How to Avoid the Sweater Curse–or Embrace It
Some knitters avoid the sweater curse; others use it to test their romantic relationships. Whatever your choice, you’ll find a pattern here
Most knitters have heard of “the sweater curse.” I’ve seen it also referred to as “the curse of the love sweater” and “the boyfriend sweater curse.” But it all chalks up to the same idea: beware of knitting a sweater for a boyfriend. If you do, the boyfriend is likely to flee!
Does the sweater curse truly seem to have some merit to it, or is a myth? It depends on who you ask. There is of course a great deal of anecdotal evidence to support both thoughts.
Hundreds if not thousands of women swear that the sweater they knitted for their men led to an abrupt breakup; others insist that THEY knit their men sweaters and THEY didn’t flee; in fact, they got married!
Is There a Sweater Curse? And If So… Why?!
Me? I think the sweater curse has some merit.
As has been stated in many blogs and articles about this so-called curse, a sweater is a test of sorts. Giving a man a sweater — or, sometimes, any knitted item — might force the man to consider just how committed he is to the relationship. If his significant other is into him enough to knit him a sweater, is that feeling reciprocated?
I’ve seen some knitters actually view a hand-knit sweater as just such a test, and they declare that they WILL be giving their boyfriends sweaters to see if he is marriage material.
Every knitter, of course, must decide for her/himself if knitting such a sweater is worth the risk. Some knitters might want to test their relationships; others may decide that it could be too soon for such a test.
In this spirit, I’ve listed several different items that you could knit for your man, if you’re eager to knit him something but aren’t ready to take the sweater plunge just yet.
And, if you’re feeling daring? I’ve also provided a few sweater patterns for you to try!
Avoid the Sweater Curse: Knit These for Your Man Instead
Hat: Of course, a hat is perhaps the most common sweater-substitute gift knit for boyfriends. I love this simple yet stylish hat pattern called “Ocean Crest.” It’s ribbed throughout and features a double-folding brim.
What you’ll need to make it: About 330 yards DK weight yarn; US Size 2.5 circular knitting needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; 6 stitch markers
Photo: Cailyn Meyer
Socks: Frankly, socks can take as long as a sweater to knit, but shhhhh… your boyfriend doesn’t need to know that! These “Java” socks are perfect for a knitter who would fall asleep knitting basic stockinette or ribbed socks. Knit in a neutral color, these make wonderfully manly dress socks.
What you’ll need to make them: 420 yards fingering weight yarn; US Size 1 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit socks in the round
Photo: MsDezzy1995 on Ravelry
Mittens or gloves: Every man needs mittens or gloves (unless he lives where it never gets cold), but men don’t always buy them for themselves. That makes them a perfect item to knit! Knit “Modified Army Gloves,” “Cruiser” mittens, or “Don’t Skid, Honey” fingerless gloves.
What you’ll need to make them:
Photo: Cailyn Meyer
- For Modified Army Gloves: 137 to 155 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 1.5 and 2.5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer knitting in the round; stitch holder, scrap yarn, or spare DPN (to hold live stitches while you work other stitches)
- For Cruiser Mittens: 170 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 6 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer knitting in the round; cable needle or spare DPN; stitch holder, scrap yarn, or spare DPN (to hold live stitches while you work other stitches)
Photo: Justyna Lorkowska
- For Don’t Skid, Honey!: 218 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 6 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer knitting in the round; cable needle or spare DPN; stitch holder, scrap yarn, or spare DPN (to hold live stitches while you work other stitches); stitch markers of at least 2 different colors
Photo: Ágnes Kutas
Scarf: In blustery climates, a scarf is a must. Make it in a neutral color, without fringe, and he’ll have a happy neck warmer. “Christian’s Scarf” has just a wee bit of texture to make it interesting, but not so much as to seem fussy–a stellar choice!
What you’ll need to make it: 465 yards worsted weight (or whatever you have available that you’d like to use) yarn; needle size fitting the yarn you use
Earwarmers: Some men hate to wear hats. For them, wide headbands — also called “earwarmers” — are the perfect solution. The “Intertwining Diamonds Cabled Headband” is incredibly stylish without being incredibly fussy.
What you’ll need to make it: About 125 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 8 needles; cable needle or spare DPN
Photo: Laura Crowley
Bookmark: If you’re in a really new relationship but can’t resist the urge to knit your man something, why not try a few bookmarks? He’ll find this “Journal Band with Pen Pocket” doubly useful–to keep his place in a book as well as to keep a pen close at hand!
What you’ll need to make it: About 70 yards fingering weight yarn; US Size 1.5 needles; spare knitting needles (same size or larger); stitch markers; tapestry needle
Knit a Sweater — If You Dare
Finally, here are a few simple yet stylish sweater patterns, if you’re ready to try the ultimate test!
What you’ll need to make it: Up to 2180 yards DK weight yarn; US Size 6 and 4 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; two buttons; sewing needle and thread
What you’ll need to make it: About 2020 yards sport weight and 2230 yards fingering weight yarn (these will be held together and knitted); US Size 8 and 6 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round
Photo: Ashley Knowlton
What you’ll need to make it: 1270 to 2270 yards Aran weight yarn; US Size 8 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; cable needle or spare DPN; zipper
What you’ll need to make it: About 2200 yards sport weight yarn; US Size 4 and 1 or 2 needles plus US Size 1 or 2 circular needles; tapestry needle
What you’ll need to make it: 1300 to 2080 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 5 and 3 needles; tapestry needle; 6 3/4-inch buttons; sewing needle and thread
What you’ll need to make it: About 2100 yards worsted weight yarn; 3 sets of US Size 7 circular needles, 2 at least 29 inches long; 1 set US Size 5 circular needles at least 29 inches long; cable needle or spare DPN; stitch markers; tapestry needle; sewing needle and thread; separating zipper
So whether you choose to circumvent the sweater curse altogether or embrace it and see what happens, you can knit something for your man to love!
terrific article! I always look forward to hearing from you and your great suggestions. keep up the good work!!
Thank you for your kind words, Chris. ❤️
This is not exactly a curse but….
Before our son was born, I started a sweater for my husband, using DK 90% wool and 10% alpaca. It looked like a simple pattern but when I started to knit it, it’s a nightmare. The whole front and back plus sleeves are in P4,K4 rib but every 3rd row, the K4 is C4F. I stopped after finishing the back. Then we moved from Canada (seriously cold) to the desert in USA. I finally picked it back up after our son turned adult. Even we moved to a colder part of USA, my husband had only worn it a few times. I guess we are lucky that we are still married after all these years!
That sweater does indeed sound a bit like a curse, even if it didn’t drive your man away! (I suppose it’s because you were already married. Everything I’ve read seems to indicate that marriage is the failsafe to avoiding The Curse. 😆)
I knit a beautiful cabled sweater for a man I thought I was desperately in love with. I don’t remember if he ever wore it but I do know he broke up with me not long after! I’m lucky he did because he was not the sort to marry!
It sounds like the “sweater curse” worked in your favor, then! 😉 Thanks for commenting!