Sweater curse

[2][3] The belief is widely discussed in knitting publications, and some knitters claim to have experienced it.

[4][5][6] In a 2005 poll, 15% of active knitters said that they had experienced the sweater curse firsthand, and 41% considered it a possibility that should be taken seriously.

The existence of the phenomenon is anecdotal, and may be related to confirmation bias; knitters may remember breakups more clearly after giving a hand-knit sweater, which represents a significant investment of money (typically over $100), effort (~100,000 stitches), time (as much as a year)[9] and romantic imagination.

[5] Although the existence of this effect remains uncertain, it is a common belief amongst the knitting population, and several plausible (and non-exclusive) mechanisms for the sweater curse have been suggested within knitting periodicals and books: For many knitters, making a hand-knit gift is an emotional experience, an extended affectionate meditation on the person receiving the gift.

"[11] Since giving too significant a gift too early in a relationship can evoke apprehension,[10] knitters have been advised to match the knitted gift to the stage in the relationship, beginning with hats, mittens, scarves, or socks before graduating to sweaters.