Thirty Years of Keeping Women Cozy. The Sweater Is the One I Would Give You First.
Beautiful Nordic patterns, comfortable fits, and the small details I have learned to look for. If you are adding one warm thing to your closet before winter, I would make it a sweater — and I'll tell you why.
More than thirty years ago, I opened my little knitwear boutique in Aspen, where winter has a habit of arriving before anyone is quite ready for it. I had one rule then, and I still believe it today: a warm sweater should never mean giving up comfort or feeling beautiful.
It's October now. The mornings are colder, the coffee stays hot a little longer, and everyone seems to be reaching for something warm before leaving the house.
And here is the thing I've learned after so many winters behind the shop counter. Most women already have plenty of sweaters. What they don't always have is one they truly enjoy wearing. Some scratch around the neck. Others look lovely on the hanger but never quite sit right.
That is why, of everything I've chosen for the boutique, our patterned knit sweaters are the ones I would show you first. There are six little things I'd point out if you were standing here beside me.
1A sweater you reach for before the coffee is ready.
The best winter sweater isn't the one you save for special occasions. It's the one you pull on while the kettle is boiling, keep on for the drive into town, and are still wearing after supper. That is the sort of comfort I've always looked for — a knit that feels inviting instead of heavy and stiff.
“This sweater feels soft the moment you put it on, and it is the one I keep reaching for whenever the mornings turn chilly.”
2Sleeves that stay comfortable when life gets busy.
You push your sleeves up to rinse a cup, chop vegetables, or wash your hands. A loose cuff that keeps falling down can make a perfectly nice sweater terribly annoying. I like a neat ribbed finish at the wrist and hem. It is a small detail, but one you notice every time you wear it.
“The sleeves stay comfortable all day, and I love that it still looks neat even when I am wearing it around the house.”
3Patterns you will still love next winter.
Nordic-inspired bands, vintage florals, small details in colors that belong together. I'm fond of sweaters with a little character. You can wear one with simple trousers and feel properly dressed, without fussing over the rest of your outfit. A beautiful pattern does most of the work for you.
“I have had more compliments on the pattern than any sweater I have bought in years. It feels classic without looking old-fashioned.”
4Cozy warmth without feeling wrapped in a blanket.
Here in Aspen, we know a cold morning when we feel one. But I've never thought a sweater should have to be bulky to be useful. You want something comfortable inside and easy to layer beneath a coat when you go out. What matters to me is how the knit feels through an ordinary day — not just for a minute in the fitting room.
“Warm enough for a cold day, but never too heavy indoors. It has that cozy feeling without being bulky.”
5A relaxed shape, not a shapeless one.
One woman wants a little more room through the middle. Another wants enough space to wear a shirt underneath. The thing they both want is to feel good when they look in the mirror. I favor relaxed sweaters with a natural drape, and I always tell customers to check the measurement chart rather than relying on the letter on the label.
“The fit is relaxed in the right way. Comfortable, flattering, and easy to wear with jeans or trousers.”
6More than one way to find your favorite.
Some women walk straight toward the Nordic knits. Others prefer softer floral patterns or quieter colors. That's why I enjoy keeping a whole collection rather than pushing everyone toward one sweater in ten shades. Selected styles run from S to 5XL, and each product page has its own size guide.
“I liked having several patterns to choose from, and it was easy to find one that felt like me. I would happily order another.”
Our sweaters, against the ones you keep leaving in the drawer
There are inexpensive sweaters everywhere, and I've bought my fair share over the years. But a pretty photograph and a low price don't tell you what it will feel like to wear one all afternoon. This is what I always look for.
The sweaters that stay in the drawer
- Fabric that feels scratchy or stiff
- Too bulky to layer comfortably
- Cuffs that never seem to sit right
- Patterns that feel dated next season
- Awkward, shapeless fits
- Little thought given to sizing
Katherine's Knit Sweaters
- Selected with softness in mind
- Cozy pieces for everyday winter wear
- Neatly finished details on selected styles
- Nordic and vintage-inspired designs
- Relaxed, wearable silhouettes
- Size guides and S–5XL on selected styles
“A good sweater should be the easiest thing you reach for on a cold morning. That is the whole reason it is the one I would give you first.”
Why I'm offering up to 70% off my sweaters before I retire
This is the part of the letter I've found hardest to write.
After more than thirty years in my little Aspen boutique, I've decided it's time to retire. I still remember opening the doors for the first time, wondering whether anyone would come in. And then they did — women who became regular customers, familiar faces, and in some cases friends.
I've been lucky to spend my days doing something I love. But every chapter has its end, and it's time for me to close this one.
Before I go, I want my remaining sweater collection to find women who will enjoy wearing it. So I'm holding One Last Winter Retirement Sale, with up to 70% off selected pieces. It's my way of saying thank you. When a pattern sells out of your size, I don't plan to bring it back.
Up to 70% off the final collection
Extra savings when you find more than one sweater to love.
Bundle savings apply automatically at checkout, according to the current store offer.
I'd much rather see the sweaters I love being worn on cold mornings, on weekend walks, and at kitchen tables than left folded in the back of my shop. Thank you for being part of this last chapter.— Katherine
The Katherine's Knit Sweaters
Nordic and vintage-inspired patterns · Selected sizes S–5XL
Free U.S. shipping · 30-day money-back guarantee
Buy 2: extra 10% · Buy 3: extra 15% · Buy 4+: extra 20%
For more than thirty years, Katherine has chosen sweaters for women who care about warmth, comfort, and timeless patterns. Now she is sharing the final collection before retiring.