Tortoise and the Hare Socks on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tortoise-and-the-hare-socks

Tortoise and the Hare Socks on Etsy: https://designsbyellyndria.etsy.com/listing/4559810296

Everyone is a winner when they emulate the Tortoise! This is a two month challenge: short enough to you keep on track, but long enough that this doesn’t have to be your only project during this time, and to allow for life.

The prize of a free pattern? Basically, it’s incentive to make sure you completely finish the socks by weaving in all your ends. I know sometimes that can be daunting, and since there are definitely more ends on these socks than normal, and I want to recognize your achievement. Plus, why not?

The last two pictures on the list below require you to turn the socks inside out and take a picture of both fronts, and then both backs, to show that you’ve woven in the ends and trimmed them. Please know that there is no judgement on the neatness. There are a lot of ends and it does end up looking a little bonkers. That is fine.

Here are the required photos:

1. A WIP pic of one of the socks on the needles, partway through the colorwork (so must show more than just the cuff).

2. A picture of the completed pair showing the front of both socks, lying flat.

3. A picture of the inside front of both socks, lying flat. Ends must be woven in and trimmed.

4. A picture of the inside back of both socks, lying flat. Ends must be woven in and trimmed.

Submit your pics here:

Here is the Google form to submit your pics. You must be signed in to upload photos:

https://forms.gle/pQaEPBgebDPDwcEj9

Google form link in button form

Tonight is the last night to get 15% off Tortoise and the Hare Socks with code PERSISTENCE, good until 11:59pm PDT, August 24.

Subscribe now

I’m still not sure it was really okay, but that’s what I told myself. Regardless, I did need the break, and recognizing when you need a break is important.

This design has been in the works a long time. My original time slot for knitting the second sock got taken over by another project, so I ended up pushing it much later. And then the hit to the knitting mojo happened. But I think it is returning, and I’m excited.

But for now, I have a new pattern for you! I hope you like it. I think it is cute, if I do say so myself. I present: the Tortoise and the Hare Socks!

Get 15% off Tortoise and the Hare Socks with the code PERSISTENCE until 11:59pm PDT on Monday, August 24, 2026.

The code works on both Ravelry and Etsy.

Tortoise and the Hare Socks on Ravelry

Tortoise and the Hare Socks on Etsy

I have had this image of the Tortoise and the Hare in my mind since I was little, where the hare is jumping away down the dirt path that leads to a forest in the distance while the tortoise is just starting out, that matches the first sock of this pair. It makes me wonder if I saw a similar illustration in one of my books of fables that I had while I was growing up, but seeing as how those books are long gone, I suppose I will never know the answer for sure. When designing these socks, I embellished and expanded on that picture that has existed in my head all these years, adding the wooden signs and flowers, and completing the race on the second sock.

When choosing colors for these socks, I suggest thinking of each section as a coloring book and choosing from there. These are the ultimate scrappy socks. You can use more or fewer colors than I did. For example, you could choose to use a different flower color in each section, or to use entirely different colors for the tortoise, rather than having them share one color with the trees like I did. Or you could have a colorful sign that matches the flowers in that section, which would cut down on the duplicate stitch needed.

These socks use a combination of stranded colorwork and duplicate stitch. There is a significant amount of duplicate stitch, but depending on your color choices you may be able to eliminate some of it.

As always, I recommend taking it one section at a time, and when knitting these socks, remember it is better to be like the Tortoise, rather than the Hare.

Subscribe now

Since she is having a shop update tomorrow (June 26) with past summer collections, I’ve decided to put some of my designs on sale that were inspired by those collections!

Get 15% off any (or all) of the seven designs listed below with code MOONGLOW through June 30, 2026.

My designs on Ravelry

My designs on Etsy

1. Lemony Pink

   

   

2. Anthozoan Socks

   

3. Waves in Paradise

   

4. Text(ure) Me Blanket

   

5. Gems in the Window

   

6. Gems in the Window Socks

   

7. Melting Summer Treat

   

Don’t forget about Sock Challenge 2026!

There’s still plenty of time to participate! Get your entries in by August 9!

Here is my previous post about it:

https://ellyndriaknits.substack.com/p/sock-challenge-2026-is-here

Subscribe now

I was asked to be the guest designer in the Sock Knitters Anonymous group over on Ravelry, and to create a MOCK (mystery sock) for the month of July. So, I did!

It’s called the Aqueous MKAL, and it starts July 1. I suspect a few of you may have found it already, because there were quite a few downloads before it was even announced. (In fact, it briefly hit #3 of the Hot Right Now list this morning. I’ve never made the Top 5 before! It’s weird to think that a lot of people were looking at it!) You can download the info pages now.

If you want to participate, head on over to the Sock Knitters Anonymous group and check out the “Let’s Talk About July 2026!” thread to find out the rules. When it starts, there will be another thread that opens up that will talk about the MOCK for July/August. I don’t run this knit-a-long, but I will be active there to answer questions in July. I believe there’s prizes too!

Sock Knitters Anonymous group on Ravelry

I hope you enjoy it!

Subscribe now

If you’d like to go straight to the entry form (it is a Google form), it has all of the info about the challenge in the description if you’d just like to read it from there, but I will also copy it below. It does require a sign in, since to enter you must upload a photo of your finished socks, and to do that you must be signed in.

You must fill out the Google form for each pair of finished socks you are entering into the challenge.

Sock Challenge 2026 Entry Form

For those who wonder why I use a Google form for this, it is the easiest way to collect all the entries in one place, since those who participate come from various platforms.

However, if you’d like to join in some Sock Challenge chat, I do have a Discord server!

If you have been in my Discord server before, it is the same one as before. You can get Discord for your computer or for your phone. Personally, I like to access it from my computer, but either way works!

Join my Discord server!

After you join, on the lefthand side you’ll see the two text channels for this make-a-long: #sockchallengechat and #sock-challenge-fo. The second one is for sharing pics of your finished socks so others can see them, but you still need to fill out the form for each pair of socks you finish to enter.

We’d love for you to come chat about socks!

You can also find links to both the entry form and my Discord server in my profile on Instagram and Threads.

Here is all of the Sock Challenge 2026 info, which can also be found at the top of the entry form.

Sock Challenge 2026 is a make-a-long starting May 29, 2026 and ending August 9, 2026.

Please submit all entries by 10am PDT on August 10, 2025.

Make your own challenge and earn points along the way! Perfect for beginning and experienced sock knitters alike!

Learning how to knit socks? Want to try some new techniques? Have a bunch of WIPs that need to be finished? Need to get 10 pairs of gift socks done? Working on socks with techniques you are familiar with, but still find to be a struggle? Maybe you just want to work through some stash! These are just a few ideas for setting your own challenge.

*New for 2026 - we have a theme this year, and it is Ocean Escape!*

You do *not* have to participate in the theme. However, those who knit an ocean themed pattern or use ocean themed yarn will earn an extra point for their finished socks. There will be a short answer question where you can let me know how it fits the theme! (If you think it fits the theme, then it fits. Maybe you’re just using yarn that makes you think of the ocean but doesn’t have an ocean name. That’s okay!)

I have several patterns that fit the theme. They are:

Anthozoan Socks

Beaded Shark Socks

Coral Reeflections

Turtley Awesome

Windswell

You get a bonus point for knitting any of these five patterns that match the theme on top of the normal bonus point you get for knitting any of my patterns.

So here’s how it works:

Earn points for every pair of socks you make! Every time you complete a pair of socks, take a picture of the completed pair, and upload with this form, marking off any options that apply. Add up the points and put it in the appropriate field. Then keep track of your own personal point totals over the course of the make-a-long. You can set your own personal point goals, but I am offering a couple of incentives as well. See below under prizes. SOCKS MUST BE HAND KNIT (or crocheted).

What size socks can I make?

While adult sized socks are the focus of this make-a-long, you can also submit kid sized socks, albeit for lower points. (Because gifts shouldn’t be overlooked!) What counts as adult sized? If you are an adult, and the socks fit you or another adult in your life, then they are adult sized. If you are knitting for a pre-teen or teen who has hit adult shoe sizes, those also count as adult socks. Similarly, if you knit baby, toddler, or child sized socks, please refer to their shoe size to decide which category they are.

What weight of yarn can I use?

You can use fingering, DK, or worsted weight yarn for the adult sized socks, however they will be worth a different amount of points, since obviously DK and worsted weight socks knit up faster than fingering weight. For baby, toddler, or child socks, they should be fingering weight.

Is there a point bonus for using your patterns?

Yes! While you can make any socks for this MAL, you will get a point bonus for using one of my patterns. I am doing this because I hope you can perhaps learn something new or practice something you’ve been wanting to practice, which I hope will help you on your journey to being a fearless sock knitter! You can find my patterns here on Ravelry or here on Etsy.

What counts as a WIP for this MAL?

Any pair of socks that was started before May 29, 2026 counts as a WIP. Please avoid entering any pair that only has the kitchener/bind off left to do.

What is a newbie sock maker?

For the purpose of this MAL, I am defining a newbie sock maker as a person who has made 5 or fewer pairs of socks with either knit or crochet. If, for example, you have knit more than 5 pairs of socks and want to try crocheting a pair, then you will take the new technique bonus, not the newbie bonus. The newbie bonus is only for those making their 1st through 5th pairs of socks.

Can I double-dip with other KALs?

Absolutely! Double and triple dipping is encouraged!

Prizes:

Prize drawings will occur at some point after 10am PDT on August 10. Prize winners will be announced on my Instagram stories, as well as in my Discord server. There will be a combo of physical prizes (yarn, bags) as well as pattern prizes.

All entries are eligible for prizes, regardless of point totals. Point totals are for you, although you can compete with yourself next year to beat your own point totals if you like!

However, I am offering a couple of incentives. Even if you don’t win a prize in the drawing, you can earn your own prize:

Everyone who accumulates 25 points over the course of the make-a-long will win a 25% off coupon for one of my patterns, good through the end of this year.

Everyone who accumulates 50 points over the course of the make-a-long will win a 50% off coupon for one of my patterns, good through the end of this year.

Only one coupon per person.

My hopes:

While you can absolutely make your own challenge and knit or crochet whichever socks you like, I do hope you will try something new or challenging for you at least once. Whether it’s a new heel, a new technique, knitting cuff down if you normally knit toe up, or practicing a technique that feels challenging to you, I would love for everyone to become fearless sock knitters!

One more thing:

While making all-the-socks is great, it’s also important to avoid injury too. If you ever feel like you are hurting yourself by knitting (or crocheting), it’s important to take a break and rest your hands and arms. Thus I am including a one-time point bonus that you may take if you purposefully take 3 days or more off from knitting to avoid injury (does not need to be consecutive).

Tip: You may want to have a little notebook where you can keep track of your socks and how many points you earn for each pair, so you can easily add up your point totals. When you submit this form, you will receive a copy in the email you provide, so you will also have a record of your point totals that way.

Share:

Share your socks on Instagram with #SockChallenge2026MAL

For make-a-long chat, join my free Discord! Sock Challenge 2026 Discord This is not required, but it’s a fun way to share pics and chat with other participants!

Don’t forget that you can get 15% off my new pattern, Windswell, with code ROLLINGWAVES until 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, May 31, 2026, and that it counts for an extra bonus point for Sock Challenge 2026!

Windswell on Ravelry

Windswell on Etsy

I can’t wait to see all of the socks you knit this summer!

Subscribe now

It’s really been a bit of a blur, as of course insomnia decided to strike a few times, which just makes getting things done even harder. I certainly hope you have had more knitting time than I have!

And because I am still busy, that’s why I’ve already published this pattern and am sending out this newsletter tonight before I go to bed, as I would not be able to get it out at my normal morning pattern release time tomorrow. So, it’s like an advance notice, just for you!

Anyway, on to the socks!

The rolling waves in these socks are created with eyelets, texture, and simple colorwork. The texture represents the sea foam that forms in these waves and also serves as a defining edge for the colorwork. Because of this texture, less contrast is needed between the colors than usually needed for traditional colorwork, making this a perfect pattern to use with mini skein sets that have more of a gradient effect.

Of course, alternating a main color and a contrast color (or colors) is always another fun option for these socks!

Get 15% off with code ROLLINGWAVES until 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

Windswell on Ravelry

Windswell on Etsy

And yes, Windswell will count for the theme for Sock Challenge 2026!

Sock Challenge 2026 starts this Friday, May 29!

I was going to write more in this newsletter about the Sock Challenge, but it is getting late and I am running out of time, so I will have to do that tomorrow evening!

So tomorrow I will send out another newsletter that will have the link to the Google form that you will use to enter all of the socks that you finish during the challenge.

The form will also have all the details about Sock Challenge 2026. (But first, a hint: all socks count, including WIPs!)

I will also link my Discord that you can join to chat about the sock challenge, if you would like. It is not required, but it will be good to chat! If you have ever been in my Discord before, it is the same one. I also always have a link to my Discord that you can find in my profile on Instagram and Threads.

Once I make the entry form public, you will be able to find a link to it in my profile on Instagram and Threads as well.

I hope you all will join me for the challenge this summer!

Subscribe now

Sock Challenge is a 10 week (plus an extra weekend) challenge during the summer months. You can knit any socks and collect points, but since the point is to challenge yourself in some way (such as trying a new technique, using older stash, or working through a pattern you find challenging), you can also collect bonus points for these various challenges.

While the points are mainly for competing with yourself in previous (or future) years, it can be fun to see how many you can collect.

But since this year we have a theme, there will also be a bonus point for socks that fit the theme!

This year’s theme: Ocean Escape

Because what is more calming than listening to some ocean waves?

You do not have to knit to theme, but if you do use a pattern or yarn that is ocean themed, you can collect an extra bonus point!

My ocean themed patterns

For those interested, I do have a few ocean themed sock patterns, and I will also be putting out another one that will count before the KAL starts. I might even put out another one during the summer, but we’ll see. The ones that count are:

Anthozoan Socks

Beaded Shark Socks

Coral Reeflections

Turtley Awesome

Wanted: Prize Sponsors

I will be accepting prize sponsors over the next several weeks! Prize sponsors really make this make-a-long work! If you have a favorite maker who you’d like to be a prize sponsor, let them know about Sock Challenge 2026 and have them contact me! Prizes will need to be mailed by mid-August after the challenge ends.

Prizes do not have to, but can, fit the theme. What we are really looking for are sock-related prizes such as sock yarn, sock sets, stitch markers, sock patterns, project bags, etc.

Do you have an ocean themed sock pattern or yarn that you would like me to promote?

Contact me and let me know! I can promote on your schedule. Again, if you have a favorite maker who might like to participate in this, contact them and let them know.

Subscribe now

Here is the link to donate to my campaign: https://givebutter.com/knitforfood26/ellyndria-knits-1/jenniferbeaulieu

Or you can press this fancy purple button:

Donate to my Knit for Food campaign here

Remember, all donations of $15 or more are eligible for a free pattern from me as a thank you!

Just watch your email after donating. I’ll probably respond after today is over.

What am I knitting today? Follow along on my Instagram stories (@ellyndria.knits) today as I try to post a few updates. There might even be a sneak peek later today!

There’s not much light here yet. There’s light, but it’s still dim. I’ll be waiting a bit to post any knitting pics.

Small insomnia rant

I know when I started this Substack that I said that I would also post about insomnia occasionally. But it happens so frequently that mostly it would be like, “I’m so tired! I need a nap!”

But now I’ve woken up way too early for three days in a row and haven’t been able to fall back asleep. (Really early being 4:30-5:00am — I know some of you wake up that early on purpose, but I am not one of those people. I am not a morning person. I prefer to sleep until at least 7:00 most of the time.)

So, I’m a little concerned that the tiredness is going to hit in a couple of hours, and I don’t want to be tired today! This always seems to happen when I have too much to do. I have two other important things that I need to get done by the end of Monday. So, I guess it’s Knit for Food first, then I’ll concentrate on the rest of it. Wish me luck staying awake!

Now it’s time to knit!

Subscribe now

This repeating pattern is great for using small amounts of leftover yarn or mini skeins. The color palettes are endless!

This pattern contains two gusset chart options. The regular gusset charts are found in this main file, while the alternate gusset charts can be found in the accompanying file. Please read the notes for more info.

Get 15% off with code FLORALSPRING until 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

Code works on both Ravelry and Etsy.

Floral Impressions Socks on Ravelry

Floral Impressions Socks on Etsy

I hope you enjoy knitting the pattern!

Also, for those wondering about the yarn I used, the Moonlit Lilac Sock Set is currently still available for pre-order from Moonglow Yarn Co. The Moonlit Lilac Shawl Set is also a great option for those wishing to knit both this and my previous pattern, Lacy Details, and you’ll have plenty of yarn leftover to knit other things, as well.

Subscribe now

Knit for Food is April 11 and I’m trying to raise $500 this year. Sponsor me by donating through my link here and I’ll be knitting for 12 hours that day, with updates throughout the day on my Instagram stories.

To sweeten the deal, with a donation of $15 or more, I will give you a pattern of mine for free, your choice (excluding my upcoming April 2 pattern release). To claim your free pattern, just watch the email you donate with, and I’ll be contacting you.

Alternatively, if you’d like to join my team and help me fundraise, scroll down in the teams section on that page to find Ellyndria Knits.

Thanks in advance for donating!

Donate to my Knit for Food campaign here

Knit for Food takes all donations and splits them equally between Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, and Team No Kid Hungry.

Subscribe now

And by easy, I mean you might memorize the pattern before you finish the first sock.

I really enjoy a sock where you can use several different colors, but you only have to add and end each one once, in order to cut down on the number of ends that you have to weave in. It’s especially helpful when the main color can be carried throughout the whole sock like in this pair.

As always, this is a great pattern to use mini skeins or small amounts of leftovers. I’m all about getting the most use out of your yarn, even if you’ve already used it for something else!

Get 15% off Lacy Details with code GETLACY until 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Code works on both Ravelry and Etsy.

Lacy Details on Ravelry

Lacy Details on Etsy

What’s coming next?

For my stranded colorwork fans, I have another sock pattern for spring coming April 2, called Floral Impressions. I love having variety in knitting and being able to provide different options for your knitting pleasure! (And, in this case, it’s also fun to see how the same yarn looks in different patterns.)

Subscribe now

This pattern had a good (for me) launch and has continued to sell year-round. But it was the pattern that almost didn’t happen.

You see, prior to Shamrockin’ Socks, I created the Heartsplosion socks - in just 30 days. Three years ago, I started designing them on January 1, knit them, wrote the pattern, ran the test knit, and published it by January 31. It was a lot and it was exhausting. (Oh, and I also created two slightly long tutorials during that time while knitting them. There’s a good chance that you may have already seen them, as I link them in all of my colorwork sock patterns. Like I said, that month was a lot.)

I honestly don’t remember whose idea it was — I think I had already thought about it, but then my Heartsplosion testers said I should make similar socks with shamrocks. I originally said, I don’t think I have time. I was tired. And could I even make them and make them look decent?

But the thing is, once I get an idea in my head, that tends to be it. Could I get it published ahead of March 17? It became a challenge, and even though I didn’t want to knit another pair of colorwork socks right away because I was tired from Heartsplosion, I did. (Also, it might be a surprise to you, but I don’t particularly like knitting stranded colorwork, although I have grown to appreciate it more in recent years. It has a great brain-calming effect.)

But I didn’t knit just a pair. Oh no, I knit 3 Shamrockin’ socks. Why? I didn’t have enough of the right greens to make a full pair, so I did one sock (below) and wrote the pattern while I waited for the yarn to come in the mail for the pair pictured above.

I succeeded in my challenge: Shamrockin’ Socks was published on March 9 that year. I would have preferred it to go up a little sooner than that, but I wasn’t complaining. I did it! And many of you loved it. Although, if you haven’t picked it up yet, here’s a little sale.

Get 17% off Shamrockin’ Socks with code GREEN on March 17 and 18, 2026 (PDT).

Code works on both Ravelry and Etsy.

Shamrockin' Socks on Ravelry

Shamrockin' Socks on Etsy

Subscribe now

The circumference of the cowl is highly adaptable – just knit more or fewer sections to create your perfect length. The width is also adjustable. And the pattern is easily memorizable, which makes this a relaxing project to work on while watching your favorite shows.

Get 15% off with code KNITTINGBRICKS through 11:59pm PST on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Brickknitter Cowl on Ravelry

Brickknitter Cowl on Etsy

I hope you enjoy knitting this as much as I did!

Subscribe now

My donation goals have been modest. I think last year my goal was raising $250, so this year I thought maybe I can try to double it and go for $500. (Although I’d love to raise even more than that! If you want to join my team — Ellyndria Knits — and help fundraise, you can do that too! And the goal can always be adjusted higher!)

Knit for Food is April 11 this year, and it is a knit-a-thon to raise money for four organizations: Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, Team No Kid Hungry, and Meals on Wheels.

I don’t have to tell you how expensive food has gotten, or that there isn’t enough funding for some of these organizations, because you already know that.

If you would like to donate or join my team, my page can be found here:

My Knit for Food page

To join my team, scroll down to where it says Team Members and click the Fundraise button.

Valentine’s Sale!

Get 14% off Heartsplosion, Heartlove, and Romantasy Socks until 11:59pm PST on Sunday, February 15, 2024! Use code: VDAY

Code works on Ravelry.

I set it up on Etsy as a regular sale on those patterns, no code needed. (It wanted 5 characters, not 4, for the coupon code, and I didn’t feel like changing everything I had already done on Ravelry and elsewhere!)

My patterns on Ravelry

My patterns on Etsy

Up Next: Brickknitter Cowl!

This one has more work done than in this picture, but it has been wonderful to knit while watching some shows! It’s not exactly mindless knitting, but the pattern is easy to memorize so it becomes quite easy to knit while doing other things. This pattern is coming February 26!

Subscribe now

While I sometimes have an idea of what patterns of mine will be more popular compared to others, sometimes I still surprised at what does well vs. what doesn’t do as well. Some of my confusion comes from what I see people knitting vs. what people actually buy (and thus like) from me.

Often times, what I make depends on the yarn I have to work with. I would rather fit the pattern to the yarn rather than try to fit the yarn to a pattern, so in these situations, I will continue to do what the yarn tells me to.

However, at other times I would like to make sure I make patterns that you are looking for, because I want to make patterns that you will love to knit. So, while I already have a few patterns lined up for spring, and a few possible ideas for summer and fall, there is still some room in my schedule this year.

So, what do you want to see? I obviously can’t promise I’ll make it all, but if an idea lines up with something I think I can do, I just might. I’m always interested in hearing your thoughts. This is also a question I’ll probably keep asking every once in a while, because I know things change.

Designing sweaters is not in my current future, so answers should be kept to accessories. Or blankets.

Stranded colorwork? Slipped stitches? Lace? Smocked stitches? Cables? Brioche? One color? Two colors? Many colors? Certain motifs? Something simple? Something I haven’t mentioned? Certain weights of yarn? Let’s hear it all!

Buy more, save more, ends tonight, 11:59pm PST, Feb. 2!

My patterns on Ravelry

My patterns on Etsy

Buy 2 patterns, get 10% off with code BUY2GET10

Buy 3 patterns, get 15% off with code BUY3GET15

Buy 5 patterns, get 20% off with code BUY5GET20

Buy 8 patterns, get 25% off with code BUY8GET25

Subscribe now

Knitting socks is fun.
The needles don’t weigh as much and so are easier on
my hands.
They are easy to transport.  I keep a sock WIP in my 
purse at all times.
I wear slippers or shoes with my socks.  They don’t get 
visibly dirty.
I don't get holes in my socks.
They don't have to be washed after every wear.
When they do get washed, they can go in the washer 
and dryer.
A pair can be made in a week or two even knitting 
casually.
Knitting socks is fun.
Sock yarn doesn't count as stash.

So what do you think? Should I name it? (Just kidding. Maybe.) I just thought the comment was funny and when I read it over again, I thought maybe they’re right!

Don’t forget - the sale ends Monday (Feb. 2)!

For various reasons, I don’t put all of my patterns on sale at the same time very often. I think it might be twice a year at most. So, I might do it once more this year, but it probably won’t be for months. I feel like I’m still experimenting with the whole sale thing, but maybe that’s an article for another time!

Buy 2 patterns, get 10% off with BUY2GET10

Buy 3 patterns, get 15% off with BUY3GET15

Buy 5 patterns, get 20% off with BUY5GET20

Buy 8 patterns, get 25% off with BUY8GET25

Subscribe now

Knitting is definitely doing a lot in the self-regulation department lately. It wards off the anxiety attacks and helps keep the blood pressure in check, at least in my experience.

So, now is not the time to stress over your knitting or your WIP number. Want to start a new project? Do it. Let me help you out with a pattern sale!

Buy more, save more, through February 2, 2026

These coupon codes work for all of my patterns except my latest “Tied Up in Cables.”

Buy 2 patterns, save 10% with code BUY2GET10

Buy 3 patterns, save 15% with code BUY3GET15

Buy 5 patterns, save 20% with code BUY5GET20

Buy 8 patterns, save 25% with code BUY8GET25

My patterns on Ravelry

My patterns on Etsy

Finding calm while watching bald eagles

If you don’t know, Jackie and Shadow are the resident bald eagle pair in Big Bear Valley, which is not too far from here. I believe I wrote about them last year. Well, Jackie has just laid her second egg of the season! You can find the nest cam if you search “fobbv live eagle cam 1” on YouTube. There are also plenty of clips of the most exciting events of the day done by several accounts. If you’ve never heard a bald eagle lay an egg, well, Jackie squeaks and sounds a little bit like a tea kettle.

I just find it so incredibly calming to watch the eagles go about their eagle lives, blissfully unaware of the terrible things humans are doing in the world. Hopefully we get to see some more eaglets this year!

Subscribe now

Yesterday I saw a post that read, “Hey so this is my first societal collapse and I’m not sure what to do with my hands.”

Well, we all know at least one part of the answer to that: knitting.

But that made me think about all the posts lately where I’ve seen people saying they want to take up knitting. Now, I don’t know if it’s typical “new year, new me” behavior, or if it’s being fueled by the absolute atrocities that we have had to witness lately and the feeling of helplessness that can bring. Perhaps it’s both.

Of course, creativity can be healing. And I know that knitting has been doing a lot to soothe my cortisol levels.

I certainly hope that you are all safe and that knitting has been helpful for you too.

And so, I bring you my first pattern release of the year:

Tied Up in Cables

I had a vision in my head of how I wanted these socks to be, but I wasn’t sure how to achieve it. I knew it would be a combination of cables and smocks. I just didn’t know how much there would be of either one. As it turns out, it is mostly cables, with just a hint of smocked stitches.

With each iteration, I learned something new that I wanted from the pattern. And, as usual, just when I think that I am getting close to how I want the pattern to look, I decide to put just a slight twist (literally this time, with the twist in the center of the design) on it.

In the end, the design did not exactly end up achieving the picture in my head, but instead it surpassed it. Designing can often be fluid in that way. You set out to create something one way, but along the way you find improvements, so it turns out even better than your original idea.

Get 15% off with code SMOCKEDCABLES until 11:59pm PST on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

Tied Up in Cables on Ravelry

Tied Up in Cables on Etsy

Here’s another set of patterns where you repeat the same pattern throughout the length of the sock, but the contrast colors get changed which keeps you motivated to get to the next color!

(And yes, I used the same sock set for two of them, along with a similar striping pattern, and yet the different stitches used keeps things interesting!)

Get 18% off Lemony Pink, Lacing Stripes Socks, Brickknitter Socks, and Mount Floral with code SCRAPPY7 for 48 hours starting 9am PST on January 1 on Ravelry.

The code works through end of day January 2 on Etsy.

My patterns on Ravelry

My patterns on Etsy

SCRAPPY6 has been EXTENDED through 9am PST January 3 on Ravelry for Veer Off Course, Coral Reeflections, The Ribby Stripey, and Ends with Benefits.

Ravelry had 2025 selected for the end date, so I clicked on the wrong end date before. Ugh.

The code works through the end of tonight on Etsy.

Subscribe now

Get 20% off Veer Off Course, Coral Reeflections, The Ribby Stripey, and Ends with Benefits with code SCRAPPY6 for 48 hours starting 9am PST on December 31.

The code works on Etsy through the end of day January 1.

My patterns on Ravelry

My patterns on Etsy

Don’t forget you can still get 17% off Flawless Flowerbeds, Sockadelic Blooms, Welcome to My Garden, and Jungle Flowers with code SCRAPPY5 for the next 24 hours on Ravelry.

Code works through the end of today on Etsy.

Subscribe now