Flake News

A patterned knit makes the shortest days feel cozy. The snowflakes, zigzags and little dots around the yoke look handmade, and they make even plain jeans feel festive.

This season the best ones are soft and slightly boxy, in warm wool and alpaca, with colours that go beyond red and white.

I split the edit into two groups: Fair Isle sweaters and cardigans first, then snowflake and ski sweaters.

These are the classics. The black and cream yoke styles look sharp with dark denim, the soft blue cardigan feels light and pretty, and the brown cardigan with a patterned yoke is the coziest.

The striped Donegal crewnecks look a little preppy, the grey and cream turtleneck tunic is long enough to wear with leggings, and the brushed styles feel soft as a cloud.

My fitting room test: stretch the yoke gently. The pattern should spring back with no loose threads pulling inside. What I would skip: thin knits where the pattern looks printed on.

These are the fun ones. The black sweater with red stripes and a script word and the cream style with bold block letters feel straight out of the mountains, while the navy crewneck with one big snowflake is simple and sweet.

The pink knit with snowflakes is the most cheerful, the black turtleneck with a big snowflake looks bold with jeans, and the cream cardigan with little skiers and trees is the most playful.

What I check: the inside of the knit. Long loose strands behind the pattern will snag on rings and zips. What I would skip: novelty knits with sequins that shed.

Wear a yoke sweater with straight jeans, a long camel coat and ankle boots. Tuck the front in slightly so it does not look boxy.

Ski sweaters look best with simple pieces, like black leggings or slim cream trousers and a puffer. Let the knit be the only pattern.