Hand-knits for the winters

I was petrified that January would also go the un-seasonally warm December way. But the chill is finally here, yay. I’ve un-mothballed my woollies but, wait a mo — I have NOTHING to wear! All my sweaters look old, old, old, the others which don’t, are too blah.

How do you get away from bland boring branded, in a town full of places offering mounds of woollies? Get back to gorgeous hand-knits, that declare this is me, only me.

So Artistree, a cute home boutique run by sisters Jyotsna and Brinda Gokhale, which my friends were going excitedly on about, it had to be. They said it has simply everything, and my visit the very next day confirmed it — sweaters, cardigans, scarves, leg warmers, and caps, in bright magentas, lime greens, electric blues and purples, as well as sober greys, creams and beiges. Round necks, V-necks, boat necks, cowls, and sizzling slits — in all shapes and sizes.

Plus, and this is a real bonus for gals like me who love matching things, if you don’t see what you want, they’ll knit one up for you. I instantly picked up a very stylish grey woollen number, a cross between a short coat and a cardigan. In my hunting and gathering, I also spotted a light blue cowl neck, but what I was really looking for was a dark blue number. So I’ve placed an order, and now I’m waiting!

It gets better: If you want to accessorize your woollens, younger sister Brinda does a great range of re-cyled paper jewellery, embellished with beads, glass and sequins. I picked up a stunning pair of danglers, a perfect present for my oh-so-green niece.

Nothing like a chunky hand knit to make me warm and toasty, and very very wintry!

Artistree, S-273 Panchsheel Park, New Delhi. Only by appointment, contact Jyotsna Gokhale at 9818636189. Prices, woollens from Rs 200 on, jewellery from Rs 150 on.