I have a lambswool J.Crew sweater from the 2000s, released during Todd Snyder’s tenure as creative director of the men’s line, which serves as my North Star for sweaters.
It has served me well through twenty winters, and the few spots of wear and tear that have accumulated only serve to strengthen our bond between man and knitwear.
Every winter, I keep an eye out for sweaters that match my Platonic ideal. J.Crew hasn’t come anywhere near its knitwear golden age in well over a decade, J.Press’s Shaggy Dog is a perennial classic that comes close, and the Dutch brand Howlin’ has a Scottish-made option that isn’t far off.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to come across a sweater that checks almost every box from an unlikely source: the revered American shirtmaker Gitman Vintage.
The Cabin Sweater is a crewneck sweater crafted from a blend of alpaca and merino wool, made with thick yarns and a low-gauge knit — a technique that results in fewer stitches per square inch, yielding a thicker, heartier fabric.
