Crocheted and Knitted Accessories

Mary shared this photo with me. She took it while in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was in the window of a store in one of the hotes. Quite simply it is different sized and shaped motifs in different colored and textured yarns. That's something that can be crocheted with leftover bits of yarn!
Burberry has come out with a Cotton Crochet Trench Coat. It's great to see crochet hitting the fashion pages.The coat has a mesh crocheted overlay and delicate crocheted borders and epaulets. If you click this link, you can zoom in and see it up close and personal.

Instyle magazine did a "Instant Update" on Infinity Scarves "They're plush, cozy and a styling no-brainer. Just pull the loop over your head and you're done." "WHY? Both warm and colorful, these double-duty accessories frame your face and brighten up your outfit. "
We're on the inside track to custom make our own infinity scarves to suit our own tastes: pick your own color, fiber, pattern stitch and you're all set to crochet/knit it up in a flash. I made Dina Mor's Giant Infinity Cabled Cowl (pictured above)knit in worsted weight merino yarn.

If you search cowls and neckwarmers (link will only work if you're a member of Ravelry) on Ravelry you'll find a wealth of pattern options.
This year I've made 2 cowls so far. I enjoy them because they are quick to knit and if I'm cold inside it's an easy accessory to wear (versus a long scarf). The one above is called Laura

by Jennifer Dassau. I knit it with 2 skeins of Aiko cashmere that I had in my stash.

The second cowl I knit in Malabrigo Rasta yarn. Talk about quick knits. This was done in an evening on big needles. The yarn is beautiful! The pattern is appropriately entitled

Bulky Mobius Cowl by Haley Waxberg.

If you haven't knit/crocheted one yet, try it. Small, quick projects are very gratifying.