I have been looking for a long time for a "normal" Navy crew neck sweater. I wanted it to be made of wool, and of a fairly hefty weight, not as heavy as my
Guernsey, but not as light as my lambswool or Shetland. And I wanted it to be plain, with wide ribbing at the cuffs and sweep.
I found exactly for what I have been looking with this
Fisherman's Crew from Wool Overs. Made of British Wool, it is wonderfully (and surprisingly) soft, heavy enough and just the right shade of a bright Navy. It even has somewhat of a sheen.
 |
| Woolovers |
 |
| It took exactly two weeks from when I ordered it to when it arrived at my door. |
 |
| Penly Haines, our cousin, was the Light Keeper in 1841. |
I took it out for a test run in conditions not dissimilar to those for which it was most likely originally designed. We went to Owls Head Light (in Owls Head, Maine) where the wind is always whipping. (In fact in 1605 it was referred to as Bedabedec Point, Indian for "Cape of the Winds".)
 |
| Remarkably, it is currently sale priced at 2 for $78.00 and I took advantage of their earlier free shipping offer to the US. |
 |
| I liked it so much that I immediately ordered more for my family, all in Navy. The sizing is unisex. |
 |
| We paid our respects to Spot. |
 |
| The Owls Head General Store, according to the Food Channel, has the best hamburgers in Maine. |
 |
| And I agree. |
 |
| Owls Head also has a very pretty working harbor. I made many trips here in my youth to re-supply mariner trips. |
 |
| It is one of my favorite places. (And its Transportation Museum is like no other. But that is for a later post.) |
Lighthouses always conjure so many feelings, that typically evolve as one peels back the layers of time. There is the initial admiration of both the classic and comforting structure, and the unhewn, jutting beauty of where it is located. Then comes the appreciation of its original purpose, providing guidance for captains, and the infrastructure needed to support that mission. But the final realization is grim, almost macabre. There almost inevitably had to be significant loss of life at
this very spot to warrant the construction at all. The full spectrum of emotions makes places such as this close to religious, worthy of awe.
44 comments:
Muffy,
Do you find the fit to be longer than other sweaters? I have heard this about them, but haven't given them a try because of it. They do have a nice looking Nordic sweater and I have heard that it is nicer than Bean's!
@OCBD - Yes it is a longer sweater, which I like, but not as long as my Guernsey.
I too love basic well made clothing. Great sweater. You live in such a gorgeous spot.
Although more cultural historian, your posts also serve as a record of cultural anthropology of New England, it just occurred to me. I thank you for that.
Your posts often remind me of Jeanne Stafford's beautiful and unfortunately under appreciated writing. "The Catherine Wheel" might be of interest to you, Muffy, if you haven't already read it, or any or her other works.
Thanks.
Thank you for sharing this sit for Wool Overs. I have been looking for just classic simple well-made sweaters that don't break the bank. I knew they had to exist somewhere. I've already requested a catalogue.
Do you know where these sweaters are made? I can't find that info on the website and the prices are so (unbelievably) reasonable, I wonder about where and under what conditions these are made.
Thanks for the review.
*sara*
@sara - I do not. I have gone over their website, the garments, and the paperwork that accompanied the sweaters. They are made of British Wool, but there is no indication as to where the sweaters are put together.
Thank you so much for checking your sweater and paperwork. I'm going to place an order and hope that whoever is making these is making a decent wage.
Hope you have a lovely weekend.
*sara*
Owls Head is just one of my favorite places on earth. My folks will be thrilled when I share this piece with them. Thank you!
-CPC
Last I read, the garments were made in Mauritius and Madagascar.
(Here's a link to a forum with a discussion, including an e-mail from the company: http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?113771-New-cricket-tennis-jumper-from-Woolovers )
So that's a little disappointing. But the sweater looks like a gem - so I suppose it's good value for the money.
I have one of Jean Stafford's books, "Boston Adventure." Good recommendation.
Your observations about lighthouses ring particularly true to me because I live close to the Race Rock Light, which transforms from beautiful to genuinely dangerous with a switch of the tides. Anyone who feels too comfortable in the ocean (or the Sound, for that matter) should pay a visit to the Race for a recalibration.
I have always been curious about Owl's Head... thank you for the peek and an introduction. It looks like you're having the same weather that we are. I had to smile because I should be receiving my fisherman's crew any day now too! They are going to wonder why there is a sudden run on them. I took a chance on the quality but if you say it is good, then I will probably order more too!
Sadly, Wool Overs doesn't have small enough sizing for me; but it will be a great source for the rest of my family who are tall. I am a very petite gal; 5' and sz.2-4. So disappointed when quality is out of reach for us small folks!
Hi Muffy, can you comment on the fit? Is it loose, snug, somewhere in the middle? Order normal US size? Thanks
I'm ordering their Nordic Sweater this weekend. I like that, unlike Bean's, their's is all wool. This is my first purchase from them so I'm glad to hear their quality is so good. I may have to check out this sweater as well.
Love the sweater! And it looks smashing on you! I've been looking at some things from Woolover's for myself and hubby, this sweater is one of them. I don't think I'll be disappointed. The pictures are great, lovely time of year. I adore the tribute to Spot. --Holly in PA
Looks like you have found your sweater, but have you considered trying a men's shaggy dog from Press? I shop at the one in DC and the guys there say women buy them by the armful when they arrive in the fall. It might be worth checking out. Love your blog!
Did you get a chance to try the blueberry pancakes at the Owl's Head general store? They are amazing! Looking forward to your post on the Transportation Museum. I was lucky enough to see the MG exhibit in August. It was wonderful.
@Jacob - Thank you for the link - I was just about to write to them.
@Bethany - The quality seems great but I have no idea how they will hold up. I am optimistic.
@Cubanchem - Their site says that they run large, but their Small has a garment chest measurement of 40 which is the same as LL Bean's Ragg Sweater. I would say it runs long more than large. I actually ordered one in a Medium also which should arrive any day.
@Riverside Lilly - Next time I am going for breakfast! The MGs are extraordinary. I am sure you already know that one person/couple donated over forty of them. (And the museum director is one of the musicians who plays every Monday night at the King Ro. I have put up pictures of them playing outdoors - now they are inside.)
How does the sizing run? If i am a large at Polo Ralph Lauren and LL Bean am I a men's large here?
Muffy,
You look positively smashing!
pve
Navy and khaki - a classic combination! And on you, Muffy, it is a superlative compliment. This sweater looks like it meant all of your requirements and those of other demanding customers.
Muffy, I'm going to follow your lead on this one, and pop for one. Looks good all around! Just in time for the cold. thanks for finding this place and pointing it out.
Muffy, you made my day! I've bookmarked the Woolovers site, but haven't purchased anything yet, since I've waited for someone to post more information along with a photo. I can't tell you how pleased I am that you did just that! I love your navy! Many thanks for posting your new purchase. As always, you look fantastic.
@anonymous 2:10
The Woolovers Aran comes in an XS. I'm a petite, slim gal and it works for me.
It fits you beautifully, Muffy. I'd like to hear how Clark likes the fit, and it runs small or large on a man...
Dear Muffy,
Long-time reader, first time commenter. I'm currently a student in Cambridge, UK -- after four years in the other Cambridge -- and your blog is always a nice reminder of what I miss so much about New England.
Anyway, I came across a lovely quote from E.M Forster that I thought captured something about the essence of preppy style, though Forster was describing the Cambridge of his youth and how it had changed. It reads: "Those hardships are vanishing. Hardship is vanishing, but so is style, and the two are more closely related than the current generation supposes."
Had no idea there was an MG display in that Transportation Museum. Being a the owner of a 1952MG TD, I'd sure like to see them. Hopefully, Muffy, if you took photos, you'll post them.
@Anonymous - That is the same model that my father had (in black) and the museum has an incredible one in red. I will put up some pictures of the museum and especially the MG collection in a future post. They are really something!
@Michael - The garment measurement of the chest in this sweater is the same as other sweaters that Clark wears. This one is good for him as it is a somewhat longer sweater and he is 6'4". They do post the garment measurements for the Fisherman's Crew on their site and I found them to be quite helpful.
@Benjamin - Seldom have I heard such an illuminating quote. Thank you!
Muffy,
Liked the look and description of the fisherman's crew so much I just ordered two. Thanks!
Muffy,
Thanks for posting this review. I've been toying with the idea of purchasing from Woolovers for a while. In fact, I wrote the post on the forum that another commenter linked to regarding the country of origin. British Wool seems to be a pretty tightly controlled organization (unlike, say, Shetland wool, which can come from anywhere so long as it's from a Shetland sheep) so I didn't have any doubts regarding the quality, but uncertainty regarding the fit was what was keeping me from the pulling the trigger. Your pics and description have definitely pushed me in the right direction.
I ordered a small in navy and when it arrived it was too small. If there is anyone on here that ordered a medium in navy that's too large,please respond. We could trade and save money on shipping costs. If someone responds to this in time we can make arrangements to trade. They are really nice sweaters. The price is great; don't want to spend more by shipping it back and waiting for the exchange. Let's trade im in Illinois.
Muffy - would you happen to have any advice on "unshrinking" a wool sweater? My younger sister did some laundry for me and shrunk some of my favorite sweaters.
Thank you
Andrew
I recently ordered 2 "fisherman's crew neck" and 1 "nordic fair isle". The sweaters are true to size- I am 5'11" 165lbs male and the large fit "perfect". I prefer a larger fitting sweater so I returned for XL. The quality and price were exactly what I have been searching for. They should keep me warm this winter in northern Maine.
Muffy-- Great blog!
Question: The Woolovers site (Thanks for the tip-- as I live within the EU this could be a great source for me) shows navy and French navy. Which navy did you order?
Also on the subject of preppy clothing-- what do you think obout scarves? (Today-- no jewelry, ragg rocks, white turtleneck, khaki corduroys and pink cable zip-front cardigan-- all from L.L. Bean-- with a striped silk scarf.)
--EM
Muffy.. to expand on the Woolovers question-- I wear a large in the L.L. Bean Double L sweaters. According to Woolovers website I would wear their large-- but many of the reviews said the garment ran large. How would you compare the Woolovers sizing to L.L. Bean?
--EM
@EM - All of our sweaters from WoolOvers are "Navy" and I could not be more pleased with the color. I have not tried the "French Navy".
I bought both the Small, which is what I am wearing in the pictures, and the Medium, which I wear more around the house. A few years ago I would have said that I wore a Medium in L.L. Bean items, but now that they have tightened so many garments, I often get a Large. I would recommend looking up the actual garment measurements on the WoolOvers site, and then comparing those measurements to your own sweaters that fit you well.
I have many lambswool tartan scarves (and a few cashmere) and I love them.
Dear Muffy:
Thank you very much for responding and your feedback! I will have to give Woolovers a try. Living where I do (Central Europe-- here they tend to do black and trendy-- both not my style) I don't have great access to preppy staples-- but it looks like this might be a good source.
This blog is well-written and I really enjoy the photography as well.
--EM
Based on Muffy's review, I bought two navy fisherman sweaters,one in crew neck and the other in v neck. I couldn't be anymore pleased with the weight and quality of the material. I have worn the crew neck with polo and OCBD style shirts with no disappointments and the v neck is a perfect fit for me when I wear a OCBD underneath. I will be buying more sweaters from Wool Lovers.
Finally, I have to thank Muffy for such an accurate review. It made buying a good sweater easier.
Muffy-
Thanks so much for the recommendation of the Woolover sweater. I'm a Southern prep (LR Catholic for Boys/Southern Methodist Univ.) that's lived in Australia for seven years.
I purchased this online a few weeks ago and it arrived in record time - gotta love the colonial UK-Australia Post relationship. With our seasons being opposite Down Under, I wore this all weekend over Easter long weekend along the Victorian coast - and it was perfect.
If only I could purchase the LL Bean Norwegian sweater in April...
Drew
Post a Comment