In search for a solution to the edging problems in the Featherweight Cardigan, I did some poking around in recent catalogues to look at what cardigan trims are in style right now. Edgings in the recent Neiman Marcus & Bloomingdales catalogues ranged from gold chains, fur, crystals, and ribbon:
These could be fun if I was
knitting a luxury sweater with high end yarn. But I
would really have to know what I was doing, and I just don’t think I’m at that
point yet.
One of the big fads I've been seeing is the asymmetrical styling of cardigans with ties that are almost like scarves,
dispensing with any tailored edging altogether:
These looks are very dashing in the
photographs, with the models leaning in a structured pose. But I can’t help
wondering what happens to these floaty ties when
people wear them in an everyday work setting. Do the dangling ends ever find their
way into door hinges, photocopiers, or fly about in the wind to slap their
wearers in the face? For me, it’s important to feel put together when I’m going
to work. It’s enough trouble getting myself in and out of my car and every
house I show my clients, managing keys and property listings, without having to
fight my cardigan ends.
As I was thumbing through the Neiman
Marcus offerings, the look I kept finding my eye drawn to was an exceedingly
simple one. Tailored, elegant, with a minimum of fuss. A simple ribbed edging
in fine-weave yarn, in the same or a contrasting color to the main body of the
cardigan:
To my eye, these cardigans by Tory
Burch and Pink Tartan meet the criteria of achievability at my level of skill,
and they have a certain understated elegance that appeals to me. My favorite
example of the use of contrasting edging is this Pink Tartan cardigan:
If I was
at a much higher level of skill, I would probably try one of these zippered
cardigans, which I think are absolutely fabulous. Talk about sexy!
The sweater on the left, by Juicy
Couture, is a “motorcyle sweater” with a gold,
asymmetrical zipper. My absolute favorite, the cardigan on the right, is Ann
Klein’s New York Cardigan Jacket.The princess seams are so flattering, I think this would look incredible in a fine wool or silk, as opposed to the shiny fabric here, which is not really knitter-worthy. Now that look is something to aspire to!