What I Learned Knitting the Norma Sweater: Fit Tips, Yarn Choices and Fall 2025 Projects
Fall has finally arrived on the farm and my creativity is in full swing. Even though we were teasing along in those upper seventies for way too long, the cool crisp days are finally here. That means wool sweaters can shine, cozy socks are back in rotation, and the projects have definitely been projecting. I have finished multiple things lately, started several more, and have been having so much fun leaning into the season. Let’s get into all of it!
Finishing the Ooey Gooey Socks
One of the first things I wrapped up recently was a pair of Andrea Mowry’s new Ooey Gooey Socks. They are now available and they are an absolute delight to knit.
The colorwork section is only twelve rows long, which is the perfect amount for fun without overwhelm. Just enough spice, not too much heat. And the welts at the top are adorable.
For yarn, I used a BFL sock base from Hedgehog Fibres. BFL is one of my favorite fibers for socks because it feels woolly, warm, and sturdy. It also regulates temperature so well.
Your feet stay warm but never get sweaty. I knit the 64 stitch sock on a US 1 with nine inch circulars. Nine inch circulars are my favorite for sock speed, although you still need DPNs or long circulars for the toe section.
Sock knitting really is its own hobby. The techniques, the precise gauge, the shaping that has to be just right so your socks stay on your feet. It can be intimidating at first, but it is worth every minute.
The Norma Sweater: Why I Love It and What I Learned
The biggest finish of the season is without a doubt my Norma Sweater from My Favorite Things Knitwear.
I cast this on way back in February 2025 and kept getting distracted by test knits. Recently I decided to clear out my works in progress and only keep what truly sparked joy. There was never a moment where I considered frogging the Norma. I knew I wanted to wear it this fall.
I used Sonder Yarn Co. Sunday Morning DK, a beautiful blend of BFL and Masham.
It is woolly and airy with a soft halo and a gentle shine. It blocks like a dream and fills in colorwork stitches so smoothly. The pattern itself is straightforward and very wearable. The colorwork is simple stripes and feels approachable even for newer knitters.
I knit the raglan version and worked my colorwork using one strand in each hand. I hold my contrast color in my left and my main color in my right. Since I am naturally a loose English style knitter, switching to continental for the contrast makes me even looser. That means my colorwork gauge is actually bigger than my stockinette gauge. Because of that, I never go up a needle size for colorwork. In some cases I actually need to go down.
Adjusting the Fit: Armhole Depth and Length
One of the most important things I learned is that the armhole depth on the Norma is generous. It is designed to be oversized, which is beautiful, but you need to be aware of it. I split for sleeves earlier than the pattern suggested and it was still quite deep. With the stripes being simple, you can make the split anywhere, which gives you lots of flexibility.
I also ended up ripping out several inches of the body because it grew longer than I wanted. I asked friends and every single one said they could tell I wanted it cropped. They were right. I wanted that boxy, slightly shorter length, not belly button cropped, but a square shape. So I ripped back to five stripes, reknit the stockinette, and added a deep ribbing of about two and three quarter inches. I prefer a long ribbed hem and it completely transformed the sweater.
The sleeves were knit to the pattern length and I love how long they are. They hit right where I wanted them and give that cozy slightly slouchy look.
How I Styled It
I have worn this sweater with several handmade outfits already. My Riley overalls looked adorable with it. My Oxbow jeans in that orangey red denim gave off strong seventies vibes. And I paired it with a denim Blair skirt I sewed, which created the perfect fall outfit with boots. This is the kind of sweater that plays well with everything.
New Cast Ons for Fall
After finishing such a big project, I let myself cast on a few new things that have been on my list.
Friday V-Neck Slipover
I started the Friday V-Neck Slipover from PetiteKnit using Camellia Fiber Co. Yak DK in the color Roobios.
This yarn is a blend of merino, silk, and yak and it is one of my favorite bases ever. The color is the perfect warm autumn shade. For the ribbing, Sylvia helped me choose Elderberry Tea and it is beautiful. The broken rib stitch is only two rounds and incredibly soothing. This is the perfect companion knit because I do not need the pattern at all right now.
Rosie Sweater
Melissa from Sonder Yarn Co. and I decided to cast on the Rosie Sweater after Rhinebeck, but we made no rules about finishing or deadlines.
It was a relief to approach a project that way. The pattern calls for fingering weight yarn held with mohair, but since I am allergic to mohair, I always substitute suri. Suri is thicker, so matching gauge can be tricky, but Melissa’s Haven base solved that. It is a lace weight wool that, when held with lace suri, perfectly mirrors the original gauge. The fabric is stunning and soft. The construction is unique. You start flat as a drop shoulder, then switch to raglan increases once join in the round. I have never done that construction before and I am loving it.
Ceallaigh Sweater
The Cealliagh Sweater from Kokibri is another project I am excited about.
It is worked in stripes first, then later you add the plaid grid lines. I am using their Birdie base held double instead of mohair held triple. It knits up beautifully on US 9 needles.
The green and blue give the perfect fish girl fall vibes. Ashley from Design By Sew and Sew and I are running a fish girl fall makealong through the first day of winter. Anything that reminds you of a cozy fishing aesthetic qualifies. Yarn, sewing, spinning, beadwork, anything goes.
Sewing the Blair Skirt
I finally used some Bluebird linen denim from Lyrical Fabrics to sew the Blair Skirt from True Bias.
I cut the length exactly halfway between the midi and long options and it turned out just right. The denim is the perfect weight, holds darts well, and the color is gorgeous. I used brass jean buttons and took my time on the button bands until they looked clean. I have paired this skirt with so many of my sweaters already and it fits right into my fall wardrobe.
What I Am Reading This Month
I picked up Murder in the Scottish Highlands by D. McDonald. It came out in September 2024 and seems like a hidden gem. It follows Ally McKinley, a woman who moves to the Highlands and opens a guesthouse where a murder mystery unfolds. I only read the first chapter so far, but the narrator’s Scottish accent is perfect. If you have book recommendations, especially cozy mysteries or memoirs, please share them with me.
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Until Next Time
This season has been filled with creativity and I am loving how my knitting and sewing pieces are working together. Thank you for spending time with me and for being part of this community. Let me know what you are working on because I always find so much inspiration in your projects. Until next time, happy knitting y’all.
