Would anyone wear a wool Fisherman's sweater?

sideways said:
Any wool layers should have an airy weave and be used together with a wind and waterproof shell.
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Yes. The idea of a sweater is to allow air to circulate under a wind and waterproof shell. A sweater like this is perfect for providing pockets to retain heat while allowing sweat to dissipate. It's like waffle-knit long johns.

If you can't deal with the decorative style, get a wool commando sweater. Same cut but plain knit. Perfect under my parka, except the great American north east hasn't been that cold in years. :(
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Yes. The idea of a sweater is to allow air to circulate under a wind and waterproof shell. A sweater like this is perfect for providing pockets to retain heat while allowing sweat to dissipate. It's like waffle-knit long johns.

If you can't deal with the decorative style, get a wool commando sweater. Same cut but plain knit. Perfect under my parka, except the great American north east hasn't been that cold in years. :(
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It's funny how a lot of the sweaters you see today don't get it. They make them with tight weaves and form fitting cuts. Sure it looks swish but some of the functionality is lost. A good test to see which garments will allow air to flow is to blow on them and see if you can feel the airflow on the other side.

Probably the best sweater I ever had was a fisherman's sweater from north Germany. It was pretty baggy so air moved freely around the chest, back and armpits. The turtleneck was long enough so you could zip it up to your ears or fold it over double to give double protection for the whole neck area. It had some sort of light waxy coating on it too to repel water. Similar to your problem esav benyamin it does not see much use because it is too hot for most applications or does not fit into my layering system.

Heh. It looks like fisherman's sweaters are actually "in" now. http://habituallychic.blogspot.fi/2013/09/fall-fav-fisherman-knit-sweater.html
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Steven Mcqueen did it.
 
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Macchina said:
I often (almost exclusively) wear knit sweaters when it's in the woods. My other wools have various knit sizes but I find a knit sweater breaths better than anything when I'm moving. I usually wear a mediuim-thick merino sweater with a mock turtle neck, they're made for dressing up but do just as nice as Icebreaker for 1/4 the cost. We rabbit hunt in the dead of winter here in Michigan and some days are close to zero and well below with windchill. I will wear a knit sweater as my outer layer on those days because sweat can really be a problem when you're moving and then stop in that kind of cold. If I'm going to be a standing a bit during that kind of weather a windbreaking is required.
The only times I don't wear a sweater on the outside is if I know I'm going to be hunting the brambles, then I'll wear Filson Tin Cloth on top and bottom. Also if it's really cold out and I'm not going to be exerting myself, it's a Filson Double Mackinaw. In both instances I have a sweater on under my outer layer.

As for this Fisherman's sweater, I'm going to try to dye it grey with some Rit Dye tonight.
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I'm sure they work great in the woods, but (as a fencing contractor) I couldn't work in one. Imagine what barbed wire would do to that thing!
 
As mentioned already, the whole point of the 3D design is to provide a thermal layer under an outer shell for cold weather.

Unless, of course, you pack your girlfriend into one. :devilish:
 
Woolovers in UK make some great sweaters in all sorts of wool and designs at very good prices; incase some one wants to go for one.
 
I have had a few of the commando sweaters over the years, fantastic when doing a coastal delivery, or summertime sailing in the bay. Worn under a light smock they are extremely effective insulation. Great fo the tule fog we get here too.


-Xander
 
Don't worry about the appearance. As long as its functional for your needs you will be fine. I think it looks really warm. : )
 
You're obviously a sweater guy. I think it looks great. Dye it if you like. If you wear it as an exterior garment fishing, the snag potential with hooks is huge and you run the risk of messing up your expensive sweater. I would wear a thin jacket over top to cut the wind and most hooks will bounce off.
 
Macchina said:
I see these hand knitted wool sweaters (usually made in Scotland, Ireland, or England) typed as being very warm and meant for the outdoors. I picked one up for a good price and I cant help but think I'd look pretty silly wearing it fishing. I do a lot of Fall/Winter Steelhead fishing and always wear wool when I'm out, but this thing looks really feminine to me... My wife claims she had the same shirt in high school.

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I wouldn't say that in a bar in fishing town in Norway! Form follows function. Get one that is grey or dark blue.
 
Yeah it's pretty hideous, you can just send it to me :)

Wool sweaters are awesome. Give it a shot and I don't think you'll be disappointed.
 
Hi all,

This past Summer I purchased (what I believe to be) a "brand new/as new" L.L.Bean (XXL) made in Ireland Wool Fisherman's Sweater (much like the one pictured) at (of all places) "The Salvation Army" for.....eight dollars!
Man, what a score! I was shocked to discover this Sweater cost upwards of two hundred dollars (or more). No doubt this Irish Wool Fishermans Sweater will keep me toasty warm this Winter here in Maine.

HARDBALL
 
kevnkar said:
I bought one in Ireland although it is black and grey. The problem is, I live in Texas and it is never cold enough to wear the thing. They are incredibly warm and a smart choice if you live up north.
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In XL ? Lol ... north idaho here we get plenty of real winter weather lol
 
those sweaters are TOASTY warm.i would and have worn them.but be careful if working outside in them,you wont need a jacket for long or youll be drenched in sweat.
 
i wouldn't mind wearing that one, a man can never have enough woolen sweaters.
that said the ones i use are of a more simple design.
 
Your sweater has both cable and honeycomb patterns. Cable for fisherman's ropes, to bring good luck when fishing. Honeycomb for hard work (bees).
You can wear this and tell everyone what it means. Make lots of friends.
You can also buy them in grey and save yourself the bother of dyeing.
 
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