Bulky is What Bulky Does

I'm not sure if many Knitting with Bulky Wool theories exist or if there are any sure-fire tips for looking good in bulky garments.

I suppose it helps if you are under the age of five or have the first name, Heidi, and the last name, Klum, or if you are just one of those perpetually peppy people who moves so quickly that all one really sees when they get a glance of you is a swoosh.

But the bulky knits. There are a few that have been nice. And part of the "nice" thing could be the sheer fun of knitting something that finishes up quickly and can be worn quickly, too. But I tell you what: If at least two out of the following apply to you, I say, don't be donning the bulky:

1. You are easily disappointed
2. You happen to be retaining water
3. You have legs that resemble daikons
4. You are under 6-feet 12 inches

Honestly, I'm no fashionista; (you should see me today) and gosh knows I'm no expert, but I am always surprised at all the bulky stuff out there. And why it sells, sells, sells.

Until today.

Today, at the LYS and having a bit of coffee with three tablespoons of cream, I was sitting there with three other ladies, chatting it up about the bulky knits. One of the gals had found this new Trendsetter yarn that I swear must be the diameter of a tree stump, and after our gnashing of teeth over the fact we could never get away with wearing a cardigan out of that stuff, a tall 60's-ish-gal breezes in, eyes a sample cardigan (super bulky with a giant fluffy lion collar) up on the wall and croons, "Ooooh, what's that? I want to knit that!"

So Betty, the lady who works there, takes it down from the wall, and hands it to the gal while all of us at the table eye-ball each other. (Heh. She's going to look bulky, Heh.)

And wouldn't you know she looked fab?

She looked fab. And the next thing we know, she purchases nine or so balls of the Katia something-or-other, and another three of this fluffy boucle for the giant fluffy collar and huge sleeve chunks while muttering that she left her glasses at home, etc.

After she left, and heads down:

..."It was because she's tall." Click click of the needles.

..."No, it wasn't because she was tall; it was clearly because she is at least a size 42 but the tag on the sample said 36." Click click click.

All of us together: "Yeah; it's because the tag said 36."

Comments

[Jeanie]

O.K. so when or how can I get my hands on the sweater pattern Girlfriend is wearing. It is super cute!!!!

[Wendy]

Hollywood Knits, friends; Hollywood Knits...(I subbed cotton ease, which I think will be out again, soon.)

[LaurieM]

Or maybe it was proportionate on her. I suggest this because no matter if the lady is big and the sweater is big and if has huge collar and cuffs, well then, then lady and the sweater will appear smaller.

I'm a big gal, and let me tell you, I don't wear a teeny little "lady's watch". It just looks stupid on me.

[Wendy]

I guess you have a point, Laurie M. She was tall, and this thing looked so goooood on her. We all sat in shame (all of us under 5'5")

[keohinani]

riiight. okay. i'll just sit here, eat the rest of my snickers bar, knit on my shawl a bit, and kick myself tomorrow for not going to weightlifting today (i have to work late).

which reminds me: i still have that teva durham lace leaf pullover thing i have to finish in rowan plaid, too. gonna need it when i go to oregon in november...it's orange. at the very least, i'll be highly visible! hehe...

[Wendy]

...and bulky! ... Mabye wear platforms?

[keohinani]

ooh, ooh, with leggings! (seriously, whose great idea was it to bring 80's gymwear back into mainstream couture?)

[Wendy]

...those with thin legs.

[Stephanie P]

God, you are HILARIOUS.

hhaahahahahhhahahahahhhahahah

[emily]

I really love bulky sweaters. I have since before I learned to knit. I love leggings too. Now I'm going to run away and hide before you all throw things at me.

[Wendy]

Hee hee Emily! No problems. I love all the fibers, even the mini, maxi, super, whatever. It's all good! (But allow us to be slightly envious if you can wear it and we can't.)

Ok. Must go to bed, now.

[Katie]

Bulky yarns are great for kitty pi cat beds, but how many kitty pi's does a kitty need? ;^)

BTW, I had a sticky note to remeind me to watch Knitty Gritty today because I wanted to see Annie Modesitt and *SCORE BONUS* I forgot you were one of the Knitsters on that epi.

Oh... Leggings? I was at JoAnns and they have a free pattern for leggings made with Red Heart camouflage yarn. Mmmmm.... Comfy! Bwahahaha

[Heidi]

you know if you gave girlfriend some bunny ears, pink leggings and make her a pom pom tail she will be the perfect little bunny for halloween in that sweater
Heart
Heidi

[sherry]

Hee hee. I bought enough "Baby Monkey" (very, very fluffy, bulky eyelashy synthetic yarn) to make a tank top, because it was deeply discounted. (Yes, it is horrible yarn, but it is NICE horrible yarn, and it was CHEAP!!) I got it home and realized, whoa, that tank top was gonna add about 80 pounds. That's been the hard thing about getting older for me, slipping up and thinking that I still weigh 117 pounds. Sigh.

[Lizbon]

And I was just eyeing the superbulky yarns in my stash wondering what I can EVER knit with them...

Apparently nothing until I have that superelastic stretchoplastic operation done.

Drat.

[Tammy]

Yeah for Tivo! Thanks Katie - Turning on today's Knitty Gritty now. Oh - there you are Wendy! How fun.

[Sharon]

LaurieM is right - it's all about proportion. Us big gals should not carry little purses or wear little shawls or "shrunken" jackets but we can wear big cables and bulky yarn knits if the fit is right. And the bulky yarn on the big gal doesn't drape to show the bumps and bulges no one should have to see. Check out the lovely bulky items in the latest Rowan mag, for example. On the skinny models, the fit is excellent and creates the fab look. It can be done - maybe not easily though!

[Erin]

I'm not sure it's the height or size of the person, but more the shape.

Since I have broad shoulders, if I wear bulky or boxy things, I look like a rubik's cube. But my same-size friend with narrower shoulders can get away with those things. It's just that my damned shoulders give it a frame that's bigger than the rest of me.

[Samantha]

Bulky yarn is good for afghans. LOL

[Marsha]

I agree with Erin. I'm average in today's standards but I'm shaped like an inverted triangle - big, broad shoulders, straight waist and no hips and 5'5". Bulky makes me look like a linebacker!! (Conversely, dainty stuff does the same thing - but that's another post!!) That doesn't stop me from drooling over the bulkies and wishing I could wear them since they are such quick knits!!
GF's sweater is adorable!

[victoria]

The big yarn sells because there are so many geinner knitters out there who are just making scarves. Or who want a craft project but don't really ever plan to wear it.

[victoria]

Sorry, I meant "BEGINNER knitters."

[Erica]

Oh, Girlfriend looks SO cute in that! Yes, little girls can definitely pull off the bulky knit thing. Makes me want to get some bulky yarn to (finally!) knit the Things their long-ago promised sweaters....

[Gina]

The most confounding of all? The superbulky sleeveless turtleneck!

[Cheri]

My 16 year old son asked me the other day if I could knit him a hat in some bulky yarn (something cool...or hip...or whatever the saying is these days). Perhaps he could carry it off ;)