[Flanderian]

First: I have no connection with, or knowledge of these folks as I just located them.

Second: This is another item that sure ain't fashion, but is it trad? I guess that depends upon who you ask. But it's certainly classic, there just isn't a forum for it.

Third: I venerate Fair Isle sweaters! Good luck finding any of this quality and beauty via any retailer I've seen in a long time.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/michaelrossknitwear?ref=l2-shopheader-name&section_id=22266008

 

[Andy]

I have several very similar sweater vests and sweaters from Polo and Brooks Bros.! I'll be wearing one for my UK trip! (seemed appropriate).

 

[Dragoon]

I have done a little bit of fair isle knitting myself. One of these days I’m going to commit to making a sweater or vest. Right now I’m knitting socks.

 

[Vecchio Vespa]

IMHO it doesn’t matter who you ask. It is totally trad and quite handsome.

 

[Fading Fast]

I'm a big fan. I have several Fair Isle items in my wardrobe.

Most of the ones you found look really nice as the colors are muted and harmonized.

Where, IMHO, Fair Isles can go wrong is when - within one piece - the colors aren't similar enough or when they are too bright. The Fair Isle itself brings enough punch, it is better with quieter and well-matched (same family and tone) colors.

 

[Langham]

I have a friend who keeps Shetland sheep, and the fleece really is amazing. Quite different to normal lambswool.

 

[eagle2250]

These are the kind of threads that resurrect my longing for those Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois Fall and Winter seasons that encouraged the wear of such garments as Faire Isle sweaters, Tweeds, etc,. etc! Alas, I must force myself to patiently wait for those wonderful October through May temperatures we enjoy here in central Florida!

 

[Flanderian]

These are the kind of threads that resurrect my longing for those Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois Fall and Winter seasons that encouraged the wear of such garments as Faire Isle sweaters, Tweeds, etc,. etc! Alas, I must force myself to patiently wait for those wonderful October through May temperatures we enjoy here in central Florida!

 

[eagle2250]

^^My friend, you do have a mean streak in you, but on how I do love the torment. LOL. I just may have to break down and make one of those Faire Isle cardigans my very own! Thanks for the post above.

 

[Flanderian]

^^My friend, you do have a mean streak in you, but on how I do love the torment. LOL. I just may have to break down and make one of those Faire Isle cardigans my very own! Thanks for the post above.

:happy: :happy: :happy:

 

[Fading Fast]

^^My friend, you do have a mean streak in you, but on how I do love the torment. LOL. I just may have to break down and make one of those Faire Isle cardigans my very own! Thanks for the post above.

I've spent the last 48 hours living an apparently normal life on the outside, while, on the inside, trying (so far successfully) to talk myself out of buying this:

 

[Dragoon]

They are beautiful sweaters and a very reasonable price.

 

[Dragoon]

Traditional hand knitted (one stitch at a time on needles) fair isle sweaters have steeked arm and neck holes. I would be curious to know if these hand framed ones are the same. Looked on the website and couldn’t tell. It wouldn’t matter to me either way but is just a knitting point of interest.

 

[derum]

Back in the 40's and 50's women all over Britain were making their men Fair Isle Pullovers.
The men puffed their pipes in contentment.....

 

[Dragoon]

One of those patterns would work well for a GTH sweater with eye popping colors.

Fair isle knitting is really not difficult. Other than basic knitting skills all you have to do is count and be able to keep up with where you are. I highly recommend knitting if you tend to spend an hour or two a day sitting in a chair doing nothing more than watching tv or the like.

 

[Flanderian]

Back in the 40's and 50's women all over Britain were making their men Fair Isle Pullovers.
The men puffed their pipes in contentment.....

View attachment 23882 View attachment 23883 View attachment 23884 View attachment 23885 View attachment 23881

Thank you! Those are very handsome photos!

Two things I'll note are that the bottom ribbing on vintage sweaters tends to be wider than is now common. And I actually prefer that for reasons of both aesthetics and fit. The other is that sweaters/jumpers were originally worn as snug fitting garments, as is a proper waistcoat/vest.

And it would seem that some women, and likely men, are again knitting for men around Britain, as the web page from which I extracted the original OP is full of offers for kits, or to make them, including some with the original design detail of a wider bottom ribbing.

I expect that the seller in the OP jobs out orders to a variety of different knitters to fulfill customer requests. Of course, I have no knowledge of whether any of the other ads featured are good or poor, honest or otherwise.

Caveat emptor!

https://www.etsy.com/market/mens_fair_isle

 

[Flanderian]

I've spent the last 48 hours living an apparently normal life on the outside, while, on the inside, trying (so far successfully) to talk myself out of buying this:

View attachment 23879

Now why in heaven's name would you want do do that!? :icon_scratch:

 

[derum]

Thank you! Those are very handsome photos!

Two things I'll note is that the bottom ribbing on vintage sweaters tends to be wider than is now common. And I actually prefer that for reasons of both aesthetics and fit. The other is that sweaters/jumpers were originally worn as snug fitting garments, as is a proper waistcoat/vest.

And it would seem that some women, and likely men, are again knitting for men around Britain, as the web page from which I extracted the original OP is full of offers for kits, or to make them, including some with the original design detail of a wider bottom ribbing.

I expect that the seller in the OP jobs out orders to a variety of different knitters to fulfill customer requests. Of course, I have no knowledge of whether any of the other ads featured are good or poor, honest or otherwise.

Caveat emptor!

https://www.etsy.com/market/mens_fair_isle

Knitting your own at home may be the quickest way to get your hands on a real hand framed fair isle jumper.....
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/why-fair-isle-sweaters-have-a-three-year-waiting-list

 

[Flanderian]

Knitting your own at home may be the quickest way to get your hands on a real hand framed fair isle jumper.....
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/why-fair-isle-sweaters-have-a-three-year-waiting-list

For those more capable and so inclined, no doubt. But for myself, I'm the antithesis of a D.I.Y.'er. :icon_saint7kg:

 

[gamma68]

Of course Fair Isle sweaters are Trad, or Ivy Style, or whatever you want to call it.

One thing about the Michael Ross Knitwear items -- while the colors are beautiful, the patterns on some are much smaller than what you would have traditionally seen on a Fair Isle sweater. See post #14 above for an example of what I think is the right balance of color and pattern.

I've been seeking this exact Jamieson's sweater (called "The Duke") for some time: