During the winter,
sweaters become a fashion essential
Trusted Source
Sweaters make special travel souvenirs
- The Washington Post
Woolen pullovers make long-lasting souvenirs that carry history and tradition.
www.washingtonpost.com
, having one purpose, to keep you warm during cold weather. However, there are different types of sweaters for men and women, as well as unisex styles. Before you get one, you must know everything about sweaters like the knits, styles, and materials. The right sweater can be a centerpiece of your wardrobe or a great addition to multiple looks, in addition to keeping you warm and comfortable, while the wrong one will eventually be forgotten and left somewhere in the back of your closet, remaining an unprofitable investment. Here, we guide you through all the essential things you need to know so you can make an informed decision.
The following are some of the popular fibers you will find sweaters in.
Cotton is extracted from a natural fiber-grown plant which is used to make different types of clothing. It is strong, absorbent and one of the most affordable materials sold today. Cotton fabric is also one of the popular choices for sweaters today.
If you are looking for a material that provides warmth, wool should be your go-to option. Natural fiber is a tougher material but of high quality. It is usually more expensive than cotton sweaters and more difficult to clean. According to the reviews online, the best wool sweater cleaner is the Collins d-fuzz-it Sweater & Fabric Comb. An average number of users say it brushes away fuzz in knitted fabrics especially woolen sweaters.
This is a synthetic fiber material that has similar qualities to wool. It is also cheaper and feels lighter than wool. Acrylic fiber feels warm and is popularly used for faux fur vests.
Cashmere is one of the luxurious fibers. It is an expensive natural fiber and is extracted from specific breeds of goats. It is warm and feels soft on the hands. It also doesn’t itch and is one of the finer materials used to make sweaters.
Some sweaters are made from polyester fiber. It is a soft synthetic fiber and is used mostly for mass-produced sweaters.
Specialty fibers usually come in alpaca or angora material similar to wool. These are animal-based fibers and also great for sweaters.
Some sweaters come in a blend of fibers. Like a mix of wool and cotton or some other material to get the best results.
Apart from material types, there are also different types of sweater knits. Sweaters are made from knitted fabrics most times instead of woven materials. Knitted sweaters stretch better and don’t wrinkle easily. There are different types of knit patterns for sweaters and it is what is used to create beautiful styles. You can learn more about sweater knits by reading resources that show you how you can make a knit. According to reviews one of the easy guides for knitting sweaters in the book, We Are Knitters: Knitspiration to Take Anywhere and Everywhere. This book according to reviewers contains all information about how to make knit patterns.
Here are some of the types of sweater knits:
The traditional knit pattern comes in a series of interconnected loops. They use different stitches to create many patterns.
If you look closely at some sweaters, you will notice that the cuffs have a striped pattern. This type of pattern makes the fabric feel tighter and more stretchy.
The bouclé knit is similar to the traditional knit. The only difference is that it is made with a bouclé yarn. It has a unique texture and even though it is thick, feels very comfortable.
The cable knit is a classic pattern and comes in a sort of braid or plait stitch. It usually runs along the length of the fabric. The cable knit is one of the most popular knits used in sweaters today because of its elegant style.
Now that you know the different types of fibers and knits used for sweaters, we will be looking at the different types of sweaters sold today. Depending on the season, sweaters come in different styles. Some are made for women, men, or both sex. You can even decide to learn how to make your own sweater. Trusted Source How to Knit a Sweater for Beginners (with Pictures) - wikiHow Knitting a sweater can be a daunting project for someone who is just beginning to knit. However, it is much easier than it might seem. You can knit a sweater by following a very basic pattern. After you feel more comfortable with this… www.wikihow.com
Here are some of the types of sweaters designed for men.
This sweater was originally designed in Ireland and has become a popular design around the world. The Aran sweater was named after the Aran Islands which is off the coast of County Galway. This sweater was designed for men and comes in a unique design. The design keeps you warm and is mostly used in cold regions. It is one of the best winter sweaters designs. It was designed for fishermen and farmers in Ireland during the winter seasons. The Aran sweater is made from wool and is made with the basket stitch. The diamond pattern stitch is a symbol of the fisherman’s basket which means good health and success for the wearer.
The Argyle knit sweater comes in an interlock diamond pattern-shaped stitch. It is a look most men wear when visiting a golf course and is quite fashionable. The Argyle pattern can be traced to the Scottish Clan Campbell in the Agryll region in Western Scotland.
The pullover sweater was the first to be called a sweater and the name was given in the United States. It comes with a simple collar and doesn’t include a zipper or buttons. As the name suggests, you pull it over your head to take it off and put it on. The pullover sweater is not always very thick and usually feels loose on the torso. Some variations of this sweater come with a half zip or quarter-zip design. They usually have a short collar that you can zip up to the chest level or a quarter zip design that zips to the collarbone.
Cardigans are one of the popular sweater types. It comes in a button-up and wide V-neck design. The style can be traced to James Thomas Brudenell who was the 7th Earl of Cardigan. Fashion designers like Coco Chanel also make this classic design and it trended in the 1920s. It is versatile and fashionable. The cardigan is worn by both men and women.
This type of sweater is popular among the royal family in England. It isn’t so popular but still, very few people wear it. The Fair Isle sweater comes in a wool material and unique design. It can be traced to Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor. It is a design for men and is still in vogue in men’s fashion. It is made in a distinct pattern that makes it different from every other type of sweater. It looks like a pullover sweater but in a button-up style like a cardigan.
Here are some of the types of sweaters designed for women.
The bell sleeve sweater is designed for women and is one of the old-fashioned sweaters. This sweater was in vogue in the late 70s in Japan. The bell sleeves come in a flared style which was popular in the medieval era in Europe. The style never gets old as it keeps coming back in fashion trends over again.
This type of sweater was designed like a man’s sweater but meant for women. It comes in a V-neck design and is a loose sweater. The sweater has a ribbed bottom that falls below the waist length of the material. It is usually referred to as an oversized sweater because of its loose fit.
The cape sweater is one of the variations of ponchos. They are fashionable and are worn either indoors or outdoors. You can wear the cape sweater alone without wearing a shirt inside it.
The cowl neck sweater comes in a long neck design which you can fold down. This style was popular in the 1930s and the style can be traced to ancient Greece.
The cutout sweaters are a modern design and look very appealing. The style is unique and you can tell it from the other types of sweaters. The cutout sweater will leave some part of your skin bare. It could be a cutout shoulder, chest, or arm. This sweater is fashionable and not necessarily a winter sweater. Even though it is modern, this style of sweaters was designed over 50 years ago and is still trending.
The poncho has an ancient origin and has continued to trend. It is made from a simple square or rectangular cloth with a hole in the center where you can pull it over your head. The design can be used as a fashion sweater and winter sweater.
This sweater was initially designed for men. The cheerleader. There were only male cheerleaders in the 1880s and it was only after the 1920s that women joined the sport. The cheerleader sweater comes in a close-fitting design around the waist length. The design was meant for someone with broad shoulders and upper sleeves. The retro look sweater is now worn by women and has become a uniform for athletes.
Some sweaters can be worn by both men and women. Their designs are usually very classic and here are some of them.
The mock turtleneck sweater comes is a variation of the traditional turtleneck design. This type of sweater comes in a unique style of its own. It has a close-fitting collar and a mock neck. It is like the turtleneck sweater, but the neck isn’t as constrictive as the original turtleneck or even large. It is an option for people who don’t like the way the collar of the turtleneck sweater feels on their neck. The mock turtleneck design can be worn by both men and women. It also comes in a variety of fabric options and colors. One of the best winter sweaters for women according to most reviews is the ZESICA Women’s Turtleneck Sweater. Most users say it comes in a comfortable fabric and is a loose sweater.
This type of sweater also called the shawl collar is one of Hollywood’s famous designs. It has been worn by several celebrities and stars. The style can be traced to the 1920s and the shawl collar was seen only seen in a cardigan and V-neck sweater. The shawl neck sweater is made with extra fabric that adds to its unique shape. The neck frames the wears face, neck, and chest. It has enough material so you can always fold it down. You can use it for both casual and formal wear.
The vest is another type of sweater that works for both men and women. This design comes in a sleeveless sweater and does not protect your arms during cold weather. The vest can be worn over your clothing or with a fully sleeved jacket. However, it feels very comfortable and is one of the popular sweaters worn to workplaces.
There are many types of sweaters sold today and you can learn how to make one yourself. Its however important to know how to read knitting patterns. Apart from the types mentioned here, there are still many more sweaters for men and women. The best part is nothing goes off trend as most of the styles in vogue have been around for thousands of years. Whether you need a sweater to keep warm in the winter seasons or for a fashion style, you can always find one that meets your needs. However, you must know what type of material to go for as not all can guarantee warmth. Wool and cashmere are one of the best sweater materials sold. Even though they are expensive, they give the best results. You should choose the fabric you are comfortable with and one made from quality fiber.
