apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Actually, I do want one.

I want one too.

It'd be pretty easy to DIY a throw without a pattern if you have a stitch dictionary or search for cabled stitch patterns online.
I know my local library's got a decent selection of stitch guides, too.

Or, you could get cabled sweaters at a thrift store and use them patchwork-style.

As a knitter I say go for quality when you're buying anything made of yarn -- avoid synthetic acrylics -- 90% of the time they end up out of shape, pilled, scratchy, and generally ratty looking within one season's use -- I'd recommend looking for wool, cashmere, cotton, or some blend of the three for a throw.

If you can't afford natural fiber, and you're crafty, you can do what I do (since I'm young and broke) and go to the goodwill, scrounge around for large sweaters made of good quality yarn, take them home, rip them apart, and reknit them into pretty things. I've gotten yarn that would have cost hundreds of dollars for pennies this way.

A few years ago, I worked at an interior design practice / storefront. We carried Matouk's cable knit throws -- I still have mine (bought with my Christmas bonus employee discount mind you) almost seven years later and its in great shape. Soft, quality yarn, washes like a dream. I'm totally in favor of DIY, but I think a cable knit throw is an investment piece. So cozy.

I've been anxiously awaiting chilly evenings to snuggle under mine! It's the most yummy, thick, soft and snuggly cashmere - by Rani Arabella. I did try to knit one once upon a time, but it seemed never ending, I think it's keeping a teddy bear warm these days!

Also, if you're a beginning knitter, a nice super-chunky weight yarn will knit up fastest and will accentuate the look. Also keep in mind that light colors show texture better than dark. It's a shame to put lots of cables in a dark yarn--you can hardly tell what the design is!

I love to crochet in fall and winter......the project keeps my lap warm while working on it.

It is possible to crochet a cable stitch afghan, instead of knitting. But my favorite cozy stitch is the old ripple stitch. The finished afghan drapes nicely and hugs your body.

My lovely husband knit me a cable knit blanket that looks very similar to #8. I asked him to knit an extra row on because I knew it was something that the whole family would want to snug under...and we do!

Living in New England, I love warm throws. I have several in the living room. Living with animals....they have to be machine washable. I would love to learn to knit.

terri- your husband knits? can he teach mine??

He would love to! He taught himself to crochet, knit, cross-stitch and quilt. (He's a computer analyst, I think crafts are a problem to solve and create. Or something.)
I on the other hand get him to sew my button on. Mine suck so bad they come off in the wash.

It's hard to find luxurious throws that aren't cashmere or wool. I don't use fibers from animals or synthetic fibers and it's hard to find a thick, chunky throw made of 100% cotton. The Land's End option is decent, but it's too thin. I guess my best bet is the Pottery Barn cotton/acrylic throw.

Thank you so much this post! I spend the better half of yesterday mulling over whether I could justify spending $79 on a throw blanket (I'm looking at you, West Elm), and you've provided some really nice alternatives.

For knitters, I recommend KnitPicks, an online vendor that sells their own brand of yarns at very low prices. Their color choices can be spotty and the yarn isn't as interesting or beautiful as the higher end stuff, but for the basics they can't be beat.

They show a cabled afghan with a yarn cost of $56.85. Sampler Afghan

hey vegan chick.
get your facts straight: they don't actually kill the sheep to get wool. it's called shearing. like a haircut.

@Jac: I don't think she's saying that sheep are killed in the process. Vegans don't consume any animal byproducts, and it has nothing to with whether or not they live. Are cows killed for milk? Nope ;)

This CB2 one doesn't have the nice, chunky cable pattern, but it is 100% cotton and machine washable. And it's $50. Bonus.

I like the yellow, too.

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=595&f=5447

got one today for 7.99 @ v. village

In addition to the one shown above, Target stores have an off-white version with no fringe for 24.99, part of the Home collection as well. I got one today and really like it, it's all acrylic but for the price who can complain?t

@CrazyLady: You taught me something new today. Thank you.

Ravelry.com is a HUGE resource of knitting and crochet patterns. You have to request to join and it can take a day or two, but it's way better than Etsy if you want to DIY. Especially good for the vegans. Caron Simply Soft double-stranded is a good approximation of the West Elm one.