Stitches & Seasons: Embracing Autumn Through Fiber Arts

Crafting slow, living slower: the cozy intersection of Fall & fiber arts

Summer is winding down and we are officially entering Autumn season today! The darker nights are starting to creep in, the weather is (finally) becoming cooler, and pumpkin spice is everywhere we turn. (No shade, I’m wholeheartedly a member of the PSL fanbase 🎃🍂).

Autumn and fiber arts are just made for each other, and I couldn’t be more excited to be entering my favorite season!

Many of us enjoy a shift to slower living in the Fall. The darker nights and cooler weather invite us to snuggle on the sofa wrapped in a blanket, enjoying a good movie, mug of tea, and knitting, crochet, or spinning project. The coziness of wool and the process of making is such a tactile and calming experience, just the thought of cozy crafting makes me so happy!

Autumn as Inspiration

Autumn feels like the ultimate inspiration for fiber arts! From the textures you can create through lace, bobbles, and cables, to the colors that are classically autumn like burnt orange, deep yellow, browns, and rusty reds. This season is just made for knit, crochet, spin, and needle arts.

I always have multiple *WIPs on the go but tend to be obsessed with a single project at any given time, and work mostly on that one. Currently my obsession is the Autumn Doodle Cowl.

I’m knitting it with the 7 colors that make up my Grimm’s Fairy Tales collection. I love color work in knitting - it might be my favorite type of project - and these colors combined with this patten definitely have me obsessed.

Setting the Scene for Cozy Crafting

If you are looking for a way to bring more coziness and peaceful, slow living into your craft time, I have a few simple suggestions. Whether you are an experienced knitter, crocheter (or other type of craft), or someone interested in getting started with their first project, setting aside some time to make and create with your hands brings so many benefits for your mental health and wellbeing. There are many studies that document the benefits including reducing stress and fostering creativity.

Here are some simple ideas to maximize the cozy vibes during craft time:

• Watch a classically Autumn movie or TV show (I find simpler patterns work best while multi-tasking. For example, I can not knit lace and watch TV at the same time. I make mistakes every single time).

• Listen to an Audiobook ( I recently finished The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - it was a cute and fun listen).

• Listen to a cozy Autumn inspired playlist. I’ve been enjoying this one lately

• Light a gorgeous scented candle

• Have your cozy drink of choice close by. Some classic options include your favorite tea, hot cocoa, coffee with homemade pumpkin spice creamer, or if you are looking for a seasonal cocktail, might I suggest a Haunted Pumpkin Patch Margarita.

Autumn projects

Looking for a new project? Here are a few ideas to welcome in the Fall season:

Knit

• Autumn Doodle Cowl by Jamie Lomax. Ravelry. My current WIP.

• Fall Festival Acorns by Bobbi IntVeld Ravelry. Cute little acorns to decorate your space.

• Autumn Rises Socks by Rebecca Bedwell Ravelry. These socks are knit with worsted weight yarn for a fast project!

Crochet

• Autumn Doll House by Crocket Crochet. Ravelry. This little doll house is incredible and just so perfectly Autumnal!

• No Slip Stitch Given Pumpkin by Ana-Maria. Ravelry. Adorable pumpkin with leaves and curly vines.

• Spraoi Mittens by Anne-Michelle Phelan. Ravelry. Beautiful crochet mittens and cowl.

Embroidery

• Hello Autumn pattern by LesBroderiesDeNoor. Etsy.

• Cozy Vibes pattern & tutorial by Momentoell.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments - what projects are you working on? Are you as obsessed with Autumn as I am?

*WIPs - Work in Progress, meaning a project you are currently working on.

Note on links - I am not an affiliate of anything linked in this post. I’m just sharing things I like that you might also enjoy (unless it is a Storyteller Stitchery link, in which case I do benefit as the owner and creative designer 😉).