ARIES (March 21–April 19) Credit crunch? What credit crunch, Ms. Aries? I’m not saying you should become the mother of all spendthrifts, but financials are looking a lot better for you than for others, especially around June and early September. Celebrate your slightly-less-broke-than-therest-of-us vibe with an over-the-top, fashion-forward, fuchsia Fun Fetti capelet to swing insouciantly over your shoulder. Thrifty tip: A raised eyebrow and an upwardly curled lip speak volumes.

TAURUS (April 20–May 20) You’re never one to shy away from hard work, but this spring and summer promise even more of a workload, especially if you’re involved in a creative business. Just don’t overdo it. Keep that important work/home-life balance on an even keel and enjoy those exciting social gatherings coming your way in July and August. Don’t you dare leave the house without an eye-catching accent color somewhere on your person—a canary cashmere sweater, a tangerine cap, lime-green gauntlets. Thrifty tip: Be bold and beautiful, even if some black in your wardrobe is de rigueur.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Bank account a bit meager this year? Traveling to fun-filled places, going out with new friends and starting intriguing romances can do that to the purse strings. Now’s not the time to complain about your empty wallet, though: Just go with the flow and enjoy every exciting minute. Your finances will improve later in the year if you don’t get too carried away. Broke or not, you can at least carry a gorgeous purse. Knit yourself a long-strap shoulder bag with enough tassels and fringing to make Pocahontas jealous. Thrifty tip: Look rich, feel rich, you are rich.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) My crystal ball tells me a few ups and downs are coming your way, so I suggest you focus on the former and learn from the latter. Travel is your saving grace, so get your creative juices flowing. Take those far-flung influences and run with all the new knitty ideas that fling themselves into your experimental mind. Exotic tribal knits in feel-good brights lift your mood, and mixed textures secure a strokability beyond your wildest dreams. Thrifty tip: There’s no reason why life’s lessons can’t be an extravaganza of knit-tastic creations.

LEO (July 23–August 22) You’re bursting with the joys of spring right now, and being in such a positive frame of mind is making it hard for you to curb your enthusiasm. And why should you? If you’re into futuristic ventures, good fortune will smile on you from great heights. July to September is a great time to put those ideas into practice. Sparkle your way through with luxuriant knits in gold metallic yarns that radiate your upbeat vibe. Keep your lamé luxurious and your sequins glittering. Thrifty tip: Be fabulous, not frivolous.

VIRGO (August 23–September 22) Others get jealous of your fabulousness, so watch out for backstabbing babes who can’t cope with the wonder that is you. It’s not a stretch for detail-loving Virgos to scrutinize all of life’s aspects. Take special care from June to August. If you keep your head, you’ll ride out the coming storm like a teaspoon casually stirring a cup of chamomile tea (pinkie finger out, of course). Show them who’s boss as you swan around in your kooky striped tights and higher-than-heaven hemlines. Thrifty tip: Rise above the masses in a cloud of gorgeousness!

LIBRA (September 23–October 22) The winds of fortune are blowing your way and filling you with enough energy to rival that of any longdistance knitting champion. Artistic Librans, be sure to run with creative ideas that will keep you ahead of the pack. Speaking of “a head,” you know that headbands are this season’s must-have item, right? Lead the charge with new designs starring butterflies and bows. Who needs hats anyway? Thrifty tip: Turn your face to the wind and love it when luck musses your hair.

SCORPIO (October 23–November 21) Beware the urge to spend, spend, spend as finances wax and wane during the year. Thank the knitting gods that the cobweb-style knit dress is so on trend this season. You’ll save on yarn but still look as though you’ve just stepped off the cover of Vogue Knitting. Keep colors vibrant to balance the strong design and no one will guess you’re on a knitty budget. How cool: Even if moths go to town on your dress, no one will notice. Thrifty tip: Keep the purse strings tight and the needles loose.

SAGITTARIUS (November 21–December 21) Unfulfilling job? A partner who’s less than fascinating? Need fashion-sense injection, stat? Worry not! “Change” is your mind-set right now: However poorly the year started, things will change come autumn. Feeling flamboyant? Start your fashion transformation by adding bow-tastic knit accessories to fab tailoring—bows on bags, bows on lapels, bows in hair; the list is endless. When you’re looking this good, the rest of your life will catch up in no time. Thrifty tip: Dip your toe in the lake of change, then follow with a full-on plunge.

CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19) Believe in yourself and the world is your oyster—complete with pearls, of course. Achievements abound, travel is productive and your social life is one for envy. How lucky you are! In belt-tightening times, it’s important to spread your positive messages of self-belief and calculated-risk taking. Go on. No, you can’t keep it all a secret. Look gorgeous while holding court in a swirl of cashmere and an abundance of angora. Thrifty tip: Share what you have while the going’s good; you never know when the tables will turn.

AQUARIUS (Januar y 20–February 18) There are crucial decisions to be made. New career? New apartment? Bamboo or wooden needles? Futuristic metallic yarn or gold satin ribbon? Jeans or leggings? (Go for jeggings; they’re the new black.) So many decisions to be made! Just breathe, center and focus—wearing divine pale pink alpaca yoga clothes, of course. Then toss a coin. What a great way to make life’s major decisions! Thrifty tip: How lucky you are to have a choice. Never take it for granted.

PISCES (Feebruary 19–March 20) You’re feeling very introspective, Ms. Pisces, and navel gazing is high on your list of favorite activities right now. Some good old-fashioned meditation will clear your mind, but don’t forget to improve that body as well with a rigorous exercise regimen. Body/mind balance is the key to a healthy lifestyle. Use that as your excuse to knit an ethereal butterfly-embellished, diamantéd exercise blanket. Spirits will lift and smiles will appear. Thrifty tip: Clear out the old and bring in the new. Transform yourself every day.