Warm tops for a rapidly cooling climate

Two versions of a cowl neck. The pattern is Loes Hinse' Cowl top, pattern number 5203. Its a TNT for me, I've made three or four of these at one time or another, and they have all fallen apart from overuse. Its one of the very few patterns I have made no alterations to. I make a straight extra small and it works. Its got cold here so I am very much in the mood for warmer items and you can't get much warmer than these. Both are made from a furry backed fleece. I believe its the stuff you make dressing gowns out of and I did have reservations about how well they might come out. However, I am pleased with them both. The oddest thing is that the purple is much softer and rather more stretchy than the navy. Yet its the same fabric, from the same vendor, bought on the same day.

The navy one has been cut down so its two inches shorter than designed and the collar has been shortened a bit as its a little tall for me really though very comfy in the depths of winter. I didn't put the hem slit in on either version.

The grape coloured one has been lengthened two inches and the wide hem has not been sewn. I took a minimum one inch hem, so the result is a tunic length. It did look a bit plain without anything on it so I've added some pockets which I drafted with the aid of a saucer. Like you do. Mum bought a Hot Fix Crystal wand and some crystals earlier this month and I also bought some crystals so we could both use the wand. And there would be a close up of the crystals on the pocket edge, if only my camera batteries hadn't died. But perhaps you can just see them on the photo? The colours are pale green, amber and champagne.

I am wearing the grape tunic now, with the leggings shown in the photo (minus the belt cos that's just for when I am going out not for lounging about doing the blog and eating biscuits). I found some handknit socks which are black, grey and shades of pink and grape. I've got them on slouched over the leggings which I know is NOT the way one is supposed to wear them but I grew up in the eighties. And my feet are cold all the time so leggings and no socks just ain't gonna happen. I think I need some sparkle infested LA Gear trainers, white of course, and a curly perm and I'd be sorted.

Next on the list is a pair of black trousers. I went in the cupboard and I don't have a single pair of black trousers. Its scandalous that the queen of black items should have no black trousers and this must be rectified very soon. After the trousers, a new black straight skirt is also required.