Before you buy winter caps for your family, consider creating your own unique hat. Not only is it a great way to show off your creativity; it’s also a very cost-effective solution for staying warm during the colder months. Whether you crochet, knit, or sew, there are literally thousands of great only patterns to help get you started. Just pick up a little yarn or fabric at your local craft store, or use up what you already have in your crafting supplies.

But what if you don’t have crocheting, knitting, or sewing skills? Fortunately, hats are a great project for beginners, so now is the time to learn a great new skill. There are numerous websites with excellent tutorials specially designed for newbies.

Check out some of these sites to learn more:

• Learn to Crochet (from About.com’s Crochet site)
• Yarncat’s Crochet Patterns (lots of cute hats and more!)
• More Crochet Tips (from LionBrand yarn)

_{Photo courtesy Emma McCreary}