It's cold outside!
Do not get me wrong, I am in no way complaining! I am a "seasons girl", I like it to be hot (okay, well I'd rather it be just warm, but...) when it's supposed to be hot, and cold when it is supposed to be cold. Lately though, mother nature hasn't been playing along with rules...In fact, on Christmas day this year it was nearly 80 degrees and the air was heavy with humidity! It made me a little bit cranky. We've had unusually mild temperatures up till now and, in fact, they continue to fluctuate above our normal temperatures.
Right now, I am fully embracing the "occasional" frigid temperatures that we are dealt, I'll admit that "feels like 6 deg F" temperatures make getting out of bed for predawn runs rough...and still I wish for snow. Why does one wish for cold temperatures you might ask? Well, I actually love to bundle up in cozy sweaters, snuggle under blankets, don warm winter hats, scarves and mittens and warm my toes by the fire...plus, I've got a new snuggly cowl to keep me warm!
A couple of months ago I received the book "Knitting Without Needles" from the lovely Anne Weil of Flax & Twine ...
and immediately began to pour through it's pages! I am not really a knitter, as you might remember...I have sort of knit myself a cowl before and Violet and Henry and I have done a bit of finger and tube knitting, but I assure you I am not able to consider myself a knitter...
And Anne assured me that I didn't need to be! As soon as I had the opportunity, and yarn, I made myself a simple infinitey scarf to test out the techniques she shows in her book. I was hooked! Arm knitting, once you understand the steps and concepts, (which are much like traditional knitting and finger knitting) is simple and fast! Since you are using chunky yarn and multiple skeins of yarn you can make a cowl in a flash!
This cowl from start to finish took me less than an hour to make. It's warm and soft...
And perfect for keeping you warm, inside or outside! Plus, it just feels good to wear! I ended up making two other cowls to give as Christmas gifts for a teacher and one of my husband's co-workers...they both loved them and now my sister is requesting one for her February birthday!
Of course, Violet and Henry couldn't help but oggle the scarves I was making for others, so I secretly made them each one for Christmas too...
They were thrilled to open their gifts to unveil an arm knit scarf of their own! They may have given me a little "you sly mama" look as well...And despite the fact that we had our air conditioner on Christmas morning...they quickly put on their new scarves and didn't take them off...
I think Henry may have worn his each and every day of winter break in fact...
Of course, "Knitting Without Needles" isn't only about cowls...there are so many lovely projects within it's pages. It is, truly, one of the most beautifully photographed books I have seen...It's pages are filled with projects that I can't wait to make: pillows, blankets, hats, script, rugs, jump ropes and crowns...
And so much more! I might be a tad bit afraid of knitting needles, but these projects "without needles" seem so very doable! And, now that I've mad six cowls/infinity scarves it's probably time for me to try one of those other projects...but which one will be next I wonder?...
*I was sent "Knitting Without Needles" to review, however, the review and all opinions are my own! Photos from book are courtesy of Anne Weil.*
