IN PRAISE OF SCARVES

My obsession with scarves began during childhood while watching Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor in Doctor Who, with his multicoloured creation looped around his neck and shoulders and dangling below his knees. I was transfixed and suggested to Mum that a Doctor Who-style scarf would make the perfect birthday gift.

According to the storyline, the scarf had been knitted for the Time Lord by Madame Nostradamus. In reality, the costume designer had given a load of wool to a lady to create a scarf for the Tom Baker Doctor. Instead of stopping at what might be considered a reasonable length for a man’s scarf, she simply kept on knitting until all the wool was used up, inadvertently creating one of the most iconic costumes ever to grace the small screen.

Scarves can be gossamer-fine silks or thick and chunky with a cable knit. They can add a finishing touch to an outfit for men or women, tied at a jaunty angle, tucked into a jacket or shirt – or just looped casually. There are head scarves, neck scarves and scarves in all shapes and sizes, from dainty and square to oblong wraps designed to keep out the winter chill.

A traditional souvenir, silk or cotton scarves are often printed with scenes, maps and wildflowers of the place you’re visiting. In the 1950s, Australian souvenir scarves patterned with wildflowers and native animals – and the odd boomerang–became popular. When travelling, it became a habit for me to pick up a warm scarf to protect against the Tasmanian winter back home. Over time, my friends began purchasing scarves for me, too, as Christmas and birthday presents – a welcome boost to my collection.

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to knit, why not start out by making a scarf? They’re simple, unique and can be as colourful or as conservative as you want. There are plenty of online tutorials, or you can search for beginners’ classes in your neighbourhood.

HOW TO TIE A SCARF THE EUROPEAN WAY

•  If the scarf is very wide, fold in half

•  Now fold in half lengthwise

•  Place folded scarf around your neck, both ends to the front

•  Draw the loose ends of the scarf through the loop made by the folded end

•  Tighten – you’re good to go!