It's been a cold and rainy fall so far where I live, so I've been thinking a lot about scarves, hats and other ways to keep warm as the weather cools. I'm perfectly capable of knitting sweaters, socks, shawls and other warm woolies, but it seems like I can't get through a cold season without knitting up a couple of new scarves.


Every office I've ever worked in was too cold for me, so I consider scarves part of my outfit because I'd never take them off during the day. Now that I work from home, I have a bigger stockpile of scarves than any one person probably needs, but I keep putting new ones on the needles. They're just so fun, quick and easy; it's hard to resist.


This week I'd like to know who among you shares my obsession with knit scarves. You can vote for how many you have and also if you are one of those knitters who's only knit scarves. If you have a favorite knit scarf you'd like to tell us about, do share in the comments.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women, but a lot of women still don't know much about their risk factors or how to tell if they're having a heart attack. To help raise awareness and support women who are living with heart disease, Red Heart yarns has developed a HeartScarves Kit to be used in the HeartScarves Project, which gives red scarves to women with heart disease>.

The Red Heart kits include Super Saver yarn and either knitting needles or a crochet hook, patterns and information on how crafting is good for your heart. When the kits are purchased directly from Red Heart, the company will donate $3 to WomenHeart, which distributes the scarves through a national network of support volunteers.

If you'd like to support the program on your own, you can knit a red scarf and connect with a regional support network to get your scarf to someone who needs it. Check out my Red Woven Scarf pattern if you're looking for inspiration.

As most of you probably know, I haven't been leaving the house much lately thanks to my new baby. So I just recently got a copy of the Interweave Knits special publication Interweave Knits Weekend, and I'm really enjoying it.

This special issue includes 28 patterns for men, women and children, including cozy sweaters, socks, items for the home, hats and mittens. The publication also includes a feature on novels including fiction, teaching children to knit, getting the most out of the fiber festivals and a look at how designers spend their weekends and what they choose to knit when they are not working.

These projects mostly incorporate classic design elements and relatively simple shapes to make projects that are both relaxing to knit and to wear. Some of my favorite patterns in the magazine include the Twisted Pine Pullover, a men's sweater designed by Kathy Zimmerman; the adorable Ruffles and Feathers Breaches for young girls; the Gooseberry Cardigan, featured on the woman on the cover; and the super cute 40 Winks Basket, knit with a huge yarn into a perfect snuggling spot for your feline friend.

If you are a fan of Interweave publications, you're sure to find some cozy, fun knitting to take you through the weekend and beyond. It's on newsstands until December 14.

Most of the time when you buy a knitting book, you consider it a pretty good value if it has 20 or 30 patterns in it. But the aptly named Big Book of Socks by Kathleen Taylor blows most standard knitting pattern books out of the water by providing a whopping 75 different sock patterns for knitters of all skill levels.

The book starts out with the most basic of basics, tube socks, then moves on to socks knit flat and seamed with an afterthought heel, basic socks with flap and gusset and short-row style heels, and a couple of toe-up varieties.

It goes on to provide plenty of projects with a little more style, including lace, cables and colorwork. Some of the projects involving intricate coloring are suitable for advanced knitters, while other projects in the book suit a wide variety of knitters.

If you're someone who can't get enough of sock knitting and you're always wanting to try different patterns without having to buy a bunch of different books, this one might be a good fit for you.