End of Season Making Catch Up: Knitting, Sewing, Socks, and Cozy Favorites
Hello y’all and welcome back to YoungFolk Knits. Today feels like a good old fashioned catch up. I’m sharing what I’ve been knitting, what I’ve been sewing, what I’m reading, and just generally where my creative brain has been lately.
If you’re new here, I’m Kaci. I share all about fiber arts, knitting, sewing, spinning, and sometimes bits of life on our small farm here in Arkansas. My husband and I and our kids keep bees, love animals, and spend as much time outside as we can. So that’s the mix around here.
First, a little life update. 2026 has not started off gently. I was trying to get back into a regular weekly podcasting rhythm, and then our whole family got hit with a virus. Not long after that, my daughter, who is immunodeficient, came down with Flu A. It has felt like one sickness rolling straight into the next. I’m still congested weeks later. So I took a step back until I could show up without coughing through the entire episode.
Even with all that, I have been making. Just maybe not at my usual pace.
What I’m wearing: a panic knit that turned into a favorite
Let’s start with what I’m wearing. This is the Stockholm Slipover by PetiteKnit. I made this a few years ago right before my first Rhinebeck trip in a full on panic.
Rhinebeck weather can be unpredictable. I had made a black and white gingham Hinterland Dress from Sew Liberated and desperately wanted a knitted layer that would work if the weather leaned warm. So I knit this vest in about five days. And then I didn’t even pack it.
But even though it didn’t make it to Rhinebeck, it has become one of the most useful pieces in my wardrobe. It layers beautifully and adds just enough warmth and color without feeling bulky.
I knit mine holding knitting for olive with a suri from Camarose. My gauge came out slightly larger than the pattern called for, so I knit a size down. I also intentionally cropped it. I prefer my vests to hit right at my waist, especially when wearing dresses. If they hit lower, right where the dress gathers, the fabric can look bulky and the flow feels off. For me it’s about silhouette and how the fabric moves, not about trying to look a certain way.
The Inge Sweater and why colorwork is saving winter
My main knitting focus right now is the Inge Sweater by Le Knit. It’s a top down raglan completely covered in colorwork. The entire body and sleeves are patterned, which makes it incredibly engaging to knit.
I’m using North Bay Fiber Bay Blend DK, a wool and alpaca blend that has been an absolute dream. It’s soft, has a gorgeous halo, and the stitches feel just sticky enough to make the colorwork behave nicely
The original design has this retro ski vibe with bold red orange and bright blue. I leaned into that nostalgic palette because I realized I don’t have anything like it in my wardrobe. It feels Scandinavian, vintage, and just joyful.
The construction is thoughtful. There are German short rows in the back before the colorwork begins, which helps the fit. The rolled neckline actually stays rolled, which I appreciate. I’ve made rolled neck sweaters before that stretch out after blocking, but this one holds its shape beautifully.
I’m hosting a knit along for this sweater and other colorwork garments with Jill from North Bay Fiber. It’s called the Comfort and Colorwork KAL, and it runs until the first day of spring. January and February are dark and dreary. Colorwork feels like medicine for that. It requires focus and the colors genuinely lift my mood.
To join, you just need to knit a garment that includes colorwork. There are prizes, including a North Bay Fiber gift card, a monthly Ravelry pattern drawing, and a $100 Canadian gift card to Thread and Maple. You can tag your project on Instagram or post in my Ravelry group
Progress wise, I’ve completed another round of the red motif and I’m halfway through another blue section. I’m hoping to split for sleeves soon, which always feels like a big turning point.
I knit my colorwork holding the background color English style in my right hand and the contrast color continental style in my left. I’m not switching fully to continental anytime soon, but using both hands for colorwork has definitely improved my efficiency. purling continental still throws off my tension, so I stick with English for that.
Swatching an eight color Fair Isle vest
The other knitting project taking up brain space is a Fair Isle vest I’m testing for Gudrun Johnston’s upcoming book with Laine. The book will focus on vests, and this one is an eight color, steeked design. I thought choosing colors would be easy. It was not.
I made what feels like a mountain of swatches and disliked most of them. The challenge wasn’t just picking colors, but arranging them in the right sequence. Fair Isle is so dependent on contrast and placement.
Gudrun gave thoughtful feedback instead of just telling me what to do, which pushed me to think more critically about what I liked and didn’t like. A couple of my colors were too similar grouped together, and my center motif needed more contrast.
After multiple rounds of swatching, I narrowed it down to two options. One has more earthy terracotta and cocoa tones with stronger pops. The other includes a green teal in the triangle motifs that blends more smoothly. And I’m still deciding.
I know either would look beautiful, but I have that perfectionist streak where I want to choose the exact right one. Being sick has not helped my decision making. My goal is to just commit and cast on so I can stop staring at swatches and start knitting.
My new favorite mohair substitute
I’m also working on another test knit that I can’t show much of yet. But I can talk about the yarn choice, which I’m very excited about.
I’m allergic to mohair, which makes substituting tricky when a pattern calls for fingering weight plus mohair. Suri is usually thicker and can change gauge more than expected.
Recently I started holding a lace weight wool with a lace weight suri instead of fingering plus suri, and it has been the perfect balance
The wool is Haven and the suri is Haze, both from Sonder Yarn Co. The fabric is soft, airy, and not too heavy. I’m using this combination in multiple projects now because it just works for me.
Sock drawer goals
I’m also trying to be more intentional about socks this year. I want to build up my handmade sock drawer. I have several pairs, but I also have a truly impressive collection of single socks that never got their match.
I joined the Sock Squad from Farmer’s Daughter Fibers, and I love their colorways. February’s yarn came on their Bighorn Sock base with a mini skein. The main color is a scarlet red, and the mini is a deep maroon that feels unexpected but perfect together.
I’m planning something fairly simple, maybe a Summer Lee pattern, possibly with a little colorwork at the cuff and then smooth sailing stockinette for the rest. I have so many scraps and minis that I might incorporate extra pops of color too.
Sewing: my unexpected love affair with jeans
Now let’s talk sewing, because that has quietly taken over my creative life. I have fallen in love with sewing jeans.
I don’t know if it’s the topstitching or the step by step process, but I love it. I’m not trying to rush through a pair in one day. I’m happy to work on them over a week or even two. It feels satisfying in a different way than knitting.
I recently finished a pair of Brier Jeans by Daughter Judy using a deadstock denim from Ewe Fibers in a color called Sienna. It’s a dark wash with a warm brown undertone, and the wrong side of the denim is stunning. I’m honestly tempted to wear them cuffed just to show it off.
The cocoa colored topstitching thread makes me so happy. That detail alone feels special.
Fit wise, I’ve learned a few things. I get a bit of a wedgie with this pattern, and next time I would add a small wedge of fabric at the back crotch seam and possibly increase the rise slightly. Even so, I love them. They feel like a very wearable learning experience.
I’m also finishing up a Rose Raglan, sewn in a new cotton from Matchy Matchy that has a lawn like drape
It’s soft and slightly slinky, which makes it beautiful but probably not ideal for absolute beginners.
I’ve completed the sleeves and most of the construction. I just need to add the standing collar, attach buttons, and hem the bottom.
I think it’s going to pair perfectly with the Brier jeans.
What I’m reading and watching
Reading wise, I’ve been stuck in Libby hold limbo. Nothing I have on hold seems to be coming available.
Reading wise, I’ve been stuck in Libby hold limbo. Nothing I have on hold seems to be coming available.
I did read Harbor Street from the Vera series after finishing The Glass Room. I love being immersed in the English coast, and Vera is such a compelling character. The TV series has diverged from the books at this point, which I’m actually glad about. Harbor Street wasn’t adapted, so it felt fresh.
While waiting for my next hold, I reread Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. It’s suspenseful, romantic, and deeply atmospheric. The unnamed narrator still fascinates me. And I rewatched the 1940 Alfred Hitchcock film adaptation with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. There’s something comforting about revisiting familiar stories. No surprises, just cozy suspense.
I also have Once Upon a Time, the biography of Carolyn Bessette, on hold. Instagram keeps feeding me JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette content, so now I’m fully intrigued.
Video
Wrapping up
That’s my end of season creative brain dump. Lots of colorwork, lots of denim, a few socks, and a stack of books waiting to become available.
I would love to know what you’re working on. Knitting, sewing, crochet, spinning, reading, any of it. And if you’ve read something great lately, send recommendations my way. My hold list is always open for business.
Until next time, happy knitting, y’all.
