Homestead (Boxelder Sock/ Non-Superwash) Advent Calendar 2025

"Creating color collections that are near and dear to my heart is a very important part of my creative process. Not only do I have a specific vision for how I want each color to look, there is a certain feeling that I'm trying to create for the collection as a whole." 

The Inspiration:

The Homestead Collection for our 2025 Advent Calendar is composed of 24 heart warming semi-solid colorways that are sure to remind you of simpler times and an honest day's work. Times where we lived off the land, built homes with our own two hands and the hands of our loved ones. We created a meaningful life using the resources that were available to us. We warmed our families with chopped wood, handmade quilts and blankets. We fed them our own farm raised and homegrown food. We lived a life of great purpose, a life that so many of us yearn for in today's disconnected society.

I'm lucky to have visited three of our family homesteads in my lifetime. The homestead of my Grandpa John in Hartville Wyoming, the homestead of my Great Grandpa Lawrence in Wheatland Wyoming (last picture) and the homestead of my Mema and Papa in Grass Valley California where my mother was raised. I hope you join me as I pour my heart into this color journey of the past. Together we can create an heirloom project to last for generations, in honor of simpler days gone by. 

The Details:

Our 2025 Advent Calendar comes in a variety of options. After many requests for a non-superwash advent calendar over the years we have decided the Homestead Collection is the perfect color palette to finally make this dream a reality on our traditional Boxelder Sock  non-superwash merino base. 

This year I have a few quilt inspired patterns in mind for our advent calendar, and have decided to offer a kit option, including 5 full 100g skeins of a neutral/cream colorway to pair with the semi-solid advent minis. This colorway will take the place of "Day 25" and will be left unwrapped to be used in the beginning of your project. If you have a different project in mind that only requires one 100g skein of the main color, there is an option for that as well. I also chose to offer a simpler advent option that only includes 24 mini skeins, without a 100g full skein, for those who are looking for a more cost effective option, or have a pattern in mind that doesn't include a full 100g skein. 

Laura Penrose of PenroseKnits on  ravelry designs incredible patterns including the Sweet Shop Blanket and the Stella Quilt Blanket that are designed with advent minis in mind. The kit option of the calendar allows you to knit up to the lap size Sweet Shop Blanket which requires 480g (24 minis) of  contrasting yarn and 480g of a main color (approximately 5 100g skeins).

The Stella Quilt Blanket may require more of the main color than 500g depending on which size you choose to knit but the kit will be a great start. I will also be offering more of the Main color in the shop after the advent calendars have been released, incase anyone needs additional skeins for their project. 

The patterns are not included in the advent kits and must be purchased separately from Laura Penrose in her ravelry shop. 

What's Included:

- One of the following Boxelder Sock kits of your choosing:

1. 24 Mini Skeins (No 100g Full Skein)
2. 24 Mini Skeins + (1) 100g Full Skein
3. 24 Mini Skeins + (5) 100g Full Skeins

-All  of the above Advent Calendar options will include (1) stunning hand beaded, quilt motif progress keeper by Alaja Frahm of Horse Feather Fiber Arts (sneak peek in the second photo). Alaja is a dear friend of mine and creates the beautiful notions included in our Advent Calendars each year. Her annual contribution is always the icing on the cake!

-Each calendar will arrive in a custom made Knotty Pine Fiber Co. bag with a vinyl sticker (both different from last year) 

-Each 24 mini skein will be individually packaged, numbered and placed in contrasting order. All 100g skeins will be unwrapped and individually labeled. You will also receive an info card containing yarn base information and colorway names featuring the photo of My Great Grandpa's homestead in Wheatland Wyoming taken by my sister, Cassandra Oberlander. 

Shipping:

Your calendar will ship by Nov. 8th 2025

Yarn Base Information:

Our Boxelder Sock base contains 20.5 microns which creates and incredibly soft non-superwashed merino wool. This base differs slightly from our Boxelder Organic base in that the 4 ply construction consists of 2 ends each containing 2 ply's, instead of 4 individual ends plied together. Boxelder Sock has a wonderful hand and is lovely to wear.

Fingering Weight/ Non-Superwash

Boxelder Sock Mini: 100% Merino Wool/ 87 yds/ 4 ply/ 20g

Boxelder Sock: 100% Merino Wool/ 437 yds/ 4ply/ 100g

Non-superwash yarn has not been pre-treated with chemicals and plastics to make the fiber shrink resistant and machine washable. Its natural fiber scales are left in tact, providing you with the benefits of its natural qualities including increased warmth, moisture wicking properties, and a wonderful texture to work with. Colors appear soft and earthy, with a beautiful matte finish on untreated natural fibers. Hand washing is recommended.