The Look for Less: Knitted poufs from <br> Design Within Reach and CB2

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Writer David A. Keeps first brought them to your attention: Dutch designer Christien Meindertsma, working under the name Flocks, created the crafty poufs pictured above in 2006. Giant knitting needles turned durable wool from New Zealand sheep into soft but surprisingly firm seats. It wasn’t long before the medium-size pouf (2 feet in diameter) landed at Design Within Reach, where they retailed for $800 each.

Now shoppers have two options for getting the look for less. DWR has put the medium pouf on sale for $680 online, with a warning that quantities are limited. The Pasadena DWR had it in stock when I stopped by earlier this month, and a representative confirmed that it’s still available. Here’s the list of other store locations.

For an even less expensive alternative, CB2 recently released its knitted pouf for $79.95. It’s 4 inches smaller in diameter, covered in cotton instead of wool and knitted in a smaller-scale weave. Whereas the polyester fill of the original design has the denseness of a firm upholstered chair, the CB2 version is essentially a big bean bag. Perhaps the biggest difference: It’s very, very green.

-- Craig Nakano

From top: Photos courtesy of Flocks, Flocks and CB2.