Sorry about the awful bathroom mirror shot and the dorky lawyer suit, I'll take a normal photo as soon as I find a satisfactory photographer. This neckwarmer was made from fabulous handspun Tramp yarn created over at Insubordiknit. I cast on 77 stitches and knit back and forth on big needles (size 10, I think?) in 6 x 1 ribbing. Once it reached about 10" I bound off and seamed it up to make a big tube. The kooky ribbing helped eliminate some of the curl and give it just a little bit of stretch.
My favorite thing about this neckwarmer (other than the awesome yarn, of course) is the lack of flappy scarf ends and the fact that it can be loose and slouchy, snug and cozy, or even up on the head over the ears.
I have a bit of a history with tube shaped neck garments. When I was in 8th grade, we used to shop at the Quaker Bridge Mall for all our '80s fashions. There was a Limited, Limited Express, Gap, and the elusive Units and Au Coton. Unsurprisingly, these stores no longer exist, but oooh how I loved them. The basic concept at Units involved semi stretchy cotton tubes of fabric (sometimes with sleeves) that you could layer. The smaller tubes were ideal as big wide belts (out of which you could generously blouse your shirt), way too tight mini skirts, and, my favorite, accent pieces for the neck area (we called them neckies). If memory serves, Au Coton had a bunch of oversized t-shirts and tank tops, but also sold the stretchy accent tubes. In a pinch, sometimes I'd also just tie a bandana around my neck. Yikes!
Terrifyingly, this winter neckwarmer is somehow reminiscent of those tragic 80s fashions, but I love it just the same.
Updated to add:
Here is a much better photos of my neckwarmer:
And a closeup:
And, in other exciting news, I've been invited to join the Spiders! Looking forward to meeting all of you on Friday night at the Point!
7 comments:
I heart it. I made something similar for my mom ast year, in fact.
Of course I totally heated Units too, and Au Coton, although the latter was lost in the recesses of my brain until this very moment. Oh, tube clothes. They were once the Clothes of the Future.
multiples. damn i loved multiples. they were definitely sold at the units store but i can't for the life of me remember why they had a different name - maybe the more kid friendly sizes and colors? anyhoo, i rocked a jersey knit tunic top with stirrup stretch pants and some form of tube accessory daily for at least a year.
It's adorable, and so practical, too! I usually avoid the head/neckwear that needs to pull on over the head (the curls, you know), but I love how versatile they are, and yours looks beautiful. Great yarn!
I loved Units! I had an oversized white top that I got one of tube-y things to wear as a belt with. Ah, the good ol' days....
I also remember having an Esprit sweatshirt that I wore with jeans that I pegged so the socks that matched the color of the Esprit letters would show. I wore all of this while swooning over Simon LeBon...
wowsa! look at that beauty! it's lovely and I'm totally gonna steal the idea for my own neck! I can't wait until the little bit hits the sack so I can post those pictures all over my own blog!
yay!
j
Can't wait to meet you!
it was great meeting you tonight! i love that neckwarmer. much more interesting in person!
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