Meet the Designer: Virginia Sattler-Reimer
Few things delight us more than sharing the work of designers who understand the character of wool and create patterns that invite us to slow down and enjoy the process. Virginia Sattler-Reimer is one of those designers.
Virginia's designs reflect her enduring fascination with color, natural fibers, and useful handmade pieces. Her patterns balance engaging techniques with the familiar comfort of hats, mittens, cowls, and socks that fit easily into everyday life.
SHOP THE NO BAD WEATHER SET (opens in new tab)
Virginia has loved natural fibers and textiles for as long as she can remember. A self-described collector of string and color-obsessed maker, she enjoys modest outdoor adventures in all kinds of weather. She holds a degree in Art and is a maker, designer, and yogi living in Minnesota with her favorite person.
Virginia and her husband share their creative work through Scratch Craft, a name inspired by the satisfaction of taking raw materials and crafting them into useful pieces. Knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, and tasty treats all find a place in their creative life, which celebrates resourcefulness, curiosity, and the rewards of making things by hand.
Color plays an especially important role in Virginia's work. Her patterns often pair memorable motifs with practical shapes, encouraging knitters to explore technique while creating accessories they will reach for often. We are delighted to carry sets for several of her designs at The Woolly Thistle.
Underwood Tam, Cowl & Mittens Set
The Underwood Tam, Cowl & Mittens collection was inspired by Virginia's summer walks deep in the woods. Cool shade, rich greens, and filtered sunlight playing across the undergrowth all influenced its layered colorwork motifs.
Our set pairs Virginia's woodland-inspired designs with Jamieson & Smith 2ply, a Shetland wool whose extensive palette offers many possibilities for exploring light, shadow, and foliage through color.
EXPLORE THE UNDERWOOD SET (opens in new tab)
Moongate Socks Set
The Moongate Socks offer a substantial take on sock knitting, with fingering-weight yarn held double throughout to create a warm, cushioned fabric. The pattern may also be worked with one strand of sport- or DK-weight yarn, opening the door to further yarn possibilities.
Our set pairs the design with Rambler, The Woolly Thistle's 100% American wool yarn. Its strength, spring, and warmth make it an excellent match for a pair of hardworking wool socks.
SHOP THE MOONGATE SOCKS SET (opens in new tab)
A Few Questions with Virginia
What's currently making you excited in your own knitting basket?
Thanks for having me! I always have a lot of projects on the needles, but I am really having a sock heavy summer! Colorwork, texture, lace, vanilla... it's a good thing I have a lot of needles because I can't stop casting them on. I love having something easy to pick up and set down at the ready.
What can Thistlers look forward to next?
I am also working on quite a few new designs for the Fall and Winter that I am really excited about and Thistlers can expect plenty of new accessory patterns from me in some of our favorite woolly yarns. I can't resist playing with color, so of course there will be some new colorwork designs! Stay tuned...
What's usually beside you while you knit?
When I am knitting, I am usually listening to an audiobook, with a notebook nearby (I have finally learned that despite what I tell myself, I won't remember it if I don't write it down). I have my coffee or tea and most likely one of my most used knitting tools, a small scale.
What knitting skill made you feel like you'd unlocked a secret door?
Hmm, I would say that dropping down to correct lace or cables definitely felt like unlocking a secret door for me. That's a knitter's high, for sure!
Meet the Marcela Socks
Virginia's latest sock pattern takes its name from Marcela, the shepherdess in Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, first published in 1605. Marcela refuses to shape her life around the expectations of others, delivering a defense of her freedom that still carries force centuries later.
That independent spirit gives the Marcela Socks a compelling story alongside Virginia's signature interest in sock knitting, color, and technique. They are a fitting conclusion to our visit with a designer whose creative basket is currently overflowing with socks and whose fall and winter plans promise even more accessories for Thistlers.
FIND THE MARCELA SOCKS ON RAVELRY (opens in new tab)
SHOP JOHN ARBON EXMOOR SOCK YARN (opens in new tab)
Join Us for the 2026 Summer Sock Sprint!
Virginia isn't the only one enjoying a sock-filled summer! If her projects have you eager to cast on a pair of your own, now is the perfect time to join the 2026 Summer Sock Sprint at The Woolly Thistle.
Sign-ups are now open for this free, two-week Knit-Along, with cast-on day arriving Friday, July 17. Socks are ideal summer knitting: compact enough to slip into a project bag, easy to pick up whenever you have a few spare minutes, and satisfying to watch grow one round at a time.
You'll find friendly encouragement in our Facebook (opens in new tab) and Ravelry (opens in new tab) groups, opportunities to win prizes along the way, and plenty of fellow knitters cheering one another on. Cast on a brand-new pair or bring along socks already in progress. However you join us, we'd love to have you stitching alongside the community.
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