wool in winter wonderland

Winter is nearing. For most of the country the weather is getting crisp, we're pulling out recipes for warm soups and stews and storefronts showcase thick jackets and tall boots. Even in SoCal the recent cloudy skies and drizzle has me thinking about apple cinnamon candles and my Ugg boots (too bad I don't own wellies). Along with the change in seasons comes change in fabrics, wool being a main staple. But this season I have noticed that wool is the popular textile beyond apparel, showing up all over design magazines and mainstream home stores. And, coupled with the rebirth in popularity of knitting and stitching over the past couple years, it's no shock that Patricia Urqulio's mangas (sleeve) rug collection has become a hit. The Spanish designer's patchwork wool stitch rugs are vibrant in texture with varying patterns of neutral and bright colors in an assortment of sizes. Urqulio's rugs go beyond the traditional shapes of rugs, taking on the shape of balloons and bells. The mangas collection also includes puf's, which can dub as an ottomans, footrest or side table. Many of Urqulio's products can be purchased from Architonic, but if you're in the mood to be crafty, why not try to make something similar yourself!