San Francisco - January 23, 2007

Knit Wit

American Retro Clothing

Your obsession with knitting lasted exactly three skinny scarves and one lopsided beanie. 

Of course, you will whip up the perfect sweater (cozy yet ladylike — but not schoolmarmy). The next time you have 80 hours to spare.

Until then, there’s American Retro, a colorful Parisian knit collection that combines old-school details with attention to form, texture, and pattern.

The candy-hued Carnaby dress has girlish flap pockets and a plunging V-neck. (Wear it with a turtleneck, chunky tights, and boots.) The tangerine Sorbonne sweater dress mixes knit and crochet stitches and has vintage-inspired buttons. (Both hip and graceful.) Play all day in the mini Music dress (the word is repeated throughout the pattern).

You’ll get plenty of compliments. And, unlike the kind you get when you tell them you made it yourself, they’ll be 100 percent sincere.

Available at Boru Shop, 1807 Divisadero Street, at Pine Street (415-441-7682 or borushop.com).