Click here to return to the listing of past columns.

I love fiber arts. I love knitting. I love crocheting. I wish someone would teach me to weave. But, and this is a hearty but, I do not love all applications of these arts. Several vivid examples come to mind. I’m knitting a pair of socks. These socks will never be worn. They are sentimental pieces that express my dedication during a difficult time. They may be treasured but they certainly will never be appreciated for the high style. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I’ve spent the day designing patterns for yarn embellished evening bags. No sentimentality … just fashion.

This year, yarn enables us to passionately pursue fashion. Younger people are knitting. Fashion runways in New York, Milan and Paris all had significant examples of yarn-related fashion. Let’s explore ways to infuse your wardrobe with evidence of your love of fibers! This month, I will show you how to take that beloved denim jacket and span the seasons with some fashion forward ideas.

In several of the prominent fashion magazines, this jacket or some incarnation has been touted as the “fashion must-have”.

In fact, if you were looking for a version of this jacket, you were hard pressed to locate one during the past holiday season. Why? Because it is infinitely wearable. It came out in petite, juniors, misses, and plus sizes. They all sold. For once, a stylish garment universally spanned size and age. Kudos to the fashion mavens who had the insight to introduce such a welcome phenomenon.

If you have a denim jacket in your closet, or even if you go out and purchase one … you may want to consider creating an interpretation that requires as little as one ball of yarn. Here you see my experiment, using one ball of Baruffa’s Fur Antico and one ball of Baruffa’s Dream:

I created this simple embellishment by knitting a rectangle that covered the collar and extended down into the neckline. At the center front, I added a single fur hook (a big hook and eye that is used on coats and heavy sweaters). I did this because, as we span the seasons, there may be some days when you just might want the warmth of a scarf without an actual scarf.

The collar is not permanently applied to the jacket. The obvious reason is that you can have loads of fun creating the collar with novelty yarns that do not share the same laundering requirements as the jacket. However, as you prepare for spring, may I suggest another reason: Change the look! For the warmer weather, take a yarn such as Indy or Romeo and Giulietta or Fiordaliso and create either cuffs or a collar for your jacket AND a matching sleeveless sweater. When it gets hot, the lightweight sweater will look great. When it cools off at night or the air conditioning makes things too cool, the jacket will make you look very put together.

Use your imagination. Use my suggestions as a starting point and go from there. Who knows, next year we may see your designs on some fashion runway!

Knit, weave, or crochet like crazy!

Sue@yarnxpress.com