This doesn’t exist does it - jumper quest

[myladyjane]

For the past couple of years I have been looking for a specific jumper:

fairisle/nordic
blue/green/pink or cream around the neck/patterned bit. But light colours not navy/dark green.
ideally funnel neck

now I can find quite a lot which fit this description but the other important factor is for it to be cotton. I have a bit of a mild wool allergy (even cashmere) and I hate acrylic knitwear.

i can find cotton but not colours that suit me or they have a childish Christmas pattern. I did buy one in desperation from cotton traders a couple of years ago but it looked dreadful - no shape and droopy. There is one again this year but it is essentially the same as the one I had.

i have tried wearing something under wool btw but anywhere it touches I get rashy so i spend my days pulling down my wrists or pulling the collar away from my neck. There was a nice joules one last year but it wasn’t pure cotton and had something in it that had me pulling it off in itchy desperation in the changing room.

shall I just give up? Size 12 and budget up to 150 if anyone does fancy a search.

Aaargh

Agree, I think Rowan have a pattern for a cotton fair Isle. My patterns are all packed away as I have had builders in but I will have an online browse for you.
Failing that, how are you with cashmere ? Brora did a cream cashmere fair Isle jumper a few years ago that appears on eBay and Vinted sometimes. So if cashmere is comfortable and you don’t mind second hand then get a search alert.

Oh @Zebracat that looks excellent

thank you very much all. I do appreciate it.

I bought one recently from Seasalt through Vinted. The style name is Polurrian Cove and it’s 100% cotton - it might be worth looking on Vinted/EBay or maybe see if Seasalt are doing a similar style for this season?

I like the Joules one. OP, could you consider wearing a thin, silky long sleeved vest under a sweater as barrier between you and the wool content?

On Next website, ‘Little Tailor fairisle’ - 100% cotton.

Lily and Me

That's a decent budget but very specific brief. I'd suggest join the "Handmade Scotland" Facebook group and post there. It has thousands of Scottish crafters on it, many doing Fair Isle style knits. I'm
sure someone will happily work with you to create what you want

I have ordered the lll bean one (dh us thrilled as he’s not had to put an ounce of thought into my birthday present) but if that doesn’t work, that lily & sillk one is now on the list.

i wouldn’t have thought I could afford to get one knitted?

again thank you for finding some things I didn’t. I spent hours looking and couldn’t find anything so we can only deduce that I am not a good googler…..

Just a word for viscose yarn. I don't know if it comes in the thicker widths that would allow for Fair Isle designs but for jumpers in general it's quite affordable, washes well and doesn't seem to get smelly. I love wool but we get moths eating it so for that reason have chosen viscose sometimes.

Knitter here, it is hard to make cotton yarn mesh together in the way that fair isle demands but the machine made jumpers may be better. However, the thing about cotton is that it does stretch and sag, so you may want to look for a jumper with some lycra to keep its shape.

As others have said there are lots of alternative fibres around now: other plant based fibres like bamboo, hemp, corn, and different animal fibres that are worth trying. Don't go anywhere near mohair (makes me feel itchy just thinking about it) but alpaca or angora might be worth looking at.
I can manage some wool though too much near my skin and I get itchy, but I'm fine with cashmere, and alpaca is a dream.

I'm same as OP - don't get on with wool and tend to wear cotton knitwear. I am also a knitter and have knitted several Fair Isle and Icelandic jumpers in 100% cotton. @drspouse is correct- the garment does lose its shape more quickly in cotton, and the pattern can skew. I only knit for friends and family as I do it for fun and knitting to order would take the joy out (I'm not professional standard! 😞). However, many people do (my mother knitted to order and only charged the cost of the wool).

The Handmade Scotland Facebook group is a good shout from @Ruroandhugo Good luck in your quest.

I do believe I've found the perfect sweater for you: https://www.jcrew.com/uk/m/womens/categories/clothing/sweaters/pullovers/2025-rollnecktrade-fair-isle-sweater/ME617?display=standard&fit=Classic&color_name=mountain-white-navy&colorProductCode=CZ312