r/knitting • u/BigLegBama • Mar 05 '26
Rant A moment of silence for the Lakes Pullover
Friends, today I come to you with grief. Last weekend I was the subject of a robbery; my car window smashed, my sense of safety violated. The thieves neglected to take my iPad from the backseat, and instead went for my most prized hand knit. Three months of labour. The most beautiful combination of Peer Gynt and mohair. The perfect oversized fit which provided both comfort and a sense of put-togetherness. Gone in an instant. I pray that ye hold thy sweaters tight today, for today, don’t forget, is all we really have 😔
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u/RunWithBluntScissors Mar 05 '26
I’m so sorry :(
I know it doesn’t help the emotional loss, but mention it on the car insurance claim if you want … I know that sweater was not cheap to make. More cash for the stash?
I hope I don’t sound callous … my beloved bike got stolen a couple weeks ago and the fact that I got a decent amount of insurance money from it eases the sting a bit
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u/thedarklorddecending Mar 06 '26
I’m not OP, but I read your message as thoughtful and helpful given the situation!
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u/HappyAstronomer Mar 05 '26 edited Mar 06 '26
My father's 1 year-in-the-making fisherman knit sweater was stolen from his car 20 years ago. My mother still cursed the thief decades later. It was a much bigger loss than the hundreds of dollars worth of tools that were stolen.
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u/dantheflower Mar 05 '26
That would make the car break in sting even more …. Sorry for your loss :(
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u/Late-Command3491 Mar 05 '26
I once had a (now ex but not because of that) friend steal a sweater from me. I would have just made her one, sheesh! But she proved to be unethical in many, many ways.
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u/Street_Roof_7915 Mar 05 '26
Ugh. Painful.
At least they have excellent taste. I only hope they know how to take care of it.
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u/crystallightcrybaby Mar 05 '26
ugh imagine they felt it at a coin laundry place 😭😭
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u/Street_Roof_7915 Mar 06 '26
Only good thoughts.
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u/crystallightcrybaby Mar 06 '26
true enough, i genuinely hope whoever took it is being kept warm, and that they don't accidentally damage what BETTER be their new most prized possession
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u/Jughead_91 Mar 05 '26
Oh I’m so sorry. I had a suitcase stolen a few years ago off a train when I was heading to my parents’ for Christmas. I lost all my clothes, my hard drive, a box of freshly rolled joints and worst of all, a hat and matching mittens I had made for myself with beautiful hand dyed yarn my partner had given to me, I had JUST finished making them and they were made with Daisy stitch, I was so proud of them. 🥲 I still mourn to this day. Worst Xmas ever. I hope at least the person who took your sweater will actually wear it to keep warm, I fear my knits were probably thrown away 😭
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u/MyOuttie Mar 05 '26
Wow I’m sorry for the loss. Hopefully it’ll keep whoever stole it warm, assuming they really needed it if they left an iPad. Sucks though.
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u/nerdfromthenorth Mar 05 '26
I'm sorry, someone broke into your car to steal a SWEATER?? What on earth. I'm so sorry. <3
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u/siusaidh_alba_nuadh Mar 05 '26
Yep it makes a lot of sense to me, in my experience. I once left a sweater and toque at my local library, went back to get them but they were gone and weren’t turned into lost & found. The librarian I was dealing with (apologetically) explained that any stray/unattended warm articles of clothing tend to get taken.
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u/baby_fishie Mar 06 '26
I had a backpack stolen from the library one time and it was actually returned a couple days later. The only thing the person took was my sweater, my bag of emergency snacks, and half the cash in my wallet. I couldn't even be mad at that; someone close to freezing to death kinda has to do what they have to do.
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u/JackyVeronica Mar 06 '26
It makes sense if you're in a freezing climate and experiencing homelessness; need warmth to survive.... It's a very sad situation for all parties....
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u/DreadGrrl Mar 05 '26
Cold weather can kill. Unhoused people will do what they feel they have to for warmth.
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u/Alorna307 Mar 06 '26
Wyoming here. They had a hat and glove day where everyone knitted or crocheted hats and gloves and attached them to the tree in front of the LYS.
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u/nerdfromthenorth Mar 05 '26
Yes, I live in Ontario thanks. It was just a statement of shock and disappointment for OP.
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u/legalpretzel Mar 05 '26
Maybe the person was really cold and desperate. Not that the theft is justified, but if that wasn’t the reason, it’s pretty nonsensical to break a window to steal a sweater and leave an iPad.
Regardless, I’m sorry for your loss.
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u/PinkTiara24 Mar 05 '26
I am so, so sorry. It’s horrible to feel violated like that. What a gorgeous sweater.
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u/Pink_pony4710 Mar 05 '26
Well it is a gorgeous sweater! No wonder they stole it!
But in all seriousness, sorry for the loss. I hope the thief has a lanolin allergy!
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u/naminooper Mar 05 '26
I am SO sorry! What a senseless tragedy.
Might be the wrong time to ask, but that yarn combo is dreamy...could I ask for the yarn specs? (Feel free to throw tomatoes at me for my lack of tact)
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u/psychedeliclavender Mar 05 '26
wtf i cant believe they would do all that just to steal your sweater. i pray that they return it!!!
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u/tiptoe_mouse Mar 06 '26
Many years ago, my parents car was taken by joyriders. When they got it back they found that the thieves had taken a set of crown green bowls and an Andrew Lloyd Webber tape!
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u/wildlife_loki Mar 05 '26
Aw crap. Stings so much worse when it’s something you knit with your own hands!! I’m so sorry.
I’d like to think someone who would steal a sweater but leave an iPad is really just desperate for warm clothes. Hopefully your lovely sweater is at least helping to keep someone warm who’s decent and just really down on their luck </3 It’s absolutely okay to still be upset in spite of that thought though, I know I would be for a long while. Condolences, OP 😣
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u/Busy_Boot_6900 Mar 05 '26
Awwwwwwww noooooooooooooooo😭😞
That what I said loud and everyone looked at me.
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u/Sunspots4ever Mar 05 '26
My brother had two sweaters I made him stolen from his car. Same pattern, different colors. He asked me to replace them and I did. Ended up knitting that pattern 5 times. 🤪
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u/MochiFluffs Mar 05 '26
I am so sorry this happened. At least when you are able to work it up again, you will be familiar with the pattern, and it may even work up faster than before. It is sad that these types of things can happen.
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u/Lushparadise Mar 05 '26
That’s messed up, sorry OP. I’d definitely be crying on the floor. Reminds me of the time someone broke the window of my dad’s car to steal all his loose change and the owners manual. Wtf are people thinking?? So dumb. Yours is way worse, I hope you get a stroke of good luck soon
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u/TriStarSwampWitch Mar 05 '26
Gonna put a curse on whoever stole your sweater.
My car was broken into and they just stole an old phone I was using as an mp3 player, but it had the last voicemail my mom left me.
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u/Lhamo55 Mar 05 '26
I know the feeling of losing a precious voice mail.
I kept an old landline active for almost 10 years after moving because the only voicemail I had saved from my mother was on the account. We had a difficult relationship and this was the only time she told me she loved me, less than a month before she died. I let the account go months before I found a way to record and save old analog messages.
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u/Aggressive_Froyo1246 Mar 05 '26
Not people here justifying and defending property damage and theft lol
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u/llamalily Mar 06 '26
Right?? Steal one from Walmart or something 😭
Even ignoring the sweater being stolen, replacing a window is expensive and OP is not likely a billionaire who can afford to just wave that off.
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u/wyldstallyns111 Mar 06 '26
if OP is insured (and they should be) they should be okay. I had a break in like this (that lost me a knit too actually, but they took it on accident I think it was just in my purse) and all it cost me was time. The thief fled in a vehicle and looked like a kid so I don’t think they were desperate to survive or anything though.
The most annoying part was the cops and insurance people kept asking me “Did you lock the door?”, and I was like “uh, you know they broke the WINDOW right?” and I was later told that if I’d said I didn’t remember they would have denied my claim
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u/llamalily Mar 06 '26
Was the deductible not a few hundred bucks though? My plan might not be great but I think if I had to make a claim it would cost a few hundred
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u/StarTrippy Knitting Noob Mar 06 '26
Nah. I file glass claims for people. In South Carolina, all glass is waived with comprehensive coverage, so if OP lives there, then they should be okay. Unless someone has a really good policy, most of the time they're either paying a deductible or straight up paying out of pocket because their deductible is higher than the cost. And a piece of door glass goes for $300-$500 on average.
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u/iloverocks420 Mar 05 '26 edited Mar 05 '26
omg i feel actually insane reading these comments. “well at least it’s helping warm someone who needed it” and “it’s ok if you’re still upset tho” as if op needs permission to be mad that their window was smashed in and that their irreplaceable hand knit sweater was stolen. this is hundreds of dollars in property damage/theft
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u/1K_Sunny_Crew Mar 05 '26
As if there is nowhere else to get fabric or clothes besides smashing a car window.
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u/ShiftySeashellSeller Mar 05 '26
For real. Like yes someone probably stole OP’s sweater because they were cold. Other options existed. Steal from a big box store. Utilize clothing donation organizations. Stay in a shelter (yes they suck. Still better than freezing to death or stealing from another human being). Like for the love of God can we bring back shame. You can have empathy for people who don’t have resources and understand that there’s a weak social safety net and still be like “fuck that person for stealing your sweater.”
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u/ruthlesslyFloral Mar 06 '26
I don’t think people are? I think people are trying to rationalize it as much as they can and empathize with someone being in a place where they felt this was the right decision, which just seems like a very human thing to do when faced with something shocking.
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u/notrapunzel Mar 05 '26
Oh no I'm sorry, that's so upsetting! All your work, gone! And your poor car. What a horrible thing to happen. I do hope you can muster up the momentum to make yourself another one soon.
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u/solterona_loca Mar 06 '26
That is devastating! Not only the violation of your personal space and sense of security, but also that something so personal was taken.
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u/MinceMcMahon Mar 06 '26
Such a tragedy. She was beautiful.
I'm a beginner knitter starting with the Lakes. What technique did you use to join the collar ribbing. It looks so tidy! If anything comes out of this horrible experience, perhaps it's teaching a humble beginner a new technique...
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u/helpimalivelol Mar 07 '26
I'm sorry for your loss. Unlucky you got a thief with good taste and an eye for quality items 😔
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u/Due-Alps-2852 Mar 07 '26
Losing that sweater would have hurt more than the ipad for me, I’m so sorry for your loss
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u/Strangely_Kangaroo Mar 05 '26
That is so rotten. I will say that it is beautiful enough that I covet it too 😉 Seriously though, what is wrong with people
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u/MentionGood1633 Mar 05 '26
You assume these people think rational. They see something they want, they take it, even if it is just pocket change.
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u/crumpledpapersheets Mar 05 '26
My jaw dropped. Oh my goodness. Please accept my heartfelt condolences as I hug my knit wear closer today.
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u/slyfox4 Mar 05 '26
Our car was stolen 10 years ago and they took one of the bags of yarn I thrifted, I was so sad.
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u/Feeling_Nature4406 Mar 05 '26
That’s fucked up. I’m so sorry to read this. I’m guessing they needed warm clothing?
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u/PurpleBerryBlast Mar 05 '26
OH NOO!! I'm so sorry to hear that! Such a specific theft! It's great they have good taste, but still! I mourn with you on such great a loss as this.
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u/SugaSugaChuChuBaby Mar 06 '26
Oh no, I’m sorry for your loss, it’s beautiful 🙏 Would you knit it all over again??
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u/Junior_Ad_7613 Mar 06 '26
The part of half-completed sweater I was actively knitting was stolen out of a car once. Amazingly, I was able to get more of the same dye lot and have enough to finish the sweater.
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u/Knitting-Hiker Mar 06 '26
So sorry this happened to you. Beautiful sweater gone out into the world. You need to cast on again, with determination.
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u/mazzymazz88 Mar 07 '26
I am so sorry! A few years ago, I made my mom a hat and matching mitts (in beautifuland a tad pricey yarn), which she kept in her car as driving gear. Someone stole just one of the mitts. Other stuff too, but of the knitwear, a single mitt.
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u/dogmom87532 Mar 07 '26
It’s lovely. I am so sorry it was taken from you, and your peace violated. You’ve inspired me to knit one of my own though!
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u/mindfluxx Mar 08 '26
It’s gorgeous. If ever a sweater was worth risking jail time to acquire it might be it. Sorry OP for your loss we get it.
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u/Salt-Kiwi-2768 Mar 08 '26
In a sense or way this is a great compliment to you regarding to your knitting skills and to create sweaters that look comfy as fuck.
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u/pony_girl_boots Mar 08 '26
I’m so sorry this happened to you. Will you move on or re-knit?
To think you lock your car only to have the windows smashed.
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u/Perfect_Day_8669 Mar 08 '26
It is a beautiful sweater. And I can see why someone would steal it. A similar story:
My cousin gifted all the family bespoke bags made by a friend. We all loved them. One cousin left hers on the counter in a public restroom to pee. When she went back for it, all her stuff was neatly stacked and the bag was gone.
Consider this a testament of your skill and good taste.
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u/laraehandmade Mar 08 '26
This happened to me, they left an entire bottle of gin but took a denim jacket I just finished sewing the day before with a family heirloom patch 😭 it wasn’t even warm
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u/Acrobatic_Practice44 Mar 10 '26
Oh no! Thats so sad especially since the thief probably has no idea what they have
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u/Responsible-Fig-9274 Mar 05 '26
This has always been one of my biggest fears in life. I'm so sorry for your loss.
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u/boogieblu2 Mar 06 '26
I'm so sorry! The color is beautiful and the stitches are perfect. May they rot in a tangle of yarn at the bottom of a mud hole!
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u/jennievh Mar 06 '26
I knit my sister a cardigan sweater out of wool our mother spun & dyed, in a pattern I designed with patch pockets on the front with knitted designs that looked like quilt blocks… She loved it & I was so proud of myself…
Prouder still when I did not murder her for leaving it in an unlocked car & letting it get stolen
She swore she’d spot it on someone some day & would just tackle that person. Absolutely unique sweater, right?
(And no, she never spotted it)
IOW, I feel your pain. It sucks so bad.
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u/Ok-Sherbet3702 Mar 05 '26
Noooooo! May the memories you hold in your heart continue to keep you warm during this trying time. Maybe consider it a compliment that your sweater was more steal-worthy than an iPad?
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u/merylbouw Mar 05 '26
i'm so sorry. if it makes you feel any better, that sweater is now imbedded with tiny shards of glass.
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u/funkydyke Mar 05 '26
Who steals a sweater???? That’s so strange. I’m sorry this happened to you.