A designer sweater for $200? Do tell...

MK & I went to my knitting guild's annual fashion show last week.

MK is just starting to knit, and I had promised to show her some techniques, which we did at the show during slow times. But the show itself was the revelation.

Sure, not everything was to our taste, but there were great ideas -- especially for someone who's just starting out.

The highlight? Patrick's gorgeous big wool cardigan with a high collar -- inspired by an $2000 Armani he'd seen at Holt's. The total price tag for his masterpiece? $225.00. And I can attest that the knitting time is quick: the thicker the wool, the faster the knit.

Yes, $225 is a lot of money for a sweater. But this is a custom-fit sweater in a high-quality wool that will last a very long time if properly cared for. It's stunning, a real head-turner. And he has the satisfaction of knowing that the original costs 10 times that.

That's the thing about knitting and sewing. If you have expensive tastes in clothes, you can teach yourself to make them for a fraction of the costs. Not free, but cheaper. And if you're a good shopper, you'll soon find the deals to get the wool/fabric at discount prices. (Try eBay, for starters!)

I'm knitting myself a spring/fall coat right now, from Rowan wool that I got on sale when they discontinued the yarn. The whole thing has cost me less than $150.

On top of the great value, it's a wonderful way to keep your hands busy while watching TV or listening to music or, like me, when you're trying to quit smoking!