50% Done with My Shift Cowl: A Mid-Project Knitting Update

Shift Cowl by Andrea Mowry

Darn Good Yarn Maker’s Stash (Use code MOLLYMS15 for 15% off)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This yarn was kindly gifted by Darn Good Yarn, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

There is something especially fun about reaching the halfway point of a knitting project. You’ve spent enough time with the pattern to settle into its rhythm, the colors have started to tell their story, and you can finally see the project becoming what you imagined.

I’m officially 50% finished with my Shift Cowl by Andrea Mowry, and I’m having such a great time stitching this one up.

If you’ve been around Knitting Wellness for a while, you may recognize this design style. My original Nightshift Shawl knit with Spincycle yarn has made plenty of appearances over the years, and it remains one of my favorite projects I’ve ever made. This cowl is a smaller, quicker way to revisit that same beautiful slip stitch mosaic knitting technique with a completely different yarn pairing.

Nightshift Shawl by Andrea Mowry

Yarn: Spincycle Dyed in the Wool original colors from pattern (I swapped the worsted weight for sport and added more sections)

This time, I’m using the Darn Good Yarn Maker’s Stash, which was kindly gifted to me. One of my favorite things about revisiting patterns is discovering how a simple yarn change can completely transform the finished fabric and feel of a project.

If you’d like to try Darn Good Yarn Maker’s Stash for your own knitting projects, you can use my affiliate link below and save 15% with code MOLLYMS15.

I’ll be sharing more progress as this project grows, but so far, the Shift Cowl has been the perfect reminder that sometimes the joy of knitting isn’t only in the finished object. It’s in the colors changing, the rhythm of the stitches, and the small moments of getting to watch something slowly take shape.

Have you ever returned to a favorite knitting pattern with a completely different yarn? I’d love to hear what project was worth knitting again.

The Knitting Tools I Would Replace Immediately (If I Lost My Project Bag)

This post contains affiliate links. As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely use and love.

There are a lot of knitting tools on the market, and I definitely don’t think you need every gadget to be a “real” knitter.

But after years of knitting sweaters, socks, shawls, and everything in between, there are a handful of tools that have earned a permanent spot in my project bag.

These are the knitting tools I would replace immediately if I lost everything. Not because they’re trendy, but because they remove little frustrations and make it easier to sit down and enjoy the process.

1. What’s On My Needles & What’s In My Mug

The Woolly Thistle Rambler Yarn

Right now, I’m knitting with The Rambler from The Woolly Thistle, and it’s exactly the kind of yarn I love reaching for. It’s a non-superwash wool with beautiful texture and character, and it makes the knitting process feel special.

Harney & Sons Tea

My favorite knitting accessory isn’t actually knitting related: it’s a good cup of tea. Creating a little ritual before I settle in with a project helps me slow down and enjoy the time I have with my knitting.

2. My Go-To Knitting Needles

KnitPro Mindful Affection Interchangeable Needle Set

I treat my knitting needles like shoes: I switch between them depending on what feels right that day.

I love both wooden and aluminum needles because they feel completely different in my hands. Some projects call for the warmth and grip of wood, and others feel better on smoother metal needles.

One thing I don’t think matters? The finished project. I have never noticed a difference in the final fabric based on the needle material I used.

LYKKE Wooden Interchangeable Needle Set

3. Blocking Tools I Would Never Skip

Knit IQ Blocking Mats

KnitPro Sock Blockers

Blocking is the final step that transforms a handmade project. It’s not the most glamorous part of knitting, but it’s often the moment when stitches bloom, lace opens up, and all of your hard work comes together.

4. The Project Bag That Holds Everything

della Q Maker’s Bag / Adella Sling

This bag is truly a tiny knitting studio you can carry with you. It’s huge, has thoughtful pockets for every little tool, a built-in yarn cutter, a stitch marker holder, and room for everything I need for a project.

Allstitch Floral Stitch Markers

These are the kind of tiny knitting tools that make me happy every time I use them. They’re non-snag, practical, and honestly just really cute.

5. My Blocking & Washing Routine

Strucket

The Strucket has become one of my favorite tools for blocking handknits. It makes gentle agitation easy and the built-in drain means I’m not lifting heavy, soaking wet wool out of a sink.

Soak Wool Wash

I’ve tried a lot of wool washes over the years, and Soak is the one I keep coming back to. It’s easy to use, smells wonderful, and leaves my finished knits feeling clean and fresh.

6. The First “Big” Knitting Purchases I Made

Glimakra Umbrella Swift

Ball Winder

These were some of the first bigger knitting investments I made when I really got serious about the craft. I may upgrade my ball winder someday, but these tools have served me well through countless projects.

Being able to turn a skein of yarn into a cake at home makes cast-on day so much easier, and they’ve absolutely earned their place in my knitting space.

You don’t need a perfectly curated collection of knitting tools to enjoy knitting.

But the right tools can remove small frustrations, make your projects easier to manage, and help you look forward to picking up your needles again.

I’d love to know: what’s the one knitting tool you would replace immediately if you lost your entire project bag?

Why Knitting Feels Like Therapy (Patterns and Article by Helaina Hovitz Regal & The Impact Edit)

Splashdance

by Chic and Regal Knits

Bright Eyed Becky

by Chic and Regal Knits

Pooling by the Pool

by Chic and Regal Knits

View all Helaina’s gorgeous knitting patterns here

Written by:
Helaina Hovitz Regal - The Impact Edit

June 11, 2026

Across age, identity, background, and lifestyle, more and more people are realizing that knitting does something tangible for their brains. It’s not just relaxing: knitting for mental health is a legitimate practice that can help relieve anxiety and improve your mood, focus, and overall well-being.

To explore how it works — and why you should try it — I spoke with Molly Grimm, founder of the social media account Knitting for Wellness.

The Science Behind Knitting and Mental Health

At its core, knitting is repetitive, rhythmic, and tactile, which is basically the perfect recipe for calming your nervous system.

Research and experts in the space have pointed to a few key things happening:

Repetitive movement can help increase serotonin, which boosts mood

It activates the parasympathetic nervous system (your “rest and relax” mode)

It can lead to a flow state, that feeling where you’re fully absorbed in what you’re doing

It gives your mind a single point of focus, which can interrupt spiraling or anxious thoughts

As Betsan Corkhill writes in Knit for Health and Wellness, knitting can help you “manage everyday life, manage change, live with fluctuations in mood, and keep stress at a healthy level.” It’s not just calming in the moment—it can actually shift how you feel about your life over time.

And honestly? Most knitters don’t need a study to tell them that. You can feel it.

Knitting vs. Meditation: A Small Experiment

I actually tried to test this myself. I used one of those meditation headbands that tracks brain activity and tells you how “calm” you are. It measures how often your mind wanders — and how readily you return to focus. So I ran a simple experiment:

One session: knitting

One session: simple meditation (just focusing on my breath) Results:

Knitting: calm 61% of the time

Meditation: calm 13% of the time

The takeaway wasn’t that knitting replaces meditation, but it does show that calm doesn’t always feel the way we expect it to. Sometimes, a busy mind paired with steady hands is exactly what your brain needs.

“Knitting can help activate the body’s relaxation response through the parasympathetic nervous system, which supports a calmer state and helps reduce stress,” said Grimm. “Some people even notice things like a lower heart rate.”

Knitting as a Mental Health Tool

For many people, including those in recovery, knitting becomes more than a hobby. It becomes a grounding tool. When you remove unhealthy coping mechanisms, you need something to fill that space.

“One of the most meaningful things to witness was how many knitters began replacing harmful habits with knitting,” said Grimm.

“It gave them something steady to focus on, something productive to work toward, and something they could feel proud of. In some cases, it even helped reduce the desire to return to substances because they were so engaged in what they were creating.”

Knitting does that in a way that’s:

productive

creative

calming

and actually sustainable

It keeps your hands busy, which helps keep your mind busy, too. But not in a chaotic way. In a structured, rhythmic, safe way.

There’s also something powerful about the process itself:

You make mistakes, and you fix them

You don’t like something, and you unravel it and start again

You follow patterns, and you build new ones

As one knitter put it, when you learn new patterns, you’re also “knitting new patterns into your nervous system.”

The Mental Health Benefits of Knitting No One Talks About

“When knitting is used more intentionally as a tool, often paired with therapy techniques that help bring the mind to the present, like breath work, gratitude, or counting stitches, it can also

help interrupt overthinking. Just having something physical to focus on gives the mind somewhere to go, instead of staying stuck in the same thought patterns,” said Grimm.

“The key is giving yourself permission to go slowly and focusing less on the outcome and more on the experience,” she continued. “Over time, it evolves further still into a practice that is less about learning how to knit, and more about having something familiar to return to that slows you down.”

Beyond the obvious “it helps you relax,” knitting has some underrated mental health benefits:

It reduces decision fatigue

When you’re following a pattern, a lot of the thinking is already done. That can feel like a relief if your brain is maxed out.

It gives you visible progress

Even when life feels stuck, your project grows. You can see that something is moving forward.

It creates structure without pressure

There’s a beginning, middle, and end, but you can go at your own pace.

It helps interrupt overthinking

Counting stitches, following rows, focusing on texture gives your mind somewhere to go.

It builds patience and resilience

You will mess up. You will undo hours of work. And you’ll keep going anyway.

Community, Connection, and Not Feeling Alone

Knitting also has this quiet way of bringing people together. Whether it’s:

knitting circles

classes

online communities

or just sitting next to someone, working on your own projects

It creates space for conversation without pressure. You don’t even have to make eye contact. You can just exist in the same space, doing the same thing. And somehow, that makes it easier to open up.

People share what they’re going through—the good, the hard—and knitting just sits in the middle of it all.

The Bottom Line

“One of the most meaningful things people say about knitting isn’t “it relaxes me,” said Molly. “But rather, ‘it made me feel like myself again.”

Especially during hard times—grief, illness, anxiety, recovery—knitting becomes something steady to hold onto.

If you’re intimidated, here’s the truth: you’re probably going to be bad at it at first.

That’s normal. Knitting is awkward in the beginning. The calming part doesn’t always show up right away, either—it builds over time. Start simple. Go slow. Don’t worry about being perfect. Even five minutes a day is enough to start noticing a shift. And most importantly, let it support you, not stress you out.

“Knitting isn’t a replacement for professional care. But it can be a supportive piece alongside it,” said Grimm. “But it is a powerful tool alongside those things.”

It’s something you can do anywhere that you may be feeling fidgety:

on the couch

on a train

in a waiting room

during a hard moment

or just because you feel like it

It keeps your hands busy, your mind grounded, and gives you something real to hold onto.

“There’s something powerful about being able to see progress,” said Grimm. “You can physically see your work growing, even when other parts of life feel slow or uncertain.”

Hope and Healing: The Impact of Knitting for Wellness (by The Impact Edit)

Written by:
Helaina Hovitz Regal - The Impact Edit
May 06, 2026

For Molly Grimm, knitting has become something far greater than just a creative outlet.

What she offers to her audience is a unique approach to a grounding practice that has quietly helped many people navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

What began as a simple way to connect with others by teaching small knitting classes in local coffee shops has since grown into Wool & Cottage and social media platform called Knitting Wellness, which is centered on the intersection of creativity and mental health.

Some of the most impactful messages she has received have come from individuals going through cancer treatment, grief, or anxiety, who shared that her approach to knitting gave them something tangible to hold onto when everything else felt uncertain.

Grimm’s work is deeply shaped by her own experiences. After the birth of her daughters, Grimm faced significant mental health challenges, including postpartum depression, which led her to step away from teaching for a period of time. When she returned, it was with a renewed sense of purpose: to introduce knitting not just as a hobby, but as a tool to calm the mind, support anxiety, and ease depression.

“Sometimes I create a post out of something I’m personally going through at the moment, or something I’ve just come out the other side of,” she said, “with the intention of helping the next person feel a little less alone in it.”

That intention has resonated with occupational therapists, art therapists, social workers, and others in related fields who have referenced her content in their own work or begun incorporating knitting into their sessions with patients and clients.

“There’s something powerful about being able to see progress,” she said. “You can physically see your work growing, even when other parts of life feel slow or uncertain.”

Knitting teaches mindfulness skills and life lessons such as patience, learning how to work through mistakes, following through on something, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing. Ultimately, there is a great deal of beauty in knitting, beyond just colors and patterns. It also creates space for conversation, for sharing both hardships and joy, and for feeling less alone.

That notion led her to teach in halfway houses, working with women rebuilding their lives after coming out of jail programs.

“One of the most meaningful things to witness was how many of them began replacing harmful habits with knitting. It even helped reduce the desire to return to substances because they were so engaged in what they were creating.”

When people first learn to knit, the calming side of knitting is not always immediate, but it is something that grows over time, and it doesn’t take long to get the hang of.

“When knitting is used more intentionally as a tool, often paired with therapy techniques that help bring the mind to the present, like breathwork, gratitude, or counting stitches. It can also help interrupt overthinking,” she said.

“Just having something physical to concentrate on gives the mind somewhere to go, instead of staying stuck in the same thought patterns.”

She is always careful to say that knitting isn’t a replacement for professional care, but it can be a supportive piece alongside it.

“The key is giving yourself permission to go slowly and focusing less on the outcome and more on the experience. Over time, it evolves into having something familiar to return to that slows you down.”

We know for a fact that knitting can help activate the body’s relaxation response through the parasympathetic nervous system, which supports a calmer state and helps reduce stress. Some people even notice things like a lower heart rate. Additionally, one of the lesser-discussed benefits she has noticed is how knitting helps with decision fatigue.

When someone is following a pattern, many of the decisions are already made, especially helpful for those making choices all day.

Repetition is another key element. It gives the mind something predictable to return to, and that predictability can feel grounding.

“The repetitive motion can also lead to a flow state, that feeling where someone is fully absorbed in what they’re doing and loses track of time. That has been linked to improved mood and lower stress.”

Research suggests that learning and practicing knitting can strengthen neural pathways, supporting memory and overall brain health. Some studies even indicate it may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline over time.

“When I first started looking into the research, a lot of it was actually pretty old. Some of it didn’t hold up, and the way people talk about the brain has changed,” she said. “But more is coming out now, especially around flow and creative work. The research is helpful, but there is also something very real about the lived experience of it.”

Her work has extended into the community in other meaningful ways. She has taught children in schools—as young as pre-K—how to knit pieces that contributed to a yarn event where the entire town was decorated in knit and crochet fabric.

“The community, both in person and online, is a special part of it all,” she said. “It’s worth putting in the time. Even five minutes a day adds up.”

Supporting research includes findings from Harvard Health Publishing on the relaxation response and repetitive activities, the Mayo Clinic on stress reduction and parasympathetic activation, the British Journal of Occupational Therapy on improved mood and well-being, and the American Psychological Association on flow state and mental health.

The Kind of Yarn That Changes the Entire Feel of a Project - and Supports Artisans Around the World

Darn Good Yarn Makers Stash - Use code MOLLYMS15 for 15% off your order!

Every once in a while, a yarn shows up that immediately makes you want to cast something on.

It’s not always that we need another project (most of us probably don’t), but because the texture, color, and feel of it sparks ideas the second you touch it!

That was my first reaction to the Darn Good Yarn Makers Stash.

I received five skeins recently, and the color I keep coming back to is Enchanted Lagoon - which is still available on the website right now if you’ve been curious about trying it. The colors have so much depth in person, and because every skein is hand dyed, they all vary slightly from one another.

It doesn’t feel flat or overly uniform - It really feels artistic - Like yarn with actual personality!

This makers stash yarn comes in various weights.

And because it’s made from reclaimed sari silk materials, the texture has this really unique feel to it that’s different from a lot of traditional yarns. It already has me thinking about shawls, lightweight garments, and fun textured accessories.

I also received one of their recycled silk worsted weight yarns in the color Winterberry, which is equally as unique in person.

I have a few project ideas in mind already, but I want to spend a little time swatching and checking gauge before I start officially recommending patterns. Some yarns need a little experimenting before you know exactly what they want to become!

But what really made me want to share this company was not just the yarn itself.

The more I learned about Darn Good Yarn, the more I realized this is one of those rare companies where the mission actually feels connected to the product in a meaningful way.

Their yarns are handmade by artisans in India and Nepal using reclaimed materials, and the company works with over 600 artisans to help provide safe working conditions and livable wages - opportunities that unfortunately aren’t always accessible in many textile industries.

A lot of us spend hours knitting with these materials. It’s nice when the yarn itself carries a story beyond just the finished object.

They also partner with Trees for the Future and plant trees through their subscription program - one tree planted for every subscriber every month.

So if you’ve been wanting to try:

- recycled silk yarn

- hand dyed yarn with texture and variation

- more sustainable fiber options

- or simply something that feels a little different from the usual…

this might be worth exploring.

There are so many beautiful color options available, but Enchanted Lagoon immediately became my favorite!

You can browse the yarns here:

Darn Good Yarn

And if you decide to try something, you can use my affiliate code:

MOLLYMS15 for 15% off.

This post contains affiliate links and/or affiliate codes. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Knitting Wellness and the content I share here.

The Dragonfly Sweater, and the Rip-Back I Needed

The Rambler Yarn by Woolly Thistle

Dragonfly Sweater by Elenor Mortenson

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely love and would recommend regardless.

Yarn: The Rambler by Woolly Thistle

Pattern: Dragonfly Sweater by Elenor Mortenson

There’s a particular kind of humility that knitting can teach you - the kind that arrives usually somewhere around row 40, when you hold your work up to the light and realize something has gone wrong in a way you can’t quite name yet.

That was me, a week or so into my new project: the Dragonfly Sweater by Elenor Mortensen. A colorwork sweater, top-down, knit in the round in one piece. Raglan increases from a provisional cast on, stranded technique throughout, short rows for shaping. It is, on paper, a project that asks a lot of you.

And somewhere in my yoke, I had twisted my stitches without noticing!

So I ripped it back to the beginning, made myself a cup of tea, and started again.

Why This Pattern

I’m drawn to patterns that feel like they hold something - a mood, a world, a little mystery. The Dragonfly Sweater does that. There are options for floral or beetle motifs worked into the colorwork, and you can customize the design in ways that make the finished sweater genuinely yours. That kind of built-in flexibility is rare, and it makes the knitting feel more like a collaboration than a set of instructions to follow.

The pattern itself has been wonderfully clear. Even working through the provisional cast on and into the raglan shaping - techniques that can sometimes feel like reading a map in a foreign language - I’ve found Mortensen’s directions easy to trust. The rip-back wasn’t the pattern’s fault. It was mine, and the pattern made it easy to find my way back.

The Yarn: The Rambler for The Woolly Thistle

Now. Can we talk about this yarn for a moment?

The original pattern calls for a fingering weight superwash sock yarn, which would be beautiful. But I chose something different: The Rambler, a woolly sock yarn made exclusively for The Woolly Thistle - and only available there.

And you can feel it!

The Rambler has that quality that superwash yarns, for all their practicality, can never quite replicate: it has memory. It breathes. It grips itself in the way that makes stranded colorwork a genuine pleasure rather than a wrestling match — the floats lie flat, the tension stays even, and the fabric you’re creating has a warmth and loft to it that you can sense even before you’ve finished the yoke.

I’m working in a deep, mossy dark green and a soft stone neutral for the contrast, and even in these early rows, the combination is exactly what I hoped it would be.

If you’re considering a colorwork project and you haven’t worked with a woolly (non-superwash) sock yarn before, The Rambler is a beautiful place to start.

Where I Am Now

I’m only to the yoke. There’s a whole sweater still ahead of me: the body, the sleeves, the moment when it starts to look like a *thing* and not just a growing tube of color. I’m in no rush.

That’s what I love most about a project like this one. It asks you to stay present, to count carefully, to notice when something has gone subtly wrong — and to begin again without catastrophizing about it.

The rip-back taught me something. It always does!

I’ll be sharing more updates as this sweater grows. If you’re also casting on for the Dragonfly Sweater, I’d love to know — especially which motif you chose!

Knitting Another Colorwork Cuff Club Sock (Floral Motif Edition!)

Gazzal Happy Feet Sock Yarn in colorway 3263

Pattern: Color Cuff Club Volume 1 by Summer Lee Knits (August 2024)

If you’ve been following along here for a while, you know I have a soft spot for a well-written sock pattern — and Summer Lee of Summer Lee Knits consistently delivers. This post is all about my experience knitting the first installment of her Colorwork Cuff Club from the August 2024 release that kicked off a 12-month series of colorwork sock charts.

The Colorwork Cuff Club is a year-long colorwork adventure built around a base sock pattern. Each month, a new colorwork chart is released that plugs right into that base, with the rest of the sock worked in relaxing stockinette.

This was my third Summer Lee sock, and I have to say, her patterns genuinely get easier to follow each time. The instructions are clear, the construction is intuitive, and the result is a great-fitting sock. If you’ve ever been intimidated by colorwork, this is a wonderful place to start.

The Yarn

For the main sock, I used Gazzal Happy Feet Sock Yarn in colorway 3263, gifted to me by Candy Yarn Shop. Candy Yarn Shop is a small business based out of Ukraine with a wonderful selection of affordable yarns — they carry a variety of colors and restock frequently, so it’s always worth checking back. (This particular colorway isn’t available right now, but I’ll link the shop below so you can browse what they currently have!)

For the floral motif on the colorwork cuff, I pulled from a mini skein from one of Emma’s Yarns mini sets — a light pink sock yarn that was absolutely perfect for the job. If you have any light pink sock yarn mini hanging around, that’s genuinely all you need for this element. It’s a small amount but makes such a sweet impact.

Both yarns were a dream to work with — smooth, consistent, and easy on the hands for a project that kept me happily knitting from start to finish.

Final Thoughts

This is one of those projects that reminds me why I love knitting. The pattern is well-written, the colorwork chart is approachable, and the finished sock fits beautifully. If you’re a sock knitter and haven’t explored Summer Lee’s patterns yet, I really can’t recommend them enough. And if you’re already a fan, the Colorwork Cuff Club is such a fun way to build your skills (and your sock collection!) month by month.

W&C’s website contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through any links at no extra cost to you.

Thank you for supporting this blog!

Knitting + Tea: A Simple Way to Slow Down

Winter White Earl Grey Lover Bundle - Flavored Black Tea, by Harney & Sons Fine Teas

Lehigh Shawl Project

If slowing down has ever felt harder than it should, you’re not the only one.

Most of us are used to constant stimulation.
Phones, noise, notifications, something always pulling our attention.

So when things get quiet, it doesn’t always feel calming right away.

Sometimes it just feels… unfamiliar.

Something Simple to Come Back To

That’s why I keep coming back to something really simple:

knitting + a cup of tea

Nothing complicated.
No pressure to do it “right.”

Just something steady to return to.

Knitting gives your hands something to do.
Tea gives you a reason to pause.

And together, it creates a rhythm that feels a little easier to settle into.

Why This Works (In Real Life)

This isn’t about creating the perfect routine.

It’s about having something consistent.

• a few rows of knitting

• a warm cup nearby

• a quiet moment (even if it’s short)

That’s it.

You don’t need a full hour.
You don’t need a perfectly calm house.

Even a few minutes can shift how you feel.

The Tea I Keep Reaching For

I’ve had Harney & Sons next to my projects for years.

One I come back to often is Earl Grey — it’s simple, familiar, and easy to reach for without thinking too much about it.

It’s become part of the routine more than anything else.

What I’m Knitting

I always keep a project nearby — something I can pick up without needing to overthink it.

You can find all of my current projects, patterns, and notes here

A Small Place to Start

If you’ve been trying to slow down and it hasn’t felt easy, start here.

Not with a big routine.
Not with something perfect.

Just something simple you can come back to.

Knitting.
Tea.
A few quiet minutes.

That’s enough.

Affiliate Note

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share what I genuinely use and enjoy.

What You Need to Start

• Beginner knitting supplies

• Simple pattern

• Tea I’m using

Color Cuff Club Socks (WIP) – From Stash to Stitch

There’s something really satisfying about finally reaching for yarn that’s been sitting in your stash for a while.

This project is part of my From Stash to Stitch series this year - working through what I already have, using what I’ve loved enough to hold onto, and giving those yarns a purpose!

Right now, I’m working on a pair of socks from Color Cuff Club Volume 1 by Summer Lee, and they’ve been such a fun project to have on my needles.

The Yarn (A Stash Story)

This yarn has been waiting for the right project.

The main yarn is from Candy Yarn Shop, which was gifted to me, and I originally had a completely different shawl in mind for it. But no matter what I tried, I just couldn’t get gauge to work the way I wanted.

So it sat in my stash for a while.

Then I came across this pattern from Summer Lee, and it made more sense with the gauge I was getting.

For the floral cuff, I added a fingering weight mini from Emma’s Yarn, which I picked up from Simply Socks Yarn Company. It ended up being the perfect contrast for the colorwork.

There’s something really satisfying about pairing yarns from different moments and seeing them come together like this.

The Pattern

The Color Cuff Club Volume 1 socks feature a floral colorwork cuff that adds just enough detail without overwhelming the rest of the sock.

It’s a really approachable way to add colorwork into a project - especially if you don’t want to commit to it for the entire sock.

The cuff feels like the highlight, while the rest of the sock stays simple and relaxing.

What It’s Like So Far

Even though this project isn’t finished yet, it’s already one I look forward to picking up.

The colorwork at the cuff keeps things interesting, and once that section is done, it transitions into a more rhythmic knit.

It’s been a really nice balance - a little bit of focus, followed by something more familiar and calming.

From Stash to Stitch

This project is exactly why I started this series on Instagram.

There’s so much yarn we hold onto because we loved it at one point - even if the original plan doesn’t work out. Sometimes it just takes time (and the right pattern) for it to come together.

I’m really glad I didn’t force the first project. This feels like a much better fit.

Final Thoughts (For Now)

This one isn’t finished yet, but it already feels like a project I’m going to love wearing.

It’s simple, but with just enough detail to make it feel special - and it’s always nice when a stash yarn finally finds its place.

I’ll share more once they’re finished, but for now, this is one I’m really enjoying.

Links & Resources

Candy Yarn Shop Yarn: https://tidd.ly/4dmSATX

Affiliate Disclaimer

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only share products and resources I personally use and enjoy.

Turtle Dove Shawl by Sari Nordlund (Finished Project)

There’s something really satisfying about finishing a project that slowly becomes part of your routine.

I recently finished the Turtle Dove Shawl by Sari Nordlund, and it ended up being one of those knits that I kept coming back to - not because I had to, but because I wanted to!

This is a project I shared a bit of while it was still in progress, and now that it’s finished, it feels like one worth documenting fully.

The Yarn Combination

One of the reasons this project feels so special is the yarn combination.

I’m holding together two yarns that really complement each other in a way that feels effortless.

The first is Island Dyeworks Mohair from The Stitchery of Saint Simons, hand-dyed by Ms. Bo. This mohair is incredibly soft and creates that light, delicate halo that gives the fabric an airy, almost dreamy feel.

It’s also a bit of a hidden gem. It’s not something you’ll easily find online - most of the time you have to call the shop or visit in person to see what she has dyed, which makes it feel even more special to work with.

To pair with the mohair, I used Araucania Yarns Nuble, a wool and silk blend that adds just enough structure and drape to balance everything out. This yarn has since been discontinued, but any light fingering weight yarn would work beautifully held together with this mohair.

Together, they create a fabric that feels really beautiful without trying too hard. The silk adds a subtle sheen and strength, while the mohair softens everything and gives it that gentle glow.

The end result is light, airy, and elegant - exactly what I was hoping for in this shawl!

What It Was Like to Knit

This is one of those patterns that sits right in the middle - it does require your attention, especially at the beginning, but once the stitch sequence is memorized, it becomes very rhythmic.

It’s not something I could fully “zone out” on right away, but it never felt stressful either. Once I found the rhythm, it became a really steady, enjoyable knit.

Those are usually my favorite kinds of projects - the ones that keep your hands and mind engaged, but still feel calming over time.

A Project That Slows You Down

There’s something about this pattern that naturally encourages you to slow down a bit.

You’re paying attention, but not in a pressured way. Just enough to stay present with what you’re doing.

And as the shawl grows, you start to see that progress build - which always feels grounding in its own way.

Final Thoughts

This ended up being one of those projects I’m really glad I took the time to make.

It’s thoughtful without being overwhelming, structured but still relaxing once you settle into it.

If you’re looking for a shawl that:

keeps your attention

becomes rhythmic over time

and pairs beautifully with mohair

this is definitely one to consider.

A Small Knitting Reset: Tea & a Few Quiet Rows

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Teas I’m Enjoying While Knitting

Shop the Teas Featured

🍵 Cherry Blossom Tea

🍓 Strawberry Vanilla Black Tea

Harney & Sons has been part of my knitting routine for years. In the quiet, everyday rhythm that happens when you sit down with a project and take a breath before the next row.

There’s a moment in the day when everything starts to feel rushed. Messages, errands, decisions, work. It’s easy to move from one thing to the next without ever really pausing.

For me, that pause usually looks like this:

A cup of tea.

A few rows of knitting.

& Nothing complicated.

Just something warm in my hands while the needles move.

Why Tea and Knitting Work So Well Together

Knitting is built on repetition — the same small movement again and again. That repetition has a way of slowing the mind down and helping your attention settle.

Tea does something similar in its own quiet way. The act of steeping, waiting, and taking that first sip creates a small moment of transition.

When the two come together, it becomes a simple ritual:

steep the tea

pick up the project

knit a few rows

let the day soften a little

It doesn’t have to take an hour. Even ten or fifteen minutes can change the tone of an afternoon.

The Teas I’m Currently Enjoying

For this little knitting reset lately, I’ve been reaching for two teas from Harney & Sons that feel especially nice for spring.

🌸 Cherry Blossom Tea

Light and floral with a gentle sweetness, this one feels like the kind of tea you’d want during a quiet afternoon knit. It’s delicate without being overly perfumed.

👉 Shop Cherry Blossom Tea here

🍓 Strawberry Vanilla Black Tea

This one is a little warmer and richer. The strawberry brings a soft brightness while the vanilla rounds everything out. It’s been especially nice while working on longer knitting sessions.

👉 Shop Strawberry Vanilla Tea here

My Current Knitting Project

While enjoying these teas, I’ve been working on the Nordic Bloom Cardigan by Caitlyn Hunter, which has been a really enjoyable knit so far. I’m using Beatrice Bayliss Chunky Wool. Projects like this are perfect for pairing with a good cup of tea — something engaging but relaxing enough to settle into.

That combination of warm tea and steady stitches is one of the reasons I love knitting so much. It turns ordinary moments into something slower and more intentional.

Creating Your Own Knitting Ritual

If you knit — or even if you’re just starting — I highly recommend creating a small ritual around it.

It doesn’t need to be complicated.

Just something simple like:

making a cup of tea

sitting down with your yarn

knitting a few rows without rushing

Those small pauses add up.

And sometimes the best part of the day is simply a warm drink and a quiet row of stitches.

Shop the Teas Featured

🍵 Cherry Blossom Tea

🍓 Strawberry Vanilla Black Tea

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only share products I genuinely enjoy using in my knitting routine.

A Soft, Airy Knit: My Turtle Dove Shawl in Progress

Turtle Dove Shawl by Sari Nordlund

Every now and then a project comes along that feels a little extra special right from the start. The Turtle Dove Shawl by Sari Nordlund has been one of those projects for me.

This is a pattern I’ve had on my list for a while, and once I finally cast it on, I was pleasantly surprised by how approachable it feels to knit.

The pattern is charted, which might look a little intimidating at first glance, but once you settle into the rhythm of the charts, it’s actually very manageable. After a few repeats, the stitches begin to make sense and the pattern starts to flow naturally.

A Truly Luxurious Yarn Pairing

One of the reasons this project feels so special is the yarn combination.

I’m holding together two yarns that complement each other beautifully.

First is Island Dyeworks Mohair from the Stitchery of Saint Simons, hand dyed by Ms. Bo herself. This mohair is incredibly soft and creates a delicate halo that gives the fabric that dreamy, airy quality many knitters love in shawls.

This yarn is a bit of a hidden gem. It’s not something you can easily find online — you typically have to call the shop or visit in person to see what Ms. Bo has dyed.

To pair with the mohair, I’m using Araucania Yarns Nuble, a beautiful wool and silk blend that adds structure and drape to the fabric.

Together, the two yarns create something that feels genuinely luxurious. The silk blend provides strength and sheen, while the mohair adds softness and that gentle halo effect.

The fabric feels light, airy, and elegant — exactly what I hoped for in this shawl.

Getting Comfortable with the Charts

Like many shawls, the Turtle Dove Shawl relies on charts for the stitch pattern.

At first, the chart requires a little attention, but it’s not overly complicated. Once I worked through the first few repeats and understood how the stitches interacted with each other, it became much easier to follow.

In fact, I’d describe it as one of those patterns that becomes surprisingly relaxing once it clicks.

It keeps you engaged without feeling stressful, which makes it a great project for evenings when you want to focus on something creative but still unwind.

A Project I’m Enjoying Slowing Down With

So far, this shawl has been a joy to knit. The combination of the soft halo from the mohair, the subtle sheen of the silk blend, and the elegant lace pattern makes each section feel rewarding as it grows.

It’s one of those projects where you pause every now and then just to look at the fabric and appreciate how the stitches are coming together.

If you enjoy textured shawls and beautiful yarn pairings, the Turtle Dove Shawl by Sari Nordlund is definitely worth exploring. The pattern is available on Ravelry, and once you get comfortable with the charts, it’s a surprisingly approachable knit.

I’m looking forward to seeing how this one continues to grow!

A Colorful Sock Knit: My Project from the Color Cuff Club Vol. 2

Color Cuff Club Volume 2 by Summer Lee

One of the projects I finished recently was a pair of socks from Color Cuff Club Volume 2, the monthly sock pattern series by Summer Lee. The club includes 12 patterns released throughout the year, each one featuring a different decorative cuff while keeping the base sock construction the same.

I knit the November 2025 release, and it ended up being one of those projects that’s both visually interesting and surprisingly relaxing once you settle into the rhythm.

The Design: Dip Stitch Cluster Cuff

What makes this particular sock stand out is the dip stitch cluster pattern on the cuff. It creates a really pretty texture and adds visual interest right at the top of the sock.

It’s one of those stitch patterns that might take a moment to understand when you first start — especially on smaller needles — but once it clicks, it’s very satisfying to knit.

The dip stitches create a subtle layered effect that makes the cuff feel a little more special than a typical ribbed sock cuff.

Getting Used to the Needles

For this project I used double-pointed needles (DPNs), and like many sock knitters know, it can take a minute to settle into the rhythm when working with such small needles.

At first I had to slow down and pay attention to the stitch pattern and needle management. But once I got comfortable with the flow of the cuff and the needle setup, the project moved along quickly.

One of the nice features of this series is that the base sock construction stays the same across the patterns, which means after the cuff section you can settle into a familiar rhythm.

That makes it a great balance between:

learning something new at the cuff

and knitting something comfortably familiar for the rest of the sock.

Yarn Details

For this pair I used:

Bad Sheep Yarn Fingering Weight

Colorway: Lotus

I paired the main yarn with a couple of minis from the Bad Sheep Yarn 2024 Advent Calendar that had been sitting in my stash waiting for the right project. Unfortunately, the minis I used are discontinued and I don’t remember the exact color names, but they worked decently with the main color.

Using stash minis for cuffs, heels, or toes is one of my favorite ways to add interest to socks while also using up small amounts of yarn.

A Great Sock Pattern to Try

If you enjoy knitting socks and want something that adds a little visual interest without becoming overly complicated, this series is a really fun one.

The cuff design gives you something new to explore, while the familiar base makes it easy to memorize and knit on the go.

I really enjoyed this project and would absolutely recommend it to other sock knitters.

The Color Cuff Club Volume 2 patterns are available on Ravelry, and it’s a great series if you like building a collection of slightly different socks throughout the year.

Jaunty Shawl by Andrea Mowry: The Perfect Mindful, Memorize-and-Go Knit

There are projects you knit for the challenge.

And then there are projects you knit because your brain needs something steady.

The Jaunty Shawl falls firmly into the second category.

This is the kind of project you can memorize quickly and take anywhere — a true take-along knit. Once you understand the rhythm, it becomes less about “figuring it out” and more about simply counting rows. Minimal thinking. Maximum flow.

Sometimes that’s exactly what you want from your knitting.

Why I Loved This Knit

The construction is straightforward, intuitive, and incredibly approachable. After the first section or two, I didn’t need to reference the pattern much at all. It became:

Knit.

Count.

Repeat.

Relax.

If you love mindful knitting — where repetition builds focus and steadiness — this project delivers. There’s enough interest to keep it from feeling dull, but not so much complexity that it pulls you out of that calm, rhythmic state.

It’s a beautiful balance.

Yarn Details (And a Yarn Chicken Story)

I knit mine in:

Plucky Knitter Legacy Sport Weight

Colorway: Boom Chicka Boom (now discontinued)

This yarn has such a lovely feel — structured but soft, with that classic sport-weight drape that makes shawls wearable without feeling bulky.

And yes… I played yarn chicken.

And yes… I lost.

I was so close to the end that I convinced myself I could make it. I could not. I ended up ordering more yarn to finish the final section — which, thankfully, worked out.

If you’re planning this project, I’d recommend giving yourself a little extra cushion. Especially if you knit on the looser side or want to fully enjoy the experience without watching your yardage every row.

A True Community Favorite

I know so many knitters who have made the Jaunty Shawl — and loved it. It’s one of those patterns that feels almost universal in its appeal.

It works for:

Confident beginners ready for their first shawl

Intermediate knitters wanting a relaxing knit

Experienced knitters needing a low-pressure project between more technical pieces

It’s engaging without being demanding.

And that’s a rare thing.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a project you can:

Memorize quickly

Knit while traveling

Bring to social knitting

Or simply sink into at the end of the day

The Jaunty Shawl is a wonderful choice.

Sometimes the most satisfying knits aren’t the most complex.

They’re the ones that let you settle in, count your rows, and simply enjoy the rhythm.

And this one does exactly that!

Gentle Hand Stretches for Knitters (To Help Prevent Injury & Support Long-Term Stitching)

Knitting is calming. It supports the nervous system. It gives our hands something steady to do when life feels loud.

But knitting is also repetitive.

Even mindful knitting asks a lot from your hands, wrists, and forearms. If we want this hobby to last for years — maybe decades — we have to care for the hands that make it possible.

These are the gentle hand stretches I use to support knitting injury prevention and reduce hand fatigue. They’re simple, accessible, and designed to keep your stitching practice sustainable.

You can do them before you knit, during breaks, or after a long session.

Why Hand Care Matters for Knitters

Repetitive motions — even relaxing ones — can create tension over time.

Adding a short hand stretch routine to your knitting practice can help:

* Reduce stiffness and fatigue

* Support wrist mobility

* Improve circulation

* Encourage ergonomic knitting habits

* Protect your ability to knit long-term

Taking care of your hands isn’t dramatic. It’s responsible. And it’s part of knitting for mental health in a sustainable way.

The Hand Stretches

Move slowly. Nothing should feel forced or painful. These are gentle mobility movements — not aggressive stretches.

1. Wrist Circles

Hold your hands out and slowly rotate your wrists in controlled circles. Go one direction for several rounds, then switch.

This helps warm up the joints and improve circulation before repetitive stitching.

2. Clench & Release

Make a soft fist. Then slowly open your hand and stretch your fingers wide.

Repeat several times.

Most of us hold more tension while knitting than we realize. This helps reset that grip.

3. Thumb Stretch

Gently extend one thumb outward and support it lightly with your opposite hand.

Your thumbs work hard while knitting and crocheting. Supporting their range of motion is important for long-term comfort.

Gently massage each finger and and palm.

4. Scraping

Gently rub or “scrape” to massage and break up any tension, and improve mobility. Ideally you’d want to use stainless steal, or an actual scraping tool for this. If you don’t have one, you can use a larger knitting needle.

Gently rub the area between thumb and first finger. Do not press that hard, this should not feel painful.

5. Clenched wrist bend

With your arm straight and hand clenched, slowly bend your wrist inward. Return is back to center slowly. Repeat for both hands.

This promotes circulation and awareness without overloading the muscles.

6. Palm-Down, side to side Wrist Bend

Extend your arm with your palm facing down. Gently guide your hand downward with the opposite hand until you feel a light stretch.

Keep it slow and controlled.

7. Finger Interlace Stretch & Play the piano

Interlace your fingers and extend your arms outward. Gently stretch forward.

Pretend to play the piano and wiggle your fingers.

This helps open the small muscles between the fingers that can tighten during repetitive crafts.

When to Stop Knitting Instead of Stretching

There’s a difference between mild fatigue and pain.

Some light stiffness that improves with rest can be normal.

But if you experience:

* Sharp or stabbing pain

* Tingling or numbness

* Burning sensations

* Pain that lasts into the next day

* Weakness or difficulty holding needles

Stop stitching and seek care from a healthcare professional right away.

I am not a doctor. This is simply the hand stretch routine I use to support my own knitting practice. If you are experiencing pain or injury, please consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Knitting Wellness Includes Physical Care

Mindful knitting isn’t just about slowing down mentally. It’s about supporting your body so you can continue doing what you love.

Rest isn’t quitting.

Stretching isn’t overreacting.

Caring for your hands is how this hobby lasts.

Here is a video I made demonstrating all the movements mentioned above:

Save this routine. Come back to it. Share it with someone who loves to stitch.

Your hands matter!

Knitting Tools I Use for Nearly Every Project (From Start to Finish)

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

One of the questions I get asked most often through Knitting Wellness is about tools. Not the trendy ones or the ones that look good on a shelf - but the knitting tools I actually use over and over again.

This post walks through my go‑to knitting tools from start to finish, the ones I reach for on nearly every project. These are tools that support a calm, steady knitting process and make projects feel easier rather than more complicated.

If you’re looking for essential knitting tools, beginner-friendly knitting supplies, or simply want to simplify your setup, this list is a great place to start.

Why Tools Matter for Mindful Knitting

The right tools don’t make you a better knitter - but they do remove friction. When tools are reliable and familiar, your attention can stay on the rhythm of knitting rather than problem-solving.

Everything on this list earns its place because it supports ease, comfort, and consistency.

1. My Go-To Yarn

While I enjoy trying new yarns, I always come back to a few reliable bases that feel good in my hands and hold up well over time. I look for yarn that:

Feels smooth without being slippery

Has good stitch definition

Is versatile enough for garments, accessories, and everyday projects

Having a dependable “default” yarn removes a big decision at the start of a project and helps knitting feel approachable rather than overwhelming.

Here are my two recommendations:

Malabrigo (any weight) and The Rambler by Woolly Thistle (light fingering/sock weight)

Malabrigo has a lot of soft superwash wool options, while The Rambler is a bit more rustic and “woolly”.

Malabrigo

The Rambler

2. Yarn Ball Winder

A yarn winder is one of the most-used tools in my knitting space. It turns hanks into neat, center-pull cakes that are easy to store and use.

Why I rely on it:

Saves time at the beginning of a project

Keeps yarn organized

Makes knitting feel calmer and less tangled

This is a tool I use on almost every project before I even cast on.

This ball winder was a hand-me-down gift from my husband’s grandmother. It’s on it’s last leg, but if you’re just starting out, this winder is perfect. There are also electric winders, and larger options, however, this one does the trick for me!

3. Yarn Swift

A swift works hand-in-hand with a yarn winder. It holds the hank open and stable while winding, making the process smooth and frustration-free.

Together, a swift and winder turn yarn prep into a quiet ritual rather than a chore.

My husband got my winder as a birthday gift almost 7 years ago! This particular one is no longer sold, however, I’ve linked one from JBW here that would be similar.

4. Knitting Needles I Reach For Again and Again

I tend to gravitate toward the same style of needles for most projects. Comfort matters more to me than novelty.

I look for needles that:

Feel comfortable in my hands

Have smooth joins

Allow stitches to move easily without slipping off

Using familiar needles reduces hand strain and keeps knitting enjoyable for longer sessions.

I like to keep an interchangeable metal set (Knit Pro Affection) and a wooden set (LYKKE) for different projects.

If I’m buying one off needles that aren’t apart of a set, I prefer Chiaogoo. I find these are also available at most yarn shops!

KnitPro Mindful Collection Needle Sets - Affection

LYKKE Crafts Birchwood Interchangeable Needle Sets - Colour - Black Case - 5" Tips US 4-17

5. Small Tools That Make a Big Difference

These little tools live in nearly every project bag:

Darning needle (for weaving in ends)

Stitch markers (simple and easy to see) - my favorite are these Lantern Moon Stitch Markers. I love using these especially for thinner weights of yarn because they don’t snag or slide!

Scissors or yarn cutter - my scissors are sold out online, however here is a similar pair!

Small jar or bag for accessories - I found this little jar while thrifting! You can really use anything to hold all the small items. I just take this with me in my project bag.

These items are small, inexpensive, and absolutely essential - especially when you want to avoid hunting for tools mid-project.

Favorite Stitch Markers

6. Project Bags

A good project bag keeps knitting portable and protected. I like bags that:

Hold the project comfortably without cramming

Keep tools together

Are easy to grab and take with me

Having a dedicated bag for each project helps keep my knitting organized and my mind clear.

I almost exclusively use these Della Q project bags! They are made with knitters in mind. These bags have maker specific features like a yarn feeder, yarn cutter, and a decorative pin with emergency stitch markers. Many of them can be worn multiple ways.

Adella Sling Bag (for large projects)

della Q Maker's Canvas Rucksack (small/med projects)

7. Blocking Tools: From Soak to Finish

Blocking is part of finishing a project, and having simple, reliable tools makes a big difference.

Strucket Bucket

I use a flexible bucket for soaking and washing knits. It’s sturdy, easy to move, and stores neatly when not in use. We live on a rural farm in Indiana. Our sink gets used a lot for various things (like cleaning hundreds of chicken eggs!) Our kitchen sink gets cleaned daily, but I love having this bucket to use specifically for hand knits. You can hand agitate, and the water releases from a plug at the bottom. It’s very handy!

Wool Wash

My favorite wool wash to use is Soak. They are individual packets of gentle laundry soap designed specifically for wool and knitting projects. I haven’t found a scent that I don’t love from them!

Blocking Mats

Blocking mats provide a flat, stable surface for shaping projects. They’re especially helpful for garments, shawls, and accessories that benefit from gentle shaping. The blocking mats I used are sold out, however, here’s a link to a similar set here!

Final Thoughts

Knitting doesn’t require endless tools - just a few dependable ones that support your process from cast-on to finishing.

These are the knitting tools I return to again and again because they make knitting feel steady, comfortable, and enjoyable. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your setup, building a small collection of reliable tools can make a meaningful difference in how knitting feels.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only share tools and supplies I genuinely use and enjoy. Thank you for supporting Knitting Wellness.

Finished Project: Cozy Socks by Summer Lee

There’s something especially satisfying about finally casting off a project that’s been waiting patiently in your stash - and these socks feel extra meaningful for that reason.

This pair was knit using yarn I purchased two years ago at the Michigan Fiber Festival from the Yarnbyrds yarn truck. It’s always fun (and a little nostalgic) to work with yarn that has a story attached to it, and this project felt like the perfect opportunity to finally put this skein to use.

The Pattern: Cuff Club Socks by Summer Lee (Volume 2)

This sock pattern by Summer Lee is one of those designs that feels thoughtful without being complicated. The construction is intuitive, the fit is comfortable, and the details keep the knitting interesting without requiring constant focus.

It’s the kind of sock pattern that works beautifully for mindful knitting - engaging enough to enjoy, but simple enough to relax into.

Why I loved this pattern:

Clear, easy-to-follow instructions

A comfortable, wearable sock fit

Interesting details without feeling fussy

Perfect for slowing down and enjoying the process

The Yarn: Spun Right Round Tough Sock Set (discontinued in this colorway, but there’s many beautiful options on their website - not affiliated, but I would highly recommend!)

This yarn has been in my stash for a while, and I’m so glad I waited for the right project.

The Tough Sock base is exactly what you want for socks - sturdy, smooth, and pleasant to knit with. It held its shape beautifully throughout the project and feels durable without being stiff.

Sock knitting has always felt grounding to me. The small circumference, repetitive motion, and steady progress make it an ideal project for slowing down and staying present.

For finishing this pair, I used Knit Picks plastic sock blockers, which have quickly become my personal favorite. I’ve used metal and wooden sock blockers in the past, but I consistently reach for the plastic ones.

Final Thoughts

Finishing these socks felt like finishing a project using a yarn from a fiber festival years ago, paired with a pattern that encourages steady, mindful knitting. They’re comfortable, wearable, and full of memory, which is exactly what I hope for in a handmade project.

If you enjoy sock knitting for relaxation, grounding, or simply the joy of finishing something small and useful, this pattern and yarn combination is one I’d happily recommend.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only share yarns, patterns, and tools I genuinely enjoy and use. Thank you for supporting Knitting Wellness.

This Year, in Yarn

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

A look back at the yarns that shaped my knitting in 2025 -

Knitting doesn’t really show up as timelines. It’s textures, weights, colors, and the quiet familiarity of yarn passing through your hands.

When I looked back at my projects from 2025, what stood out most was which yarns kept showing up, and how differently they met me in different seasons.

Some were chosen for comfort, some for structure, and some because they felt right for where I was at the time.

This post is a simple look back at every yarn I used in 2025, the projects they became, and a few notes on why they worked so well. If you’re planning future knits or enjoy seeing how yarn behaves in real life (not just on a label), I hope this feels helpful.

Why I Pay Attention to Yarn Choice

For me, knitting has always been about more than the finished piece.

The feel of the yarn, how it moves, how forgiving it is on tired hands - all of that matters.

In knitting therapy and mindful knitting, the materials we use can support:

• slower pacing

• nervous system regulation

• sustained focus

• enjoyment without pressure

The yarn doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to work with you.

The Yarns I Used in 2025

Below is a full list of the yarns I knit with this year, along with the projects they became and a few honest notes from my experience.

Spincycle Dyed in the Wool - Sport Weight

Fiber content: 100% superwashed American wool

Weight: Sport (Note - Original Nightshift pattern calls for worsted)

Colors Used: Rosy Maple, Rusted Rainbow, Salty Dog, Shades of Earth, Melancholia, Deep Bump

Project(s): Nightshift by Andrea Mowry

Notes: I subbed Sport weight for this project, and was so happy with the end result! I alternated this yarn. There was also an additional hank “Deep Bump” which is not pictured above.

This yarn worked especially well for unexpected color! I loved it for the surprise, and would reach for it again when I want a creative fade within a colorwork project.

Here’s the link to where I purchased mine

*Please note if this retailer is sold out, you can email them your order instead! They should be able to get more in for you. Just let them know Knitting Wellness recommended it :)

Malabrigo Arroyo & Blue Sky Prarie

Fiber content:

Arroyo - 100% Superwash Merino Wool

Prairie - 53% Suri Alpaca, 47% Baby Huacaya Alpaca

Weight:

Arroyo - Sport

Prairie - Fingering

Colors:

Arroyo - White (1), Rosalinda (1)

Prairie - Yarrow (1)

Project(s): Alpine Shawl by Knit Sisu

Notes: These two yarns were alternated throughout the pattern using the bee stitch. It was a fun knit with lots of texture!

This one surprised me. It felt relaxing on the needles and held up beautifully after blocking.

Click here to purchase Blue Sky Prairie

Click here to purchase Malabrigo Arroyo

*Please note if this retailer is sold out, you can email them your order instead! They should be able to get more in for you. Just let them know Knitting Wellness recommended it :)

Catskill Merino

Fiber content: Merino Wool

Weight: Sport, although this one acts more like a DK

Colors: Wintergreen & Pink Sand

Project(s): Halibut Cowl by Caitlyn Hunter

Notes: This yarn is farm fresh - you may find bits of “breakfast” in it :). It’s super squishy, soft, and the bloom after blocking is the best!

A steady, reliable yarn - especially good for colorwork. This is one I’d recommend for knitters who value small batch yarns.

Click here to purchase Catskill Merino

LITLG & Island Dyeworks

Fiber content:

LITLG: 75% superwash merino wool, 25% nylon

Island Dyeworks: Mohair

Weight:

LITLG: Sock yarn

Island Dyeworks: Lace

Colors:

LITLG: Wild Rosebay

Island Dyeworks: Light Pink

Project(s): Audrey Cardigan (Toddler) by Knitting for Olive

Notes: This combo held together was an unexpected surprise! Island Dyeworks is located in Saint Simon Isalnd - I received this lace weight as a gift from my Mom. They don’t have a website, but they can ship orders out from the island by phone call. Ask for Beau, she hand dyes this mohair and it’s the best I’ve found!

Click here to purchase LITLG Wild Rosebay

Ewe2Yarn & Island Dyeworks

Fiber content:

Ewe2Yarn: Discontinued (was a specialty color for Nashville Yarn Festival called Nashville Red!)

Island Dyeworks: Mohair

Weight:

Ewe2Yarn: Aran

Island Dyeworks: Lace

Colors:

Island Dyeworks: Light Pink

Project(s): Redware Pattern by Catie Robbins

Notes: I used leftover mohair from Island Dyeworks for this scarf, see the note above for this yarn! This was a fun intarsia pattern that can be worked with multiple colors.


Scheepjes Woolwise & Kindsom

Fiber content:

Woolwise: 100% Superwash Merino Wool

Kindsom: 60% Wool, 40% compostable polyester

Weight:

Woolwise: Fingering

Kindsom: Sport

Colors:

Woolwise: Orchid Pink, Petal Pink, Floral Pink

Kindsom: Deep Ocean & Seedling

Project(s): Flower Power Beanie by Stone Knits, Thulite Socks by Allison Lutes

Notes: This was a gifted collaboration with Scheepjes Yarn. The yarn was nice to work with, durable, and definitely an affordable option. There are several colors to choose from, which I appreciated.

Click here to view Scheepjes Yarn


Spincycle Wilder & Dyed in the Wool

Fiber content:

Wilder: 100% Non-Superwash Rambouillet Wool

Dyed in the Wool: 100% American Wool

Weight:

Sport

Colors:

Wilder: Light Gray

Dyed in the Wool: Ghost Ranch

Project(s): Ooey Gooey Sweater by Andrea Mowry

Notes: This was my all time favorite project of 2025! The yarn, the pattern, the colors - everything about this knit was enjoyable from start to finish!

Yarn purchased at Knitting off Broadway in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Spincycle Wilder & Dyed in the Wool

Fiber content: 100% Superfine Merino Wool

Weight: Light Worsted

Colors: Arapey & Natural

Project(s): Barnstable by Lisa Hannes

Notes: This was part of the Malabrigo KAL. The mosaic texture was fun to make with the different contrasting colors. This yarn blocked beautifully when finished, and had a great drape to it!

Purchase Malabrigo Seis Cabos here

Malabrigo Mecha

Fiber content: 100% Pure Merino Superwash Wool

Weight: Bulky

Colors: Rosalinda & English Rose

Project(s): Chubby Butterflies Hat by Joji Locatelli

Notes: I’ve had leftover Mecha for a long time! I ordered the Rosalinda to go with my stash of English Rose. This was a short hat project for my youngest daughter. It knit up very quickly. Mecha is extremely soft, and the colors are vibrant.

Purchase Malabrigo Mecha Here


Lopi Lettlopi

Fiber content: 100% Icelandic Wool

Weight: Medium/Worsted

Colors: Apricot & Mimosa

Project(s): Halibut Cowl by Caitlyn Hunter

Notes: I loved this project so much - I had to cast on another one! This yarn is very woolly. It worked well for what I was going for. Compared to the other cowl I made, this one doesn’t have as much stitch definition. However, there is a great variety of color options. Would highly recommend!

Click here to purchase Lopi Lettlopi


Sandnes Garn Double Sunday

Fiber content: 100% Merino Wool

Weight: DK

Colors: Bubblegum Pink

Project(s): Lulu Slipover Jr. by Petite Knit

Notes: This was a sweet project I got to make for my oldest daughter. I loved the yarn, it has great stitch definition, and is extremely durable (great for kids!). I was able to get the exact gauge as the pattern, which I was pretty excited about. This is a great affordable yarn that also has quality.

Click here to purchase Sandnes Garn Double Sunday

JA Devonia DK

Fiber content: 50% Exmoor Blueface Wool, 30% Bluefaced Leicester Wool, 20% Wensleydale Wool

Weight: DK

Colors: Ivy Leaf & Broken Flower (not pictured)

Project(s): Pressed Flowers Cowl by Amy Cristoffers

Notes: I loved this project so much - I had to cast on another one! This yarn is very woolly. It worked well for what I was going for. Compared to the other cowl I made, this one doesn’t have as much stitch definition. However, there is a great variety of color options. Would highly recommend!

Yarn Purcahsed at Simply Socks Yarn Company

If You’re Planning Your Own Knits

If you’re choosing yarn for an upcoming project, my biggest encouragement is this:

Choose yarn that supports how you want to knit - not just what you want to make.

Whether that’s knitting for stress relief, mindful crafting, or simply carving out a quiet corner of your day, the right yarn can make the process feel steadier and more kind.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some, not all, links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them - at no extra cost to you. I only share yarns I’ve personally used and enjoyed as part of my knitting practice.

Lulu Slipover Jr. - A Sweet Finished Knit

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

The Lulu Slipover Jr. by PetiteKnit was one of those projects that reminded me why I love knitting for my kids so much.

I knit a size 7–8 years using Sandnes Garn Double Sunday in the sweetest bubblegum pink - a color that feels absolutely perfect for Valentine’s Day. The pattern itself was a delightful knit: thoughtful construction, clear instructions, and just enough interest to keep things engaging without being complicated.

This project does come with a little real-life twist. I actually had to tear it out once because my daughter grew before I finished it (a very real knitter-parent problem). Thankfully, the second time around it came together beautifully - and now it fits her perfectly.

The finished slipover is cozy without being bulky, polished yet playful, and easy to layer over dresses or long-sleeve tops. It’s the kind of handmade piece that will get worn again and again - which always feels like a win.

Project Details

Pattern: Lulu Slipover Jr. by PetiteKnit

Yarn: Sandnes Garn Double Sunday

Color: Bubblegum Pink

Size Knit: 7–8 years

Needles

Buttons

If you enjoy knitting garments for children and want a pattern that’s both timeless and practical, this one is absolutely worth adding to your queue.

On Effort: What Makes Something Meaningful (and What Doesn’t)

After the rush of the holiday season, one word kept returning to me: effort.

Not necessarily productivity, hustle or doing more.

Just effort.

I started noticing it everywhere - in homes, displays, gatherings, handmade gifts, traditions carried forward year after year. Someone put effort here. Paid or unpaid. Visible or invisible. Intentional or automatic.

And it made me wonder:

How much effort does something actually require before it becomes meaningful?

Is effort required at all?

We often assume effort and meaning are tightly linked. That if something mattered, it must have taken a lot of energy. That if we didn’t push ourselves, we didn’t “really” show up.

But when I look closer, that story doesn’t always hold.

Effort vs. Meaning

In knitting, this shows up clearly.

Some people finished three projects this year. Others finished twenty-five. On paper, the effort looks wildly different. But does that automatically mean the meaning is different?

Not necessarily.

A simple scarf worked slowly, intentionally, during a difficult season can carry more weight than a dozen finished objects made during a time of ease. The effort isn’t just in the quantity or complexity - it’s in how present we were while making.

Meaning doesn’t scale linearly with output.

The Invisible Effort We Don’t Talk About

When I think about holidays, some hosts pour themselves out: cooking, planning, remembering details, managing emotions, holding traditions together with sheer will. Others seem to thrive - not because they care less, but because their effort aligns better with their energy, resources, and season of life.

The difference isn’t commitment, but possibly where the effort is coming from.

Effort that comes from depletion feels heavy.

Effort that comes from alignment feels alive.

When Effort and Energy Don’t Match

This is the question I keep circling back to:

What happens when we keep applying effort that doesn’t match our energy?

Sometimes the outcome looks the same from the outside - the project gets finished, the meal gets served, the obligation gets met. But internally, the cost is different.

When effort consistently outpaces energy, resentment creeps in. Joy thins out. Even beautiful things begin to feel hollow.

That doesn’t mean effort is bad. Perhaps means effort needs context.

Is the Effort in Preparation - or Something Else?

We often assume effort lives in preparation: planning, organizing, anticipating what’s next.

But preparation alone doesn’t always make something feel good.

Sometimes the effort that matters most is quieter:

• Choosing presence over perfection

• Staying with something instead of rushing past it

• Allowing “enough” to actually be enough

In knitting, this might look like returning to the same simple pattern again and again - not because it’s impressive, but because it steadies you. The effort isn’t in learning something new; it’s in showing up consistently.

A Different Intention for the Year Ahead

As I look toward 2026, I don’t want to put more effort into everything.

I want to put more effort into the little things - not from pressure, but from choice. Not to produce more, but to feel more alive and aligned inside the life I’m already living.

Less reacting, less chasing the “big feeling”, and way more intention in the ordinary moments that already exist.

Knitting reminds me of this again and again: meaning isn’t made by forcing effort - it’s shaped by how we relate to what’s already in our hands.