Hope Macauley Cardigan

[amibeingaknob]

Ive been cooing over these cardigans for years, and I just saw it on Traitors and as Ive done quite well with work recently Im seriously considering buying one as a well done to myself. Am I mad? I want the colourful one, but its over £400!!!! Ive never spent that on anything before. I do know I would wear it to death, and it would make me crazy happy. I have a ratty old brown cardigan that I wear constantly. So should I go for it, or is that totally bonkers? Anyone got one? The fact you cant wash them might be an issue cos I know I would wear it constantly and Im a glumsy git.

Thoughts?

Oh and here is the beauty. I mean its a work of art and so cheery. The Colourful Colossal Knit Cardigan | Hope Macaulay

I also love the browner colours which would go with more Bruna Colossal Knit Cardigan | Hope Macaulay

I also wouldn't know what size to get. Im a size 10/12 tall with big boobs. I really want that oversize look so Im guessing M/L. Id want it a bigger fit than on the model. They are made to order so don't want to fuck it up.

I've seen these before and wondered who would buy them - not in a bad way, I promise, just because they are so different and expensive. Not to my taste, but I totally get the joy of treating yourself to a coveted piece of knitwear. I've spent that amount before on one or two things and they do give me joy every time I wear them.

As another knitter I heartily agree with all of this. I don't think those boggling at the price realise that there is easily £150 of raw material in this cardigan. Hand-knitting this kind of roving yarn is highly skilled work.

I agree that the price isn't outrageous really. I'm knitting a Rowan pattern for a Big Wool cardigan but using a cheaper substitute. The yarn alone is about £60. A fast professional knitter could probably do it in a day. But even then, a day's labour is £150/200 plus the yarn plus mark-up. If it's taking two days, it's easily coming up to the retail price alone.

Enjoy your cardigan OP and please post a picture when it arrives.

There is a trend for this sort of knitting now-some do it with arms and there are workshops/courses all over the place. Here is one in Blackpool

https//chunkyarmknit.com/collections/arm-knitting-workshops/

I've only looked in Lancashire and Yorkshire and there are several so I'm sure there are some where ever you are.

I don't know the cost but once you've learned, you can make as many in as many colours as you choose @amibeingaknob

I really like it and feel it's a cool statement piece but the ability to clean it properly, especially if you think you'll wear it a lot and might pick at it would worry me in terms of the cost. I think it looks like something which will just wear badly quite quickly with a lot of use unfortunately. I would do a bit of research into knitting or see if you could find someone you could pay to make it for a much cheaper price so you get the same effect without the hefty cost.

As a third knitter and crocheter I will also say that roving yarn is very sensitive to pulls and rips. Spun fibres have added strength against being tugged because they're help tight to themselves as part of the spinning process, raw roving fibres do not.

knitting is not hard and you could get the same effect from another yarn. I urge you to try knitting. You might be amazed how quickly you pick it up with the help of the step by step videos. The. You could have your 10 colourful garments!

I have dsypraxia - my fine motor skills are non existent. I really couldn't even do basic knitting unfortunately. Much as Id love to. And I dont have a creative bone in my body, except writing. But nowt arts and crafty. Oh how I wish I did. Cant be good at everything though hey.

That’s less than minimum wage…

I’m a sucker for expensive knitwear and fully on board with a treat, but these don’t appeal to me at all. I think Tom Daley wore at least one in the knitting show he did recently and I hated everything he wore, whilst massively admiring the many beautiful hand knits the contestants wore each week. Having said that, the price reflects the cost of the materials and the skill of the maker as knitting with roving is a different skill. It will felt with wear though, not just pill. I think I’ve got some kind of thing going on with very chunky knitting, as the sight of it makes me uncomfortable. Same with the chain constructed yarns that are popular now, they give me the creeps.

Pls do update when it arrives, and how it holds up. I've had a squish in a local boutique and knitted a similar one for a young relative and just can't see the HMcA one lasting at all

I’m your age (actually a few years older) and I think they’re fantastic. I love quirky clothing and bright colours.

One of the amazing things about wool is that it really doesn't smell! I have a wool cardigan which says "don't wash" and I never have. I've worn it for over a decade and I got it second hand in the first place..... Honestly not even a hint of a smell.

I wouldn't dream of spending that much! It looks too bulky to be practical and would get dirty very quickly. The dry cleaning would be expensive too.

@amibeingaknob I'm curious if you got your cardigan yet and what you think of it?

Nope. Apparenlty there are massive delays (due to the traitors I reckon - 2 people have worn their cardigans).

Im so impatient.

@amibeingaknobhas it arrived yet? I am in the process of knitting one with a similar pattern but it would have been easier to buy! Excited to see what you think when it arrives!

@peanutpancakes No - but they have a 'knitter tracker' thing and I just checked and its on its way! EEEEEEKKKK. Im sooooo excited. Im gonna wear it to death.
It just feels so fancy having to wait for something to be handmade for you.

The website is currently saying 7 weeks wait now as well - no doubt due the traitors.
I have my eye on another one already. I am DEFO not in the financial category to purchase another but god I want to.

You're paying her £5 ph?!!! That's illegal and also really morally questionable as you're clearly taking massive advantage. It's not even close go minimum wage.

I'd be embarrassed, if I were that mean, to post about it even on an anonymous forum.

Ohh exciting! Please come back with an update when it arrives, I’m excited to see it!
And if you wear it all the time it’s virtually free 😆

That is what she charges a lot of people, not just me 😂I offered her the wool for free as I had loads and she suggested it - she's 83 and owns a 4 bedfarm and over 2000acres of land so I am not sure she needs your concern 😂

upstairsdownstairscardboardbox -

Im sorry but i really think that just makes it worse. At her age shes vulnerable. I dont think its cool, but just my opinion.

That makes it worse.

She sounds vulnerable and like people are taking advantage of that.