Cool scarf ideas?

So, it's FINALLY started to get cooler out here in South Dakota, so I can transition from chunky metal and leather chokers to scarves...

..only I'm having a hard time thinking of how to make scarves that will fit my wardrobe.
I wear a LOT of black dresses, some with very bold prints. I want my scarves to replace my metal and leather necklaces this fall and winter, but don't know what will look good on a scarf (maybe beads? I'm lost!). My necklaces are chunky... dark chains, or black leather with spikes. I also need a few ideas for cool prints that will go with my plain dresses. I only have a couple scarves right now, and only two of them are warm enough for fall and winter. I have two that are silk or satin so they are not very warm (it gets to be about -20 to -40 Fahrenheit here).

What are some good materials to look for that would elegantly balance function with fashion-forwardness?

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11 replies since 5th October 2013 • Last reply 5th October 2013

Reply #1:

I've seen a few scarves with all sorts of beads and stuff on them, but they're usually listed as "jewellery scarves, so probably not too intended for the cold: There's a few examples here, but maybe you could modify it for a heavier warmer material like fleece?
http://www.amazon.com/Jewelry-Scarves-Beads-Charms-nl-1922d/dp/B009UQBZYA

There's also this type of scarf where there's beading in a pattern, which is doable in a heavier material (but probably a no on spikes for something like this:
http://heramode.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=173

Maybe also a "structured" cowl, in maybe a leather type material with a warmer lining, then you can have metal accents on it if you want?
http://www.etsy.com/listing/110255015/men-scarf-extra-wide-black-wool-with?ref=related-4

Don't know about prints though, i gravitate towards plaids and stripes, which is a little uninspired at times, lol.

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Reply #2:

Hm... those help, thanks! Happy

I wear a lot of florals, which aren't to wintry, but I have enough plain or black and white dresses to get through the winter. I do have some more muted prints that might work though. Happy

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Reply #3:

Hmm. I think if you want warm scarves, you could go with chunky knit ones or thick fleece ones, but I don't think either of those would look too good with beads being hidden between stitches, maybe the fleece ones... I wish all of my scarves were in one place so I could take a picture of all of them for you. I have like 10! RIght now, it's only just getting cold, so I have been wearing a sheer blue scarf. It's very wide, so it bunches up into a significant amount of fabric around my neck and it really does help me stay warm. I also made myself a fleece scoodie, which has two layers of fleece (the inside is white and the outside is tiger strips) and is VERY warm. I think I will actually post a project and maybe a quasi tut on that one.

I have several knit scarves, but I got them all this summer so I haven't worn any of them outside, but when I knit a scarf for someone else and wore it around inside a place without real heating, I was definitely warm. I knit with large needles to go quick, but it has bigger open stitches, but it was super hot.

You can also go with thinner shawls (as in skinny, not thin material wise), so that you can either wrap them around your neck like a scarf or wear them on your shoulders. Those go well with dresses. You can wear it as a scarf while outside, then inside you can take your jacket off and if you get chilly put the shawl over your shoulders instead.

Ugh, I write a lot. I really hope I helped in deciding at least materials. I'm thinking maybe chunky knit scarves can replace chunky leather accessories. If you knit yourself, I'd suggest knitting with both black yarn and silvery yarn together.

Fleece scoodies are my personal favorite. You can make them reversible and there's all sorts of colors and patterns available.

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Reply #4:

You definitely did help! Happy

I think I'm going to raid the yarn stashes of every craft shop in the area. I can't knit, and I can't crochet anything complex, but I am getting some awesome ideas. ^.^ I just hope I can find some cotton yarn--I'm allergic to almost everything else, lol.

Shawls are good ideas, too, and might give me a way to use up some of the interesting/odd fabrics I have.

I'm going to get some sketches going... maybe I will post quick snapshots of them when I design something I like!

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Reply #5:

Thank god, I posted that and was just like WHY DO I RAMBLE SO MUCH!?!?

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Reply #6:

I do the same thing a lot, don't worry! lol

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Reply #7:

I think a cowl is a good idea for warmth. The long ones that you wrap round your neck are really popular and allow you to decide how warm you need to be by how many times you wrap it around your neck. Like this one http://crochetincolor.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/accidental-cowl.html Its in a chunky yarn so it would crochet up quick and its a simple pattern that i don't think should be too taxing to tackle. You could do it in a bright colour (like maybe red) to go with your plain black/white dresses or any dress that has that specific colour in it. You could do it in a varigated yarn if you wanted more pattern.

There are also loads of patterns online to make fat quarter scarves http://bnnbcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/cowl-scarf-use-up-those-fat-quarters.html. This would make a nice colourful scarf/cowl, for the plainer dresses. You could line it with fleece to make it warmer or even do a button-on fleece lining, that way it would be trans-seasonal for autumn & winter.

Let us know what you decide to make in the end.

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Reply #8:

So far, I've made a crocheted fabric chain link scarf.

I have a finger-knitting scarf in the works, and plans to make a lot more. Happy

Here's a pic of the chain link one, pinned so it stayed tight.

Medium img 20131009 202703 061
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Reply #9:

I am a scarf-a-holic so I was very happy to find this site. Not a lot of new idea's but great ways to freshen up the scarf style!http://www.scarves.net/scarf-tying-index.html

I really like the fancy braid and rosette knots.

(Loving that crochet scarf you made too!)

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Reply #10:

I stumbled across that site the other day, actually. ^.^ It's inspired me to want to make an infinity scarf.

My very first finger-knitting scarf is almost done! I am going to have to make another in an infinity style for sure. I've actually been finger-knitting with rolls of bias tape from a sewing factory my mom used to work for... she sent me half a dozen huge rolls of the stuff from when they cleaned out their storage room a few years ago and let employees take stuff home Happy

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Reply #11:

Not much help, but @Libby oh that fat quarter scarf is pretty cute i gotta try that out.

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