A Cozy, Reflective Start to Knitting in 2026
Hello y’all and welcome back to YoungFolk Knits. Today feels like one of those cozy, sit down and really chat kind of days. This episode was a little different, a little more reflective, and honestly very needed for me. As we step into 2026, I wanted to take some time to think out loud about where my making journey has been and where I hope it’s going next.
A Little Introduction for New Friends
If you’re new around here, my name is Kaci, and this little corner of the internet is where I share my love of fiber arts. That usually looks like knitting, sewing, spinning, and sometimes a few other creative detours. Every now and then I also talk about life on our small farm here in Arkansas, because that rhythm of life is very tied into how and why I make things. This episode was not about a brand new technique or finishing a big reveal. It was about slowing down, checking in with myself, and being honest about what I want my creative life to look like moving forward.
My Maker’s Notebook and Why It Matters to Me
I did want to start by sharing a little progress, because I know many of you like to follow along with ongoing projects. I’ve been jotting a lot of my thoughts down lately in my maker’s notebook, which has become such a grounding tool for me. This is my third year using one from Making Treasures, and I genuinely love it.
It has space not just for tracking individual projects, but also for planning and reflection, which I find incredibly helpful. This year’s cover is green, which feels very fitting. My very first one was actually a gift from Sophia, the owner, when we met in person at Rhinebeck. It was such a sweet moment and one I still think about. Last year I went with a black cover, and this year I purchased a green one. I already know I’ll be starting fresh again next year because these notebooks have become part of my annual rhythm.
What I’m Wearing Today
Before diving into the deeper reflections, let me tell you what I’m wearing because that always seems to be a question. I had on my AlpenGlow sweater, a pattern by Andrea Mowry. I knit mine using a combination of Quince and Co Chickadee, The Farmers Daughter Fibers oh dang, and Spincycle Yarns Mississippi Marsala. It’s held up beautifully over time, which I always appreciate when I pull something handmade out of the closet years later.
I was also wearing a lightweight “knit” denim hat that I absolutely love. It’s one of those pieces that just works with everything, and it’s comfortable enough that I forget I’m wearing it.
Project Update: The Talvinen Sweater
Now onto the knitting projects, starting with the one that has sparked the most questions lately. I’ve been working on the Talvinen sweater by Boyland Knitworks.
This is a fingering weight colorwork sweater with a very large, deep yoke and a long, oversized silhouette. Think cozy, tunic-like proportions. I decided to knit mine off gauge, using a DK weight yarn instead of fingering. The yarn is Sunday Morning DK by Sonder, which is a BFL masham blend.
It’s lofty, woolly, and has the most beautiful bloom and luster. BFL is one of my favorite fibers for colorwork because it just behaves so nicely, and this yarn has quickly become a standout for me.
Casting On Together and Modifying the Fit
This cast-on was a bit of a spontaneous moment with friends. A little bit of peer pressure in the best way. We all fell in love with versions we had seen, and before we knew it, several of us were casting on together. Since the last update, I’ve split for sleeves, and because this is an off-gauge sweater, I wanted to walk through how I approached fit and modifications.
Choosing a Size and Embracing a Deep Yoke
My swatch gave me a 19-stitch gauge, and from there I worked backward. I figured out the bust measurement I wanted, then looked at which size in the pattern would give me that stitch count at the sleeve split. In the end, I didn’t actually have to alter the pattern size itself. I simply knit a smaller size and followed the pattern as written. The yoke is deep, which I know not everyone loves, but I’m okay with a deep yoke when the body is intentionally oversized. For me, that helps prevent the sweater from riding up every time I move my arms and it also just looks more balanced in my opinion.
Adding Body Room Without Bulky Sleeve
Where I did make changes was at the underarm and body. I wanted extra room in the body without adding bulk to the sleeves. Instead of casting on the suggested 10 stitches at each underarm, I cast on 12. That gave me four extra stitches total. Then, on the following rounds, I added raglan-style increases right at the underarm edges, front and back. I did that twice, which added eight more stitches. Combined with the underarm additions, that gave me 12 extra body stitches overall.
I shared this level of detail because so many people ask how to add stitches when modifying a sweater. This is one of my favorite methods because it balances ease and control. Adding just a couple of stitches at the underarm is incredibly easy to decrease away when you start the sleeves, and spreading increases between the underarm and raglan areas keeps the fit intentional. I want extra fabric in the body, not oversized sleeves, and this approach gives me exactly that. Once the body is finished, I plan to keep it cropped, knit about six inches of body, add ribbing, and call it done. There will be no sleeve colorwork. The colorwork portion is complete, and now it’s just relaxing stockinette knitting from here.
A Shawl Project That Keeps Calling Me Back
Another project I wanted to show briefly is living in one of my all-time favorite project bags, my mountain bag from Rose and the Wren. This was a group cast-on with friends, and somehow I’ve ended up being the last one still working on it. It’s a shawl pattern by Isabelle Kraemer with the most engaging colorwork.
The flow of the pattern is really enjoyable, though I will admit that working the wrong side after certain stitches can take a bit of concentration. I think part of the challenge has been that I haven’t been working on it consistently.
The Yarn That Made Me Fall in Love Instantly
The yarn for this shawl is a kit from Skein Yarn, and it was very kindly gifted to me after I fell completely in love with the color combination.
The main color is a dusty pink called Sweet Cheeks, paired with a rich brass tone for contrast, and an olive green that will come in later as a border. The base is a sport weight superwash merino, and it’s been an absolute joy to knit with. Every time I pick it up, I don’t want to put it down, which is always the sign of a great pattern and yarn combination. I realized while talking about it that I haven’t finished a shawl in a while, and I’m really looking forward to having a big, cozy one to wear.
Intentions for the Year Ahead
After catching up on projects, let’s shift into talking about intentions for the year. Not resolutions, just gentle goals. One of the biggest things I want to focus on is embracing slow crafting. Knitting and sewing are slow by nature, and I want to stop fighting that. I want to enjoy the process more and release the pressure to constantly finish things. Making fewer items is okay. Stopping a project that isn’t bringing joy is okay. This mindset feels important for my mental health, especially after a few years of pushing myself harder than I needed to.
Being More Present While I Knit
Another intention is being more present while knitting. I’m not against multitasking, especially as a mom, but I’ve noticed how often my phone pulls me out of the moment. Notifications, scrolling, and constant interruptions make it harder to really settle into the rhythm of knitting. I want to be more intentional about setting that aside, even if it means experimenting with tools or boundaries to help me focus. There is something deeply satisfying about knitting for the sake of knitting.
Creative Stretch Goals for 2026
I also want to stretch myself creatively in fun ways. I’d like to knit with a yarn I’ve never used before, knit a pattern from a designer who’s new to me, and even try knitting a pattern designed before 2010 just for the experience. One especially meaningful goal is to knit a gift with deep intention. Not a rushed or obligatory project, but something thoughtfully chosen for someone who will truly use and love it.
Letting One Project Be Purely Experimental
I’m also giving myself permission to be experimental. I want at least one project where success is not guaranteed, where the goal is learning rather than perfection. At the same time, I want to be better about finishing the projects that do bring me joy, while letting go of the guilt around those that don’t.
Finding Balance Between Making and Moving
One final reflection that felt important to share is about balance. Knitting is a very sedentary hobby, and while it brings me so much joy, I don’t want it to crowd out movement in my daily life. I want to be mindful about when and how I knit so that it fits into a healthy, active rhythm overall.
Looking Ahead to What’s Next
To wrap things up, I’m looking forward to a lot of fun things in the coming weeks, including some sewing, some knitting, and especially the Comfort in Colorwork knit-along that I’m co-hosting with Jill from North Bay Fiber.
It starts January 17 and runs through the first day of spring. If you’d like to join, there’s a Ravelry thread and an Instagram hashtag where you can find all the details and connect with others participating.
- https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/youngfolk-knits-podcast/4390704/1-25 #comfortincolorworkkal
A Warm Thank You
Thank you so much for spending this time with me. This was a quieter, more thoughtful episode, and I truly appreciate you being part of the conversation. I’d love to hear what you’ve been reflecting on lately. Until next time, happy knitting y’all.
