Disclaimer:   I was gifted a sample copy of the book on which this review is based. However I have not been financially compensated by the supplier, book company or the designer to write this review. All opinions expressed are my own and based on my own experiences of using the book / pattern. This post does contain affiliate links which means that I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through these links at no cost to you.

Have you ever found yourself staring at a gorgeous skein of hand-dyed sock yarn, wondering what on earth to make with it? Maybe you’ve been gifted some over the holidays (lucky you!) and are now feeling a bit stumped. Fear not—if this sounds familiar, then The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn by Kaitlin Ostafew is just the inspiration you need.

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I’ve always had a soft spot for sock weight yarn; especially hand dyed sock yarn! Its delicate texture and versatility make it perfect for creating pieces that are as light as a feather but still packed with personality. So, when I was gifted The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn, by the lovely people at Page Street Publishing, I was excited dive in and see what Katlin had come up with. Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint!

Personally as someone who is rather addicted to collecting hand-dyed yarn, I thought the book was a brilliant idea because it offered lots of different ways to turn those special skeins into show-stopping projects.

A bit about the author:

US based Kaitlin Ostafew is the creator of Sass and Stitch and started crochet design back in the autumn of 2020. Fast forward to today and you’ll find her designing as a full time business! She has released over 30 crochet patterns (with several of them free on the blog), sold over 4000 copies of patterns, and has grown a large following on instagram. The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn is her first crochet pattern book where Kaitlin aims to share ways to experiment with colour and enjoy the unique options that hand-dyed yarn has to offer.

What to Expect:

Inside, you’ll find a variety of projects, what I really liked was how the collection offered patterns for beginners to test the waters of hand dyed yarn with several of the design suitable for single skein patterns. I was definitely guilty, when I was first trying hand dyed yarn, of buying single skeins, because I’d fallen in love with them, then not knowing what to do make so I thought this was a brilliant idea.

There are 15 stunning patterns to choose from including;

The patterns are helpfully organised as one-skein patterns, those that use two skeins or more and those that are suitable for minis, sock sets and scraps. The book also dives into the nuances of working with sock weight yarn and offers helpful tips for understanding fibre content which I thought was really useful. There’s also advice on gauge swatching, preparing the yarn, and suggestions for blocking your finished pieces to perfection.

Perfect for Gifted Skeins:

Let’s be honest: sock yarn can feel like a bit of a mystery if you’re not a sock knitter. But that’s exactly where this book shines. Those stunning hand-dyed skeins you’ve been hoarding (or just received as a gift) are begging to be transformed into something beautiful. Another aspect I really liked about the book is that it contains an Indie Dyer feature section where Kaitlin shares eight women-owned US-based small businesses, offering a glimpse into the dyers that had contributed to the yarn support for the book.

I decided that I was going to dive into my stash and use one of the hand dyed single skeins I’d been hoarding. I chose a very pretty skein, by The Wool Barn, which a friend had gifted me. It was a beautiful colourway called Goldisocks Enchanted and consisted of a variegated skein of soft beiges, pinks and muted roses with a sparkly gold thread running through it. It was 100g / 400m / 436yds of Superwash 4ply / fingering weight made from 75% Merino, 20% Nylon and 5% Stellina. It was wonderfully soft to work with and I decided my project was going to be the Autumn Stroll Earwarmer.

The only other thing I used, besides the yarn, was some stitch markers, a tapestry needle and a 3mm hook (to meet gauge) Kaitlin used a 3.5mm hook (US size E) in the book.

Review:

One of my favourite things about The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn is how it encourages you to play with colour and texture. The projects really let the yarn’s beauty shine through, making them perfect for showing off tonal or variegated skeins. My finished earwarmer turned out beautifully, and my lovely mum was very kind to model it for me so I could share how the piece looks – although I don’t think the photo does the yarn justice as to how pretty the sparkle is!

The photography in the book is actually another highlight. Each pattern is showcased with stunning imagery that’s sure to spark your imagination. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to flip through again and again, even if you’re not planning your next project (yet). I certainly have my mind to come back to the lovely Sweet Honey Tee and the Twelve Peak Blanket which are both just stunning.

Conclusion:

If you’ve been looking for a way to use up your stash of sock weight yarn—or you’re curious about exploring its potential—this book is a must-have. It’s inspiring, informative, and packed with projects that you’ll be proud to make and wear. Whether you’re an experienced crocheter or just dipping your toes into finer yarns, The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn is sure to become a beloved addition to your craft library.

Get your own copy of the book:

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your hook, pick out that special skein, and dive into the art of crochet with sock weight yarn. Who knows? You might just find your new favourite yarn weight to work with! You can pick up your own copy of the The Art of Crochet with Sock Weight Yarn from Amazon.

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Until next time; keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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