due to the elongated loops.
Required measurements
To knit a quality product, it is necessary to measure the person for whom the item being studied is being prepared. But it is important to know what parameters are required:
- length of the main part;
- armhole level;
- neck circumference;
- sleeve length;
- chest circumference;
- circumference of the widest part of the forearm;
- if necessary, the gate level.
Constructing a pattern
Another important part of the preparatory stage is a schematic sketch of the planned men's jumper. To do this, take a notebook sheet and a simple pencil. Draw the shape of your idea. Next we record each parameter taken from the model. Next, we need to calculate the number of loops and rows to further facilitate the knitting process.
Conversion of centimeters
The next step of our instructions involves simple steps. We will knit a sample of the selected pattern on it. Therefore, we prepare knitting needles and yarn, study the pattern. Then we put twenty loops on the knitting needles and knit thirty rows. Then, using a centimeter, measure the length and width of the resulting fragment. Then we divide the loops by width, and the rows by length. As a result, we will find out how many units of measurement necessary for knitting are contained in one centimeter. Having found out these parameters, it is easy to calculate the size of the intended men's jumper. Knitting according to your own calculations is much more convenient.
Thus, we further multiply the number of loops in one centimeter by all horizontal parameters, and the number of rows by all vertical ones. We indicate each new value on our pattern. Then we start knitting.
How to knit the back
Having completed the preparatory stage, we proceed to the creative part of our instructions. We cast on the knitting needles a number of loops equal to half the circumference of the chest. Professionals recommend knitting several rows of any type of elastic at the beginning to make the edge more neat. Then we proceed to the patterned part. We knit evenly until the very end. As a result, we get an even rectangle - the back of our product.
How to perform before
In essence, this stage of describing a men's jumper is similar to the previous one. However, there is still a significant difference. We'll talk about it further. Depending on the style of the model, the collar cutout may be different. Round is considered classic. But v-shaped is also found. We will look at the technology of both options a little later. But you need to choose your option at the preparatory stage. Because the base of the gate is formed when performing the front.
So, having cast the required number of loops on the knitting needles, we knit with an even fabric to the level of the collar. Then we begin to gradually decrease the loops, knitting our line. However, it is important to note that in this case you will have to perform the right and left parts separately. For this we need hosiery knitting needles.
How to form a gate
If you wish, you can knit a men's jumper with knitting needles without the detail noted in the title of the current paragraph. Under this condition, the front part of the product is knitted in an even fabric from start to finish. As a result, we get two rectangles - the back and the front. Which are then sewn together, excluding the armhole area and the gate. This kind of jumper is now in great demand. Therefore, it is knitted not only by beginners, but also by many experienced needlewomen. We must admit that this fashion trend greatly simplifies the knitting process.
If you still want to knit a full neckline, you need to study the material presented below. To make a round collar, you need:
- Mark the width of the collar.
- And highlight the first and last loop of those allocated for this part with colored threads.
- Calculate the number of rows from the edge of the collar to the end of the product.
- Exactly in the middle, close twelve loops.
- Distribute the rest onto the remaining rows in order to further reduce them evenly.
- After this, we complete the jumper, based on our calculations.
Making a v-shaped collar is even easier:
- The first three steps are similar to the previous instructions.
- Then you should divide the loops into rows. And thereby figure out how to reduce them throughout the rest of the product.
How to knit sleeves
When the front and back are ready, they need to be sewn. To do this, you need to mark the level of the armhole and gate (if it is not knitted initially). Then we pick up stitches along the edge of the armhole and distribute them onto hosiery needles. The description of the men's jumper ends as follows:
- We knit the sleeves, moving in a circle.
- We form a “tube” of the required length, and then switch to smaller knitting needles or knit several rows with an elastic band to make a beautiful cuff.
- Finally, we close the loops, make the second sleeve by analogy and try on the finished product.
It's not at all easy to choose the right pattern for a men's jumper. The schemes of popular options are quite difficult to implement, and therefore inaccessible to beginners. Therefore, we invite our readers to study three interesting patterns that are knitted with knit and purl stitches. Without complex decreases, additions and weaves.
That's all the instructions for knitting a men's jumper. As you can see, implementing your idea is much easier than it seems at first glance. Professional knitters joke that beginners have a harder time getting it together. But if the decision is made, the work will go as if by itself.
For those who shop for clothes online, and for those who buy clothes in offline stores, it will be very important to know that sweaters differ from each other. And not everything is a jacket that is warmer than a T-shirt. And it may not be a jacket at all, but a sweater, jumper or cardigan. In order not to get confused and not to confuse others, you need to know the terminology and its meaning. Unfortunately, I personally had to deal with an unpleasant moment when the seller incorrectly indicated the name of the product in the online store in the title and as a result, instead of a sweater, when ordering online, a simple T-shirt arrived. By the way, as it turned out, fabric and knitwear are two completely different types of textiles.
- Knitwear- this is a material that is created by intertwining threads bent into loops. That is why knitted products are characterized by stretchability, elasticity and softness. Knitwear is essentially knitted, using knitting needles and crochet hooks, as well as special production knitting machines, that is, hand and machine knitting.
- Textile- this is a material that is created by weaving two systems of threads that are located perpendicular to each other. Such fabrics are not knitted, as can be seen from the process technology, but woven. There are also felt products that are made by felting (for example, felt boots), but that’s another story.
Let's look at the meanings of some basic terms and their brief descriptions.
Types of men's and women's sweaters
- Sweater- a warm product made of thick wool or half-woolen yarn without fasteners, knitted on knitting needles, crocheted or on a knitting machine, with a high two- or three-layer collar and long sleeves. The sweater covers the torso and part of the hips, the product is put on over the head.
- Jumper- a knitted product without a fastener at all or with a small fastener at the top. This type of clothing covers the torso and part of the thighs. It is worn over the head and has a round neck.
- Vest- knitted single-breasted or double-breasted sleeveless garment with a slit along the entire length of the front.
- Sweater- a woolen product knitted, crocheted or machine knitted, which has a front fastener from bottom to top on the entire product. Put on the shoulders after unfastening the clasp.
- - tight-fitting knitted or knitted clothing without a collar or fasteners. Covers the torso and part of the hips, is worn over the head, and usually has a V-shaped neckline.
- T-shirt- a type of underwear (previously referred to as a type of underwear), which has short or long sleeves, without a collar, buttons or pockets. The product is put on over the head and covers the torso. A knitted or woven (woven) T-shaped shirt with a round neck.
- Cardigan- a knitted garment that covers the torso and part of the hips, with buttons. Also, cardigans can be without buttons, with a wrap around them, and this type of cardigan can also come with a belt.
- Sweatshirt- a knitted product made of fleece or other dense material with a hood, characterized by increased thermal insulation. The sweatshirt can have a short fastener at the front or the entire length of the product. In essence, this is loose-fitting outerwear for sportswear. Also, such clothes may have two pockets in the front.
- Kangaroo or kangaroo- a warm knitted product, usually with a hood and adjacent patch pockets on the front and sides. Can be with or without cuffs. Similar to a sweatshirt, but without a zipper (clasp).
- Sweatshirt- knitted sweatshirt without zipper and lacing, sporty type with a round neckline, elastic bands on the collar, cuffs and waistband.
- Bomber- this is a knitted product that looks very much like a sweatshirt, only it is fastened in front with a full-length zipper and has a stand-up collar. In some countries (for example, in the USA) this is a uniform jacket for military pilots with fur...
- Hoodie- a long, warm knitted garment (or knitted) that covers the torso and hips with an anorak-type hood (front stand).
It's always interesting to learn something new. It’s never too late to learn the correct clothing terminology and tell your friends about it. Those who work in the fashion world, especially sellers in clothing stores, must know these differences between outerwear.
Expand your horizons, share your knowledge.