Top winter warmers you can make yourself

It's around this time of year that your skills can really come in handy, as layers of yarn turn into life-saving garments, accessories, blankets and other comforters to keep out the cold.

Follow the jump to find patterns for everything you'll need to make for a warm and wooly winter.

Huggable hotties

Nothing could be more snuggly than a soft, warm hot water bottle cosy and there are loads of ways you can make one. Here's a nice pattern to make this knitted cosy, while crochet fans can find an alternative one here. My favourite has got to be this one made from recycled sweaters, which have simply been sewn together in a hottie-like shape.

Handy gloves (and mittens)

There are loads of patterns for gloves and mittens, whether you're a beginner looking to make some simple armwarmers or an expert with something more elaborate in mind. Here are a few to try:

• Ultra-long fingerless gloves: elegant and lengthy cable stitch Mikado ribbon fingerless arm-warmers.

• Stylish, sripy fingerless gloves from Bleu Arts.

• Hippy-dippy rainbow fingerless mitts, pattern by Wendy D Johnson

• 'X0 cable' fingerless mitts: really funky warm mitts with a tic-tac-toe theme.

• Fingerless piano mitts: designed with the musician in mind

• Men's fingerless gloves. Strong and rugged guy-knits!

Cosy coffee

Why not keep your cup warm and the planet cool with this fab and funky coffee cup cozy from The Crochet Dude?

Made according to this pattern with variegated pastel shades, it looks to me like a cross between a coral reef and a nice bunch of chrysanthemums. But however you look at it, your coffee will stay steaming hot on those winter journeys into work. Use a cotton-based yarn so you can easily pop it in the washing machine if it gets splashed.

Pattern is available here.

Blankets

Why not knit those granny squares together and make something functional? You know you want to...The Purl Bee shows you how, here.

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