
KNIT LIST
Three Essential Sweaters You Need This Fall
By: Caitlin Madden
No two (or three!) yarns are alike…
Sweaters are my favorite piece in my entire wardrobe. You can pretty much always catch me in some type of sweater. Seriously, as I write this—in the middle of August, mind you—I have a cardigan thrown over my outfit. I am a sweater aficionado. I can never have enough.
So, since my closet is basically stuffed to the brim with sweaters, I try to be strategic when bringing a new piece into the mix. I realized this was necessary when I looked at my collection and saw four practically identical cream-colored chunky knits. If I’m going to add a new sweater to my already ever-growing pile, it has to be special. It has to be something unlike anything else I already own.
That’s where these yarns come in.
This season, Free People launched amazing new sweaters in seriously unique fabrications. They’re soft, they’re comfy, they have special details you’ll only find at FP, and they’re all really different because of the yarns they use.
They’re special enough that I feel like I can’t just get one, and I can’t recommend just one to you either. They all do something different—it’s like they’re each filling a very specific role in my sweater lineup, and I can make a case for each one of them.
Seriously, I think you should get all three.
So, since my closet is basically stuffed to the brim with sweaters, I try to be strategic when bringing a new piece into the mix. I realized this was necessary when I looked at my collection and saw four practically identical cream-colored chunky knits. If I’m going to add a new sweater to my already ever-growing pile, it has to be special. It has to be something unlike anything else I already own.
That’s where these yarns come in.
This season, Free People launched amazing new sweaters in seriously unique fabrications. They’re soft, they’re comfy, they have special details you’ll only find at FP, and they’re all really different because of the yarns they use.
They’re special enough that I feel like I can’t just get one, and I can’t recommend just one to you either. They all do something different—it’s like they’re each filling a very specific role in my sweater lineup, and I can make a case for each one of them.
Seriously, I think you should get all three.
THE ALL-SEASONS COTTON SWEATER
If you’re looking for the ideal chilly-morning-hot-afternoon sweater, I found it for you. This is truly a sweater you could wear year-round. At the beach, in the snow, with shorts, layered up—it’s extremely versatile. It’s made out of a primarily cotton blend, and even though it has some weight to it, it doesn’t feel much heavier than wearing a long-sleeve tee. It’s a soft knit that feels super breathable—the first time I wore it was on a warm day at the end of the summer, and it was almost like I could feel the breeze through my sweater, so I wasn’t hot at all. It’s also really comfy and has an easy, relaxed silhouette that feels effortless and timeless. Plus, the rolled hem details add some texture, so it feels a little more elevated and special than any other oversized sweater I have in my collection. I know this is a sweater I’ll be reaching for season after season. I’ve already worn it three times and it’s not even fall yet.
THE LIGHT-AS-AIR CARDIGAN
We can’t talk sweaters without mentioning cardigans. And this one is really special. Have you ever worn a cloud? No? Okay, neither have I, but this is what I imagine it might feel like. This sweater is so soft. It has this really plush feeling that is almost pillow-like. When you pinch it between your fingers, it bounces back like a fluffy baked good. I have no shortage of analogies on just how soft this sweater is. It’s made in Free People’s SoftSpun wool-blend yarn that’s created through a special spinning process that makes for a light and lofty feeling that’s super cozy and—did I mention soft? I also just love the fit of it; it’s slightly shrunken for a slim silhouette, so if you wear it buttoned up, you don’t need to layer it if you don’t want to. It also has this fuzzy halo finish, so it feels fluffy and cozy—exactly what you’d want in a fall cardigan.
THE CLASSIC CASHMERE CREWNECK
Surprise, surprise! You need a cashmere sweater! You’ll hear that a million times throughout sweater season, but I’m here to give you the details on why cashmere really is so essential. Cashmere is a luxe wool that is super soft to the touch, and is known for being warm and cozy while remaining lightweight—which kind of sounds impossible but it’s true. It’s warm and fuzzy and even though it’s made with wool it’s not scratchy or heavy at all, instead it’s light, fluffy and airy. This one is also a classic with a capital C, in a staple crewneck style that has a fitted silhouette, so you’ll be able to wear it forever—which is the point of investing in cashmere.
SWEATER BETTER