Craft Gossip

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Super Fun Colorwork Socks to Knit

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When I knit socks (which sadly I have not done in a while; need to get a new pair on the needles soon!) I generally stick to pretty simple designs and colorwork that isn’t all that detailed. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love a fancy sock, I’m also just pretty lazy and I figure a project worked on size 0 or 1 US needles is going to take a long time even without the added work of intricate colorwork, so why make it more complicated?

But there are definitely socks out there I’d be willing to make an exception for, and I think Tangled Bliss by Annette Schleicher may just be one of them. 

If you can’t tell from looking, this is decidedly an advanced knitting pattern. There’s brioche for the cuffs, complex looking colorwork done with the ladderback jacquard technique, multiple charts, and colors changing everywhere. 

There are links to tutorials for all the special skills in the pattern, but still it would help to have a handle on these concepts before you get started. 

The pattern uses three colors of light fingering weight yarn at a whopping 31 stitches per 4 inches/10 cm (that’s 7.75 stitches per inch/2.5 cm). 

Would you believe me if I told you that this pattern was designed for a speed knitting contest? Speed would be the last thing on my mind. 

But again, I think all the work for these fancy socks would be worth it. I love hoe the colorwork looks like an old tile floor, and think of the bragging rights when you tell people you made them yourself. (Though of course you did; have you ever seen store-bought socks that look anything like this?)

Best of all, this pattern is available for free on Ravelry, so there’s no reason not to give it a try if you’ve got the skills. If you do, I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Annette Schleicher]

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The Art of Needlework: A Quilters Handbook Book

A Slow-Stitching Companion for Modern Makers

In a world filled with fast-paced patterns, machine quilting hacks, and social media stitching challenges, The Art of Needlework: The Quilter’s Handbook (Book 1) by K.L. Cox feels like a deep exhale. It’s quiet, thoughtful, and grounded in a kind of creative simplicity that many of us (myself included) have been craving lately.

This book is not just about quilting—it’s about connection. To your materials. To your hands. To your craft. And ultimately, to yourself.

What to Expect: A Return to the Art of Hand Quilting

Rather than overwhelming you with dozens of projects, this book walks you gently through the foundations of needlework and hand quilting, with an emphasis on why it matters.

The tone is reflective and comforting—almost like sitting beside a friend who’s been quilting for years, sharing her best tips, honest thoughts, and calm encouragement.

Cox’s writing feels like a soft conversation in a cozy stitching nook. No judgment. No pressure. Just space to learn, re-learn, or rediscover the art of hand quilting.

This isn’t your typical “do it all” how-to book. Instead, it starts simple and stays simple on purpose. Cox focuses on hand quilting techniques that are beginner-friendly, while still offering insight and depth for seasoned stitchers.

There are no intimidating lists of specialty tools or fabric requirements. You’re encouraged to use what you have—scraps, reclaimed materials, inherited supplies—and to make do in the most beautiful way.

What really struck me was how Cox captures the why behind the stitches. She speaks to the emotional and mental health benefits of slow crafting—something I know so many of us feel instinctively but rarely see put into words.

This book is less about creating a showpiece quilt and more about rediscovering the joy in quiet, repetitive, intentional handwork. And honestly, that feels like exactly what we all need right now.

Cox repeatedly reminds us that there is no such thing as perfect quilting. She encourages embracing mistakes, working with them, and even celebrating them as part of your creative story. It’s a refreshing shift from the perfection-obsessed comparison trap we often fall into online.

This isn’t a flashy “learn it all in a weekend” book. It’s a slow-read, slow-stitching companion that suits:

  • Beginners looking for an unintimidating intro to hand quilting

  • Modern quilters seeking a deeper connection to their craft

  • Creative minimalists who love using what they already have

  • Mindful makers stitching for calm, not just completion

  • Homesteaders and heritage crafters wanting to reconnect with traditional skills

I started this book expecting a few practical tips and maybe a pattern or two. What I got was something much more meaningful: a reminder of why I fell in love with hand stitching in the first place.

As someone who often juggles tight deadlines, fast content creation, and a million creative ideas at once, The Art of Needlework reminded me to pause. To feel the fabric. To enjoy each stitch. To let my needlework be imperfect, quiet, and healing.

It’s the kind of book you come back to again and again—not for techniques, but for tone. It belongs on the shelf next to a steaming mug of tea and your favorite worn pincushion.

The Art of Needlework: The Quilter’s Handbook (Book 1) isn’t just about quilting. It’s about how we live as makers.

It honors tradition while speaking to the modern, overwhelmed crafter. It values quality over speed. It lifts up the handmade. It whispers, “slow down—you’re doing just fine.”

If you’re ready to reconnect with your hands and your heart through simple stitches, this book is your gentle guide.