Make Your Own Basics: The turtleneck sweater

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Make Your Own Basics: The turtleneck sweater

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can’t stand anything up around their neck, and those of us who think it’s the coziest thing possible. For the latter half, a good turtleneck sweater is an absolute winter wardrobe must-have.

TOP: Carrowkeel by Kate Gagnon-Osborn is a cozy aran-weight stockinette classic with impeccable details like seamed compound raglans and a rib border at the split hem

MIDDLE: Cadence by Michele Wang has a textured body and stockinette sleeves (and includes crewneck and v-neck options)

BOTTOM: Hudson by Julie Hoover is fitted and ribbed — the non-slouch turtleneck

NOT PICTURED: Tessa by Berroco is DK-weight, set-in sleeves, and basic as can be

Addendum: For those who would like something turtleneck-ish but not right up against the neck, take a look at Element by Kirsten Johnstone and Lightweight Pullover by Hannah Fettig.

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PREVIOUSLY in Make Your Own Basics: The shawl-collar cardigan

26 thoughts on “Make Your Own Basics: The turtleneck sweater”

  2. Always love your writing and ideas but wish you would do a more even split between raglan and set-in sleeve designs. There are some of us who won’t wear raglans no matter how beautiful – it’s a design that is just wrong for certain body types.

    • I happen to be one of those types….but I just finished making Kate Davies’ Owligan because I loved it so much :) I made it of Jacob handspun and had to do quite a bit of tweaking of the pattern including adding short rows to the back and neck so it fits better than the average raglan. Maybe that’s a possibility for you?

    • That last one is set-in sleeves, but your point is well-taken. I had gone through hundreds of options and narrowed it down to the ones I felt were most basic and useful and only then realized these three were all raglans. If you’re looking for a cabled turtleneck, there are lots of set-in sleeve options! But fewer good ones for plainer sweaters.

    • Carol, I am with you on this one. Though I could not join the KAL, I am finally knitting my shawl collar raglan cardigan. Those raglan lines really look hideous on me, and I am about ready to frog the whole thing. :(

  5. hmmm it’s not that I dislike turtlenecks, I just need the right ~material~ around my neck. any yarn suggestions? lol

  6. I definitely find myself in the camp that hates things on my neck (the front of my neck, at least). Although Cadence might stand out from the neck just enough that it could work!

    • LOVE the twisted rib pullover! It’s on my list for 2017. I’m thinking of using a rich, deep red for it. Of course, black is always classic.

  8. I love turtlenecks too, your selection is lovely. Hudson is just the perfect winter sweater, with a couple more inches at the bottom it could become a staple in my wardrobe.

  9. I love turtleneck sweaters! I am just about to cast on Hyannis Port by Cecily Glowic MacDonald. I love Cadence that you featured here. The differences in textures are really nice.

  11. I definitely need a turtleneck in my life, I haven’t found a just-right one yet. I actually knit the sample for Cadence! It was a fun, easy, pretty quick knit and there are some really beautiful and thoughtful details to the pattern, like the full-fashioned raglan decreases and the neckline shaping, which extends into the sleeve stitches.

  12. Love these choices, especially Hoover.
    One of my first sweaters, was Hannah Fettig’s “Lightweight Pullover”. It has the most beautiful puddling turtleneck on it. After many years of wearing it to pieces, I reently modified it by shortening the sleeves to above elbow, and dyeing the previous light blue to a deep indigo. I now have a whole new sweater!

  13. Knitting a deep chocolate brown (a colour that seems surprisingly hard to find – suggestions appreciated) turtleneck has been on my list. Can’t go wrong with a turtleneck. I’d have to say that Hudson seems like a good all-around version.

  14. Pingback: Winter ’16 wardrobe planning, Part 1: Wants and needs | Fringe Association

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  17. I’m sitting here obsessing over the Carrowkeel pattern and trying to figure out what Aran to use. I would love any suggestions. I don’t want to use the arranmore because I don’t love the idea of silk.

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