Relatively.

It's often my experience, as I'm sure it is for most who knit and/or sew, the non-crafting community holds the impression that we, as crafts(wo)men, save exorbitant amounts of money by sewing and/or knitting. This usually provokes my defensive response and a lengthy dialogue on the costs of materials vs. labor in individually produced vs. mass-produced goods...  Yada, Yada. Of course, there was a point in history when it was far more economic to sew and knit at home- You know, like back when gasoline used to cost 11 cents a gallon. 

TImes have changed. Inflation. All that. Still, there are exceptions to every rule and opportunities for us to have an economic leg-up over  the non-knitting population. In my opinion, it all breaks down to a quality over quantity. Winter accessories, for example, are a fantastic demonstration of this. Most box stores sell an array of cotton/poly scarves/hats/gloves for bargain prices. Wool accessories, however, are another story. In our world of low-cost-mass-production, natural fibers are a luxury.   For instance: this 85% wool, 15% poly Tory Burch snood is available to purchase for $175. However, a knitter could far out-luxe Ms. Burch by knitting  Jill McGee's Twisted Sister Cowl with Amy Blatt Nunki (71% Wool 29% Yak) for roughly $50 material cost + time. Not bad, eh?

We have a great advantage when it comes to compiling our collections of wooly accessories, and these types of projects are especially wonderful for unselfish, gift-knitting. I'm sure there's more than a handful of knitters out there who are already thinking about their holiday knit-list. Just for fun, here's a little list of infinity scarf projects that will keep you smiling all the way to the bank:

1.BUY: VINCE wool blend infinity scarf (59% wool, 26% cashmere, 15% polyamide)- $220@ Nordstrom, KNIT: Strange Loop,by Morgen Dammerung using The Gossamer Web's 52/2 Blend (60% merino, 20% cashmere, 20% silk)- $30 + labor

2. BUY: Helmut Lang Soft Corded Knit Snood (alpaca, silk)- $255@ Neiman Marcus, KNIT: Luxery Cowl by Liz Tekus using Mirasol Sulka (60% Merino, 20% Alpaca, 20% Silk)- $5.95+ ~$30+ labor

3. BUY: Ann Demeulemeester Glitter-Flecked Ribbed Infinity Scarf (Mohair, Polyamide, Wool, Polyester) $480 @Saks Fifth Avenue, KNIT: Lilac Wine by Amy Christoffers using Kid Seta Lux (71% Mohair/20% Silk/9% Lurex )- $34 + labor

4. BUY: Portolano Popcorn-Knit Infinity Scarf (Polyester, Wool) $175 @ Bergdorf Goodman, KNIT: Twistberry by Rag Lana using Rowan Pure Wool DK (100% Superwash Wool)- $34 + labor

5. BUY: Rag & Bone Davina Infinity Scarf (Wool, Alpaca, Acrylic) $225 @ Saks Fifth Avenue, KNIT: 
Escarpment Cowlby Kelly McClure using Knit Picks Cadena (70% Peruvian Highland Wool, 30% Superfine Alpaca)- $21 + labor 

6. BUY: Stella McCartney Knit Circle Scarf (Baby Merino/Rayon) $290 @Saks Fifth Avenue, KNIT: Casey Cowl by Robyn Devine using Malabrigo Chunky (100% Merino) $11 + labor

7. BUY: Donna Karen Cashmere Infinity Scarf (100% Cashmere) $595 @Saks Fifth Avenue, KNIT: Fino Circle Scarf by Jocelyn Tunney using Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere (100% Cashmere)- $141 + labor

What do you think? Would your knitting prowess out-shine the luxury knitwear market?

This particular cowl is a gift. It's the Brioche Infinity Scarf by Unnur Eva Arnarsdóttir knit using four skeins of Berroco Flicker. And, I bought my stamp HERE, in case you're curious. ;-D