It somehow seems appropriate to bring up the Sweater Curse at this time of year. Not only because Halloween is fast approaching, but because sweater weather is bearing down on us with a vengeance. The Sweater Curse is a well-known part of the knitting culture. The general narrative of the myth follows a simple, general path: A knitter has a boyfriend that she is rather fond of, so she decided to knit him a sweater. Shortly before or after the completion of the sweater, the relationship is terminated.
Sounds rather scary, right? Don’t worry too much, even though this phenomenon is called a “curse,” most people don’t actually think of it in supernatural terms; there are some really logical, good reasons why the Sweater Curse might visit an unfortunate knitter. One of the most popular theories is that the highly emotional value of a knitted sweater (it’s a lot of time, money, and effort) signals the perhaps more serious intentions of the knitter to the boyfriend,* resulting in the boyfriend breaking off the relationship. There are also stories of ungrateful sweater recipients, most of whom are promptly dumped by the knitter as a result. Another theory is that a relationship simply might come to a natural end before the sweater is completed.
Whatever the reasons behind the curse, there’s a decent proportion of the knitting community who believes that it’s something to take into consideration before knitting for a boyfriend. If you’re thinking of knitting for a significant other any time soon, you might want to try some of these other, non-sweater patterns. Starting small and building up to a sweater may be a good way to test the waters of your relationship.
*Since the majority of knitters are female, I’m going to assume that my hypothetical Sweater Cursed couple consists of a female knitter and a male boyfriend.
5 Patterns That Won’t Invoke the Sweater Curse
Midnight Magic Fingerless Gloves – You can send your boyfriend to the store for his sweaters, but gloves are another matter. Quick and simple, these mitts feature a simple cable detail that’s decorative without being feminine. This pattern is a perfect first-time knit gift.
Basic Boyfriend Ribbed Hat – Hats are another great way to introduce your man friend to your knitting ways. You can whip together this knit hat fairly quickly, so it’s a great gift for the holidays.
Black Bear Infinity Scarf – A simple scarf can go a long way. This infinity scarf will keep your boyfriend warm on a chilly night.
Combo Cable Scarf – For something a little more elaborate, this cabled scarf makes a great gift for your boyfriend.
Tyson Slouch Beanie – Another simple project, this slouchy hat will knit up quickly and keep your boyfriend’s ears warm. There’s nothing not to like about this stylish, simple pattern.
Do you believe in the Sweater Curse?
Speaking of holiday knitting, DON’T MISS your chance to enter our Yarn Medley Giveaway with Lion Brand! You’ll get a chance to win a variety of yarn that will make your holiday knitting a snap. The contest ends this Thursday October 31, 2013, at 11:59:59 P.M. You could win a prize valued at $50, so enter today for your chance to win!
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If there was a sweater curse, I would have had a long standing relationship. I’ve been working on a sweater for about 10 years now!
I beat the curse! I made a sweater for my then-boyfriend (now husband) and 18 years later the relationship and the sweater are still together.
Well, if there is such a thing, I guess the best coarse of action is to just make the sweater for oneself. Problem solved 🙂
Nope! Don’t believe in the curse!! I agree that the best course of action is to make it for me. I actually am wearing a sweater that is about 18 years old right now and it is still warm!
I didn’t know about the “curse” until after I had made one for my then boyfriend. We just celebrated our 14th anniversary.
I was already married before I knit anything for DH. He didn’t divorce me so I guess I am safe! I encourage my daughter not to knit for her SO. Don’t want to tempt fate.
I believe in the scarf curse. Same thing only with scarves. Happened to me. Wonder what would have happened to me if it had been a sweater……I am a slow knitter but a breakup is better sooner than later if it is destined to be.
The other part of this is if one knits a piece of one’s hair in the sweater, the man will stay forever. Most knitter’s probably end up with at least one strand of hair in any project.
That’s the truth! Even being a man, I end up finding hairs in my knitting, sometimes after they have already been knit in! I have short hair, so I guess it’s just one of those unavoidable things; unless you wear a hairnet or something, which would be silly, lol!
I think I got the Sweater Blessing. My boyfriend’s mother made us matching sweaters…we just celebrated our 35th anniversary!
Such a lovely thing to do! I think I’ll do the same for my daughter and her husband, and my son and his fiancee!
I don’t believe in the sweater curse. I knit a sweater for my husband a few months after we met. Our 11th anniversary is in a few months. By the way, he never wore the sweater. I can’t blame him though – I used acrylic – I hadn’t yet learned to appreciate the benefits of real wool!
It happened to me! Luckily I still have the sweater (though I haven’t finished it yet), a very intricate cable pattern that was really a LOT of work!
Lol, by the time I finish my boyfriends sweater we will have been married for a while!
I believe!…..I knit a sweater for my then boyfriend and we were married for 12 years before he traded me and our daughters in for a Go-Go Dancer, and during those 12 years I never saw him wear the sweater once. It was a beautiful baby blue cardigan knit way back in the 60’s.
Wow, what a jerk! As a man that knits, I know what goes into making a sweater. There is always someone out there who will appreciate it, though, and really treasure it. I hope you have found someone to treasure you!
never heard of the curse, but then, have never knit a sweater for a boyfriend.
“Since the majority of knitters are female, I’m going to assume that my hypothetical Sweater Cursed couple consists of a female knitter and a male boyfriend.”
Ehm… just because I’m female, doesn’t mean I have a boyfriend. Some of us are female and have a GIRLfriend. 1 in 20, to be exact.
I don’t believe it, because of the number of people that have made sweaters for their beloved, and are still together, are higher than the number of relationships that ended. People decide what they will or will not do, not a sweater, or any other object.
It happens not just with hand knits. I bought my husband a jumper for this Christmas (I only like knitting smaller items) and he has just decided to go back to his first wife who he doesn’t love but who has inherited a fortune!
Crocheted a sweater for the man, married him, and now we sleep under a hand-knit blanket. HEA is real for some, 33 years and counting. Of course, it helps that having needles and yarn in my hands means I don’t have them around his throat LOL
Never heard of the sweater curse. I don’t think I knitted for the first two husbands. Have for this one, and still married.