I am an equal opportunity sweater lover. I love wool, cotton, silk, and alpaca sweaters. My queue is filled with colorwork, Tunisian, cabled, and uniquely constructed sweaters to crochet. And then there's the variety of sweater types to choose from-pullovers, cardigans, and jackets to name a few. Like so many crocheters and knitters, I am addicted to sweaters.

And this is the time of year, when a nip of cold seeps into the air, that I start thinking about the next sweater that will find its way onto my hook. Now I just have to choose a pattern. The first step is to pick a sweater type.

Cardigans

I know several people, including my own mother, who wear cardigans exclusively. They prefer how easy they are to put on and take off, and they're stylish but functional. Cardigans are also a great choice for large busted women. One of my favorite cardigans is the Riverstone Cardigan (above right). This sweater is flattering on most body types as well. The length is flattering on pear shaped women (or any woman who does not want to add width to her hips), stopping short of the hips. The two button closure creates a pleasing triangle, drawing the eye up to the yoke which frames the face. I have found that the one or two button swing jacket creates the illusion of a more hourglass figure on my straight figure as well.

Jackets

When it comes to crochet, the main difference I see between cardigans and jackets is the thickness of the fabric. Jackets are generally designed to be worn outdoors for greater warmth. Sometimes, as with the Curried Cable Jacket (above left), they are fastened with a zipper, but like the Aspenglow Jacket (at left), buttons or toggles are also used. Because it stops short of the hips, the Curried Cable Jacket could be very flattering on a pear shaped body and the Aspenglow Jacket is beautiful on a straight figure. The Aspenglow Jacket is a combination of Tunisian stitches and cables, making this jacket extra thick and warm. While the cables and Tunisian stitches create a beautiful and warm fabric, they also are thicker. This translates to more volume on you.

Pullovers

And then there are pullovers-I love a beautiful pullover just as much as a classic cardigan.The drape and vertical stitch pattern of the Trellis Pullover (at right) would make this a great multi-season sweater. I would wear a short-sleeve t-shirt or tank top under it during the fall and spring and a long-sleeve shirt under it in the winter. The tie and drape just above the hip makes this a great choice for those of us with a straight figure who are trying to create an hourglass silhouette. The Northern Dreams Pullover (below left) draws attention away from the hips with its beautiful colorwork yoke.

Do you have a favorite type of sweater? Take a look at your the sweaters in your closet to determine the type of sweater flatters your figure. Then check out the sweater patterns at the Crochet Me Shop and download your perfect sweater today.

Best wishes,