(Pixiebell/Etsy.com)

Excited for fall yet? We are — we’re having dreams of cozy layers and camel coats every night, it seems. One of the hottest trends for cool weather we’re looking forward to most is the chunky knit. And this is one trend that the eco-movement has adopted with gusto.

Etsy is a wonderland for hand-crocheted head gear; we’ve picked our well-priced handmade favorites below.

• Beanie: HeadThreadz’s Slacker Beanie ($20) will appeal to your inner hippie. This unisex hat is handcrafted from vegan-friendly acrylic yarn in a loose knit, making it a nice weight for transition weather (but perhaps a bit light for the dead-of-winter cold).
• Beret: Make a big first impression with SavannahDreams’ Hot Pink Beret ($21). It’s knitted from cotton yarn with a pretty ridged design that will dress up and down with ease.
• Cloche: Pixiebell’s Knit Cloche Hat ($35) is the answer to your flapper dreams. The ’20s style hat is snug fitting and made from a soft wool blend. We particularly like the amber button and the pitch-perfect goldenrod color for fall.
• Fisherman’s cap: Stay snuggly and stylish in AlliGiori’s Fisherman Slouch Hat ($19.50). The tight weave will keep you warm against the worst winter can throw at you.
• Newsboy: BTRFlyMom’s Celebrity Style Newsboy Hat ($24) would enable you to fit right in among Hollywood’s boho crowd. The cotton hat features a twee brim and can be customized with a knit flower for an extra $2.

This week’s Friday Etsy Find is so pretty, we literally gasped upon glimpsing it for the first time. Handbag designer Paulina Carcach makes each and every one of her shoulder bags by hand from her studio in California using natural, full-grain leather.

The “Alba” design is the quintessential timeless satchel in a seasonless burgundy shade. We can easily envision ourselves carrying this throughout the year, from summer happy hour to braving the masses while Christmas shopping.

It’s also designed with the multitasking woman in mind, with pockets galore and enough space for books and files. It’s the perfect balance between form and function, and it’s made right here at a small business in the USA.

Brown too basic for you? It also comes in a soothing sea green.

Paulina Carcach “Alba” Lambskin Satchel, $141 at Etsy.com.

We were thrilled that last week’s post on Kohtrad’s microfinance-supporting silk scarves generated a good bit of discussion. In that same entrepreneurial spirit, we thought we’d direct our readers to a new grants portal for aspiring designers. Etsy sellers and small-business owners everywhere, listen up.

KickStarter.com connects up-and-coming artists looking for financial support with aspiring benefactors who can claim a charity write-up. Anyone can post a pitch — like, for example, a sustainable clothing line — along with a request for capital to bring the idea to fruition.

On the other side of the coin, donors can pledge any amount to support the project, and when enough pledges have been collected, the concept is greenlighted and your donation is processed. But if the idea doesn’t attract enough financing, you won’t be charged.

The funding request is always reasonable, but the payoff is huge: By testing whether anonymous micro-investors believe in the viability of the project, the designer gets free market research for their idea before they lay out a single dime.

This charitable idea has some serious legs. Inspired to give? Browse KickStarter’s fashion projects here.

Pictured: A dress by NYC fledgling designer Viktor Luna, who is currently seeking funding for his Spring/Summer 2011 collection. As of noon PST, KickStarter has helped him raise $875 of his $3,000 goal with eight days left.

Looking for the perfect wear-with-anything piece of jewelry? We love the daintiness of this handmade recycled gold ring by Etsy seller BeyondTheRockz.

It features an antique bird stamp from the 19th century, embossed into a recycled 18-karat gold medallion and set in a sterling silver shank. Each one is stamped by hand using authentically antique tools to connect the wearer with the ancient art of metalworking.

Pretty beautiful stuff — and every ring is one-of-a-kind.

BeyondTheRockz Embossed Little Antique Bird Recycled Gold Ring, $160 on Etsy.com.

There’s no better complement to billowy dresses and shapeless cardigans than a waist-cinching corset belt. Etsy has lots of options, but few as lovely as this handmade one by seller Contrived to Charm.

Featuring details like quality hand-stained leather, antique brass eyelets, and a custom fit, this luxe belt can get a shift dress under control like none other. (It also comes in a black stain or with antique silver eyelets.)

Fairytale Sweetheart Ribbon Laced Wide Leather Belt, $49 at Etsy.com.

You wouldn’t necessarily think to look on Etsy for shoes, but there are tons of great handmade options! Take Sandali’s brown gladiators, artisan-made in Tel Aviv.

You can wear these soft leather strappy sandals a couple different ways: laced up like a goddess or worn low as an ankle strap. With a sturdy sole, you can expect to walk miles in these — like to the beach this summer.

And you get to support a small business while looking good. Awesome.

Sandali Brown Gladiator Leather Sandals, $55 at Etsy.com.

While browsing Etsy for today’s find, we came across Wildewear’s swingy wrap dress and instantly knew we had found our selection.

The handmade “Tell Tale” cotton jersey wrap hits all of our requirements for a great dress. It comes in two dozen colors and can be custom fitted to your proportions. It can be worn alone or over pants. With more than 1100 satisfied customers, there’s very little risk involved.

And best of all, the Boston-based Wildewear is part of the Hearts for Haiti collaborative, which is donating items to be sold to benefit earthquake recovery efforts.

Feeling good while feeling comfortable in your new handmade dress — what could be more appropriate for Earth Day?

Wildewear “Tell Tale” Custom Dress, $65 at Etsy.com.

The internet was abuzz this week regarding Alexander McQueen’s final collection, and it made us nostalgic for the late designer’s signature looks.

McQueen transformed skulls from goth to high-fashion, and in homage to that trend comes these miniature skull earrings by Etsy jewelry all-star Michelle Chang.

Handmade by Ms. Chang in her Brooklyn studio, these earrings are available in 14-karat gold, sterling silver, gold vermeil, and with or without diamond chips in the eye sockets. We think they’re a charming way to pay tribute to one of fashion’s great visionaries, and support an up-and-coming designer in her own career.

Michelle Chang Baby Skull Earrings in 14K Gold, $198 at Etsy.com.

From Dallas to D.C., it seems like the whole country is under a pile of snow this week. (The only three snowless states today? Florida, Hawaii, and Louisiana!)

So in the interest of keeping warm while looking good, we recommend this sexy and snuggly wrap top by Etsy seller Shihar.

Hand-sewn in Israel, this close-fitting top is customizable by virtue of the long panels you can wrap around your body to emphasize your waist (or create curves if you want some).

And plus-size gals, take heart: The body-conscious top comes in sizes up to 2XL, with options for short, mid-length, or long sleeves and in five different colors.

It’s truly one-shirt-flatters-all!

Shihar Snuggle Up Top Wrap Around Shirt, $85 at Etsy.com.

It’s pouring rain in L.A. today and I could really use a pick-me-up to get me in the mood for the weekend. My top contender is this pair of goldtone pyramid stud earrings by Etsy seller BRadleyBB.

I really like how they’re softer than hard-edged pyramid studs, and edgier than too-basic gold posts, like the kind they pierce ears with. And best of all, they’re made from upcycled buttons from a vintage shirt (hence the speckled look of wear).

Oh yeah, and they cost less than a panini. Also available in silver if yellow gold isn’t your thing.

BRadleyBB Zone Stud Earrings in Gold, $5 at Etsy.com.