Good dressing is largely a question of detail and accessories. Elsie de Wolfe (Lady Mendl)

Cowl or collar? You choose. Lady Mendl is quick to crochet. One skein each (100 g/170yds/155m) of two colors yields two cowls. Leave it open and apply buttons or fasteners, or seam it to form a circlet. The construction--sideways, yarn carried along, turns every other row--means very few ends to weave in.

Four-row stitch pattern, in multiples of 6, is easy to adjust for both height and circumference.

For a fabric with more drape, go up to a size US K/6.5mm hook.

Other heavy weight worsted or aran yarns can be substituted. Try a variegated yarn combined with a solid color for a stained glass effect.