10 November 2019

On trend with short scarves and buttoned neckwarmers

Warmington Neckwarmer by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The autumn days are well and truly upon us! Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night have already come and gone and the trees are starting to take on their winter forms. So I want to continue with my “Autumn Accessories” series and this time I am looking at short scarves and buttoned neckwarmers.

Did you know that short scarves are this year’s “hot” fashion accessory? Well, I didn’t know until I made one for myself! Then I saw some fashion postings about them and realised that, once again, I have found myself at the cutting edge of fashion! It doesn’t happen very often but it’s fun when ideas coincide isn’t it.
Elizabeth Scarf by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
I have just finished a short scarf in a lovely soft DK yarn. I wanted this one to be a slighter shorter version of my Elizabeth Scarf pattern and love how easy this is to carry around. With the first chill days of winter coming you don't want to be the only person with an enormous scarf, so this is an unobtrusive way to add some extra warmth without the fuss.

Short scarves are so versatile and there are lots of ways of wearing them. You can just drape one around your neck with the ends crossed over in a V shape to provide some light warmth by your collar, or add a shawl pin or button to hold it in place. You can also fold it over your knees at a ball-game as a mini-blanket, or sit on it if the bench is a bit cold. Then when you’re ready to go on your way, you can slip it around your neck and keep the chills at bay as you cycle home.

It’s amazing how something so small can provide just that extra degree of warmth you need at this time of year. Another thing about short scarves is that it doesn’t take a lot of yarn to make them, so that is a double benefit for knitters!
Hatfield Check from Reversible Knitting Stitches by Moira Ravenscroft & Anna Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The Elizabeth Scarf using one of my favourite stitches in our Reversible Knitting Stitches book and I have used it in a number of different projects as you can see here and here.

The stitch is called Hatfield Check and is a deeply textural pattern with a lot of warmth packed into a small space. That is important for a short scarf, of course, because you are not going to wrap the scarf around more than once so it needs to be super-cozy.
7823 Warmington Neckwarmer by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
Some years ago, I made another item that I have used and reused over the years, a buttoned neckwarmer. I made a couple of these way-back-when and every autumn they come out of the drawer again. I made one to team up with a crew-neck sweater, extending its usefulness into the coldest months, while the other was a slim-line version to fit under a coat.

Well both of those were showing signs of age so I decided to make a new one and have been having fun knitting it. I have just published the pattern and am pleased to introduce the "Warmington" to you! This features a fold-down ribbed collar which is buttoned into place at one shoulder. Then two panels gently cover the top of your shoulders and extend down to cover the vulnerable front chest and back neck to give extra warmth.

The neckwarmer is worked in a gorgeously warm cabled yarn, Eco Cloud by Cascade. I love this yarn as it gives a wonderful texture and insulation to the finished article. I can see this is going to keep me warm even in the deepest snowy days ahead. It is perfect with my Barbour jacket and also teams well with a snowy crew-neck sweater I have.
Warmington Neckwarmer by Moira Ravenscroft, Wyndlestraw Designs
The front and back panels are worked in Double Moss Stitch, which is another stitch from our Reversible Knitting Stitches book. The stitch lies beautifully flat so sits very neatly under a jacket or cardigan. It also has a lovely texture to provide warmth just where you need it.

Buttoned neckwarmers are perfect to slip on without having to pull them over your head. This makes them easy to take off when you get somewhere warmer and then put on again when you’re ready to head out of the door. And again, they are small, easy to carry and unobtrusive so you can keep warm without bulk.

I hope the last few blogposts have given you lots of ideas for neckwear to make for the cooler months. Next time I am going to post about how much yarn you need to make a scarf (always a dilemma for knitters) and then I will be turning my attention to hats!

For more details about the new Warmington Neckwarmer, please click here, and if you would like to read the first of this new “Autumn Accessories” blogpost series, please click here then follow the links at the bottom of each page to get back to this point.

Until next time – Happy Knitting!

Moira

Keywords: Accessories, Women’s Scarves & Wraps, Autumn Accessories Series,
autumn, #autumnaccessories, winter, neckwarmer, scarf, scarves, wool, reversible stitches, reversible knitting, knitting stitches,

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