The Westerley. It’s What He Really Wants.

Gifting the Westerley

Are you wondering what to get that special someone on your list? We have an idea for you. Our Westerley cardigan has been a hit since we introduced it in the 80s, and reintroduced it in the “aughts”. This year, we even have a new Taupe color for you.

The Pendleton Westerley Sweater in clay, red and black.

This joins our other colorways, the original tan, the charcoal grey, and the (very) popular Navy. You can see all three here: The Original Westerley

Original History

You may know it as The Dude’s cardigan or the Big Lebowski sweater, but we debuted the Westerley cardigan in 1974 as part of our High Grade Westernwear line.

The Westerley drew inspiration from beautiful Cowichan sweaters that are hand-knit by Pacific Northwest tribes. Our version was machine-knitted by Winona Knitting Mills of Minnesota, a two-facility company owned by the Woodworth family. Winona Mills was one of the very few USA knitting mills who offered a 2gg knit, a term meaning only two knit stitches per inch. A 2gg sweater is heavy enough to work as outerwear. As the long-time leader of our menswear division expressed it, “You could wear it in a monsoon, and you’d stay warm.”

The vintage Westerley was knit in 3gg, and it was almost as impressive as the 2gg for thickness and warmth. The Westerley was one cozy sweater. We offered it in the western, outdoor and casual lines for over ten years. Over its run of production, the zip front, ring zipper pull and shawl collar stayed the same, as did the Greek key-inspired pattern. Archival visits show that the Westerley’s color variations are surprisingly wide.

A collage of six photos of vintage Westerley cardignas in a variety of color combinations.

The sweater went out of production in the 1980s, but found the limelight in the early 2000s, thanks to an obscure movie that didn’t stay obscure. The Westerley came to fame thanks to “The Big Lebowski,” as worn by Jeff Bridges as The Dude. Jeff Bridges wore his own clothes for this role, and though there were two sweaters hand-knitted as back-ups, he preferred wearing his personal Pendleton Westerley.

Jeff Bridges as Jeff Lebowski, AKA "The Dude," sits at the bolwing alley bar with a white Russian in front of him.

Revivals!

In Fall 2013, we brought back the sweater in the original 3gg knit under the Westerley name. We went to the archives, and settled on two versions: a archival version that was cream with red and black pattern, and a desert brown version with navy and gold pattern. The knit pattern on the placket of these sweaters was horizontal, so if you have a sweater with this horizontal ribbed placket, it dates from this revival.

A collage of two photos--one is an ad run by Pendleton in the 1980s that features the tan, red and black version of the Westerley. Next to it is a Pendleton promo photo of a man wearing a remake of this version, leaning against a fence.

We offered the Westerley in another archival coloration in charcoal and blue early in the fall of 2014.  These were all great Westerleys. They were beautifully made and selling well to fans of traditional menswear. We stand behind these Westerleys! But this was not the sweater the Achievers wanted, and the Achievers would not be denied.

The Original Westerley Returns

In 2015, we went back to the archives and studied the movie to capture the coloration as best we could for the version known as The Original Westerley. This is 100% lambswool in 3gg knit, and it’s ready to take you through your next monsoon, or maybe to your next Lebowskifest. We restored the original stitch pattern to the placket, and attached a small bowling pin keychain. We think it really pulls the sweater together.

A man sits in a rocking chair on the porch of an oder home, holding a book and wearing a Pendleton Westerley cardigan sweater.

It’s what he really wants.

See all the Westerleys for men and women at www.pendleton-usa.com.

Pendleton Sweaters–an alternative to the blanket for outdoor dining

Dining Out Warmly

Look, we are the first to extol the virtues of BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket) dining in these unusual times, when many of us find ourselves dining out in January while REALLY dining out–outside! And for that very purpose, we are huge fans of our Roll-Up blanket: nylon-backed Pendleton wool with sturdy built-in straps and carrying handle. (You can see it by clicking here: Roll-Up Blanket). But we also want you to consider a hardy wool sweater. It’s an actual garment, meaning you can move your arms easily, and stand up and sit down without a lot of rearrangement. You’ll also look amazing.

Pendleton Sweaters

In lambswool, merino, Shetland and alpaca, our sweaters provide warmth in a distinctly Pendleton way. Patterns drawn from our blankets are translated into knits by isolating and enlarging key motifs, like the dramatic Rock Point medallion, or the familiar cross from the Harding pattern. Use of these patterns can be subtle, for borders or Fair Isle type designs, or big, bold, and beautiful. Varying weights, lengths, collars, sleeve styles—even the stitch patterns used—mean there’s a sweater for any kind of weather. When the days get shorter, the evening temperatures drop, especially when the skies are clear. A wool sweater chases away the chill.

Dude, may we suggest?

Pendleton Westerley Cardigan

We are going to claim it: the most famous sweater in pop culture is the Pendleton Westerley Cardigan. It was originally part of Pendleton’s western line, and gained an enduring fan base when worn by Jeff Bridges as The Dude in “The Big Lebowski.” 

But the Westerley is more than the Dude’s sweater. It’s durable and warm enough to be considered outerwear, and the pattern has staying power. In fact, it uses one of the oldest patterns there is: A meander or meandros, also called the “Greek fret” or “Greek key.” We change up the original colorway from year-to-year, just as we did from the beginning. Investigation of Pendleton line lists from the seventies reveal at lease eight different color combinations. See what’s going on with the Westerley here: The Original Westerley Cardigan

And for her? Of course, a woman can wear any Westerley she wants to (and so can a man). We have a Westerley that’s cut longer, with a top and bottom zip, that’s been a bestseller since its introduction. Here it is in one of those cool alternate colorways we’ve been talking about. It’s also available in the traditional tan and brown. See it here: Long Westerley

A model sits on a barstool, wearing a Long Westerley Cardigan by Pendleton

Fisherman’s Sweaters

Sweaters are knitted in the traditional Aran style have had a resurgence, thanks to the sweater worn by Chris Evans in the movie “Knives Out.” Both the movie and the sweater were so popular that the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater started hosting “sweaters only” viewings of the “Knives Out” movie. Is this the next Westerley?

A wool fisherman's sweater with a cabled stitch design by Pendleton.

Aran stitches create the designs found in cabled Fisherman’s sweaters. Why would a fisherman wear a wool sweater? For a lot of reasons! Wool can absorb about 30% of its weight in water before feeling wet, making these sweaters ideal for fishermen. Aran stitches are said to have symbolic meanings: 

Cables: Fishermen’s ropes

Blackberry: Nature, or the Holy Trinity

Moss: Abundance and growth

Honeycomb: Luck and a bountiful catch

Lattice or Basket: Another omen of a good catch

Ladder of Life, Tree of Life: Stages of life, or a pilgrimage

Plaited or braided: Interwoven strands of a long, shared life

Diamonds: The shape of a mesh fishing net, success and wealth.

The patterns varied from knitter to knitter, and the sweaters were so distinctive when bodies of fishermen washed up on the beach after an accident at sea, the sweaters helped families identify them. That’s ghoulish and interesting, and a testament to the Aran knitters.  See the Pendleton versions here:

Fisherman’s Sweater, pullover Fisherman’s Sweater, Cardigan

There are so many options. We’ve only scratched the surface of Pendleton’s sweater offerings. So head over to Pendleton-usa.com to see what we have for men and women, and what we have on sale right now! Because your friends are waiting for your company outside and under the stars, and a warm wool sweater is one way to join them…safely.

Father’s Day: Top Five Pendleton Gifts for the Top Five Dads

Westerley

Father’s Day is coming soon. Wouldn’t your dad like something special from Pendleton? Here are some gift ideas…what do you think?

For the Dad of all Trades

For the handy dad, we suggest the Victorinox Swiss Army’s Spartan in our bestselling Glacier Park pattern. The handy dad will have every tool he’ll need in one knife: large blade, small blade, corkscrew, can opener with small screwdriver (also for Phillips screws), bottle opener with large screwdriver, wire stripper, reamer, key ring, tweezers and toothpick.

Pendleton knife in the Glacier National Park pattern.

A bonus with this gift? A portion of your purchase helps fund restoration projects through the National Park Foundation, including the Helical Stairs at Glacier national Parks Many Glacier Lodge. And that’s something we can ALL get behind!

 

For the Dad Who Really Does Want Socks

They exist, these dads. They just really like socks! But we don’t want him to have just any old socks.

Pendleton socks for Dad.

We suggest Pendleton socks, which come in such a variety of style, fabrications and patterns, there is always a perfect pair for the sock-loving dad. Take a look and have fun.

For the Dude Dad

He’s cool, he’s fun, and if he doesn’t have it, he really wants it. This is the original Westerley, part of Pendleton’s line since the seventies, and part of pop culture history since Jeff Bridges wore it in The Big Lebowski.

Pendleton's Westerley Cardigan aka the "Dude" sweater from "The Big Lebowski."

In fact, this year is the twentieth anniversary of the movie’s release. But don’t mention that to Dad. It might make him feel old, and he’s anything but. Just get him the sweater, Dude.

For the “Don’t’ Get Me Anything” Dad

We all know him. He asks for hankies, if he asks for anything at all. We think he’s motivated by modesty, but maybe he’s just practical. So for this dad, we offer a Wallet/Valet Tray Set that is eminently practical.

A valet set for Dad in leather and

The wallet and tray are made with high-grade leather and plaid Pendleton wool. The valet tray sits on his dresser, ready to catch his change, comb, jack knife, and the well-made, last-forever wallet that’s part of the set. Dad is happy, and you’re happy that you got him something he’ll use every single day.

For the Dad Who Deserves the Best

Every dad deserves the best! But for a certain dad, this is an ultra-special gift.

Pendleton Whiskey.

Pendleton Whisky has released their Director’s Reserve. Aged for twenty years, distilled with pure, glacier-fed spring water from Oregon’s Mt. Hood that allows the unadorned, warm notes of oak, cinnamon, and rye to shine through. A little water or an ice cube opens up orange spice, vanilla, and caramel, followed by a mature and mellow finish. The bottle is wrapped in a leather sleeve with tooling crafted by third-generation saddle maker Randy Severe, whose family has made custom saddles for nearly 70 years. Severe leatherwork is legendary! Looking for a retailer near you? Please email info@proximospirits.com and they will point you in the right direction.

And one more…

Okay, that’s our top five. You’ll notice there’s not a wool shirt on this list, and of course, for a lot of dads, a Pendleton Shirt is the ultimate gift.

Pendleton Board Shirt in the Original Surf Plaid worn by the Beach Boys, back when they first started out as "The Pendletones."

You can see those here: Pendleton Wool Shirts

Have fun with your dads on Father’s Day, everyone!

GQ: “Jeff Bridges will be “The Dude’ Now and Forever” (thanks to his sweater)

The Dude Himself

This week,  GQ.com is featuring everyone’s favorite Dude, Jeff Bridges.  He’s wearing a banquet of sweaters, a feast of sweaters, or maybe it’s a flock of sweaters.

Of course the standout is the Westerley Cardigan.

Jeff Bridges in his kitchen, from GQ.com

Photo courtesy GQ.com

We think you should go read this. But that’s just our opinion. And if you are reading this blog post between 9/22/201 and 9/25/2017, you can save 25% off the Westerley with the code “FAMILY”.

Some Italian Dudes – the Westerley Cardigan Abides Internationally

son00824International Dudes

Our store manager for Portland Pendleton received these photos after making a Westerley cardigan shipment to Italy. Pictured are four friends from Modena who have a passion for cinema: Cristiano, Filippo, Francesco and Matteo.

The Big Lebowski

These dudes especially like “The Big Lebowski.” For their annual meeting, they wore their Dude sweaters (our Westerley Cardigan) and enjoyed White Russians. Maybe you think four dudes are too many, but that’s just your opinion.

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Photos by Lavinia Nitu, used with permission

The Westerley is back in stock at our website: SHOP NOW