Well, based on my recent query as to what to blog about while new sewing projects go on hiatus, the response seemed to be an overwhelming, “Blather on about whatever!” And so I shall, time permitting. You may be sorry later!
I’m thinking about what knitting project to take on (there are many long plane rides in my immediate future, and I will be separated from my beloved Husqvarna for weeks- agony!) I’ve decided that I’m going to try my hand at what is sure to be the controversial Carlos Miele sweater, pictured above, assuming I can find appropriate yarn for it that doesn’t break the bank. Love it or hate it? Let the debate begin!
Here’s what it looks like in context:
I’m already picturing it with my Vogue 1051 alice + olivia pants!
I’m not a great knitter. My skills are intermediate at best and they certainly haven’t improved since I realized how much faster sewing is in terms of time to a lovely completed garment. And I think I’ve learned that it’s best to stick with sleeveless sweater patterns, or at least patterns for which the sleeves are not knit separately, because once I knit the first sleeve, I’m often too bored to knit the second sleeve. This would explain why I have so many unfinished one-sleeve sweaters. (A corollary to this would explain the existence of single hand-knit socks lying around my house.) In truth I’m a much more skilled crocheter, having been at it for 27 years now, but I rarely find patterns for crocheted garments that I really like and my house is not in need of doilies at this time.
For those of you who do like the Carlos Miele sweater and are capable of deciphering German knitting patterns, you can find the pattern available for free download from Für Sie magazine.
The Selfish Seamstress 
53 comments
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August 29, 2010 at 8:59 am
fitzfabulous
yes, i’m a fan — but i’d make it long enough at the bottom to cover the gut and not let your white collar shirt(?!) show through. otherwise it’s going to look dated fast. i’m also a fan of sleeveless knitting. matching’s such a pain.
August 29, 2010 at 9:10 am
Petra
Good lord – cable boob. Not necessarily a fan, but I think if it were in a yarn that had some softness and loft to it, it would be…interesting. You have the elan to carry it off.
August 29, 2010 at 9:14 am
Maura
I LOVE the sweater! Love.
I have a 10-year-old Fair Isle knit mitten that I worked on size 0 dps. Just the one. I thought I was alone…
August 29, 2010 at 9:21 am
apeppermintpenguin
Quite similar to this http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cheadle by Rowan.
I wouldn’t wear it. Its a fabulous colour. I think if you have the attitude (and you *have* the attitude) you could pull it off.
August 29, 2010 at 9:30 am
Susan
Do it! You’d look lovely in this color. And it’s unique enough to be a statement piece years from now. It doesn’t really look “on trend” for today, but it’s definitely interesting.
Also, I never said congrats on the new job, new locale, etc. But you’re pretty awesome and likely know that anyway. I’m jealous of the European jaunt. I am assuming it’s somewhere in Northern Europe- like Netherlands or Sweden, but I’m happy to find out.
August 29, 2010 at 9:46 am
Auntie Allyn
Ooooh ooooh oooh . . . you should definitely go for this one! Luv it! And I think if you scale it down to fit your selfish petite physique, it will look truly fabulous!
August 29, 2010 at 9:52 am
Melody
I actually really like that twisted take on a sweater. The color is beautiful and it would look really good on your figure. I think it would be disaster on many other body types, but you could do this.
August 29, 2010 at 10:15 am
Meredith P
This wouldn’t take very long to knit at all. Haven’t looked at the instructions but can you scale it to fit your royal tinyness? Could be dramatic–could be engulfing. And may I say, although I’m no expert, I think that is the largest cable I have ever seen! Personally, once I moved to a cooler place (from Florida), learned to knit, it still never gets cold enough to wear sweaters. Or perhaps it’s not climate change…but mine :-)
August 29, 2010 at 10:34 am
Peter with what looks like poison ivy
So glad you’ve decided to just blather! I’ve been doing it for weeks now and I’m much happier. Sewing is hard and maybe a little boring.
That sweater looks like the top of an old sock to me, but if anyone can pull it off it’s you, Selfish. Knit away!
August 29, 2010 at 10:43 am
Lucie
I actually like it, but I don’t know about all that volume with wide legged trousers too. I’d be tempted to wear it with something fitted…
August 29, 2010 at 11:05 am
Mary M
It looks a lot like this sweater from a Vogue Knitting Magazine of two winters ago: http://store.vogueknitting.com/p-1360-cropped-turtleneck.aspx. It’s knit the same way, too.
August 29, 2010 at 11:08 am
Alexandra Mason
I love it! I’m knitting a cardigan and i have knitted the left front and am very bored not sure i can cope with the right front aswell.
August 29, 2010 at 11:55 am
Marie-Christine
oooh, I like this.. thing :-). You’ll for sure have it finished by the time the sewing machine arrives.
For crochet, I much prefer British stuff, or Japanese. US patterns all seem not quite the sort of thing you could walk out the door with.
Anyway, hang in there for the packing, we know it’s a bitch :-(.
August 29, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Beth
If Peter can be supportive, maybe I can be too … um, if it makes you happy, it at least looks easy … ;-)
Beth
August 29, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Guterwomann
My taste is pretty classic, so it’s really not my thing at all. I think you could carry it off. But you shouldn’t skimp on the wool.
August 29, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Amie
I too, am very happy that you will continue to blather! I really enjoy your projects, thoughts, and tone.
Agreed about crochet. I am pretty good at it, too, but there are no good clothing patterns. Nothing very compelling about Vanna White’s croceted sweater patterns. I have turned to amigurumi.
August 29, 2010 at 12:35 pm
~Sherry~
I love crochet too because it is so much faster than knitting! But I know what you mean about patterns… I found a couple of nice tops in a recent-ish Interweave Crochet mag (Tatiana sweater, Luna sweater, they’re on Ravelry) that I hope to make.
My main gripe about knitting patterns, from a clothing patternmakers perspective, is the poor fit! They seem to rely purely on the stretch factor to fit, rather than knitting the panel to a correct shape. For instance, since when is your front and back the same shape, and since when is a sleeve the same shape front and back? Sorry – I’ve wasted so many hours unravelling poor fitting knitwear it feels good to have a rant!
I like the cape-with-sleeves-thingy! Careful you don’t get your needles confiscated on the plane, some airlines think they are dangerous weapons!
August 29, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Misty
Just to be different, I’m going to post instead of lurking and I’m going to say that I honestly hate that sweater. It’s shapeless, oversized, and silly looking. However, I was also really questioning the tux dress, and you completely changed my mind about that project. So if there’s anyone who can take this horrible sweater and make it fashionable while causing me to transform from hater to envier, I’m pretty sure you can.
Totally with you on the knitting sleeves thing, and the fact that crocheting is faster and I’m better at it, but don’t want to make more doilies or wear any of the crochet fashions available in patterns…
August 29, 2010 at 12:57 pm
PetitePear
I don’t mind the sweater as a spectator, but I would never, ever consider wearing it outside the house myself. I am enthusiastically looking forward to seeing how you make it work and am prepared to change my mind.
August 29, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Trudy Callan
Ummm. I’m not so sure. It’s interesting to say the least. I’m sure you could make it to flatter your figure, though. So if you like, then make it.
Trudy
http://www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
August 29, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Katherine
I adore it, but in the cactus green, not lime. I agree that it should be a bit longer, especially for those of us with no waist!
August 29, 2010 at 1:57 pm
lizajane
I’d love to learn how to knit, but I am very impatient. I like the sweater, especially that it is cropped. i think it would look great on you.
August 29, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Carol
I think it looks cool and you would look great in it. It would look quite unfortunate on me, but I’m not a knitter, so that’s not going to be an issue. From a practical standpoint, though, is it too thick to be a light sweater and not enough coverage to be a warm sweater?
August 29, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Judith
A long time ago, I read about the solution to the “knitting one sleeve at a time” problem…don’t! If you knit both sleeves at once (yes, you have to have two skeins of yarn), it takes a bit longer, but then it is DONE and you are assured of having them both knit in the same gauge.
August 29, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Steph
I like it, but the color makes me think of puke. Like bottom of the stomach, only bile sort of puke. At first, I thought you were planning to make up the pattern too, I thought it might be knitted side to side with garter stitch ribbing and a huge chunky cable? Bulky or super bulky yarn? Have you ever tried Malabrigo merino? It is an absolute dream to work with, great stitch definition. It could be kind of expensive, BUT- since you’re investing so much time on a knitted top, you might as well use the good stuff, right?
By the way, how do you fly and knit without overzealous TSA officials stealing your needles? I’ve tried everything- tiny needles, big fat blunt plastic ones, they always take them. What’s your secret??
August 29, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Steph
I also suffer from second-sock syndrome. It’s a terrible, wasting ailment.
August 29, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Melissa
Normally I love unique and edgy things, but this immediately made me think of that part of Cinderalla. You know, where she finds Gus and she gets out the drawer of little mouse clothes? I’m not likening the sweater to mouse clothes, it’s just that the model could be a little miniature elf, and someone cut a tiny square off of a person-sized sweater and poked her arms and head through it.
August 29, 2010 at 4:44 pm
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
I love this sweater but would you really knit it in this color? Not that its not a great color but you do like to change things up? I’m sure there are many colors to choose from. Its part of the fun of knitting up a sweater. Speaking of changing things up how about making the cowl a bit shorter? Just saying. Looks like you got some great ideas here.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
August 29, 2010 at 4:51 pm
lsaspacey
Go for it, I love it! If you feel like making one for me (a stranger, no less) I would like it in russet orange…thanks!!
August 29, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Samina
It looks like a overstuffed boa constrictor going after one more victim! But then again, you’re much more fashion-savy than I’d ever hope to be, so go for it. It’ll be worth a laugh, if nothing else.
August 29, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Jane
I think part of the joy of crochet is that you do the whole of a fancy stitch at once, rather than one stitch at a time, row by row, to build it up. It has more ‘instant satisfaction’ to it and you can see faster if you bugger it up! But I completely agree, knitting patterns are much nicer so I’m trying to work up more enthusiasm for learning knitting. I like the sweater – not on me but I think you will be able to carry it off well. My husband took some home-made wooden knitting needles on an international flight with success recently. Maybe security took pity on the poor knitting man?
August 29, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Jessica
You could just knit both sleeves at a time:
http://a-friend-to-knit-with.blogspot.com/2010/07/two-at-time.html
Never tried it myself, but it might mean I’d have a set of sleeves that are actually the same length for once.
August 29, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Jessica
And re: sweater, I say if you want to do it, just do it.
August 29, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Brenda
I think “cable boob” says it all. But, I know you could improve on it and make it look darling. Go for it!
August 29, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Fifa
Awesome, but it NEEDS to be longer. Cold belly and back, combined with hot and sweaty pits. euch.
August 30, 2010 at 12:31 am
libra-s
This is fabulous! But if I decide to make it, I have to modify it because I’m short and I don’t think that a heavy choppy top would be good on me!
August 30, 2010 at 4:29 am
Lisette
I believe I have the version from Rowan/The Knitter and it is in English! If you are interested let me know I can scan it for you.
August 30, 2010 at 5:18 am
brocadegoddess
I think it’s awesome! I love it and totally think you should go for it, and in that colour too! However, I do agree with a prior poster that the wide-legged trousers may be too much with it. On the other hand again, you don’t know until you try!
This sweater makes me wish I was a better knitter!
August 30, 2010 at 5:44 am
Lynne
The sweater is fantastic! The wide leg trousers will help balance the bulk of the sweater. The short length exposing your waist along with the trousers will make your waist look tiny, giving you a hourglass figure. I trust your personal color choice implicitly…I have seen past projects! Enjoy your knitting.
August 30, 2010 at 9:01 am
amber
I like it. For me, I’d lengthen the bodice because I’d be uncomfortable with my midsection hanging out, but I think you could pull it off beautifully. What color are you thinking? Excited to see it m’dear.
August 30, 2010 at 10:12 am
lorrwill
No. Just, no.
Knitting I can get being, but this alien cocoon thing, not at all.
August 30, 2010 at 10:19 am
Crystal
Well, I was going to keep this to myself, but fine. This is a good crochet book with really cute things to wear in it. But so help me god if you do the ones I am going to do I will never send you an awesome book link again! You’ve been warned… http://www.amazon.com/Blueprint-Crochet-Modern-Designs-Crocheter/dp/1596680725
August 30, 2010 at 11:27 am
Bernadette
I think you should go for it. I love the cuff to cuff construction, though I think I would want a little more ease on the neck to make it a bit more cowl-like, and less like it’s about to swallow your head. The pattern looks fairly simple, and knitting with such thick yarn means it will go super fast.
I would also like to chime with the others who have pointed out that knitting both sleeves/socks/mittens/handwarmers at once on big circular needles really is the way to go.
August 30, 2010 at 11:39 am
Petite Josette
I really do like the shape of the sweater. My only concern would be the length though, as I would be worried about some sort of “didn’t have enough yarn to finish it” look, but it might work fine actually.
Also, I’m always a bit hesitant to wear big heavy wool collars inside as many offices tend to be overheated in the winter…
August 30, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Jennifer
others have probably said it …it’s been done before – and pretty recently. Meh. (IMO). try to smuggle the husqvarna with you.
August 30, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Tasia
I love this sweater! Super cute. And isn’t it awesome, knowing that people are willing to listen to you babble on about ANYTHING?
August 30, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Michele
OMG, you cannot imagine how pleased I was to find someone like me (well sort of) finally. When I set out to make an adult size sweater, I get bored after the back is done. No front, no sleeves…People look at me in horror when I say this out loud. I wish I knew how to get unbored and finish something. Any tips? Oh, your sweater is cute, not something I would wear, cuz I’m too old, but on you, perfect!!
August 30, 2010 at 11:12 pm
ilo
Have you ever visited the website garnstudio.com? They have thousands of free knitting and crotched patterns in a lot of languages. They are not high fashion like your sweater, but they are good fitted. I use this site (in German) a lot for inspiration for my own projects (btw I’m not working for them).
August 31, 2010 at 10:05 am
Lyndsey
I like the sweater. I think the length is cute. I would lessen the neck line just a bit. It might swallow your head. More of an oversized turtleneck though. I don’t like it with more of a cowl neck at all.
September 1, 2010 at 10:57 am
Reduced to knitting « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] sewing’s slower, ergonomically problematic, more tedious cousin. I’ve started on the Carlos Miele knockoff sweater and here’s last night’s progress (after I could pack and clean no more.) Looks tiny but […]
September 8, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Jenny
I really love it! and am enjoying the progress reports.
October 15, 2010 at 6:19 am
Hitting new lows in garment making « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] those who have asked about the Miele knockoff sweater, it’s on a bit of a hiatus because I decided after finishing it that I want to rip out the […]
December 15, 2011 at 10:45 pm
doris clay
Did you ever finish and post the pattern? I love it soooo much!