Why CAN'T I do lace in the round?: or, I hate seaming

[aunt carrot]

So I'm planning to make the apres-surf hoodie from IK summer 2008 http://www.interweaveknits.com/galleries/bonus/summer-2008/Apres-Surf-Hoodie.asp, but because I have a long and tortured history of cotton knits stretching to the point of unwearability, I want to make it in wool and call it my apres-snowboard hoodie. I asked on the KAL boards at Ravelry if anyone else was planning to do it in the round, and got a few comments to the effect that lace really needs seams for stability or structure or whatever. However, I've seen some really lovely in-the-round lace sweaters on craftster (in various materials) and was wondering, if all those people did Orangina in the round, in cotton or cotton blends, and were perfectly happy with the results, why can't I do this?

Thoughts? Anyone with experience on lace in the round?

[knittinfiasco]

I've seen the butterfly dress (Rowan 37) and the drop st lace (fitted knits) done in the round.  I don't see why you can't convert it, also. It won't hurt to try, at any rate.

[Aislynn]

I think one of Barbara Walker's Treasuries (4, maybe?) has an entire section on converting lace patterns to round from flat, and if it were a no-no, I can't see why she'd have that in there.  The problems others have had may have to do with the fiber they use?  Cotton (I think) is heavier, and therefore more prone to stretching out on occasion.  Knitting flat may provide some structure there that helps keep it where it's supposed to be.

[CraftyCoug]

I don't really see why a sweater would need the stability (unless it will want to twist around funny...) since gravity will be keeping it down.  However, I made lace socks in the round and they refuse to stay up due to the lack of stability and apparently heavy ribbing at the top.
You could also convert it to in-the-round and then if it's acting weird do a crochet chain where the seams would be to give it some support. 
I love that sweater and would have assumed it was done in the round!  Good luck, I think you can totally do it! 

[TAOJ]

It will be more difficult to block in the round. I think that if you are doing it in wool, which behaves better than cotton, that you should be okay.

[aunt carrot]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I think I will do it in the round, and if it does feel weak or whatever, I'll take CraftyCoug's advice and crochet up the sides, where I plan to do a purl-stitch fake seam anyway.