About the Carrie hoody....

I am fairly small busted and it fits me just right, very flattering and cozy. The Large fits me perfectly. Knot, I really think you and Sandra might need an XL- you do not want it being snug. I think part of its coziness appeal lies in its slightly loose hooded sweatshirt-like feel.
It is slightly thicker than a shak, but not "heavy". I myself don't find it scratchy at all- the texture reminds me of those little baby terrycloth washcloths- the boucle terry loops are tiny. Besides, the material is smoother on the inside than the outside.
Cat hair?- my other wool items seem to be just as much magnets for cat hair as the Carrie. Wool grabs onto fur in a big way.
I find the Carrie great for throwing on over my shaks to go to the store, etc. If it's 15 degrees out and I am going in and out just between my house, my car, and stores, then I don't want a heavy coat- the Carrie over a base layer and my shak is plenty. It also breathes a bit, and if you take it off in a store it's nice and light to carry or tie around your waist- you don't have to haul some heavy coat around with you.
I love my Carrie. I think of it as my nubbly/comfy hooded outer shak. I love the green- it's an intense emerald green exactly like you sometimes see on moss covered rocks in the forest.