Re: Yikes! those Irish sweaters

Effie54 · ‎09-08-2010

I live in New England, where the winters can be very cold. I own a couple and do like a couple they offered last night.

Effie54 · ‎09-08-2010

@Trix wrote:
QVC frequently has styles of Irish sweaters that are knit with nipped-in waistlines and shaped. These do not look bulky at all on the body. Those are the styles that I tend to purchase. My oldest Aran sweater was purchased in Ireland more than 25 years ago. That sweater is a turtleneck and I have never felt uncomfortable or extra hot wearing it -- not even when I was dealing with some supercharged menopausal hot flashes. I dry clean my sweaters, but because I layer a Cuddle Dud underneath, I don't worry about my perfume or any other scent sticking to the wool. Depending on how many times I wore the sweater, once a year is all they have to be cleaned.

As for looking unflattering, I don't want to make this into a Barefoot Dream vs. Irish sweater debate, but one of the most unflattering sweaters I have ever tried on was a Barefoot Dreams cardigan. I think the style I opted to try was a bad choice for my height and frame, but I wanted to feel what the fuss was about. The sweater was too long and swung out too far on me. Talk about looking 3 inches shorter and 20 lbs heavier.

Agreed! To me, Barefoot Dreams is polyester, where as the Irish sweaters are a natural fiber which I would rather have any day. I bought a BD zip front TSV sweater last year and regret spending that much on it.

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

I'm not a fan of them either. I bought one many years ago from QVC, in Merino wool and the dumb thing pilled horrible everytime I wore it. Finally I just donated it. It was a pine green, zip up cardigan and while it was warm, the thing grew each time I put it on. I would spend at least 1/2 trying to de-fuzz the thing and then made sure to fold it up to put it away --- was way too much work. Paid alot for it too way back then. Not worth the trouble.

CANDLEQUEEN · ‎03-09-2010

They are very beautiful, but too big and too warm for me.....I get warm very easily anyway, so this would be way too much for me..

Franklinbell · ‎01-04-2015

I have one and I love it! It's perfect fo wearing in the fall when in not ready for a heavy winter coat. I have had it for years and it wears like iron. I'll be getting out to wear soon!

ROMARY · ‎04-28-2010

Nice Merino wool sweaters, and decent pricing for items that last many, many years, especially if we take good care of them.

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).

wilma · ‎03-13-2010

I think some of their sweaters look very nice, but I can't wear those yarns. Any wool, Merino wool, ramie, mohair, angora, cashmere, etc. irritates my skin. Someone told me high end cashmere would make a difference, but it only took putting one of my arms into a sleeve before having to get it off my body asap. Not sure what it is, but I just can't wear those yarns. I love a soft cable knit pull over sweater on cold days but mine are cotton or acrylic.

Bhvbum · ‎07-18-2010

@SharkE wrote:
Do they have to be dry cleaned ?

I have probably about seven of these sweaters, and I have washed every one. Cool water and tiny bit detergent and then just soak for a few minutes, agitate for a couple of minutes and then spin, do the same thing for rinse with a little fabric softener, and then another spin.

I throw them in the dryer with a towel for about five minutes and then take them out and shape them out to dry flat on top of the dryer. I have not had a single one shrink.

I made the mistake of sending one "Natural" color to the dry cleaners one time, and then, the next time, I actually washed it because it didn't really look bright, and could not believe how dirty the soap water was. I think it was because the dry cleaning fluid was dirty. I have never washed one since that time.

Harpa · ‎03-10-2010

@wilma wrote:
I think some of their sweaters look very nice, but I can't wear those yarns. Any wool, Merino wool, ramie, mohair, angora, cashmere, etc. irritates my skin. Someone told me high end cashmere would make a difference, but it only took putting one of my arms into a sleeve before having to get it off my body asap. Not sure what it is, but I just can't wear those yarns. I love a soft cable knit pull over sweater on cold days but mine are cotton or acrylic.

@wilma Have you tried alpaca? That is the silkiest and softest! But I agree about cashmere. I just wear cashmere button down, so it's an outer layer, and then only in the very frigid weather.

I've never gotten the Irish sweaters. My small frame is not altogether happy in bulk, and I have nice other sweaters, like alpaca.