Fur has been hitting the catwalk and our shelves, but is there a way to keep in step with this trend while avoiding looking like a Muppet? The key here is to think small. Accessories and details add edge to your wardrobe without going overboard–I’ll show you how.

To play with this trend, I knit myself a quick fur cowl in only a few hours using Prism Plume in the Kilimanjaro colorway. I simply cast on enough stitches to fit around a 40″ US 13 circular needle, twisted my stitches before joining them to create a twist in the cowl, and knit through two hanks of yarn before binding off. The hand-dyed colors of Plume are luscious and it’s super soft around the neck. Fur cowls look great against a cabled sweater for texture contrast, or go monochrome and match your cowl to your jacket or top–it’s like making a shirt you already own into a fur-necked turtleneck! For a retro-inspired shape, try a keyhole scarf like Zelda from Louisa Harding or a fur collar.

Fur vests can be a fun layering piece, but wear carefully and avoid other fur accessories with this one. Berroco’s Granita (left) and Lousia Harding’s Olive (right, from Book 129) feature similar construction styles with different fur textures. Both are meant to be worn open, which creates a long vertical line and helps avoid any ‘wrapped in animal hides’ comparisons. Belts emphasize the waist–always a good thing! I’d pair these vests with something sleek on the bottom, like slim-fitting pants, skinny jeans, or a pencil skirt and tights.

The hardest part of all is deciding which fur yarn you’ll choose! These are not like the eyelash yarns of yesterday–fur-look yarns now come in different fibers and textures ranging from natural-looking fur replicas to colorfully flamboyant options. Rozetti Wicked Fur (bottom left, in color 104 Zebra) is soft, fluffy and comes in natural shades with different color ‘tips,’ just like real fur. If you want a splash of color, check out Louisa Harding Luzia (shown in 02 Ruby and 05 Sapphire) or Filatura di Crosa Jenny (shown here in 08 Almond, but it’s also available in jewel tones). Luzia has a smoother texture that tends to lie flat, which I think looks very realistic in its natural colors; Jenny has longer feathery strands mixed with shorter ones for depth. And Berroco Marmot (in the back, color 3743 Amber) creates a fabric reminiscent of shearling fleece when knitted up.

Will you be trying out one of these fur yarns this winter? How will you be using it?

Tags: fur yarn, trends