Needlecrafts - Knit, Cowl Neck Shrug

Image | Pinterest

Happiness is another shrug! They're like shoes, you can never resist another style that calls to you.
Not only is this shrug simple, it's knit in one piece and is adaptable to many weights of yarn.
You can knit one of these for any season and best of all this design is not size conscious.
Accessories are fast and fun to make, great accent pieces to lift any outfit.
Equally versatile in bulky to go over a lighter jacket or in a lightweight cotton to cover up a summer top.
An I-cord gathers the neck so that pulled together closely fashions a true cowl or left slightly loose, a capelet.
The style lends itself to stripes, color blocking and also colorwork on the back. Think roses or a Nordic design.

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Making Headway

Large image | Pinterest
Inset image | free pattern available here

Large image | Sunghee Bang
Inset image | free pattern available here

Hat fashions, if you notice, have certainly been turned on their head.
Hats are the one accessory you either love or hate. Hathead, flathead, these are the wintry results of trying to keep your head warm in the chilly weather.
This hair flattening problem was usually the result of head hugging toques and caps.
Lately, our love of all things chunky and big has gone straight to our head.
The chunky yarn and double thickness in some styles has added bulk making the hat more proportionately flattering for large heads .
My head shape and hair length was not ideal for hat wearing but once I made the chunky toque, I was delighted with the results.
Two evenings worth of knitting produced an attractive hat, so quick to make that I ended up making another as a spare.

Read on and be inspired by 10 free pattern designs featuring different ideas for making your next winter hat, either for yourself or someone special. For more ideas on different hats, be sure to read Anti-freeze Dressing .

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Boot Cuffs

Images | Boot Cuffs available for purchase here

Boot toppers are not new fashion accessories. Just when you thought you saw every possible design, along comes a new inspiration.
Popular for several seasons now, lace and cable variations have been worn with riding boots.
These boot toppers are pint-size versions of the popular leg warmers, still worn today but really came into fashion in the "Flashdance" 80's.
Worn with leggings, in neon colours, they were the rage along with big hair, scrunchies and headbands.
The leggings we still wear, thank you. Comfort, for me, is key.
Booties or shorter boots are everywhere these days and these skinny toppers just don't cut it visually.
On my hunt for something different, I came across these boot cuffs or spats as they flare out and cover a lot of the boot, both in front and back.
Making a few minor adjustments to the traditional boot topper is all it takes.
My plan is to make several pairs the colour of the boots and or my skinny jeans.
Contrast is lovely but a long leg line is nicer!

Read further for more ideas of styles, stitch patterns and free patterns to start making your own.

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Needlecrafts - Anti-Freeze Knitwear

Runway Images | Vogue.com - F|W '13 NYFW

The past few winters we were very fortunate to have experienced milder temperatures and maybe one light snowfall. That changed this year when winter came in with a vengeance, cold and threw more snow at us than we were used to.
When it is this type of weather you need to dress for it. With the winds whipping at your face, it had better be well protected. Bundling up around the neck is also a good idea.
Looking at the collections for next fall and winter, I noted Alexander Wang had protective head and neck gear accessorizing his coats. The helmets are called balaclavas, are warm and usually worn with another hat or if you drive a motorcycle, a helmet.
A Détacher also had large turtleneck neckwarmers (what were once called dickeys). The neckwarmers were worn inside suits or coats for protection and were considered a bit nerdy, something your granny made for you at Christmas. They were also smaller, not as wide and covering the chest as shown in the collection by A Détacher .
In the next image, you will see some of the hysterical vintage styles that were made. A balaclava can cover the whole head with openings for the eyes and mouth, but the free patterns after the jump are simpler and more modern, I assure you.

Top Left Image | here
Top Right, Bottom Left Images | here
Bottom Right Image | here

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