Shop Patterns

Tag: low vision knitting

  • The Return of My Secret Wish Knitting

    The Return of My Secret Wish Knitting

    Important announcement: My Secret Wish Knitting has reopened. Same URL. Same amazing patterns and tutorials. Check it out at mysecretwish.ca!

    Hi, friend,

    I’m thrilled to be announcing that My Secret Wish Knitting is back from the, er, “ether”.

    “Back? I never knew it was gone,” you might be saying.

    Understandably so. This spring, I made the difficult decision to shut down my store and take everything offline. I couldn’t justify the expense of my tech stack, and I didn’t have the time or energy to find other options before my annual renewals started hitting me.

    Also, I was pretty wiped out energetically, so I didn’t even announce the departure. My Secret Wish Knitting just… quietly disappeared.

    But now, it’s back. Hopefully, for good. I’ve built the new store on a platform that will be affordable forever, so even if (God forbid) something should happen to me, my heirs could keep it going with little trouble.

    If you missed my store over the past few months, now is the perfect chance to explore my pattern catalogue again as you dig into your stash for the fall knitting season. And to use a tutorial or two to help you complete your projects.

    Also, be sure to check out my selection of Low Vision Accessible patterns, which are available in standard PDF, Large Print Screen-Reader-Accessible PDF, and ePUB.

    Check out the Pattern Shop

    I hope to get a couple new patterns published this fall and winter season, so I’ll be back to tell you when those are available.

    Happy knitting, magic maker. Thanks for continuing on this journey with me.

    Talena Winters profile pic.

    Warmly,

    Talena (The Yarn Mermaid)

    P.S. I’d love to hear what’s on your needles now (or next). Let me know in the comments!

    (I’m working on a sample for a new cabled sock pattern, and a lace shrug I’ve had on my needles since 2016… but that I might actually finish this winter!)

    Toe of striped purple cabled Carousel Socks on the needles next to a plant.
    This sock toe is a teaser of my upcoming “Carousel Socks” pattern.

    Patterns you may like

    Just Plain Gloves multi-pattern bundle. Three yarn weights. All hand sizes.
    Lucy Pevensie Tam. A slouchy cabled beanie befitting royalty. Tam is seamlessly knit in bulky yarn with a staghorn cable hatband. Worn by an adult woman.
    The Honey Tree multi-pattern bundle. Cabled mittens, gloves, and convertible "glittens" in one value-packed bundle. Image shows a woman's hands wearing convertible gloves with all-over honeycomb cables on the back, and a button to hold back the flip-top.
    Adventure Socks. Warm and cozy waffle-weave toe-up socks for toasty feet. A man's feet wear socks with raglan toe shaping, a ribbed one-by-one cuff, and all-over waffle weave texture on the body.
    Revolution Toque: a simple vertically striped beanie with multiple brim options. Great introduction to brioche knitting! A preteen boy wears a red-and-black striped rolled-brim brioche-rib beanie.
    Explore all patterns

    Tutorials you may be interested in

    How to work Kitchener Stitch. Learn the ins and outs of grafting with this simple video, photo, and text tutorial.
    How to work Super-Stretchy Cast On. Learn this fantastic beginning to one-by-one ribbed projects. Video, photo, and text tutorial.
    Explore All Stitch Tutorials
    Tell the difference: Knit or purl stitch? Learn to read your knitting with this simple tutorial.
    Explore all Reading Your Knitting Tutorials

  • Introducing the Commander Scarf

    Introducing the Commander Scarf

    Several years ago, my oldest son asked me to make him a scarf. Since it’s rare for anyone in my immediate family to ask me to make them anything fibre-related (hazards of having all boys, I guess), naturally, I jumped on that.

    I came up with several ideas and ran them past him. In his late teens at the time, he already had a classic and slightly hipster fashion sense, despite our rural roots, and I wanted to make sure he was pleased with the outcome. He gave me the go-ahead on the yarn and basic design.

    The result was this very simple and classy scarf with a definite masculine ruggedness and confidence to it that he loved. And this month, I finally got it written up into a pattern.

    Check out the Commander Scarf.

    A young man wears a rugged bulky-knit scarf with waffle weave texture and stands in front of a turbulent sea on a rocky shore.
    Classic, rugged, and warm, this attractive scarf requires only basic knitting skills. Perfect for beginners!
    Close-up of a bulky-knit scarf with a waffle weave texture.
    A simple waffle weave pattern creates interesting surface texture on this bulky-knit scarf.
    A young man wears a masculine-looking bulky-knit scarf with waffle weave texture and stands in front of a turbulent sea on a rocky shore.
    The Commander Scarf being modelled by the recipient and inspiration for the name.

    Rugged. Resilient. Timeless. The Commander Scarf is a bold, masculine knit designed for those who face the elements with quiet confidence. Featuring a striking waffle weave texture, this scarf balances warmth and structure, making it the perfect companion for cold, windswept days.

    Crafted in bulky-weight yarn, the Commander Scarf works up quickly while maintaining a polished, classic look. Whether wrapped snugly for protection against the chill or worn loose for effortless style, its deep texture and three length options make it a versatile staple for any winter wardrobe.

    Pattern Highlights:

    • Bold waffle weave texture for rich depth and warmth.
    • Designed for bulky-weight yarn—knits up fast!
    • Three length options to customize size and fit.
    • Three pattern formats: standard PDF, low-vision-accessible PDF (large print, screen reader accessible), and ePUB.
    • Includes charts for visual reference for both right- and left-handed (mirror) knitters.
    • Masculine, structured look that pairs effortlessly with coats and sweaters.
    • Ideal for knitters looking to create a classic, wear-everywhere scarf.

    Set against the backdrop of a stormy northern sea, the Commander Scarf is inspired by the raw power of the wild coast—where crashing waves meet unyielding cliffs. Knit yours in deep, moody tones for a dramatic effect, or go for neutrals to emphasize its understated strength.

    Wrap yourself in warmth. Knit with purpose. Command the season.

    Ready to cast on? Get the pattern now and start your next adventure.

    Get the Pattern
    Commander Scarf Knitting Pattern cover. Link goes to pattern page.
    The Commander Scarf Knitting Pattern: Rugged. Resilient. Timeless. Project Level: Basic. By Talena Winters, My Secret Wish Knitting.
  • Introducing the Adventure Socks!

    Introducing the Adventure Socks!

    Hello, magic maker!

    It’s been a minute. But I’m thrilled to pop in here to say there’s a new pattern in the store for something warm, toasty, perfect for winter…

    Okay, they’re socks. Toe-up socks. With waffle texture and gusset heels and just enough pattern interest to keep you paying attention but not so much you can’t knit while watching Castle. (Or your own favourite show. You do you.)

    Presenting the Adventure Socks pattern!

    Cover for the Adventure Socks knitting pattern by Talena Winters, a waffle-texture toe-up sock. Intermediate.
    Cover for the Adventure Socks knitting pattern by Talena Winters, a waffle-texture toe-up sock. Project Level: Intermediate.

    This pattern is perfect for tucking into hiking boots and hitting the trail, or keeping your feet toasty while you dive into your latest read.

    AND!

    It’s got low vision accessible formats! Get it in large print screen reader accessible PDF, ePUB, or standard PDF formats, all from a single purchase!

    Feast your eyes on these details:

    Extreme closeup of toes and legs of Adventure Socks knitting pattern on model's feet, showing the raglan toe shaping the waffle weave texture.
    Using a provisional cast on like Magic Cast On or Turkish Cast On at the toe means no grafting later! Easily shape the toes using raglan-style increases on the edges while knitting in the round.
    Closeup of short-row gusset heel of the waffle weave Adventure Socks knitting pattern on model's feet.
    Use short row shaping to produce a gusset heel at just the right foot length for a perfect fit.
    Closeup of top and side of the waffle weave unisex Adventure Socks knitting pattern, showing the raglan toe shaping, waffle weave texture, and short-row gusset heel.
    The waffle texture is an easy four-stitch, four-row repeat that captures a little extra warmth while providing textural interest—as well as a little more interest for the knitter.
    Extreme closeup of the legs and cuffs of the fingering-weight knit Adventure Socks on the model, showing the waffle weave texture and one-by-one ribbing on the one-inch cuff.
    Finish with an inch (or more) of one-by-one ribbing for a stretchy cuff that won’t fall down, then bind off with either Sewn Rib Bind Off or Super-Stretchy Bind Off for a smooth, professional edge.
    Top-down view of the Adventure Socks knitting pattern on the model's feet, showing the waffle weave texture, one-inch one-by-one ribbed cuff, and raglan toe shaping.
    Put it all together for a pair of snug-as-bug feet on yourself or some lucky person you love!

    While I made my sample in a variegated yarn, this would also be a great pattern for solids to really show off that waffle texture.

    The pattern is available in three sizes, from Youth / Adult Small (8.5-inch or 21.5-cm instep circumference) up to Adult Large (11-inch or 28-cm instep circumference.)

    What are you waiting for? Go get yours and cast on your next knitting adventure today!

    Get the Pattern

    Or you can add it to your Ravelry queue here: Add on Ravelry.