I’m sharing a book review of a pattern collection made with sock weight yarns, along with an excerpted crochet pillow pattern and a giveaway with your chance to win my review copy, so read on for details.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Page Street Publishing Co. provided me with a free review copy of The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn: 15 Stunning Patterns Inspired by Indie Dyers and Small-Batch Skeins (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) by Kaitlin Ostafew. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
Book Review: The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn
The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn: 15 Stunning Patterns Inspired by Indie Dyers and Small-Batch Skeins (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) by Kaitlin Ostafew from Sass & Stitch is a collection of 15 crochet patterns made with sock weight yarn (also known as fingering/#1/super fine weight yarn). In the Introduction, Kaitlin shares her story about learning to crochet and getting the feeling that sock yarns, particularly hand dyed sock yarns, were for knitters and not crocheters.
The next section, Working With Hand Dyed Yarn, includes helpful information for folks that are new to working with indie yarns including understanding the differences between animal and cellulose (plant) fibers and tonal and variegated colorways. Kaitlin explains how to wind your yarn with a swift and ball winder, how to weigh your yarn with a kitchen scale to check the weight of mini skeins, how to troubleshoot your gauge, how to alternate skeins to smooth out small color variations in larger projects, and how to block your finished projects. Kaitlin also shares that she uses the Craft Yarn Council standards for difficulty levels, rating each pattern as Easy, Intermediate, or Complex. This section could benefit from some images or illustrations, both to break up the text and to provide visual examples for readers who are unfamiliar with the tools, techniques, and concepts Kaitlin is sharing.
Indie Dyer Features includes brief profiles of the eight indie yarn dyers who provided yarn to Kaitlin for projects in this book. Each profile includes a logo or photo of the primary dyer, their location, website or Etsy shop, and Instagram handle, along with a short bio.
The book then moves into the patterns, which are organized into chapters for One-Skein Patterns; Two Skeins or More; and Minis, Sock Sets and Scraps. Each section starts with a short description. Each pattern includes a description, construction details, skill levels, finished size, a materials list (including yarn, hook, and notions), detailed gauge information including how to make and measure your gauge swatch, a list of any special technique(s) used, an abbreviation list in US crochet terms, pattern notes, and then a written pattern using US pattern abbreviations. Each pattern includes at least one, full-page photo of the finished project. Many patterns include photo tutorials and the simpler patterns include more photos of the finished project. Most of the patterns, with the exception of the pillows, cowls, and shawls, are available in multiple sizes. Inside the book, you’ll find:
- Skill Level: 7 Easy, 7 Intermediate, 1 Complex
- Pattern Types:
- Bandana, Beanie, Earwarmer, Hair Bow: 1 each
- Blankets: 2
- Cardi and Tee: 1 each
- Cowls: 2
- Pillows: 1
- Shawls and Wraps: 3
The Special Techniques section includes written instructions with photos for the half double crochet in the back loop only and third loop only and join-as-you-go techniques for joining crochet squares, blanket strips, and hexagons. The Resources section includes links to a planning grid for arranging colors for the cardi pattern in the book, Kaitlin’s YouTube channel with videos for all the special techniques in the book, and tips for finding variations of the projects by pattern testers on Instagram. The book ends with Acknowledgements, About the Author, and an Index.
The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn: 15 Stunning Patterns Inspired by Indie Dyers and Small-Batch Skeins (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) is a beginner-friendly book for crocheters who know basic stitches and want to incorporate more super fine weight (also known as fingering/#1/sock weight) yarns and hand dyed yarns into their projects. While the Working With Hand Dyed Yarn section could benefit from more visuals, Kaitlin includes a link to her YouTube channel where readers can find additional support for techniques and methods used in the book. Most patterns use simple styles and shapes to let the beautiful yarns shine, but some add in more vibrant colorwork or more intricate stitch patterns. As noted above, the book includes multiple sizes in most patterns, including seven sizes for each garment. You can preview all 15 patterns from the book on its Ravelry page here to see if the styles are a fit for you and the folks you like to crochet for. If you enjoy crocheting with sock weight yarns (or would like to get started using lighter weight, indie, and/or hand dyed yarns), you may enjoy The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn: 15 Stunning Patterns Inspired by Indie Dyers and Small-Batch Skeins. Read on for an excerpt of the Woven Meadows crochet pillow pattern and your chance to win my review copy.
Woven Meadows
Crochet Pillow Pattern by by Kaitlin Ostafew from Sass & Stitch
Reprinted from The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn: 15 Stunning Patterns Inspired by Indie Dyers and Small-Batch Skeins (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) by Kaitlin Ostafew with permission from Page Street Publishing Co. © Kaitlin Ostafew, 2024. Photography by Rachael Houser.
Add a touch of mid-century modern to your home with the Woven Meadows Pillow! The mid-century modern style plays with lines, shapes and color in unique ways, which inspired me to find a creative way to play with lines and color in this design! This pattern is perfect for a sock set with one main skein and one or two mini skeins. Or, go stash diving and get creative with some yarn scraps!
Construction
- You will start with a straight row to form the bottom of the pillow cover. Then, you will work around the starting row to form a round, and will continue working rounds for the length of the pillow cover. Next, you will use your contrasting colors to create a woven effect between the stitches. Lastly, you will place your pillow insert inside and sew up the top.
Skill Level
- Easy
Sizing
Finished Pillow Cover Measurements:
- 11 inches (27.5 cm) wide x 11.5 inches (29 cm) tall
- Sample shown is covering a 12-inch (30-cm) square pillow insert.
Materials
Yarn
- Fingering weight, Fuzzy Peach Fibers (80% Merino Wool, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon), 400 yards (366 m) per 100-gram skein
- Any fingering weight sock yarn can be used for this pattern as long as you are able to match gauge.
Total Yardage/Meterage
- MAIN COLOR (MC): 340 yards/ 311 meters
- CONTRASTING COLORS (CC): 80 yards /74 meters total
Shown In
- MAIN COLOR (MC): Oakmoss
- CONTRASTING COLORS (CC): unnamed colorways
Hook
- 3.5 mm, or hook size needed to meet gauge
Notions
- 12-inch (30-cm) square pillow insert
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Gauge
- 22 sts x 12 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
- Ch 28.
- ROW 1: Starting in the third ch from the hook, dc in each st across. [26 sts]
- ROW 2: Ch 2 and turn. Dc in each st across. [26 sts]
- Repeat row 2 until you have a total of 14 rows.
- Measure in the middle of your swatch to determine gauge.
Abbreviations
- CC: contrasting color(s)
- CH: chain
- MC: main color
- DC: double crochet
- RND(S): round(s)
- ST(S): stitch(es)
- SLST: slip stitch
Woven Meadows Pillow
Pattern Notes
- The ch 2 at the beginning of each row counts as a stitch.
Notes from Underground Crafter
- This pattern uses standard US crochet pattern abbreviations. You can find a list of these abbreviations here, along with the differences in terms between US and UK abbreviations.
- The pillow is seamed with a slst join. You can find a video tutorial for that seam below.
- If you can’t see the seaming video above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
- You can buy an ad-free PDF version of this pattern HERE on Etsy.
Pattern
- Starting with MC, ch 61.
- FOUNDATION ROW: Starting in the third ch from the hook, dc in each st across. [60 sts]
- The next round will be set up by working across the foundation row, then rotating and working along the bottom of the foundation row. Doing this will create a loop around the foundation row.
- RND 1: Ch 2 and turn. Dc in each st across. Rotate your work 90 degrees and dc once into the side of the foundation row. Rotate your work 90 degrees (now working along the bottom of the foundation row) and dc in each st across. Rotate your work 90 degrees and dc once into the side of the foundation row. Slst to the starting ch 2. [122 sts]
- Your stitch count will remain the same after each row.
- RND 2: Ch 2 and turn. Dc in each st around, slst to the starting ch 2.
- Repeat rnd 2 for a total of 35 rnds, or until your work reaches 11.5 inches (29 cm) in height.
- Do not fasten off.
- Using CC and a tapestry needle, we will add a woven effect to the pillow cover. This is your opportunity to play with color and pattern. You may refer to my version, or you can get creative! I used a sock set (1 main skein, 2 mini skeins) for my pillow cover. A sock set with 1 main skein and only 1 mini skein should still provide enough yardage. Or, experiment with some yarn scraps!
- Starting with your preferred CC, cut two strands of yarn that are approximately 30 inches (75 cm) long. Attach the tapestry needle to the ends of both strands of yarn. Decide which round you would like to start with. Starting at the join of the round, weave the tapestry needle over and under each stitch around the pillow cover. Be sure to leave approximately 2 inches (5 cm) of yarn sticking out at the beginning.
- When you get all the way around, remove the tapestry needle. Insert your hands into the pillow cover and gently stretch the pillow cover back out. This step is important with each round of weaving to ensure that the pillow cover does not get cinched. Leave the ends loose for now— we will come back to secure them later.
- Follow these instructions for each round that you choose to add the weaving effect to. For rounds that are next to each other, you may choose to alternate between starting over the first stitch or starting under the first stitch. Once you are happy with the color pattern you have worked, you can secure the ends. Stick your hands inside the pillow cover again to ensure that all of the woven strands are evenly relaxed. If there is a tight strand left behind, it will be noticeable once your cover is on the pillow insert.
- With each set of yarn ends, tie off both yarn ends in a very tight knot. For extra security, tie 1–2 more knots with just 2 ends at a time instead of all 4 ends. Trim the ends down closer to the knot. You may leave approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) untrimmed if you wish.
- Flip your pillow cover inside out so that the yarn ends are on the inside. Place the cover over your pillow insert. If you notice any woven strands that seem too tight, you may need to rework them.
- With MC still attached, reinsert your hook and work a slst join (see Notes from Underground Crafter) across the top.
- To do so, insert your hook into the first stitch and insert your hook in the stitch directly across. Slst through both stitches. Continue to slst in each set of stitches across until you reach the end.
- Fasten off and weave in ends.
Giveaway
After reading my review of The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn: 15 Stunning Patterns Inspired by Indie Dyers and Small-Batch Skeins by Kaitlin Ostafew and trying out the Woven Meadows crochet pillow pattern, you’re probably ready to get your hands on this book! You can buy it now through independent booksellers or on Amazon, or enter the giveaway below by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, April 20, 2025 for your chance to win my review copy. While my copy of the book was provided by Page Street Publishing Co., the giveaway is organized by Underground Crafter. Enter using any of the options on the Rafflecopter widget below. One winner will be chosen from the entries at random to win my review copy of the book. Winner will be contacted approximately 1 week after the entries close. Winner will have 3 days to claim the prize. If winner does not respond within 3 days, prize will be awarded to an alternate. By entering this giveaway, you are agreeing to share your contact information with Rafflecopter and/or Underground Crafter. You can read the Rafflecopter Privacy Policy and the Underground Crafter Privacy Policy here to understand how this information is used. This giveaway is open worldwide, except where prohibited by law. Good luck!