My Fall 2025 Making Roundup: Knits, Crochet, and the Leather Bag I Actually Made
Hello y’all and welcome back to YoungFolk Knits! Fall has finally shown up in Arkansas and with it came a big wave of making energy. I’ve been hopping between crochet, knitting, sewing, and even a little bag making, and it has felt so good to create for the joy of it. No deadlines, no pressure, just following the spark. In this post I’m catching you up on everything I’ve been working on, what I finished, what I frogged, what I’m wearing, what I’m watching, listening to, and reading, and of course all the Fish Girl Fall makealong goodness. Grab your project and settle in.
Finding The Fall Making Groove Again
Something about cooler temps always brings my knitting mojo back. Summer can be a slump for me, and that’s fine, but once October hits, the urge to cast on everything returns. I’ve been reminding myself that it’s okay to work a little at a time, especially with crafts that can be harder on my hands. That slower, more intentional rhythm has been a game changer for sewing in particular. Taking my time, aiming for precise finishes, and not rushing the process has turned sewing from a chore into something that genuinely sparks joy.
A Crochet Detour With The Abuela Top
Crochet is not new to me, but it’s not my second language the way knitting is. Still, a colorful top kept stalking me on Pinterest and I finally gave in. The pattern is the Abuela top, a playful, summery piece I’m planning to layer like a vest over long sleeves and turtlenecks for a little 90s moment through fall and winter.
For yarn, I went with Purl Soho Cotton Pure in three colors that tell a happy color story: a punchy red, a peach, and a soft silvery purple. Cotton can be tough on my hands, so I’m pacing myself.
I’ll be honest, I restarted three times because the first granny stitch row tripped me up. Once I got the rhythm, it clicked and the progress started to show.
Because I do deal with wrist and carpal tunnel pain, I’m being kind to myself here: a few rows, stretch, switch crafts, repeat. That pacing keeps the fun in it.
A Finished Knit: DRK Jaunty Shawl
Meet my new favorite wrap. I finished the DRK Jaunty Shawl and it’s everything I want right now: cozy, squishy, simple to customize, and beautifully textured thanks to half fisherman’s rib.
The neat trick with this pattern is that it works with any yarn weight and any amount of yardage. You cast on, work increases until you’re just under the halfway point of your yarn, then start decreasing. No yardage anxiety, just vibes.
I had two 50 g skeins of Spincycle Dyed in the Wool in Goldie and paired them with two skeins of The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Reminisce (both sport weight). I alternated colors by rows, which also gave me an easy visual cue for where I was in my increase and decrease sections. The result is soft, lofty, and ultra squishy, exactly what half fisherman’s rib is famous for. It’s also a perfect entry for our Fish Girl Fall makealong.
Fish Girl Fall Makealong Update
Let’s talk Fish Girl Fall. This makealong is open to all crafts and all fishy interpretations. Think fisherman’s rib and half fisherman’s rib, guernsey textures, nautical motifs, coastal Grandpa sweater vibes, or literal fish incorporated in your project. Knit, crochet, sew, spin, paint, bead, throw pottery, make stitch markers—if it’s fishy, it fits.
We’re running the makealong until the first day of winter, so there’s still time to jump in. Share your makes on Instagram with the hashtag #fishgirlfallmal and tag me and Ashley (Design by Sew and Sew). If you aren’t on Instagram, there’s a Ravelry thread and a thread on my website so everyone can join. We’ve got some fun prizes lined up, including a fishy project bag that I’ll gush about below.
Ingrid Slipover Progress And Why Mock Cables Win
My friend Jessamy cast on the Ingrid Slipover by PetiteKnit for Fish Girl Fall and talked me into knitting along. I stash dove and unearthed a long hibernating tweedy wool silk blend from Purl Soho.
It had been a stalled vest for ages, so I frogged it and started fresh for the Ingrid.
The construction kept me engaged: you cast on the full width, work German short rows to shape the shoulders (much easier on my hands than lots of increases), then move through the textured panels. It’s worsted gauge, there are no sleeves, and the sections change often, so it’s one of those knits you keep wanting to “just finish this panel” on. I’ve finished the back, joined the front, and it’s flying.
Let’s talk mock cables. The diamond panel on Ingrid uses a faux cable technique, not traditional crossovers. When I knit the baby version once, I tried doing real 1×1 cables and the texture actually looked flatter. Following the mock cable directions makes the stitches pop with extra height and crisp definition. If the technique has tripped you up, I filmed tutorials for both the left cross and right cross mock cable so you can see the motion and the result.
Prospect Pullover Test Knit
For pure fisherman texture joy, I also test knit the Prospect Pullover by Tori Yu in North Bay Fiber Heritage DK. It’s oversized, cozy, and the rows of shifting textures are so addictive to knit. After blocking, the fabric bloomed and the stitch patterns settled into that classic, hearty fisherman feel.
I knit mine in Sandpoint, a beautiful wear-with-everything neutral that suits the sea-washed aesthetic of Fish Girl Fall.
Sock Knitting And A Fishy Project Bag
Socks are happening too. I’m working on my Old Salt socks, a design by Ashley. The colorwork section zipped by and I’m on the heel now. My yarns are Hedgehog Fibres Electric Blue with Rose Hip and Button from Coast to Coast Yarn Co. That Button shade is the perfect creamy neutral for contrast work.
Speaking of fishy, my project bag is a special one from Rose and the Wren. Jane made me a fish-themed bag when I asked for something to match the makealong mood. It turned out so cute that she did a full release, which sold out quickly, and she’s making more. She’s also donating one as a prize for the makealong, which makes me giddy. Don’t forget to enter if you’re participating so you’re in the drawing.
Sewing Wins: Riley Overalls And Cozy Arthur Pants
Sewing has been such a highlight lately. I took it slow, spread the work out over days, and the results make me so proud.
First up, the Riley Overalls from True Bias. I used a denim from Matchy Matchy and made a pair alongside my friend Alisha so we could twin for photos.
There are a lot of pieces and topstitching, but nothing is technically hard—it’s just a project that rewards patience and precision. Fit note if you want the relaxed, oversized look you see in some inspo photos: consider going up at least one size, maybe two, depending on your measurements and the fabric. Otherwise they read a bit fitted through the hip. The topstitching, pockets, and hardware details make them feel legit. They also scream Fish Girl Fall with a fisherman sweater layered underneath.
Then I finished a pair of Arthur Pants in flannel plaid from Blackbird Fabrics.
I made the version with an elastic back waist and a flat front. I sized down quite a bit and honestly could have gone down even more for this style. The result is that perfect cozy, slouchy pant that pairs beautifully with cream sweaters and, soon, my Ingrid Slipover for that academic-meets-vintage-fly-fisher look I’m loving.
I Made A Leather Saddle Bag
I stepped out of my comfort zone and made a leather bag from a DIY kit by Babylon Leather.
Every piece of leather arrived pre-cut with pre-punched holes, plus all the tools and a step by step video tutorial. I stitched the whole thing by hand in a day, and the finished bag is such a vibe—warm brown leather, neat saddle stitching, a metal snap, and an adjustable strap. It goes with everything in my wardrobe.
This has me thinking about handmade gifts. Knitting a garment is a huge time commitment, but a leather bag you can complete in a day feels doable and special. Babylon Leather gifted the kit and I’ve since become an affiliate because I loved the experience and the quality. You can use my code Kaci10 for 10% off, and it stacks with their welcome promo so you can save a little extra. I’m already eyeing another kit.
A Little Yarn Haul And Hat Dilemma
Ruby and Roses’ main collection releases on the 11th, and I picked up a few colors that feel tailor made for Fish Girl Fall. For a DK hat, I grabbed Curve of the Valley, a rich gold that will look incredible in simple ribs or half fisherman’s rib. I’m torn between the free Purl Soho Classic Ribbed Hat and a couple of DK options from Sari Nordlund. If you have a favorite classic, easy to wear DK hat, tell me in the comments.
For mittens, I chose Poet and Lighthouse Keeper, a perfect neutral and a slightly dusty ocean blue. Ashley has sardine mittens coming, and I cannot wait to cast on that combo.
Ruby and Roses also shared a $5 off code for you, which I’ll link in the video description. I always appreciate a little savings when adding to the stash.
What I’m Watching, Listening To, And Reading
Watching: I’m deep in my forever British mystery era. I started Patience on PBS, the English-language series inspired by Astrid. It features a brilliant, autistic main character who has a knack for puzzles and pattern spotting and ends up consulting with the police. If you love clever mysteries and character-driven shows, add it to your queue.
Listening: I’ve been spinning the new Taylor Swift album. I’m not a superfan, but I’ve followed her since her country days and love strong lyric writing. We even went to the two-day theater release of the clean version and the behind-the-scenes look at making the music video was such a fun peek into the creative process. We made bracelets with the kids and had a great night.
Reading: Library holds finally came through on Libby and I started A Great Deliverance, the first in the Inspector Lynley series. It’s older and some parts feel of their time, but I’m enjoying sinking into a classic British crime novel. I juggle Libby and Audible to keep costs down and my listening list full. If you’ve read anything you loved lately, leave your recommendations. I keep a running holds list so something is always about to land.
On Deadlines, Test Knits, And Letting Yourself Play
I’ve had a bunch of test knits recently and I actually work well with a due date. Deadlines keep me from chasing every squirrel and help me finish what I start. That said, it’s such a relief to also have projects that can pause while I follow a new idea for a bit. This season has been a nice mix: focused when it helps, playful when that’s what I need.
Join Fish Girl Fall With Us
If you’re feeling the call of fisherman textures, coastal palettes, and squishy stitches, come join the Fish Girl Fall makealong. Share wherever you hang out online and make sure we can find you. We’re having so much fun celebrating everyone’s creativity, and the range of projects, including knits, crochet, pottery, paintings, even beaded fish stitch markers. These have been inspiring. There are prizes, including that fishy project bag I mentioned, and plenty of time left before winter arrives.
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Thanks For Hanging Out
Thanks for spending time with me today. I’m heading back to my pile of making with happy energy, a few new skills, and lots of ideas for what to cast on next. If you’re in a slump, try changing the pace or switching crafts for a bit. A small restart, a new technique, or a quick win might be exactly what brings the spark back.
If you enjoyed this roundup, tap like and subscribe so you don’t miss the next one. Tell me your DK hat pattern picks, your favorite cozy mystery, and what you’re making for Fish Girl Fall. Until next time, happy knitting, y’all.
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