Sweater Curse Stories: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! What better way to celebrate than by sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly of sweater curse stories? We’ve got a little bit of heartbreak and we’ve got some true love, so regardless of how you’re feeling this V-Day, there is something for you. And if you gifted your cutie a lovely sweater today, then you’ll want to keep reading to hear what might be in store for you.
What is the sweater curse?
Before jumping into the stories, let me first explain what the sweater curse is for anyone who may not know. The sweater curse is when you knit your significant other a sweater (or another time-consuming project) before marriage and the significant other breaks up with you soon after. Terrifying, I know.
Is the sweater curse real?
While it may sound like silly superstition, there is actually some truth behind it. I mean, think about it. You know how much time, energy, money, and love goes into making a sweater. So can you imagine gifting a sweater (that you poured your heart into) to someone who maybe doesn’t wear it? Or doesn’t take care of it properly? Oof. That would hurt. It could bring up other issues that were already present in the relationship, or maybe they get sick of hearing you nag about the sweater, and next thing you know, it’s break-up season.
Of course, this doesn’t happen in every relationship, so the sweater curse isn’t a guarantee. And we may be wary of the sweater curse, but I’d like to propose that maybe, just maybe, it’s a gift. Because if you’re with someone who doesn’t appreciate your hard work, thoughtfulness, and super cool knitting skills, then you don’t want to be with them anyway, right?
Sweater Curse Stories
Regardless of how you feel about it, I’m excited to share these knitters’ stories on their experience with the sweater curse:
What Sweater Curse? with Liz
I had been dating my boyfriend for just a few months when I was at a point of needing a new project. He asked if I would knit him a sweater if he bought the supplies and pattern, and I said of course! About midway through the sweater, I read about the sweater curse for the first time and immediately shared it with him (inwardly sweating).
As the end of the sweater got closer to being finished, I had to make a few adjustments (lengthening the sleeves, fixing the hem) but when it was finally done, I gave it to him and he said "okay aaaand we're done" then immediately hugged me and thanked me.
We're going on a year now and seeing him in the sweater I made just makes me feel so happy! #nosweatercursehere
Sweater WIP Curse?? with Bronwyn
So my story isn’t completed yet, but I’m knitting my boyfriend a sweater for the first time since we started dating 2.5 years ago. For the past month, I feel like I’ve completely ignored him every single night while trying to get the sweater done, and there are still about 3 more weeks to go until it’s done. It’s a test knit, so there’s the added pressure of getting it done on time.
While I don’t think we are actually going to break up, I can totally see knit sweaters sending couples to the brink of it because I think he’s definitely been feeling neglected 😂. I keep telling him that I’m showing him the ultimate act of love by knitting him a sweater, so he should take that action as a sign of my affection despite my overall distance from him. I’m also feeling rushed to finish it so I can have more free time again to spend with him. We do live together, so he still sees me every day, but most of our time is me turning to him saying “shhhhh, not right now! I’m trying to count stitches or figure out these cables!!”
Overall, I’m excited to give it to him and for him to be able to wear something that I created, but the process has definitely driven us both up the walls from time to time. So far, this experience has led me to believe in the sweater curse a bit more than I used to. I’ll post an update of how the story ends on my Insta when I finally complete the sweater (which is due on Feb 27th, so almost there!!)
The Forgotten Sweater with Donatella
When Jeanette explained to me what a cursed sweater was I couldn't help myself not to think about a sweater in particular.
My journey as a knitter started at the end of November 2020, when I casually saw someone on Instagram showing a handmade WAK scarf. At that moment, I knew I just found the perfect Christmas present for my boyfriend. But rather than playing it easy with a scarf, I bought a kit for a whole sweater and waited for it to arrive.
The problem was that the kit was delivered too late to complete for Christmas, so I started the project in January. Then, because it was supposed to be a surprise, it took me so long to make because I couldn't have the right measurements of my bf.
Finally, I told him about the project and he was able to try it on, but it was a little tight. At that point, I just was not emotionally ready to undo everything. Plus, I ran out of yarn and had to make another order. Next thing you know, it was almost spring and it was too hot to wear wool anyway, so I put aside the sweater and haven’t thought about it since, so in the end it is still a #wip and my boyfriend never got it lol.
Now it's been more than a year later and I wonder if he still remembers the existence of that sweater. And just to add shame on me, I have since knitted not one but TWO sweaters for myself. I'm lucky he hasn't dumped me instead.
Chenille is the Worst(ed) with Makaylah
I started seeing this person and while visiting them over winter break, I decided to make them a blanket seeing as they were SUPER supportive of me starting my crafter journey. For whatever reason, I decided to make it out of worsted chenille craft yarn without knowing how difficult it would be to work with. They’re pretty tall, so I wanted to make them a blanket big enough to actually get functional use out of, and they ended up paying for about 11 skeins (maybe more?) of the yarn in their two favorite colors.
Fast forward a bit. We’re back at school after winter break and whatever relationship we had dissolved. I realized there was no way I was going to finish up the blanket and pay to ship it to them after all the mental hardship they put me through, so now I'm stuck with a HUGE unfinished blanket in a color I would never ever use for myself. Now I can’t even decide if I should frog it or finish it!
I am so grateful to these knitters for sharing their stories! I hope their experiences gave you a bit more insight into the sweater curse. The more you know! Make sure to give them a follow on Instagram to see what they are casting on next. And remember, if someone doesn’t appreciate a gifted knit, you don’t want to be with them anyway.