I woke up in a cold sweat two nights ago. I woke up to the realization that in less than 4 weeks we are moving and by the time we get to Kentucky, it will be cold. Well, cold for us anyway being Floridians. It will get lots colder very shortly after our arrival and we have no winter clothing. All of a sudden my yarn hobby has become something that should have been on the top of the to do list had I known that we would be living in the North. What’s that you say? Kentucky is the South?? I assure you, to me it’s not.
I started thinking, where oh where I should start to amass a winter wardrobe without going broke on such short notice and with summer clothing still in our stores here in the Sunshine State?? Oh boy am I in trouble. How do you even begin to dress children for winter? How do you keep girls who don’t like to wear pants warm? Suggestions and ideas are all very, very welcome. Please and thank you!
I decided to do what little I could in this department so Christmas presents have been moved to the back burner and I am now in full mode winter knitting. I started a helmet for Matthew which I am designing as I go. Not the fastest way to knit something but I woke up with the idea and just had to go with it. So far I have gotten to the middle of the helmet and am now deciding if I want to make the top square like many helmets I have seen or if I want to go back to knitting it in the round once I get to the top of the head. I guess we will see.
Oh I am using Brambleberry yarn in Meadow and I absolutely love the slight variations of greens and a bit of yellow here and there in the skein. Beautiful and a cheery color to wear in the winter.
I am yarning along again and it is helping me to have an excuse to knit when I really should be packing 😉
I will be back tomorrow with a guest post from my very own momma and poppa with two really yummy recipes which make up the whole of my childhood. You don’t want to miss this one.
Also, don’t forget to enter the giveaway for the Loohoo wool dryer balls, they are wonderful. Giveaway announced on Friday morning.
I know you prefer natural fibers, but have you thought about polar fleece. You are such an amazing sewer. You can quickly make hoodies, sweaters, hats,leggings, mittens etc. If you double layer it is quite wind proof. Best wishes!
We went for a winter visit to my father in Illinois…we are in Georgia. I was surprised that the cold up there was dry where Georgia was wet. It was actually warmer in Illinois…but I did they layer thing. Tights, leggings for girls and long johns for the boys. But we really didn't need them. I waited until the last min. to get coats…they were 80% off by January.
LOVE THE YARN
You were asking about winter clothes for the children. I am in southern Ohio. We thrift store shop for heavy winter clothes. My children are all still growing. a girl at the top with two boys below. so unisex clothes only work sometimes. I have found that we save a lot by buying second hand as most of the items I look for are the quality brand names. Wool longies are tough to come by here. We wear fleece tights with our dresses.
My daughter will not wear trousers, as we call them, either. She lives in skirts and dresses all year round and adds tights or leggings when it is colder. I agree with whoever said it is warmer as it is what I have started to do in the winter too!
In the winter I wear silk long underwear pants with almost everything. It can be a tad expensive, but it is breathable, thin, and warm without making you feel overheated. With skirts and dresses I wear the long underwear with a pair of tights or leggings over it. I find mine at Lands End (they can have some great sales), but I'm sure other places make them too.
Down vests (and coats for the coldest days) are my other trick for always staying toasty warm. The vests are especially great for fluctuating temperatures. Layers in general will be key.
We live in Prague, Czech Republic, and my daughter lives in skirts and dresses with leggings/tights/leg warmers. Dresses can also be stuffed into snowpants quite easily. I swear by Lands End winter wear for kids. It lasts forever, and it also has this feature that allows you to get an extra two inches out of sleeves and legs. I usually get it about now on sale, with some evoucher coupony things thrown in. If you find it second hand, great; but if you have to buy new, know that it will last for many, many years…
I agree with tights and leggings. Skirts with layers are definitely warmer than pants since they trap warmth under them. I find most of my girls warm, long sleeved dresses, legging, and tights at thread up.com, lands end, and hanna Anderson. They are nice quality, and most stand up to my rough and tumble girls through 3-4 seasons (if not more, I only ave 4 girls so far *smile*). Knit leg warmers are one thing that depends on your tempermntas well as your girls….I don't have the patience to knit that many leg warmers just to have my girls to misplace 1 out of every 2-4 I knit *smile*. I don't think connecting them with an I cord would b a great idea either…..though they wouldn't lose any, lol.
Don't worry about the girls. There are many nice leggings and warm tights out there. And I might add that I went to school when girls couldn't wear pants and often walked to school in knee socks. Your legs get red, but no real harm is done. This was central Pennsylvania, often below freezing, icy, snowy, etc. it will be fine! And they will have great fun if it snows! Also, my girls wore snow pants when they were younger.
Layers!! For the girls, leggings and good tights are a must under skirts and dresses, as well as some nice warm, soft boots. I also recommend sweater vests, regular vests, and fleece pullovers/ cardigans. I have my son (7) wear white t-shirts under his school uniform to add extra warmth. I know you want to save money, but the best winter coats you can get are Lands End- I buy the Squall Jacket (which is just right for East Tennessee, so should be perfect for Louisville!!) They have grow-along sleeves so if anyone has a growth spurt, no worries. They also hold up amazingly well- we've been able to pass his jackets on and they still look perfect after 2 years of wear. Scarves and hats and mittens will get you through the coldest part of winter, with the jackets and warm boots (check Target for boots- knock off Uggs work well and look cute with dresses and leggings.)
Tights and leggings. My daughter loved dresses when she was little and that is how she stayed warm. I love the green yarn.
My daughter who prefers to wear skirts wears long john bottoms under her skirts with wool socks. She sets her own fashion so she doesn't mind mixing things up. She usually wears wool stockings ~ look in the nylon section of a store and they will have tights. These work with socks over them too. I am in Michigan so we do get cold. I love the color of this yarn by the way.
Leggings are the best. Leggings, socks, and boots. Also lots of layering, and big pashima style scarves around the neck. Heat escapes through toes and the top of your head, so keeping those covered helps! I also find that if my neck is warm I am much warmer in general!
Love the yarn! Wishing you the best with your move… sounds exciting! 🙂 My little girls wear tights or leggings under their skirts and dresses (like their mama ~ smile) and we mostly thrift shop for our wardrobe. {ps – your blog design is lovely, I love your social network banner}
Thank you!!
Pants are NOT warmer than dresses. Also, dresses are more forgiving for layers. I'm in the Ottawa Valley in Ontario (so way north of southern Kentucky). We only wear dresses. We wear tights under our dresses in the winter or leggings. I often wear knee length leggings and knee socks. Our coats come at least hip length and usually wear tall boots. I'm way warmer these days dressed like this than back in my jeans and ski jacket days.
You can also make slips from flannel for really cold days, but you'll have to deal with some static issues. I find my cotton petticoat keeps me warm and blocks most of the draft. Since you like to knit, you could really warm up your girls by making these: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nether-ga… I make them for my daughter every year for skating (I use patterned sock wool).
Lots of ways to keep warm without wearing pants. Don't forget, warm feet and warm head goes a long way to keeping the whole body warm.
Thank you Paula! Great pattern.
Beautiful colorway! We are having the opposite move – from Canada to Texas! Granted, we have what I consider really mild winters here but still nothing like TX. I suggest layers and as was mentioned leggings/ legwarmers/ tights… Hit up the thirft stores and consignment shops, they'll have warmer clothes out by now and you wont go as broke. Good luck with your move!
Beautiful color!
Wishing you luck with getting everything ready for the cold weather. Those greens are absolutely beautiful!
I hope you get your knitting done in a timely manner and you will be cuddly warm when you get to kentucky! love the color of the yarn 🙂
What a beautiful colour yarn, I would layer up and thick wooly tights fro your girls. Good luck with the move. Deb
Oh yes – that will definitely be a bit of a climate change for you! Maybe skirts for the girls with some leg warmers? Once they feel the cold they may change their mind about the pants! Your yarn is so pretty. Looks very soft!
that's an amazing color of the yarn! love it! I'm knitting for winter too – because we got a wave of really cold and rainy weather and days like these just call for hand-knitted clothes…how about some legwarmers for girls who don't like to wear pants – they can go well with skirts and you can knit them in all different colors and they do keep your legs warm 🙂
Leggings, tights and legwarmers.
I have two nieces that do not like to wear pants either and winters here in Connecticut are just as brutal as Kentucky. Best of luck on a safe and effortless move!
Beautiful color way on this- good luck with your speed knitting 🙂