Winter Scarves: A Love Story

Scarf

So warm, this knitted scarf: a treasure beyond worth, that hides within each woven stitch her heart.*

* Copyright © Nick Ruff | Year Posted 2008

Winter winds blow cold in western New York, especially along the icy shores of the easternmost Great Lake, Ontario. And, while the calendar tells us the dates for ‘old man winter’, Mother Nature determines when it really begins and ends. In these parts, that can be anytime from November thru March, five long months, not three.

Even April has been known to harbor cold winds and wet snows.

Combating those elements and keeping the chill at bay becomes a daunting seasonal challenge. This winter I’m meeting that challenge head on, or should I say, ‘neck and shoulder’ on, with some degree of success. How?

SCARVES!

Not just any scarf, mind you, but homemade scarves, in a variety of colors, sizes and designs, patterns, as they’re called.

Scarves long enough to cross in front and drape down, keeping my torso warm, or scarves to wrap thickly around my neck as an even stronger barrier against the weather. Scarves that are a bit wide and can be converted to a shawl, a ‘man shawl’.

And it goes without saying that while these scarves are functional, keeping the elements out and the warmth in, they are a fashion statement, as well, not that I’m concerned about looks. But who doesn’t mind occasional flattery, some ‘oohs and aahs?

These scarves, a dozen by count, are knitted by my wife as a hand therapy exercise. I’m the beneficiary and each time I wear one, which is daily, it may be cold, but I feel wrapped in a layer of love, something else to keep me a bit warmer.

Mother Nature may win the war, as she often does, but with the help of my scarves, I occasionally win a battle.

Do you have a favorite scarf? Tell me about it. And stay warm…

Steve (030923)

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srbottch

Retired in 2013 after 5 years as an elementary school teacher and 40 years as a sales representative to begin anew as a school crossing guard. SMy essays/stories are a way to communicate through the telling of personal experiences. One reader said about my blog stories, "...these are like a cold sip during a marathon run, simple, real life events". Another offered about my blog, “it brings some sense of normalcy not easily found in the modern world.”

33 thoughts on “Winter Scarves: A Love Story”

  1. I doubt I have ever heard a more beautiful story about a scarf. I have an Irish wool scarf my step-daughter brought me from Ireland. I treasure it because she thought of me when she saw it. But it is never really about the scarf, is it? It is about the love behind the scarf that is the real story.

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  3. I don’t often need a scarf in Spain but it can get nippy walking on the beach in the winter. I love scarves and my favourite one was given to me by a 10-year-old friend who brought it back from Ireland for me. It is so cosy and comes in lovely colours. I love that your wife knits scarves for you. How special.

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      4. I did, Liz. But, hear this. I then went to COSTCO where there was a horde of people. Do you think they came to see my ‘jaunty’ green scarf? I like to think so😎

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  5. This morning was the first time this year that I felt the need for a scarf so I donned my favourite one, knitted by my daughter. She also provides me with bobble hats, one of which can be seen on my profile picture!

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      2. I bet it’s a pretty area. We got 5-6” of snow last night. More expected in a few days. The St. Patrick’s Day parade is still happening (without me). All the streets are clear. Plows get out early so life goes on without interruption. 28F now so I wore an extra long scarf while walking the dog earlier.

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    1. Thanks, John. You’re the lucky guy because you didn’t need a scarf or snow shovel today. I’ll need them again later in the week. As I wrote, winter hangs on too long, here. Have a great weekend.

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  8. Hi Steve, this is a lovely post about your home knitted scarves. My mom is also a great knitter and she has made numerous hats, jackets, cardigans, and also knitted toys during her adulthood. She knitted me a woolly hat and scarf for the UK but then we didn’t go because of Michael’s ill health. It isn’t really cold enough here for knitted scarfs except for on game drives. I usually wear light cotton scarves during the winter.

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  9. I’ve had this tab open for a very long time, apparently. This last month just got away from me but obviously, it’s perfect timing. There is nothing like something handmade by someone who loves you. The fact that you love the maker is twice the love. I’ve had to wear hats and headscarves for the last 13 years and have a nice collection that my family bought as gifts to help my head heal. I don’t know anyone that knits or crochet’s well enough to make them but I would cherish it as much as you do. We may be going into spring but the cold has not gone completely. I’m glad I finally got here to read this.

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    1. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Yesterday, I told myself, no more scarf wearing until Fall. I’m forcing Spring to make her debut. Although, another scarf is ‘in process’. All my best.

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      1. Spring makes her debut here and then hides around the corner again for a few weeks. Teasing us with her laughter that is the wind. You are gracious to accept all scarves.

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  10. I am a crossing guard, and for Christmas in 2022, two students, a brother and a sister, and their mother, gave me a black & white checkered scarf to wear on those chilly mornings before school. I love the scarf so much! I put it around my neck, then wrap it snug around my nose and mouth so just my eyes peek out.

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    1. A crossing guard, too? What a perfect gift. I wore mine wrapped just as you described when I was a crossing guard in Brighton, NY. Where do you do your job? By the way, i loved my job and hope you have great experiences doing it, as well. Thanks for your comment. And stay warm.

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