Chicago - November 16, 2009

Calling It Knits

Spratters & Jayne Knitwear

Whether it’s nasty weather or an unfortunate tweezing incident, sometimes you just want to hide your head.

But here’s a reason to be plucky: Spratters & Jayne, a collection of winter woollies made by Peruvian women in the foothills of the Andes.

The super-soft designs are made from 100 percent Peruvian Highland wool and come in three styles. The tube wraps endlessly around your neck. The two-button cowl drapes over a tee or winter coat. The lapel is like an extra-chunky collar, replete with a button made from spalted oak branches. Stay under the radar with a neutral — or go bright and get over yourself.

Brooklyn-based designer/photographer Rachael Warner named the line after her man’s pet turtles.

Shell it out.

Available at Bess & Loie, 1015 West Lake Street, between Carpenter and Morgan Streets (312-226-2247 or bessandloie.com); Florodora, 330 South Dearborn Street, at Jackson Boulevard (312-212-8860 or florodora.com). To see styles, go to sprattersandjayne.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Spratters & Jayne