Winter temperatures may not linger long in the Lone Star State, but they still manage to send Texans to the bottom of dresser drawers each year in search of gloves, scarves and sweaters.

When staying warm and dry is the order of the day, nothing fights chills and dampness like a hand-knitted hat or shawl. So why not knit your own? With just a pair of knitting needles and a ball of yarn, you could be well on your way to warming your ears with your very own hand-knitted hat or scarf. Go here to learn how to begin your first knitting project.

Better still, with Texas leading the nation in the production of wool and mohair, you can find plenty of quality yarn and fiber to suit your stitching needs.

"Not only is Texas the nation's top producer of cotton, wool and mohair, but the Lone Star State is also known for beautiful exotic fibers such as alpaca and llama," said Mary York, the Texas Department of Agriculture's coordinator for fiber marketing. "Our fiber producers contribute billions of dollars each year to our statewide economy and are a vital part of Texas agriculture."

GO TEXAN Style
Tip of the Month

Gusty winds and colder temperatures often leave lips chapped and dry. When you reach for that lip balm to soothe those chapped lips, consider forgoing your average balm for a healing and nourishing natural option. Climb On! Products Inc. representative Polly Reynolds recommends finding products that contain naturally moisturizing ingredients such as unrefined shea butter, natural beeswax and pure essential oils. Products with synthetic ingredients such as parabens or paraffin wax may further damage your skin, Reynolds says.

Go here for a list of Texas manufacturers with a healing selection of balms to offer.

The beauty and versatility of Texas natural fibers makes them popular with knitters, weavers and spinners alike. A search on the Internet turns up numerous do-it-yourself craft magazines, many of which are targeted at a younger population that has taken to the time-honored tradition of knitting. The Texas Department of Agriculture also offers many leads through its GO TEXAN membership program, which helps market and promote Texas producers. Visit the Find Products/Members tab at www.gotexan.org or  go here to find a GO TEXAN yarn producer near you and start stitching today.

Known for her distinctly romantic designs as well as her attention to detail, Pat Dahnke is constantly developing new and innovative fashions for her devoted clientele. Her collection is inspired by her appreciation of beautiful, versatile materials and her love of color. To read more about Pat and her designs, go here.