Fantasy Fur Sleeves

I've been wondering how to use up that novelty yarn I bought on clearance (back before I realized what a nightmare it can be to work with).  Here's an example of how to mix "faux fur" yarn with more standard fare:

 I really like the way her hair is styled to match the sleeves. 

...But Not Quite

Almost mink:

It Sherpa Looks Odd to Me...

I continually run across this type of hat (which is apparently called a "sherpa hat") in my quest for Yarn Yuck.  I'm sure they're cozy and warm, what with the ear flaps and all... And the fuzzy yarn probably makes them soft...

But... but...
They look so silly!

Eh, well, to each her own tolerance level for the silly.
(It may too easy for me to judge, living in this humid subtropical climate zone...)

Fashion No-No

With the approach of winter, I've been scouring Ravelry's pattern database for attractive wrist-warmers, fingerless gloves, what-have-you.

Somehow, until now I've missed seeing these eyelash yarn, fun-furry thing-ums:

 ...You can run... You can hide... but eventually, the bad stuff has a way of finding you.

Fun-Fur Nightmare

It's like a helmet made of staticy fluff...

As if an earflap hat isn't goofy enough*, they had to go make it worse by working it up in eyelash yarn.

Those designers-- always taking things to the next level.

*I'm sure they're warm-- maybe even necessary in some climates-- but that doesn't change the fact that they aren't the most flattering look.

Taking the Easy Way Out

"Easy Accessories":

A reminder that just because something is easy, that doesn't necessarily mean it's good. 

Fun Fur Trim

Now I know what (not) to do with all that novelty yarn I bought on extreme clearance (before I learned that it's not nearly as useful and versatile as plain old regular yarn):

Well, at least it's original.   You have to give the designer that much credit, right?

On the other hand, what in the heck was s/he thinking??  This thing is all over the place.  There are two different styles of crochet lace. . . sleeves that are half muppet pelt, half lace wristlets/cuffs. . . a bizarre lace-up bodice with ruffles on either side of the lace-up gap. . . and then even more fun fur trim-- and all in colors that I would've loved as an eight-year-old, but probably not much later in life than that.

Also, you gotta love how they have the same piece modeled twice by two different models.   Perhaps it's to show you how the top looks on a brunette and a brunette with blond highlights?

"What Am I Wearing?"

You can almost read the model's mind. . .

She's thinking (and in this order):

1. What in the heck am I wearing??
2. Who in her right mind wears this much lavender all at the same time?
3. If you have huge, bell-shaped sleeves of fun fur-esque eyelash yarn, do you really need extra-long crocheted lace sleeves in addition to said fun fur sleeves-- or isn't this overkill?
4. What occasion calls for this particular ensemble?
5. They're really not paying me enough to model this.
6. I need a new agent. . .

Just for the Fun Fur of It

In case you were wondering what to do with all that Fun Fur and other novelty yarn in your stash*, here are a few ideas. . .

Knit yourself a cozy faux fur "mink" jacket:

Whether you go for the classic brown or the more unusual tawny-foxy-russet, you're sure to turn heads!  (Just don't wander into the forest during bear-hunting season, ok?)

Go sleeveless for the warmer seasons!

If your stash isn't substantial enough for a coat or a vest, you can always make one of these charming hats:

(Is it just me, or does that last model look like she wants to cause the photographer bodily harm?  Who could blame her, though.  She looks atrocious in that hat.)

Try a Fun Fur cowl!

. . . Or Fun Fur earmuffs and. . . whatever those furry blobs on her hands are meant to be. . .

Keep your calves toasty with Fun Fur legwarmers!  (BONUS:  They look like furry Ugg Boots!)

If you don't like the natural color of your dog's fur (but don't want the hassle and expense of taking him to the hairdresser to have his coat dyed), nothing's simpler than whipping up a doggy body-toupee: 

And when you're done and you're left with small remnants of yarn?

I suggest you craft a bunch of these "Dust Bunnies"  (seriously, that's the name of the pattern) and sneak them into the homes of friends and family.  Won't they be surprised!

Of course, you could also just make a bunch of earrings with your leftovers. . .

Whatever you do with your stash of eyelash, don't forget that just because it's Fun Fur doesn't mean it can't be sexy. . . (Animal magnetism, etc., etc.  ...Though I will say that the model is very trim, and you need to be, to wear that outfit.)

You know, I feel like this is a hollow victory.  It's really not fair to mock Fun Fur, because it's altogether too easy to do.  Like shooting fish in a barrel. . . or Fun Fur Dust Bunnies in any location, since they have no limbs with which to move themselves. . . (So very, very sad.)

* Please, please tell me I'm not the only one with a goodly amount of novelty yarn in her stash.  It's from back before I really knew how to crochet.  I didn't realize that regular, plain old yarn is so much more versatile-- and most of it was bought really cheaply on CLEARANCE.  So, you see, I didn't actually have any choice in the matter, but had to buy some of it.  (Did I mention I'm a bargain-hunter?)