Dear Ann,
I may be neglecting a number of things these days, but I am certainly not neglecting to knit. I am now the proud owner and frequent wearer of yet another oversized dolman pullover. Remember Relax? I like Relax so much (as I’ve said, and said…) that I wanted a second sweater with this shape. But I didn’t want to re-knit the exact same sweater–I have nothing against multiples (you may guffaw/snort here), but these sweaters are big acreages of stockinette stitch, and I wanted to at least get some different details at the shoulder, just to entertain me.
So, for my second boxy dolman sweater, I chose the beloved-of-Ravelry Boxy, by Joji Locatelli.
I knit the smallest size, XS, not because I have suddenly come over very small of form, but because in addition to Boxy being an oversized sweater to begin with, I was knitting it in sportweight (MadelineTosh Sport, in Whitewash), instead of the prescribed fingering weight.
Well. As you can see, the resulting Boxy could deliver a litter of Relaxes. But guess what? Due to all the extra fabric being under the arms, Boxy is still flattering. I know this seems unbelievable. As I was knitting it, I thought, well, I’ve done it this time. This thing is going to swamp me. I’m going to have to turn it into a baby blanket with arm flaps.
But no, it’s flattering even on my willowy friend, Allison. (Hey guess what! Allison Moorer’s new record, Down to Believing, drops on March 17. Just saying. Sample listens and preorders available here.)
(Human being for scale. Not gonna lie, this is a very dramatically shaped sweater. The film Stop Making Sense comes to mind. But darn it, it works.)
Despite the bigness, and despite the unintended dye lot striping, Boxy is an instant favorite sweater. It’s batting third in my Winter Casual wardrobe, right behind Relax and a favorite Eileen Fisher from last year’s sale. Two friends and one daughter have tried to steal it off me.
I give Boxy 5 stars, worth a detour.
Love,
Kay
Love it! I’m going to check out the pattern on Ravelry.
You know the most interesting people….
I love it. I have some light fingering just waiting for one of these patterns. Will gladly take your advice as to which to try first. Perfect snowbound knitting I think.
Also, will make a note to look for Allison’s album, thanks for that tip too!
I also cannot do repeats. Knitting. Traveling to the same place more than once. Friends’ x-boyfriends. Just can’t.
True confessions: I am one of the would be thieves, this very evening…
I would be trying to steal it, too xxx.
Jeez. I may have to take the Boxy plunge. If it’s drapey enough even in sportweight . . . on the other hand, I am short and slight. Would hate to look like a hassock with an afghan thrown over it.
great sweater! but please do tell more about the quilt in the middle picture xx
Another hit, Kay! I especially love the “unintended dyelot striping”. You are an inspiration to me in my knitting life.
LoveDiane
I love that sweater, and I’m so glad to see it modeled. I admit that I was initially put off by the name, but it’s adorable. On another note, you may be interested to know that Allison’s sister Shelby has a new album coming out in May, and it’s GREAT. Probably the best thing she’s done musically since “I Am Shelby Lynne.”
Hat is that blanket in the backgound? Is it a quilt or Blankie? I love it. I’m doing Bunch a Squares now, but like this one too.
LOVE. Also the Quilt…
Gotta admit, I don’t like it. I don’t think it’s flattering on the model, or laid out flat. Having lived through the 80’s and early 90’s with the boxy sweaters everywhere, I haven’t been able to appreciate them since. Lots of knitting and lots of fabric.
It’s like a Piko top, big, loose, comfy and flattering.
Gorgeous! Don’t we get to see it on you? (I just bought a boatload of sportweight, and I’m looking for something like this, but willowy, I’m not.)
Ooooh. Now it needs some time in the indigo vat.
Cool on your friend. But not a sweater for those of us (ahem) with an overabundance of curves. We’d look like tarp-covered heavy equipment.
No! I’ve tried it on myself and other bodies and it looks good on us all. Will try to do a fashion show.
So in one of the “found object” pics, do we see “the” 8-in-one sweater? Whichever sweater it may be, it’s looking good!
LoveDiane
Kay, you have inspired me to knit something with the same silhouette – (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-going-2). As a bonus – approved by my fashionista son. 🙂
In unrelated news, did you see where Rowan dug up old photos of Eddie Redmayne (Talk about the ultimate appropriate last name!) modeling Denim sweaters? http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/eddie-redmayne-once-modeled-for-a-knitting-book#.yukW5qya6
Thanks again for the inspiration!
Just commenting on the laugh out loud ‘vet face’ in your instagrammies. Pucker up! Especially great shots today across the board. Thx.