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Closet Confection: The Eleventh Hour

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When: Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Where: The usual

What: Cardigan (H&M), dress (Ben Sherman via Daffy’s), socks (Tommy Hilfiger via Century 21), boots (thrifted via Beacon’s Closet), hat/scarf combo (H&M years ago), cape ($32 Forever 21), cameo necklace (H&M)

Watch out!  The caped crusader strikes again!

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Here’s one of the things I love about this time of year: Even if I’m not so thrilled with my outfit, I can compensate by wearing really fun outerwear.

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I have a semi-obsession with cold weather accessories.  This time of year, I’d usually be out stocking up on knit berets, woolen scarves and fuzzy mittens. Unfortunately, this 30 day shopping ban has put the kibosh on all such activity.

So, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands… literally…

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I’m learning how to knit!

Because I’m stubborn and refuse to take a class, I’m trying to teach myself using the online tutorials at www.lionbrand.com.  I’ll be honest, it’s been going pretty slowly. I’m  also a little embarrassed to admit that it took me two hours and several dozen times watching and rewinding the same 45-second video clip to even learn how to cast-on properly.

But like I told you guys yesterday, I’m no quitter.  And I’m determined to knit myself a scarf by the end of this challenge.  Wish me luck!

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  • JillGG November 19, 2010 at 10:16 am

    fun! I love to knit, but haven’t done it in a while. It is a very fun (and addicting hobby) when you get the hang of it! Keep us posted!

    • ClosetConfections November 19, 2010 at 3:08 pm

      I certainly will keep you posted. It’s nice to have something to do on the train other than listen to my ipod.

  • emilykennedy November 19, 2010 at 12:41 pm

    Yay! I knit, so let me recommend my one most important book to own: the Vogue Knitting Quick Reference (http://amzn.com/1931543127). I usually take long breaks between each project, and this book helps me get back on the horse every time with the best visual explanations I’ve found.

    • ClosetConfections November 19, 2010 at 3:08 pm

      Thanks so much for the suggestion. Gotta check that one out.

  • Law Mama November 19, 2010 at 1:42 pm

    I taught myself how to knit too (many years ago) — and to be honest, it usually takes a long time to teach someone the techniques, so you’re doing great! Are you on Ravelry.com yet? It’s SO AWESOME for finding patterns and other resources.

    Great outfit, especially the cameo necklace.

    • ClosetConfections November 19, 2010 at 3:06 pm

      Oooh, thanks for the link. I will definitely check out that site.

  • Mary @ stylefyles November 19, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    I love knitting! It must be so hard to teach yourself though! A teacher taught me and a friend of mine during study period senior year of high school…..after that I felt like I was making scarves for the whole school! Embarrassingly, that’s the only thing I ever learned how to knit – a simple, straight scarf. Ha!

    • ClosetConfections November 19, 2010 at 3:06 pm

      It is harder than I thought. I’ve had to start this scarf over 3 times now, but I think I’m getting the hang of it. I’m going to turn it into a tube scarf… hopefully!

  • Frances Joy November 19, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    Ooh, I am SO impressed that you’re teaching yourself to knit using internet tutorials. My host mom taught me when I was studying abroad, oh, eight years ago, and it took me five years to get halfway through a scarf. I’ve since forgotten everything.
    Also, I love your cape. That’s what I was originally going to say, and then I was distracted by knitting.

    • ClosetConfections November 20, 2010 at 10:40 am

      I think I will take a class eventually if I decide to continue on with it. It seems like it would save me LOTS of time and frustration, lol!

  • Tiffany November 19, 2010 at 8:46 pm

    I ADORE that cape!! That’s the first thing I’m buying after these 30 days are over!! The pink scarf gives the whole outfit a nice pop! Love the whole outfit!!

    • ClosetConfections November 20, 2010 at 10:38 am

      I was surprised at how versatile it is. Definitely a worthwhile purchase.

  • Linda November 19, 2010 at 11:05 pm

    Ah..I wanted to learn to knit. I bought supplies and tried to teach myself. No luck. Sure it was 3 years ago, but I’m just calling it a break – I didn’t quit!
    I really like that white cardigan!

    The Auspicious Life

    • ClosetConfections November 20, 2010 at 10:38 am

      As long as you start up again it wasn’t quitting… just a hiatus. 😉

  • Stylepint November 19, 2010 at 11:52 pm

    I love that cape and scarf, it’s bold and it’s chic! When the weather gets cold, I want to bust out all my winter accessories too, but the weather doesn’t get that cold. Btw, good luck with knitting! =)

  • Rose November 19, 2010 at 11:56 pm

    Love that cape! Especially with the punchy pink scarf. Its playful and polished. I admire you for teaching yourself to knit! Will you be showing us your creations?

  • JTWisdom November 20, 2010 at 2:34 am

    The whole ensemble works. I think that accessories can do so much to make the wardrobe pop. The cameo necklace, the boots, the cape all makes this a great fall outfit for work or going out on the town.
    Wow, kudos to you for teaching yourself how to knit, I am going to teach myself how to crochet. I have a DVD so here goes.

    • ClosetConfections November 20, 2010 at 10:36 am

      Good luck! Learning to crochet is next on my list, right after sewing…

  • Amber November 20, 2010 at 7:56 am

    Ah, I love that cape! And I’m totally with you on the outerwear – my winter wardrobe tends to be pretty dull, but I think you can make up for a lot with a great coat, or hat or whatever.

    And yay for learning to knit (especially teaching yourself)! I can only do very basic stitches, and I’ve yet to actually finish anything I’ve started, but I somehow find it really therpeautic – it’s a great way to wind down at the end of the day, and if you can actually make yourself something then so much the better 🙂

    • ClosetConfections November 20, 2010 at 10:35 am

      I’m pretty excited about knitting. I have a whole list of patterns that I want to try. The only problem is that I’m rather impatient, so we’ll see how it goes, lol.

  • katrina November 20, 2010 at 11:22 am

    i love the wrap cardigan. it looks so cozy and perfect for the winter!

    best of luck with your knitting project! I’m the same way when it comes to taking on diy projects– I refuse to take a class, which I guess explains all the tragedies of attempted crocheting projects in the last year. haha

  • Kelly November 20, 2010 at 12:02 pm

    Good for you! Can’t wait to see the finished product!
    I love the cape – it seems to go with everything!!

  • TheSuburbExperiment November 20, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    Ha! I love loopholes. (The kind that get you new clothes when you’re not supposed to be). My great-grandma taught me to crochet but I haven’t done it in so long that all I can make is a long chain now. I would love to relearn. I never even thought about online tutorials but that’s such a good idea! Thanks!
    And I loooove the cape.

    Jenn

  • alessandra November 20, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    good for you for learning how to knit!
    love your outerwear, it really does steal the show.

  • Day2daywear November 20, 2010 at 8:07 pm

    I am so glad you posted the link to learn how to knit, I was just talking about this with a friend- that I want to start knitting and make myself a funky scarf!! GReat outfits by the way and equally awesome photos!! I am also a 30 for 30 challenger so look forward to seeing the rest of your outfits!! happy knitting and dont be hard on yourself.. it just takes patience 🙂

  • Jade Broadus November 21, 2010 at 2:04 am

    It’s so exciting that you’re learning to knit!!! I’ve been making a ton of scarves this season and I love adding new ones to different combos and colors. Love the cape- I’m dying to get one, but I guess I’ll have to wait until this challenge is over!! Maybe they’ll go on sale by then!

  • Emily December 30, 2010 at 2:14 am

    Good luck! I’m sure you’ll love knitting once you get the hang of it!! I’ve been knitting for a few years and I love creating one-of-a-kind accessories with marvelous yarn. 🙂 Plus, you can save a huge chunk of change: $18 for a Cashmere-Alpaca-Silk hat you knit yourself in your favorite color and a flattering pattern or $60 cookie-cutter store bought one?

    Check out http://www.ravelry.com for an awesome knitting/crochet pattern database and plenty of help when you need it!

    -Emily

    • ClosetConfections December 30, 2010 at 8:53 pm

      Thanks for the link. I’m finding that knitting is very relaxing during my commute.