Is this actually a widespread thing? I’d never heard of it (sorry if this doesn’tfit the sub)

13 points

Experienced it.

The curse is likely based on the item being too much pressure on a relationship that’s not ready for it.

If you’re a really experienced and fast knitter that’s regularly knocking of sweaters for yourself and perhaps have done small ones as gifts for friends kids, it wouldn’t be the same.

But if you’re looking for love to motivate you through your first big project, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. All the more so if you’re toting your project with you and knitting in public.

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8 points

It’s totally a thing! I never believed in it until I started a huge blanket in celebration of our anniversary but never got to finish it.

Haven’t heard of it outside of the internet tbh. Also, I feel like it’s more a running gag than an actual belief. We can probably all agree that a breakup happening every 100 sweaters or so is not exactly a curse.

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5 points

I first heard of the sweater curse more than 30 years ago.

It’s been a thing in knitting circles for generations as far as I can tell.

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8 points

I was told this when I was younger. I think it’s less about the sweater causing the breakup and more that a sweater is a lot of work and you’d feel really awful giving someone something you worked on for months and months (don’t judge I’m a slow knitter lol) and then them breaking up with you later and either giving you back the sweater you made for them (awkward, I guess?) or walking away with a priceless item that you spent a lot of time making.

I personally think everyone has a different threshold and if you like making sweaters then make them for whoever you like! Heck make them for random strangers if that floats your boat. Half of the fun is in making things, and you can only have so many sweaters before you have to start giving them away anyways.

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2 points

Half of the fun is in making things, and you can only have so many sweaters before you have to start giving them away anyways.

I’ll knit something for anyone, so this is exactly how I feel too. But for others (non-knitters) there seems to be this feeling that knit/crochet/quilted things should be treated as precious family heirlooms. Maybe because not as many people do these hobbies now? And/Or it’s still seen as something grandmas do, and things from your grandma should be treasured?

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5 points

I’ve heard of it but don’t know anyone who’s experienced it. That said, a sweater is not usually an easy or quick knit. I could see someone being uncomfortable accepting one if they’re not sure about the relationship as a whole.

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4 points

@CrayonMaster
I think it’s confirmation bias.

A lot of relationships break up at some point. A lot of people knit or crochet or quilt (I’ve seen this as blanket curse, too). So of course sometimes this breakup will happen just after a big project has been finished and gifted.

Once you start asking around the internet some will have experienced it, some will have heard of a case where it happened ➡️ a new meme is created.

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