James Foley
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jfoley.bsky.social
James Foley
@jfoley.bsky.social
1.2K followers 97 following 1K posts
Mostly Knitting Here 🧶 Wannabe Photographer on Instagram 📸 Old School Runescaper ⚔️

📍 Eastern Shore of Virginia
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jfoley.bsky.social
It’s been too long since I’ve given you an update on the koala cardigan that I’m knitting for my niece.

I decided to forgo intarsia and opted to duplicate stitch the design. It’s taking ages, but it’s so rewarding seeing the little koala details show up 🧶
The backside of a cream colored knitted cardigan with pink ribbing on the edges. The back has an in progress brown tree with cut outs for a koala with a baby on its back. The cardigan has a picture of the overall design in the top left corner.
October 27, 2025 at 12:59 AM
jfoley.bsky.social
I’ve taken the plunge and decided to build my own shelves in the garage. I’ve got to cut and lay down the OSB for the shelves and they are complete. They aren’t very level in some spots but it’s going to work out great.
A garage with concrete flooring and plywood walls. In the middle of the frame is a L-shaped wooden shelving frame made of 2x4s. My self drafted plans for the shelves. The plans have an overview of what the finished product will look like, a spot for inventory needed, and an overview of each shelf.
July 26, 2025 at 6:52 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
People that regularly pick up stitches for knitting— how do you decide which stitch to pick up from? Do you pick up the front, the back, or a little of both? I always feel like I choose wrong. 🧶
A pink seed stitch neckline showing the cast on edge.
June 23, 2025 at 1:12 AM
jfoley.bsky.social
I’m sorry for the radio silence lately. I’ve been busy knitting the Zach Jacket for my niece. She has requested this koala design on the back. I plan to double knit the motif once the jacket is complete 🧶

I still have to knit:
- Hood
- Sleeves
- Button band
- Koala design
A partially completed knitted cardigan in a peach-cream color is laid flat with the front facing up. There is a seed stitch neckline and a bottom hem in a light pink color. The cardigan has two pockets that have not been seamed yet and it doesn’t have a button band. The sleeves are still on hold. The same hand-knitted cardigan is shown, laid flat with the back side facing up. The body is knit in a pale peach color with raglan sleeves and a ribbed hem in light pink. The neckline is also trimmed in pink with a textured stitch. The cardigan is knit in stockinette stitch. A blanket showing the koala motif that my niece wants. It shows a brown tree with a grey mama koala and a small grey baby koala on its back. The tree has a few branches with green leaves. The background of the blanket is a cream-white with a green seed stitch border around it.
June 21, 2025 at 5:26 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
The Rippling Waves Afghan is complete and now gifted to its forever home. It’s been both a joy to knit and a menace. I spent so many nights thinking about how long this will take to finish. It was all worth it to see the joy on my coworker’s face when I brought it in this morning. 🧶
A soft, hand-knit chevron blanket in shades of blue and white drapes over a plush, round papasan chair with a gray cushion and a pink flower pillow. Sunlight filters through a window, adding to the cozy ambiance of the reading nook. A neatly folded, hand-knit chevron blanket rests on the back of a papasan chair with a soft gray cushion. Two pastel pink flower pillows add a touch of charm to the cozy setting by the window.
March 31, 2025 at 12:46 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
When was the last time you flew a kite? This cheap kite was well worth it for 30 minutes of fun. I honestly forgot how much fun it is to harness the power of the wind.
A young child with wavy brown hair, wearing a pink “The Salty Dog Café” t-shirt, flies a kite in the backyard on a sunny day. The kite soars high in the sky, with a house, trees, and a blue above-ground pool in the background. A perfect moment of childhood joy and outdoor fun.
March 29, 2025 at 9:35 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
In two days, I will have been knitting this Rippling Waves Afghan for a whole year. Tonight I seamed together the first two pieces. I’ve got five left to go.

The light blue is tighter than the darker blue. I will definitely have some extra rippley waves. I’m excited to see it come together. 🧶
A smiling man with a beard and short blonde hair holds up a long, knitted blanket featuring a chevron lace pattern in alternating stripes of light blue and a slightly darker blue. He stands in a cozy living room with a TV, shelves, and toys in the background, proudly displaying his handiwork.
March 25, 2025 at 1:43 AM
jfoley.bsky.social
Super cute! I love that you can make clothes for it. Thanks for the idea!
A knitted stuffed teddy bear in variegated yarn where the colors go from red to orange to brown. The teddy bear is sitting on a wooden fence.
February 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
My local Dollar Tree went from one small cardboard box of chenille yarn to multiple racks of varying textures and colors of yarn.

I’m excited to try colorwork. Got any knitting patterns you would recommend?

$1.25 USD for 109 yards of worsted weight acrylic yarn 🧶
A store shelf displays various skeins of “Just Yarn” in an array of colors, neatly arranged in metal racks. The top shelves hold worsted weight yarn in solid colors like gray, blue, burgundy, green, and yellow, while the lower shelves feature textured and variegated yarns.
February 24, 2025 at 6:32 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
I finished knitting my first cablework project—the October Hat by Sloane Rosenthal. It sadly didn’t fit my big melon, so my wife kindly modeled it for me. The hat has a few mistakes, but I am very proud of it! 🧶 #SkyKAL
A woman smiles warmly while wearing a hand-knit royal blue cable-knit beanie with a pom-pom, standing in a snowy landscape. Her navy blue winter coat is zipped up, and snow-covered trees are visible in the background. The back of the woman’s head showcases the intricate cable-knit pattern of the royal blue beanie and its fluffy pom-pom. She is wearing a navy blue quilted winter coat, with a serene snow-covered landscape and tall trees in the background. A side profile of the woman wearing the vibrant blue cable-knit beanie, highlighting the texture and details of the knit pattern. Snow-covered trees and bushes form a soft winter backdrop as she gazes into the distance.
February 20, 2025 at 6:25 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
Lots of fluffy snow coming down in Virginia. Got to roll around in the snow with my first born today. She’s a chocolate lab named Gracie. Her 6th birthday is next week.
A large chocolate Labrador Retriever stands outside in the snow, looking directly into the camera with a calm and curious expression. Snowflakes have settled on its face and fur. The dog wears a red collar with a teal tag. Behind the dog, there is a white house with a green door, a snow-covered white car, and a black sled resting on the ground. Snow is actively falling, creating a wintery scene.
February 19, 2025 at 11:39 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
I knit small items inside out on circular needles—I don’t like my work coming at me. This makes it harder to see progress on the cables, but the inside turns out beautifully! Check out the difference.

This is the October Hat by Sloane Rosenthal, knit with Knit Picks Swish in Dusk. #SkyKAL 🧶
A blue knitted hat in-progress on the needles. With five inches of ribbing and the wrong-side of cables showing. A blue knitted hat in-progress on the needles. With five inches of ribbing and the right-side of cables showing.
February 10, 2025 at 12:58 AM
jfoley.bsky.social
Finally ready to start knitting the cable chart on the #OctoberHat by Sloane Rosenthal. 5 inches (12.7cm) of 2x2 rib. It’s quite meditative, but it took forever on magic loop. I’m loving how stretchy it is. 🧶
A 2x2 knitted brim of the October Hat. The hat is in progress and being held up on the needles. The background has a Ford F-550 steering wheel and instrument panel.
February 5, 2025 at 10:41 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
First local crafting night of the year. Feels great to see what else everyone is working on and talk fiber.

We’ve got crochet, needle point, knitting, and spinning going on. Here’s my October Hat so far. 🧶
Two inches of a blue knitted hat on a circular needle. The hat is sitting on top of the knitting pattern print out on a grey plastic table.
January 17, 2025 at 12:46 AM
jfoley.bsky.social
I’m in New Hampshire visiting family and popped into a local grocery store. Got to meet a global celebrity— Santa.

He had a real beard and a terrific suit to match. Happy holidays everyone!
A cheerful Santa Claus with a fluffy white beard and red suit stands next to a smiling man wearing a blue jacket, plaid shirt, and beanie. They are posing together in a grocery store aisle stocked with jars and boxes of food products, with a “Real Savings Every Day” sign visible in the background.
December 21, 2024 at 6:49 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
Unless someone can convince me to try knitting cables without a cable needle. I’m so nervous to drop stitches and spend time going back.

Here is the October Hat by Sloane Rosenthal.
A knitted blue beanie with slanted cables and a Pom-pom on top.
December 13, 2024 at 7:32 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
I’m normally not a gift knitter, but this year it felt right. Planning to make the Calluna Beanie by Kalley Reedy for my family’s yankee swap.

Question: is this pattern too feminine or would a more neutral color make it work? I’m gonna do a regular pom (no fur) and a fold up brim 🧶
A knitted beanie in pink with a ripple and moss stitch texture. The beanie is topped with a faux brown fur Pom-pom and the background is white faux fur.
December 13, 2024 at 7:21 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
These mittens turned out so great! They are wrapped up and ready to gift tomorrow. So tiny and adorable. 🧶
Two green mittens laying on each side of a ruler with the knitting pattern behind them. Two green mittens laying on top of each other next to a ruler with the knitting pattern behind them.
December 10, 2024 at 3:16 AM
jfoley.bsky.social
One of the mom’s at my daughter’s preschool found out that I knit and asked if I could make her 6 month old a pair of mittens. I’m going to try it on her today at pick-up. Hoping this first one fits. It’s so adorably tiny. 🧶
A small hunter green mitten on a white piece of paper.
December 6, 2024 at 10:06 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
Since Thanksgiving, it’s been a busy time decorating for Christmas. I was in charge of the letter board this season. A quote from the movie Elf was just what our house needed.
A festive holiday scene featuring a Christmas tree adorned with lights and ornaments in the background. In the foreground, a letter board displays a humorous quote from the movie Elf: “We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, & syrup.” To the side, a carved wooden Santa decoration adds a rustic holiday touch.
December 1, 2024 at 9:19 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
Excellent work!! Some truly great craftsmanship! It looks like you have one happy window!
A cherrywood window frame with two drawn on eyes and eyebrows.
November 27, 2024 at 12:46 AM
jfoley.bsky.social
We got our family photos back from the photographer today. Always so exciting to see how they turned out. I’m one lucky fella to have these ladies in my life.
A smiling family of three sits together on the grass in front of an aged brick building. The mother, wearing a navy blue dress, sits on the left. The father, wearing a rust-colored cable-knit sweater and jeans, sits on the right. Their young daughter, wearing an orange corduroy jumper over a white shirt with navy leggings and brown boots, sits between them. She is smiling brightly, with her arms around both parents. A family of three stands together in a field of tall grass. The father, wearing a rust-colored cable-knit sweater and jeans, holds his daughter on his hip. She wears an orange corduroy jumper, navy leggings, and brown boots, smiling at the camera. The mother, wearing a navy blue dress, stands to the left, looking up at her daughter with a joyful expression. The father looks down at both of them with a smile. A couple stands together in a golden-brown field of tall grass under an overcast sky. The man, wearing a rust-colored cable-knit sweater and jeans, leans down to kiss the woman’s temple. She smiles warmly and wears a flowing navy blue dress. The two hold hands in front of them. A young girl wears an orange corduroy jumper, navy leggings, and brown boots, smiling at the camera. She is holding her parents hands. Their bodies are out of frame.
November 24, 2024 at 8:44 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
Here are the five completed strips. This project is coming up on 8 months of being in-progress.
Five light blue knitted pieces with a chevron pattern are neatly rolled and arranged on a flat, cream-colored surface. Four are arranged in a 2x2 grid, with one positioned to the right of the grid.
November 22, 2024 at 6:07 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
Let’s see how much I can knit while I wait for my wife’s car to get serviced. I should have about two hours.

As of 9:30 AM, I have 23” on the needles. 🧶
A light blue knitted project with a zigzag pattern rests on someone’s lap, with knitting needles and yarn attached. The person is seated in a waiting room with tile flooring, chairs, and a wooden coffee table in the background. Sunlight streams through a glass door to the left.
November 22, 2024 at 2:35 PM
jfoley.bsky.social
Has anyone else seen this incredible hand knit Santa hat from the movie Red One? It was made by @andiamo.bsky.social and the pattern is FREE!! What a beautiful design for the holiday season. 🧶

#InsomniaKnitting #RusticRedOneHat
November 21, 2024 at 2:27 PM