Before you pick your pattern, choose your needles or cast on, you need to ask yourself:

How big should your sock be?

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🧶 On My Needles

FSU Shortie Sock

I started this sock in the Orlando airport Thursday morning on my way to Girls’ Weekend. I made it all the way to the foot by the time I returned home Sunday night. I still have about 30 more rounds to go until I get to the toes but it won’t be long!

Audrey’s Hockey Skate Blade Covers: Finished Object!

The biggest finish this month was a very special one: Audrey’s hockey skate blade covers are done! 🏒🧶

After searching for a pattern and not finding exactly what I had in mind, I decided to experiment and create my own version. Sometimes knitting is part pattern-following and part “let’s see what happens.”

I’m happy to report that the experiment worked! They’re finished, functional and used for hockey camp, stick and puck and plain old skating.

Another big finish this month was three knit bangle bracelets (the third one not pictured)! They were such satisfying, quick projects and a nice change of pace from socks and sweaters. Sometimes it’s fun to cast on something you can actually finish before you forget where you put the yarn label.

Banana Socks

Another fun knit that I was happy to have off the needles! I knit my Banana Socks using an unknown yarn and the Fire & Fiber Banana Socks pattern on US 1 (2.25 mm) bamboo 9” circular needles.

These were such a fun, cheerful knit. There’s something especially satisfying about finishing a pair of socks because they immediately become wearable instead of waiting in the “needs one more sleeve” basket.

Kate’s Hurricane Blanket

I continued making progress on Kate’s Hurricane Blanket using Hobbii Hurricane in the Pink Coral colorway. I’m knitting it on my ChiaoGoo Red Twist Circulars (US Size 6), and this blanket continues to be the perfect cozy, relaxing project.

There’s something satisfying about watching a blanket slowly grow row by row.

Mermaid Scales Shortie Socks

My Mermaid Scales Shortie Socks are still moving along. I’m working with Emma’s Practically Perfect Sock in the July Colorway with my favorite ChiaoGoo 9-inch circular needles (US Size 1). The Mermaid Scales Shortie by Love Life Yarn continues to be a fun knit, and I’m enjoying watching the texture take shape.

Ribbed Socks

The Ribbed Sock in the Golden Hour colorway also got some attention this week. These remain one of those easy, relaxing projects that are perfect for picking up whenever I have a few quiet moments.

Sweater Update

I continued working on my very first sweater and made more progress on sleeve number one. Sleeves are definitely a lesson in patience, but every decrease gets me one step closer to wearing my first handmade sweater.

Bible Sweater

My Bible Sweater (still not pictured) also stayed in rotation this week. It may not be the fastest-growing project in my basket, but it’s getting a few rows here and there, which means it’s still moving forward.

📚 What I’m Reading

This month was good for reading. I read 12 books:

• The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives

• Darling Girls

• The Girls Trip

• The Widow’s Guide to Murder

• The Island Club

• This Story Might Save Your Life

• How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder

• The Cul-de-sac War

• The Road to Tender Hearts

• Yesteryear

• Heartwood

• Go Gentle

Currently Reading

I'm currently reading The Girls Before, and I'm enjoying diving into another new story.

Products I’m Loving

ChiaoGoo Red Twist Circular Needles

These were the workhorse of my July knitting. Between my socks and blanket projects, they were on these needles week after week. The smooth joins and flexible cables make these my go-to circulars.

Emma’s Yarn Practically Perfect Sock

Featured in my Mermaid Scales Shortie Socks, this yarn adds beautiful color and stitch definition. Bonus for me is that she is a Florida yarn dyer!

Counter All Bright C Serum

Counter’s All Bright C Serum is a skincare routine staple and leaves skin looking brighter and more even, even during these hot, sunny months.

That’s everything from my knitting bag and bookshelf this month! I’d love to hear what you’re making or reading right now. What projects are keeping your hands busy?

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🧶 On My Needles

Audrey’s Hockey Skate Blade Covers: Finished Object!

The biggest finish this week was a very special one: Audrey’s hockey skate blade covers are done! 🏒🧶

After searching for a pattern and not finding exactly what I had in mind, I decided to experiment and create my own version. Sometimes knitting is part pattern-following and part “let’s see what happens.”

I’m happy to report that the experiment worked! They’re finished, functional and ready for hockey camp.

Kate’s Hurricane Blanket

I continued making progress on Kate’s Hurricane Blanket using Hobbii Hurricane in the Pink Coral colorway. I’m knitting it on my ChiaoGoo Red Twist Circulars (US Size 6), and this blanket continues to be the perfect cozy, relaxing project.

There’s something satisfying about watching a blanket slowly grow row by row.

Mermaid Scales Shortie Socks

My Mermaid Scales Shortie Socks are still moving along. I’m working with Emma’s Practically Perfect Sock in the July Colorway with my favorite ChiaoGoo 9-inch circular needles (US Size 1). The Mermaid Scales Shortie by Love Life Yarn continues to be a fun knit, and I’m enjoying watching the texture take shape.

Ribbed Socks

The Ribbed Sock in the Golden Hour colorway also got some attention this week. These remain one of those easy, relaxing projects that are perfect for picking up whenever I have a few quiet moments.

Sweater Update

I continued working on my very first sweater and made more progress on sleeve number one. Sleeves are definitely a lesson in patience, but every decrease gets me one step closer to wearing my first handmade sweater.

Bible Sweater

My Bible Sweater (still not pictured) also stayed in rotation this week. It may not be the fastest-growing project in my basket, but it’s getting a few rows here and there, which means it’s still moving forward.

📚 What I’m Reading

This week was a good reading week. I finished three books:

• The Girls Trip

• The Widow’s Guide to Murder

• The Island Club

Currently Reading

I'm currently reading Darling Girls, and I'm enjoying diving into another new story.

❤️ Products I’m Loving

Counter Overnight Resurfacing Peel

A favorite evening skincare product. The Overnight Resurfacing Peel helps skin look refreshed and smoother by morning, making it an easy addition to a nighttime routine.

ChiaoGoo 9-Inch Circular Needles

If you’ve been following along for a while, you already know these are my favorite needles for knitting socks. They’re comfortable, smooth and make working on small circumferences so much easier. My 9-inch circulars are almost always within reach when I’m knitting socks.

My Knitting Project Bag

A good project bag is one of those small things that makes knitting life so much easier. I love having a dedicated place for my current project, yarn, needles and all the little tools that somehow disappear when you need them most.

A pretty project bag turns a pile of yarn into an organized little knitting adventure waiting to happen.

That’s everything from my knitting bag and bookshelf this week! I’d love to hear what you’re making or reading right now. What projects are keeping your hands busy?

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🧶 On My Needles

The biggest finish this week was three knit bangle bracelets (the third one not pictured)! They were such satisfying, quick projects and a nice change of pace from socks and sweaters. Sometimes it's fun to cast on something you can actually finish before you forget where you put the yarn label.

Kate’s Hurricane Blanket

I also spent time working on Kate’s Hurricane Blanket using Hobbii Hurricane in the Pink Coral colorway. I’m knitting it on my ChiaoGoo Red Twist Circulars (US Size 6), and every row adds a little more color and coziness.

Mermaid Scales Shortie Socks

My Mermaid Scales Shortie Socks are still moving along. I’m working on the foot using Emma’s Practically Perfect Sock in the July Colorway with my favorite ChiaoGoo 9-inch circular needles (US Size 1). The pattern is the Mermaid Scales Shortie by Love Life Yarn, and I'm looking forward to getting to the toe soon.

Ribbed Socks

The Ribbed Sock in the Golden Hour colorway also saw some progress this week. It's one of those relaxing, pick-up-and-knit projects that's perfect for winding down at the end of the day.

Sweater Update

I also spent some time on my very first sweater. I'm still working through the decreases on sleeve number one. It feels like one of those sections that takes forever...until suddenly it's finished.

Bible Sweater

And yes, my Bible Sweater (not pictured) also made it into my knitting rotation this week. Progress may be measured in rows instead of miles, but every stitch counts.

A New Challenge

My middle daughter heads to hockey camp this week and asked if I could knit blade covers for her skates.

Naturally, I went searching for the perfect pattern. Less naturally...I didn’t really find one that matched what I had in mind.

So I’ve decided to do what many knitters eventually do: experiment and see what happens. In other words, I’m going to wing it. If it works, I’ll definitely share the pattern and what I learned along the way!

📚 What I’m Reading

I finished three books this week:

• This Story Might Save Your Life

• How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder

• The Cul-de-sac War

Currently Reading

I'm currently reading The Girls Trip, and I'm enjoying settling into a new story after finishing several books back-to-back.

❤️ Products I’m Loving

Counter Overnight Resurfacing Peel

An evening skincare product favorite! It helps skin look brighter and smoother without adding extra steps to my routine. If you’re looking for a simple way to refresh your skin overnight, this one is worth checking out.

ChiaoGoo 9-Inch Circular Needles

If you've been around here for a while, this recommendation won't surprise you. These are still my go-to needles for knitting socks. They're smooth, comfortable to hold, and make knitting small circumferences feel effortless.

Emma’s Practically Perfect Sock Yarn

Emma's yarn continues to be one of my favorite splurges. The colorways are gorgeous, the yarn is a joy to knit with, and every project feels a little extra special when it comes off the needles.

BONUS: She’s a Florida yarn dyer.

That's everything from my knitting bag and bookshelf this week! I'd love to hear what you're making or reading right now. Leave a comment and let me know what's on your needles or your nightstand.

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If you’ve ever reached the end of a sock and wondered, “Is it time to start the toe?” you’re not alone.

It’s one of the most common questions new sock knitters ask, and for good reason. Start the toe too early, and your sock will be too short. Knit too many rounds, and you’ll end up with extra fabric bunching at the end of your shoe.

The good news? Once you know what to measure and when to measure it, you’ll be able to knit socks that fit your feet beautifully every time.

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🧶 On My Needles

Kate’s Hurricane Blanket

I spent some relaxing knitting time working on Kate’s Hurricane Blanket, even at the movies watching the new Moana live movie! I’m knitting it with Hobbii Hurricane in the beautiful Pink Coral colorway using ChiaoGoo Red Twist Circulars (US Size 6). This project is pure comfort knitting. It’s the one I reach for when I want something soothing that doesn’t require too much concentration.

Mermaid Scales Shortie Socks

My Mermaid Scales Shortie Socks continue to grow! I’m officially in the home stretch — the foot. I’m using Emma’s Practically Perfect Sock in the gorgeous July colorway on my trusty ChiaoGoo 9-inch circular needles (US Size 1). The pattern is the Mermaid Scales Shortie by Love Life Yarn, and the textured stitches paired with this yarn are making these socks so much fun to knit.

Ribbed Socks

I also added a few more rounds to my ribbed socks using the Golden Hour colorway. This is another great grab-and-go project that travels well and is easy to pick up whenever I have a few spare minutes.

Sweater Update

My first sweater continues to slowly but surely come together. I’m still working on Sleeve #1, but I’ve officially reached the decreases! Every section of this sweater has taught me something new, and it’s exciting to see it looking more and more like an actual sweater with each knitting session.

📚 What I Read

This week I finished two books.

The Road to Tender Hearts was a heartfelt read with memorable characters and plenty of emotional moments. It’s one of those stories that lingers after you’ve turned the final page.

I also finished Yesteryear, which had quite a twist. I found myself thinking about it long after I finished.

Currently Reading

I’m currently reading This Story Might Save Your Life, and I’m already intrigued. I’m looking forward to seeing where this story goes and will share my thoughts once I finish.

❤️ Products I’m Loving

Counter Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick

First of all, everyone needs a little lippy. A little lipstick goes a long way in making a girl feel glitzy. This lipstick is amazing! It gives lips lightweight hydration with just the right amount of natural-looking color, making it perfect for everyday wear. It’s a must-have-in-your-bag item.

ChiaoGoo 9-Inch Circular Needles

These continue to earn a permanent spot on my favorites list. My ChiaoGoo 9-inch circular needles make sock knitting comfortable and efficient, and they’ve completely changed the way I knit socks. If you’ve been curious about trying 9-inch circulars, I can’t recommend them enough.

Emma’s Practically Perfect Sock Yarn

Every time I knit with Emma’s yarn, I’m reminded why it’s one of my favorites. The colorways are beautiful, the yarn base is soft yet durable, and it makes even simple sock patterns feel extra special. The July colorway is no exception.

BONUS: She’s a Florida yarn dyer.

That’s everything from my knitting basket and bookshelf this week. While I didn’t bind off any projects, I made meaningful progress on several, enjoyed two great books, and continued using products that make my knitting (and everyday life) a little more enjoyable.

What are you knitting or reading this week? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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One of the questions I’m asked most often is, “What sock yarn should I buy?”

Walk into any local yarn shop or browse an online store, and you’ll find hundreds of beautiful skeins in every imaginable colorway. It’s exciting...and a little overwhelming.

The good news? Choosing sock yarn doesn’t have to be complicated.

Once you know what to look for, you’ll spend less time guessing and more time knitting socks that love being worn.

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There’s something satisfying about hitting a milestone that tells you you’re making real progress. Even though there’s still plenty of knitting ahead, reaching the decreases makes it feel like the sleeve is finally taking shape instead of being an endless tube of stockinette.

I’m taking my time with this sweater and enjoying the process rather than rushing to the finish line. Between sock knitting, reading, work and everything else life has been throwing my way, this project has become my relaxing “pick it up when I can” knit. Some evenings I knit several rounds, while other days I only manage one or two. It all adds up.

One thing I love about sweater knitting is watching a pile of yarn slowly transform into something I’ll actually wear. Every few rounds, I hold the sleeve up and can already picture what the finished sweater will look like. Those little moments keep me motivated.

My next goal is to work through the sleeve decreases and get sleeve #1 off the needles. Once that’s finished, it’ll be time to cast on sleeve #2. Knowing exactly what to expect the second time around should make it go a little faster… at least that’s what I’m telling myself!

If you’re working on a sweater right now, I’d love to hear about it. Are you just casting on, somewhere in the middle, or weaving in ends? No matter what stage you’re in, every stitch gets you closer to a finished sweater.

I’ll be back with another update soon. Happy knitting!

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If you’ve ever wanted to knit socks but felt intimidated by all the techniques involved, you’re not alone.

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Here’s what I’m currently eyeing.

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🧶 On My Needles

Summer Sock Camp has been keeping me motivated, and I’m ha…

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Knitting

Fin…

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Many knitting blogs assume you have endless hours to spend on your projects, but the reality for many of us is quite different.

Between work, family responsibilities, errands, appointments and the general chaos of adult life, finding time to knit can feel impossible. Yet somehow, projects still get finished.

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Coastal Knits & Purls is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Knitting

Finished Objects (FOs)

Dino-Mite Bookmark

I finished one object last week. It’s unblocked and a gift for a fiber artist who is part of a summer snail mail cam…

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If you tell people you’re a sock knitter who lives in Florida, you’ll often get the same puzzled look.

“Socks? In Florida?”

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Coastal Knits & Purls is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Knitting

Works in Progress (WIPs)

Hermione’s Everyday Socks

I finished the legs on Hermione’s Everyday Socks. Next up is the heel flap.

• Yarn: Unicorn Solid

• Colorway: M…

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