My first curated collection of patterns, Settlers Grove Designs Collection #1: Critter Knits includes 10 animal themed accessories to knit.

This hat was inspired by the happiness symbol, or St. John’s Cross, which Elsebeth Lavold discusses in relation to Viking artifacts in her book, Viking Patterns for Knitting: Inspiration and Projects for Today’s Knitter. The happiness symbol adorns the hat on a background of garter stitch. Braided cables flank the happiness symbol(s) and contin...

The Princess Bride is one of my favorite old movies. I love the scene in which Princess Buttercup says “You mocked me once. Never do it again!“ as she remembers Wesley, the Farm Boy she loved whom she believes to be dead. I won’t spoil the rest of the scene for you- you need to watch it! These socks incorporate mock cables and lots of ribbing f...

These socks were inspired by the 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth directed by Jim Henson.

Inspired by old fashioned Sweet Stripes soft peppermint sticks, this pillow is just as sweet & even softer! The pillow is knit in the round with an easy to memorize stranded design.

Inspired by the happiness symbol, or St. John’s Cross, which Elsebeth Lavold discusses in relation to Viking artifacts in her book, Viking Patterns for Knitting: Inspiration and Projects for Today’s Knitter. Happiness Mittens feature an optional lining for extra warmth and softness. Prefer happy feet over happy hands? Check out my coordinating ...

These socks were inspired by Dutch style fishtail braids (test knit in all 3 sizes). Three different styles of braided cables are incorporated for variety and interest, with a stockinette toe for comfort. Vissenstaart Socks are knit cuff-down and feature a cabled heel flap with slipped stitches for reinforcement and a gusset.

These socks were inspired by the Celtic happiness sign which adorns the leg on a background of garter stitch. Braided cables flank the happiness symbols and continue to the toe. Happiness Socks are knit from the cuff down and feature a reinforced slip stitch heel flap and gusset.

This pattern includes directions for the Broadleaf Brioche Wrap as well as the Broadleaf Brioche Scarf.

This pattern includes directions for the Broadleaf Brioche Wrap as well as the Broadleaf Brioche Scarf.

These socks were inspired by the main character in the novel The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston. Xanthe feels intense connections to antiques, sensing bits of the past in the vintage items. She is drawn to a beautiful silver chatelaine and is transported back to the 17th century upon examining it. While there, she attempts to re...

Designed as a starter brioche project, Brioche Basics Headbands are quick knits to get you comfortable with 2-color brioche stitches with the almost instant gratification of a finished object! Both sides of the fabric look equally good, so each one knit makes 2 headbands; a great way to use small amounts of precious handspun yarn, or your favor...

In Illinois, leaves of the poison ivy plant, Toxicodendron radicans, turn a gorgeous red in the fall. In fact, according to Michelle Wiesbrook with the University of Illinois Extension, this plant has been imported into a few countries for this reason. I am in constant battle with this beautiful plant, as the urushiol in its sap can cause aller...

My husband encouraged me to create this colorwork sock pattern inspired by Boba Fett and the Mandalorian. Knit them for your favorite Star Wars superfan!

Designed to coordinate with my Alloy Socks pattern which was first published in the Winter 2022 issue of Spin Off magazine alongside my article Nature’s Nylon: Natural Alternatives for Stronger Socks. This is a great pattern to use up small amounts of leftover yarns.

Check out my other free patterns here!

My daughter inspired me to create this slipped stitch sock that resembles a strand of DNA…

My daughter inspired me to create this slipped stitch & cable pattern that resembles a strand of DNA…it coordinates with my Heredity Socks. Knit one of these slouchy hats for your favorite science nerd!

The inspiration for these socks came to me when our French Angora rabbit “Pancake“ had her first litter of kits. I tried desperately to take a good photo of them but they were so wriggly there were only furry blurs! The sample is the 75-st size; snuggly fitting a 9” circ foot.

These unisex cuff-down socks are a beginner knit; simple textured stitch groupings of knits and purls draw your eyes downwards on the sock which ends with a point on top of the foot. The slipped stitch heel flap begins with the completion of a point as well for pattern flow and a little extra cushion.

Quonk refers to a background noise that disturbs a television or radio program…I felt this pretty yarn disturbed the first few patterns I tried with it, then I decided on this rather easy cable repeat to complement the yarn while being more interesting to knit than a plain stockinette or ribbed sock. As a bonus, the cables provide for an accomm...

Quonk refers to a background noise that disturbs a television or radio program…I felt this pretty yarn disturbed the first few patterns I tried with it, then I decided on this rather easy cable repeat to complement the yarn while being more interesting to knit than a plain stockinette or ribbed hat. The Tubular Cast-on provides a stretchy, comf...

These socks were designed for a “Pokémon connoisseur,“ and were named for an ice type with the help of my son. This pattern is for a cuff-down sock with stranded leg and foot bands. The band at the toe provides a little extra cushiness and warmth to the ball of the foot. The ribbed remainder of the sock provides some stretchiness to help ensure...

This pattern for stranded socks with gussets and a heel flap was inspired by twill scarves I was weaving on my table loom. The socks coordinate with my Twillish Beanie & Twillish Fingerless Gloves patterns. Test knitters rated this pattern intermediate.

This pattern for a stranded beanie was inspired by twill scarves I was weaving on my table loom. The pattern was designed with handspun yarn to accompany my Twillish Fingerless Gloves. The pattern includes two versions, one with Light MC/Dark CC charts and the other with Dark MC/Light CC charts.

This pattern for stranded fingerless gloves with thumb gussets was inspired by twill scarves I was weaving on my table loom and was designed with handspun yarn. The partial fingers provide a great fit and a little extra protection from the cold, while keeping fingertips accessible. Designed to match my Twillish Beanie, charts are provided for b...

These top-down mittens feature cute foxes with fair isle bands in an Aran weight yarn. Designed to use up small yardages of handspun yarn, these mittens are cosy & thick and quick to knit!

This pattern is for a cuff-down ribbed sock with a leaf vine panel along one side of the front that incorporates twisted knit stitches & cabling. The ribbed remainder of the sock provides some stretchiness to help ensure a great fit- perfect for gift knitting! See my article “Nature’s Nylon: Natural Alternatives for Stronger Socks“ in the W...

Create handspun socks that are durable and resistant to abrasion yet soft and elastic. This pattern accompanies the article “Nature’s Nylon: Natural Alternatives for Stronger Socks” published in the Winter 2022 issue of Spin Off Magazine.

There’s nothing like a nice hot water bottle to soothe an achy body. Even better if it has a soft, cute cover! This cover was designed with a supersoft merino-alpaca blend yarn to fit a standard 2 liter classic rubber hot water bottle with bottom shaping; directions are also provided for a flat bottom bottle

This hat was designed to please everybody! The Farrow-Rib Hat pattern is suitable for advanced beginners, just slightly more complicated than a vanilla hat pattern. The farrow-rib pulls in quite a bit for a thick, squishy fabric; it fits best with negative ease. Choose between the hat with a 2x1 ribbed brim and the hat with the farrow-rib start...

This stranded colorwork hat pattern has 6 sizes: baby through adult large. The striking geometric pattern suits everybody; use less contrasting yarns for a more subtle look. The pattern has written directions as well as two sets of charts- one for a dark MC and another set of charts for a light MC. Fully test knit by 5 other knitters in all siz...

I love the bright pop of purple in the spring that comes with the blooming of the Eastern Redbud trees in the midwestern US. These trees also have lovely heart-shaped leaves which were the inspiration for these socks. The heel flap incorporates slipped stitches for strength while carrying the ribbed look down to the base of the heel. The remain...

These Undulating Cable Socks feature a central cable flanked by undulating lines that intersect with the cable periodically. The heel flap incorporates slipped stitches for strength, and the sole is worked in purl stitch to showcase the cables. A ribbed gusset provides for a great fit, hugging the foot. The cables decrease to a point at the toe...

The Mighty Cable Socks feature a central heart shaped repeating cable flanked by additional cables (and ribbing on larger sizes). The heel flap incorporates slipped stitches for strength while carrying the ribbed look down to the base of the heel. An optional ribbed gusset provides for a sock that will accommodate different sized-feet, hugging ...

I love the bright pop of purple in the spring that comes with the blooming of the Eastern Redbud trees in the midwestern US. These trees also have lovely heart-shaped leaves which were the inspiration for this afghan. It is framed with a simple garter stitch border in a contrasting color. Knit here in a soft, squishy nylon & acrylic blend y...

Designed during the Spin-Off 2021 Cowl-along, which invited spinners to send someone special a warm hug via a handspun, handmade cowl, this cowl showcases the fancy herringbone stitch. It is a luxuriously squishy cowl- knit with a handspun alpaca/camel/silk blend yarn and features a contrasting double-knit cable and garter stitch edging. Modele...

These mittens feature alpaca amidst a variety of fair isle bands of differing widths to add visual interest. Designed as a thank-you gift for a friend who gifted me some alpaca fleece from her herd, the mittens were made with handspun yarn. Due to the large stitch count of the animal band repeats, only two sizes are offered. For smaller mittens...

These woodland legwarmers feature some cute critters amidst a variety of fair isle bands of differing widths to add visual interest. Designed to use up leftover bits of sock yarns, the pair of shaped legwarmers used less than 25g/110yds of each color. Due to the large stitch count of the animal band repeats, only one size is offered. For smalle...

These socks were designed to please everybody! This sock pattern is suitable for advanced beginners, just slightly more complicated that a vanilla sock pattern. The farrow rib pulls in quite a bit for a thick, squishy fabric just as in my Alpaca Farrow-Rib Mittens.

Autumn Fog socks were inspired by the yellow leaves of my walnut trees in autumn amidst the foggy skies. The colorwork bands provide some interest while knitting, but are narrow enough to allow the socks to easily slip over one’s heel. The band at the toe provides a little extra cushiness and warmth to the ball of the foot. The remainder of the...

The cables on these socks were inspired by the Columbia River, the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The Columbia River has many sharp bends and turns to it as it flows through the region known as Big Bend Country, and out to the Pacific Ocean. The river flows through several mountain ranges, including the Canadian...

This removable pillow cover was designed to coordinate with my Forest for a Tree Skirt pattern and features a matching tree on the center panel. The center panel is knit flat, then stitches are picked up to work in the round and the pillow is finished with a 3-needle bind off. A zipper is sewn in on the back for easy cleaning of the cover.

The swirling connected cables on these socks bring to mind decorative flourishes used in Calligraphy, a beautiful & artful style of handwriting. This pattern results in stretchy, fitted socks with negative ease. However, consider that the cables reduce stretchiness when choosing your size.

Originally published in the Winter 2021 issue of Spin Off Magazine

The Bunchberry Afghan is named for the 4-petaled flowers on the Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry dogwood) plant. The geometric tiled pattern works equally well with high contrast yarns for a striking look, or with softer, less contrasting colors for a more subtle design. It is framed with a simple garter stitch border. Knit here in a soft, squishy...

The Bunchberry Shawl is named for the 4-petaled flowers on the Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry dogwood) plant. The geometric tiled pattern works equally well with high contrast colors for a striking look, or with softer, less contrasting colors for a more subtle design. It is framed with a simple garter stitch border and a slipped stitch edge. Kn...

The Celtic knot, in all of its many variations, is a series of knots that are overlapped or interwoven, with no definitive beginning or end. The Celtic knot of motherhood is featured on this mosaic pillow. The knot depicts a parent and child embrace, the two hearts intertwined. The reverse side can be customized with a heart for each child.

The Celtic knot, in all of its many variations, is a series of knots that are overlapped or interwoven, with no definitive beginning or end. The Celtic knot of motherhood is featured on the leg of these mosaic socks. The knot depicts a parent and child embrace, the two hearts intertwined. This pattern incorporates mosaic knitting, a colorwork m...

Handspinners can and should make room for rare breed wools like Hog Island and Navajo Churro. The Livestock Conservancy lists Hog Island as a Critical breed and Navajo Churro as a Threatened breed in the U.S. I found Hog Island to be a soft but sturdy yarn. Navajo Churro is very durable, but not next-to-the-skin soft for me (Spinning notes are ...

The quick-to-knit cumulonimbus beanie is so named because the fluffy sproingy tonal grey yarn my sister handspun reminded me of stormy clouds. The lace in the pattern provides a little ventilation. The cables were inspired by cumulonimbus clouds which seem to grow vertically in columns.

Check out my other FREE patterns here!

Check out my other FREE patterns here!

The Madame Galen Wrap is a simply shaped wrap with lots of texture to keep it interesting. A variety of slipped stitch patterns are used that evoke thoughts of a garden, along with Latvian braids and an applied

Marigolds are a very popular flower in the midwestern United States, as are sunflowers (the Kansas state flower). Like my Helianthus Mitts pattern, the Helianthus Socks pattern pairs handspun marigold dyed fiber with a stranded colorwork design featuring a sunflower. In addition, the project uses handspun black walnut (the Missouri State Nut) d...

This unisex scarf has cables that appear on both sides for a scarf that looks great no matter how it is laying. The slipped stitches provide a neat finish to the edges.

Handpainted speckled yarn can be quite irresistible, but can sometimes be difficult to match to a pattern. Don’t let those beautiful handpainted speckled yarns languish in your knitting basket for years! Try them out with the Speckled Cable Socks pattern. This rather basic ribbed sock with a heel flap and wide toe has small random-appearing cab...

Handpainted & variegated yarns can be quite irresistible! However, they can be difficult to match to a pattern. Patterns that are too complex can be obscured by the color changes; patterns that are too plain are just not as fun to knit. Don’t let those beautiful handpainted & variegated yarns languish in your knitting basket for years! ...

A quick-to-knit whimsical snowman cap to brighten the cloudy winter days. This stocking cap is very stretchy to accommodate a wide range of head sizes. The brim is worn folded up. The pompoms are secured in such a way that the snowman’s mood can be changed if desired.

This ample sized tree skirt provides plenty of space for gifts at Christmas time! With cable knit evergreens bordered by garter stitch bands and textured snow panels, the skirt is an intermediate project that provides a little variation to keep your interest while knitting. A garter stitch edge of picked up stitches and I-cords tied into bows f...

Dandelion flowers open up to greet the morning sun with their vibrant color and close to go to sleep in the evening. Sections of dandelion stitch are flanked by a few rows of garter stitch in this blanket to represent the grasses in which these flowers are so often found. Knit in an easy to care for acrylic yarn with vibrant colors, it’s a dand...

The Topaz Wristlet is an ornamental cable knit bracelet embedded with 6mm yellow topaz rondelle beads. It is a quick knit- perfect for gifts! It is begun with a provisional cast on, knit flat, then kitchenered together once the knitting is complete for a seamless finish. The tonal alpaca yarn adds depth and softness to the piece, and makes it a...

Originally published in Knotions September 2019, the Liana Pullover is an elbow-length sleeve pullover sweater featuring a front pocket out of which a vining cable creeps up towards the neckline. It is a classic raglan-style sweater with a faux button placket at one shoulder. Have fun with your button choices to express wearer individuality! Fo...

The Mini Liana Pullover is an infant’s pullover sweater that features a front pocket for little ones to hoard treasures or pacifiers, out of which a vining cable creeps up towards the neckline. It is a classic raglan style sweater, with a button placket at one shoulder for ease in slipping onto wriggly babies. Have fun with your button choices ...

The Liana Socks feature an offset vining cable that creeps towards the toe along the outer edge of the foot, along with a little extra cuff cabling and a complementary vining cable on the inner back of the leg. A simple stockinette stitch background and modified star toe shaping allows the cable to reach all the way to the toe and really shine....

Rocky Mountain Socks feature a range of mountains amidst some small bands of colorwork motifs. They coordinate with Rocky Mountain Fingerless Gloves.

The lavendula mittens were inspired by experimentation with black beans as a natural dye source with Clun Forest fiber (a threatened breed in the US). The dyeing resulted in several shades of bluish-grey and green, which resembled the colors of my lavender plant. The sample shown is size L.

Check out my other FREE patterns here!

This bold mosaic motif uses only one color per row; some stitches are slipped to create upward movement of the alternate colored lines without stranding. The overlapping squares in the pattern remind me of how we are all interconnected, though sometimes that connection is through another. These mittens coordinate with Interconnected Cowl and In...

The Interconnected Socks were designed with mosaic slipped stitch patterning. They remind me of how we are all connected, although sometimes that connection is through another. Coordinates with Interconnected Cowl and Interconnected Mittens.

The Interconnected Cowl is a soft, cozy, slipped stitch cowl knit in worsted weight cotton yarn, comfy for those with sensitive skin and in transitional weather. The bold motif uses only one color per row; some stitches are slipped to create upward movement of the alternate colored lines without stranding. This cowl reminds me of how we are all...

The Silver Plaited Infinity Scarf employs reversible cables for a thick, squishy, comfy scarf that is beautiful no matter how it lies. It is 5.75” wide by 53” long and knit in a pima cotton/acrylic blend with some shine to it. Being knit with cotton, it is perfectly soft for those with more sensitive skin, or for days that aren’t so cold, when ...

The Onwards Shawl is a generously sized lightweight shawl to wrap up in on cool days. The cable, zigzag, and lace stitch patterns complement each other and provide an effect of movement in the piece.

The Rocky Mountain Fingerless Gloves feature a range of mountains amidst some small bands of colorwork motifs. They are warm gloves knit with sport weight wool yarn without the fingertips for working out in the cold on things that require dexterity.

A transflection is the composition of a reflection in a line and a translation along that line. Zigzags can be generated from a line segment by repeated application of a transflection. The pattern for this blanket is such that it makes a reversible fabric, perfect for a blanket or throw.

The cumulonimbus mittens are so named because the fluffy sproingy tonal grey yarn my sister dyed and handspun reminded me of stormy clouds. The lace in the pattern provides a little ventilation. The cables were inspired by cumulonimbus clouds which seem to grow vertically in columns. For matching socks, check out Cumulonimbus Socks

The cumulonimbus socks are so named because the fluffy sproingy tonal grey yarn my sister dyed and handspun reminded me of stormy clouds. The lace in the pattern provides a little ventilation for the light sportweight yarn. The cables were inspired by cumulonimbus clouds which seems to grow vertically in columns. The socks have a slip stitch he...

The Luminous Beanie incorporates star stitch and works exceptionally well with variegated and self-striping yarns. It was designed to show off bulky, striping handpsun yarn. Or use two contrasting yarns to make the stars really pop! The luminous beanie is a super quick knit, great for gift giving!

This scarf was designed as a reversible, unisex scarf design for gifts to Operation Gratitude which sends care packages to our troops. 2022 update: They have since requested no cabled scarves as they tend to be bulkier and can be hard to fit into their boxes.

This Christmassy hat features handspun white angora yarn which gives it a classic fur trimmed look, and using cotton yarn for the body of the hat prevents it from being too warm to wear indoors at parties or around your office.

This pattern, like my Cabled Sea Turtle Socks and Cabled Sea Turtle Mitts uses cabling techniques to create a sea turtle on the hat. The remainder of the hat is worked in cabled ribbing that resembles seaweed and makes the hat super stretchy. The child size is 17”/43 cm in circumference but can easily stretch to 20”/51 cm, and is 7”/18 cm tall....

The Angora Peaks Scarf pattern was designed to highlight handspun angora yarn. 100% angora yarn has an incredibly full, soft halo that retains warmth despite being knit at a loose gauge. The angora is paired with a smooth wool blend yarn to prevent totally obscuring the mountain peak-like colorwork pattern. The scarf pattern can easily be widen...

The Grecian Key motif is featured on these unisex socks which were designed to match my Grecian Keys Fingerless Gloves.

Marigolds are a very popular flower in the midwestern United States, as are sunflowers (the Kansas state flower). The Helianthus Mitts pattern pairs handspun marigold dyed fiber with a stranded colorwork design featuring a sunflower. In addition, the project uses handspun black walnut (the Missouri State Nut) dyed fiber, another local source of...

These socks will “leave” your feet toasty and warm on chilly spring mornings and evenings! They were designed to use up leftover bits of similar colored yarns as the contrast colors. A note in the pattern will indicate where the CC was changed for the sample pair.

A group of cats is referred to as a glaring, or clowder. Though I have had many affectionate cats over the years, there were definitely times when I spotted them glaring at me! These socks were made to remind me of my little runt, Peanut, and coordinate with my Reversible Kitty Cowl.

This double knit reversible cowl was inspired by our kittens, Tacocat and Beans, who love to snuggle up against our faces, and coordinates with Glaring Socks.

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The Grecian Key motif is featured on these unisex fingerless gloves that match my Grecian Key Socks. The directions are for an adult L sized glove, but with tighter gauge and thinner yarn, a smaller size could be made. The gloves use a roomy thumb gusset for shaping, and my method of reducing bulkiness around the fingers for comfort.

I designed this hat for my son who loves lizards, inspired by the Southern alligator lizard of the Family Anguidae, which has interesting markings on its back.

Backyard chickens are fun to have around, and the fancy Golden Laced Polish variety are no exception, with their fancy bouffant crest of head feathers. Their head feathers obscure their vision, resulting in funky movement and behavior at times. They were the inspiration for these mitts and my matching Funky Polish Chicken Socks.

The Brown Eyed Susan Hat is my take on the popular girly over-sized flower hat. The Brown Eyed Susan flower lies on a band of cabled leaves. The main body of the hat could be knit with a bulky yarn if preferred, but the Sterling Silk & Silver yarn adds a nice sparkle to the hat without being too glitzy for everyday wear.

This hat features a simple stranded pattern that interlocks the two colors of yarn used and is designed as a close-fitting beanie type hat with negative ease.

The Argiope aurantia spider makes a stabilimentum, or distinctive X-shape in its web. There is debate over whether this X helps camouflage the spider, attract prey, or warn birds that a web is present. This spider’s interesting web was the inspiration for these mitts.

Check out my other FREE patterns here!

My French angora rabbits were the inspiration for this pattern. Knit in handspun 2-ply angora yarn, somewhere between aran and worsted weight, this is a truly luxurious cowl. The lacework on this cowl shows beautifully on larger needles than would normally be used for the yarn weight. Angora yarn produces a soft fuzzy halo that retains warmth d...

A mobius strip is made with a half twist in the fabric; if you were to trace your finger around the strip, your finger would travel the entire length of the strip on both sides without having crossed an edge. The mobius width can be changed by about 1” by adding/removing lace pattern repeats. The background and edge border of the mobius scarf i...

The water lily was my favorite flower growing up. These mittens were designed with a matching Water Lily Hat for my young daughter with colorwork elegant enough for a woman. The pattern shows off hand dyed tonal or variegated yarns beautifully, and is a great way to use up some small amounts of handspun treasures!

These mitts were designed to match my Cabled Sea Turtle Socks and Cabled Sea Turtle Beanie, using cabling techniques to create sea turtle motifs. The turtles do reduce stretch in the mitts, so please consider this when choosing yarn and needle size. These mitts can be made smaller or larger with yarn weight and needle size changes. The cables o...

The water lily was my favorite flower growing up. This hat was designed with matching Water Lily Mittens for my young daughter with colorwork elegant enough for a woman (I’ve been known to borrow the hat…). The pattern shows off hand dyed tonal or variegated yarns beautifully, and is a great way to use up some small amounts of handspun treasures!

Stranded sea turtle socks in sizes child, adult S & adult M. Child and adult S sizes have a reduced stitch count after the stranded section for a more slender foot; gauge in stranded pattern is slightly different at 23 r & 18 sts / 2 inches. The designer knit these with tonal yarns which results in colors reminiscent of the colors you’d...

These socks remind me of snorkeling among sea turtles and coral. This pattern uses cabling techniques to create sea turtles on the front and back of the sock, much like my Cabled Sea Turtle Mitts and Cabled Sea Turtle Beanie. The turtles do reduce stretch in the sock, so consider this when choosing yarn, gauge and pattern size. The cuff cables ...

Backyard chickens are fun to have around, and the fancy Golden Laced Polish variety are no exception, with their fancy bouffant crest of head feathers. Their head feathers obscure their vision, resulting in funky movement and behavior at times. They were the inspiration for these cuff-down socks and my matching Funky Polish Chicken mitts.