Really, I was very attracted to the beaded sweater ... for a very long time actually, but didn't get to work on it because of the wearability thing. Now I am working on a jacket ... Bomber ... I think this is a cool jacket! ;)

i've wanted this book for a while, too. and the vintage one from rowan. i'm sure there's more rowan books i want later when the fall fashion frenzy starts.

make the beaded sweater!! i love this design a lot, too! modern and ethnic, all at the same time. that rowan bobble cable sweater is lovely, too. and you will look gorgeous in it. don't be silly!

I have had this (and Vintage Style) on my wishlists for so long... I like the Raspy a lot--very similar to Last Minute Knitted Gifts Hourglass sweater in shape and raglan style. The beaded one is pretty too, but Raspy is definitely more wearable.

Have fun~

Raspy is on my list too. I have some Rowan Denim in my stash but not enough for an adult sweater. I keep thinking "this is a sweater I'd _really_ wear!"

Now, as for the beaded one. I love the tunic shape and ethnic neckline. What makes it unwearable (for me) are the beads. I'm wondering if YOs in place of the beads would keep the look. Just a thought.

I have the yarn for Raspy as well. I actually started it last year but found myself running out of yarn and it was super huge. I do believe it went to my knees! I'll restart her one day. Perhaps we could knit it together? I could do with a push!

I'm also with you on the cabled number from Rowan. I highlighed that one last year but am yet to go around to it.

Have you noticed Wendy (from Knit & Tonic) has been working on Raspy?

And that cream delight is such a cute sweater, but truly, what doesn't look better with an afro? Models always make things look glamorous with their crazy hair and solemn expressions. But like you said, would I ever? Probably not...

What is it that makes it unwearable? The beads or something else? For me it would be the length. I don't like long sweaters, but anything can be shortened. I love the neck on the cream sweater. What about doing the beads, but making them closely match the sweater so they aren't so noticable? Or does that defeat the point? I have the same problem. I like to knit fun things, but like to wear pretty basic styles. Tough to balance. I knit the Rebecca wrap because I wanted something fun and different and now I hardly ever wear it - it just isn't my thing. Good luck with your decision.

I think the beaded number is totally wearable. For myself (only myself), I would make it a little shorter and definitely take in those batwing armholes. The Rowan cabled sweater and long-sleeved Teva number, in my mind, are much more "unwearable." But like you say, eventually you get over the wearable/unwearable business and knit whatever you want!

I'm knitting Raspy too! I can't wait for you to start yours!! Your knits always look so lovely! Good luck!

I am so about the knitting and not the wearing. For me, it's the challenge..."oh I can knit that"...Whatever it turns out to be, you know someone who will wear it. Mom, she'll wear anything you make!

Wow! I absolutely love those Denim People patterns. Now I've gotta check that book. Raspy will be such a great knit- will really look cute in fall.

I love the Rowan Vintage sweater - it's one of the ones I've been drooling over recently. After much debate, I decided to go with Salina (from the same book) instead - thought I would wear it more I guess. Darn models make everything looks so great, don't they? I find it hard to gauge the wearability factor on myself sometimes.

You know what you could do, stop knitting socks in stockinette and ribbing (not that they aren't great, cause you've knit some lovelies) but go a little crazy with your socks. And then the on-the-boring-side-but-oh-so-wearable sweaters aren't such a tedium. Cause you've got something else to knit that is fun and exciting or even beaded! And socks aren't out there like a sweater is. And they aren't the time and money investment that sweaters are.

Just a thought.

Wait about a week to cast on for Raspy. I'm nearly done and not quite sure that it will shrink in enough in length. The width, however, is perfect. What to do. Check out the old blog and I'll keep you informed. Casting on for sleeve numero two tonight. By Friday, I should have her finished (and I have a feeling that washing it at least three times with hot water and a high heat dry will shrink her enough). Fingers crossed.

hahhah...I've started my Raspy last year and it has been stalled because I didn't like the color coming off my hands. As for the Vintage Style sweater, I actually liked it and bought the yarn for that pattern but haven't got time to knit it yet. I hope I can see you starting it cos I haven't seen any blogs with that sweater yet ;)

raspy is the next sweater on my needles. and since we are both turleneck shrugging (although i am knitting my own), i can only say we have exceptionally good taste!

ps. i've also been lusting after that teva durham sweater for a while

That tunic is amazing, but like you, I don't know if I would ever wear it.

I really love that cabled sweater from Rowan classic... I saw that myself and really like that one. I think it would look great on you :) Glad you running is going well!

I LOVE that brown sweater from Rowan's Vintage Style. In fact, there are lots of sweaters in there I love!

I'm knitting Raspy, too. It takes me a long time to knit things because I am so busy otherwise, but I am excited to finish it. Make sure if you are not using the actual Rowan Denim yarn, you check your row gauge. Also, base your chosen size off the measurements in the diagram, not the chest sizes, etc. they list at the beginning of the pattern. Good luck.

I just finished my Demi sweater last month in a dark purple tweed. It was my first sweater, and it was a BLAST. I used some coned plied weaving yarn (not as bad as I thought it would be)and I wear it on the chance cool evening (can't just let it sit and wait until Autumn!) Can't wait to see whatever you end up knitting.
~Ciao
^^*