DIY

Of the glut of trends out there, my favorite, hands down, are the opaque tights in eye-popping colors. The only thing I don’t like about tights are their short lil’ lives. You forget to cut your toenails for a couple of weeks and then snag, pop, rip, and they’re out of commission.

Or are they?

One crafting site offered a way to shred a pair of tights into a cool necklace. I decided I wanted a scarf, and the way to create it was insanely easy: finger knitting.

I made this long scarf during an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” (And really? Who watches this show? In half an hour, I learned that if I ever end up in that hospital, I’d better make sure my living will is tattooed on my back.

I found the best explanation of finger knitting at www.wikihow.com/finger-knit. This technique produces a thick, square-ish chain.

You’ll need three pairs of tights for a long scarf, one for a headband. Cut the legs of the tights into loops, and then knit them. I used the waistbands for tassels along the ends. This scarf won’t keep you warm, but it will keep you stylish.

Give a cheer for fashion sense

We are a sports town. I accept that fact. But nothing is worse than seeing women slouching through the grocery store sporting their “last haircut” (that means the hairstyle they committed to in 1995) and a baggy Colts jersey. I am happy for you to show your team pride, even if I can’t fathom the emotion. But how can you do it and not look like a linebacker?

- Ditch the jersey. Pick up the colors instead. If you really, for whatever reason, have to wear the jersey, get it extra big and belt it with a corset belt. Wear it as a dress. Pair it with tights and heels.

- Wear your team colors in your tights. There are tights all over the place in a rainbow of colors. If you can’t find your team colors at Target, Wal-Mart, Forever 21 or the Broad Ripple boutique of your choice, try www.welovecolors.com, which has an amazing selection. You can wear the flattering color as your tights, then grab leg warmers in the other color.

- For both sexes: Grab an intarsia-ed scarf. This is your one true nod to the team, and it’s a subtly obvious wink to your fandom.

Magic three

The Design for Mankind blog just featured Leaf Cutter Design’s teeny Valentines. Your love may have to squint, but not every declaration of love has to be written in ALL CAPS. Visit www.leafcutterdesigns.com/shop/w...

If you head to Z’Merchants Winter Clearance Sale in Zionsville, you’re not only helping small shops that are suffering in a crummy economy, you’re also helping the Zionsville Food Pantry. The sale, 10.a.m. to 5.p.m. Jan. 30 and 31 at Zionsville Presbyterian Church, 4775 W. 116th St., features items from some of Zionsville’s best and brightest boutiques. Admission is $1 or one non-perishable food item.

Get rid of the old stuff that is blocking up your closets. My favorite way to recycle clothes is to drop them in the green Gaia boxes around town. The Web site says there are 136 Gaia boxes in the Indianapolis area. Find out more at www.gaia-movement-usa.org.