This item of clothing may seem strange, but for brutal winter weather, I've decided it's one of my favorite things. And I really like this particular one, too. (Hey, I made something I like!!)
Scarfs look good, but in wind they blow around, and when you're trying to do stuff they get in your way. These have all the good of scarfs, and none of the bad. I used some poly fleece ones in the past, and found them okay for extreme cold (Antarctica is where I started with them) but kind of clammy and hard to breathe through, if you need to cover your nose and mouth with them. This soft wool blend is not clammy, and works great for breathing through, although my next one will be a less fuzzy yarn. Frost will get on the parts your breath goes past, but it doesn't make the whole thing seem clammy like the poly kind. I used the last of my "Saharan Brindle" two ply, (marino/alpaca/silk/cashmere) and ran out and added some other similar fiber from another roving at the last third. (I think it was about the same blend, only without the cashmere.) It's knitted loose, in an interupted 3x3 rib, and it's just the nicest thing. I wore it every day, all winter, and I could wear my light windbreaker coat long past light-coat weather, only breaking out my "dead of winter" coat for the meanest of January. Something about zipping that soft wool under your jacket around your neck and chin (and mouth and ears when you need it) is just all you need. (Can you tell I like this? Think I'll make another? Me too.)
From this I learned:
I'm getting better with my spindle
Natural fiber really is different from plastic
Wind-stopping fabric over lofty insulation beats heavy and thick any day
Wool can feel good on your neck
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