Preparing for Winter: Knits and Crochet to Keep You Warm 🎄

Time to bring the winter wardrobe out…

As the crispness of autumn makes way for a wintery chill this past week, I find myself reaching for cosy projects that promise warmth and comfort. Last weekend I had the perfect excuse for a lazy day: finishing a brand-new knit hat. Made in beautifully soft Toft wool, it will be just the project for frosty mornings. But I don’t plan to stop there—because every great hat deserves a matching set of accessories, right?

Mixing Crafts, Matching Style

While the hat was a knitting project - the Canopy beanie by Toft, I’m planning coordinating gloves - the Ranger wrist warmers - which will be crocheted. Although they’re two different crafts, using the same wool creates a unified look. To tie them together even more, I’m adding an edging to the gloves that picks out the blue from the hat, giving them a cohesive look. It’s proof that mixing crafts doesn’t mean sacrificing style—if anything, it opens up more creative possibilities!

Crafting a Wardrobe That Works Together

When it comes to handmade accessories, I love finding ways to coordinate them with the rest of my wardrobe. One of my most treasured knits is the Beauceron Sweater by Vincent Deslandes. Its a great design with a mosaic knitting style and is my go-to jumper for colder weather. Pairing it with a hat or gloves in complementary tones not only keeps me warm but also elevates my winter wardrobe.

And let’s not forget shawls! I have quite the collection, and I love layering them for extra warmth. With so many colourways to choose from, it’s easy to find one that ties a whole outfit together. Whether you prefer bold statement pieces or muted, neutral tones, shawls are a great way to inject personality into your winter look.

My latest shawl is finished and I loved taking this year’s MKAL to the cinema to watch the Wicked film!

Yarns for Winter Projects

When the temperatures drop, it’s all about choosing the right yarns. For my hat and gloves, I opted for a wool that’s soft yet durable—perfect for standing up to winter weather so Toft’s 100% wool is the perfect choice. For my shawl I chose 4-play/fingering weight yarn which is an 80%/20% merino nylon blend, the high wool content with squishy merino is perfect for warmth, but with a little nylon the textured patterns have good definition.

What Are You Making for Winter?

As I make a start on the gloves to match my hat, I’m already thinking about the next project (or two). Winter offers endless opportunities for creativity and it also gives me a drive to take a look at the WIP list and make a plan to tick things off…

What’s on your needles or hook as the weather turns colder? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what you’re working on!

I’m filming a blog for YouTube about the hat project as there will be more than one hat made… do you subscribe to my YouTube channel? Head over a join my growing community there if you want to hear more about the hats…