If Black Sheep doesn't work out > www.williamlockie.com (Sold under private labels and ribbed differently from those stock knits on the website) May not be rugged enough for you.

try Orvis in the autumn

Variations of your shawl collar quest have been standard fare of Polo for over 30 years. Now knitted by little Scottish grans in Guandong.

After making post #9 I revisited the OP and enlarged the Tunney picture. About 5 years ago Polo copied that exact sweater, but probably with a more generous fit. I have it in black. It's a slightly chunky yarn 4-ply 80% wool and 20% cashmere. The only discernable differences are that it has dull finish dark horn-ish buttons and no shoulder seam. I do not use the term "exact" casually. The Tunney sweater has "rack" (zig-zag) collar and front placket stitches (and probably waistband and cuffs) and an "English rib knit" body and sleeves. The two throat-high buttons are sewn along the seam of the collar and body. There are two knitted loops incorporated on the edge of the shawl collar for turn-up buttoning. Polo may have copied from the Tunney photo or a vintage sweater. Polo has even produced shawl collar cardigans in all cashmere fair isle, cashmere gun check and cashmere chalk stripes. A shawl collar cabled camelhair cardigan is often offered. Somewhat less rugged than the black sheep. The Polo-Tunney is not a standard item and may be recycled every half dozen years or so. The Polo shawl collar cardigans in a size Large used to have a back center length of about 31 inches from the neck seam. Since the "let's copy Thom Browne" craze, who knows. I had to go 2 sizes up for a heathered lovat Aran-style cable shawl collar cardigan last year.

After posting #9 I realized that the Lockie models probably have a lower top buttoning open-collar stance than you prefer. Berk, if extant, in the Arcade, Paul Stuart, NYC & Cable Car San Fran. for Lockie shawls.

The best of the type was made of undyed wool or cashmere by the defunct French Creek Sheep & Wool Co. of Elverson, PA, USA.  Apparently they went out of business a few years ago although the web site was still up late last year. Google.

Last edited by Howard (2008-06-17 13:30:49)

????   http://www.landsend.com/pp/LambswoolShawlCollarCardigan~181927_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku=0=::CNH&CM_MERCH=IDX_00008__0000000020&origin=index

I have the Dark Grey & am very happy with it (wearing it over my PJs as I write).

Very interested also - Shorter in the body than the BS Shawl Cardigan too I notice. Nice!

what the japanese one

they told me also they can put extra buttons on..

i don't know how i will go about sizing because i have never owned one from these guys