Knitatude has a few patterns to choose from for the wrap that you want to wear to the wedding. Frog the tank, use it for a pattern that you will wear. Frog the sweater, reknit same size smaller needle. You are doing an amazing job, keep up the good work! 😊
I think frog and restart blouse #1. If you like the fabric that you’re making at your current gauge then I’d prioritize that and make a smaller size. I think make the item that you’re most excited about for the wedding! There are always more things to knit so make what’s calling you😍 And for the yarn, if you’re planning on wearing it as a coverup in the sun then I’d DEFINITELY stay clear of mohair. Michigan summers can be no joke 😅 if it’s a warm layer for night maybe, but mohair next to skin is tricky especially when we’re sticky from humidity and dancing 😂🙈
thank you for your input! I'm pretty sure I will only wear the sweater for the ceremony which will be indoors and likely air conditioned. If not, then I only have to suffer through ~1hr w/mohair 😅I just like the fabric so much better
Your energy is so fun! My thoughts: frog blouse #1 and get the sizing right. I'd also frog the tank top and knit it just a touch bigger. It looks SO good on you, but I think the stitches are stretched a bit too much. For the wedding shawl/wrap, you need to knit both patterns lol. The wrap sweater thing is SO cool, but I think it might be too warm for the midwest. Then again, if you only wear it for the ceremony...that's probably pretty short, it'll be fine. Just knit it in a fun color/yarn that you'll wear lots after the ceremony. I think the plain rectangular shawl will be more comfortable, temperature-wise. Idk about the yarns for the shawl/wrap. Good luck! You're doing so great!
thank you for your input! the blouse no 1 has been frogged ✅ I think the ceremony will be inside in air conditioning so I'm not too concerned with it being too warm... but if it is I will only suffer for ~1hr so I think I'll go with the mohair. and I agree! I need all the shawl/wraps/cardigains lol I wish I had more time
I think you should Frog blouse 1 and restart. Frog the vest/tank. Something to know is that standard making sizes are to fit a B cup. Bigger cups need some tweaking. I have no idea how though as I'm not as blessed as you in that department 🫣 Not all alpaca is equal. Some are super soft and some are itchy. I believe Suri is usually the soft stuff.
I’ve heard other podcast knitters comment about using short rows in the bust area (similar to what is done with neck shaping) to compensate for the extra “padding” that nature has endowed you with! Might want to give that a try? I love the look of the second swatch for the wedding dress shawl/shrug! I don’t have a pattern to recommend (sorry), but I see you got several suggestions from other viewers. Keep up the great work! You’re doing an awesome job!
thank you so much! I have to look into the short row bust shaping - maybe I should knt a pattern designed by someone with a similar build to me to see how they construct things. It's so cool how much I learn every day! thank you for your comment 🤗
completely share your grievances with my favorite things knitwear! currently on my second try of making sweater no. nine bc sizing way too big on my first try despite me following their recommended sizing (two sizes bigger than i usually wear) and meeting gauge
your second step-by-step sweater turned out so cute! Also just a lil heads up, the drops kid silk is definitely itchy next to skin if you're sensitive to wool! Which is a bummer bc like you said, other mohairs are sooo expensive 😅
Its so nice finding a new knitter on UA-cam. Im surprised the first sweater shrunk. My PoL crochet cardigan grew 3 sizes after I put it in yhe dryer 😅. Your sleeves shrunk and mine hit my knees??? But holy moly the quality jump from the two sweaters. You're a natural! Also, I'm team frog it. And I'd go with the second shawl, no mohair (although i love the mohair swatch more, it might be too warm)
thank you so much! I'm glad you found this video too :) that's crazy about your cardigan! what stitch did you use? I know crochet can grow a ton when blocking but crazy that it happened bc of the dryer?! thanks for your input to my projects, I will frog the blouse no 1 and i also like the mohair swatch... I think the ceremony will be inside with air conditioning so it might be ok? i know mohair in the heat can be a nightmare though so I need more details on this venue lol
@@alexjames_fiber You're welcome! And it was a patchwork cardigan using Basketweave, griddle, HDC and popcorn patches instead of colours. Maybe the dryer was too hot? Idk 😭 And it's there's AC then I'm switching teams to mohair. The fabric looks so much fancier and "wedding-y". And if it does get hot, it's still easier to take on and off than the other shrug. Win-win
For your last question, the Snowfall sweater scarf is a pattern that would work… mohair is always beautiful and warm, but may not be so good with a ‘wool’ sensitivity… ask me how I know 🤣
yes! this is what I was looking for haha thank you! and yeah, itchy might not be the best choice... do you have any yarn recommendations for wool sensitivity?
@@alexjames_fiber I’m still a relatively new knitter, but kid silk mohair (combo) might be better… super soft! Purl Soho have some beautiful stuff - Tussock, they call it. Not cheap, but 20% off with a subscription if that helps.
Day 1: Woman starts from scratch to become a knitter... Day 60: Has mastered Brioche, Stranded Colorwork and makes pattern alterations. Pretty sick! Love your channel! I'm super amazed at how good the Lion Brand Pound of Love looks and it appears that your "Pound of Love" sweater looks remarkably similar in terms of "finish" to your wool sweater. I want to do a gift knit for someone who is allergic to wool, plus I would love to save 50% in cost while doing so. So.... in terms of the Pound of Love: After washing it, did it soften up? Does it pill more than the wool? Is it "squeaky" when you knit with it? I know you said it shrank.. was that because you dried it, or just from the hot water? Also My Favorite Things sizes suck. I do a lot of adjustments (like doing a yarn swap with an entirely different gauge) and I'll use the stitches per inch in my swatch along with the target chest size to "back end" into the size to knit. With only 3 sizes, I can't easily do this.
thank you so much for your comment! my quick progress might be due to the hyperfixation I've developed for knitting... maybe I'm a little crazy haha The lion brand pound of love is a great alternative to natural fiber for someone with a wool alergy! It does not sqeak at all when knitting and honestly feels very similar to wool. after washing it softened a lot and yes, I think it shrank because I dried it but if you just wash and then lay flat to dry I think it will be fine. The yarn pills a little in high friction areas but I wear it multiple times a week so honestly not bad. What bothers me more is that there are gray fibers throughout that seem to surface and look unevenly fuzzy - not a nice halo, more a ragged texture haha. I think this might just be because of the color though because if the fibers were dark gray like the rest of the yarn it wouldn't bother me as much. Not sure if other colorways have this same issue. thank you for validating the my favorite things sizing situation 🙃 I feel very much less alone in this experience haha. It's such a bummer because I love her designs!
@@alexjames_fiber Thank you so much for the reply and all of the Pound of Love info. You are the first person who I've been able to find who has knitted a full garment in it and actually worn it themselves. (Literally no one posts videos of knitted acrylic garment WIPS!☹) I'm definitely going to buy a few skeins this weekend! Pro tip: if you are going to knit flat, and you knit continental, and your tension is wonky, do Combination Knitting. Andrea Mowry has a video: "Combination Knitting: Knit Flat using Continental Style." Not only is this a faster method for doing purls, but it creates extremely even stockinette and machine like ribbing. I approach cardigans with Combination knitting and pullovers with standard knitting. Good luck!
If you look up adult patterns under the shrug/bolero category on ravelry there are some pretty, similar options to the etsy pattern you showed. I think it’s technically called a sweater scarf?
Would definitely frog the blouse no 1 and go down the needle size your yarn choice is so good though it’s gonna look amazing! I would keep the tank I think it looks super cute on you! If it’s too thick and you’re not gonna wear it definitely frog it! I think I would go with the cotton mohair? In my experience halo-y yarns soften over time with washing (my experience is mostly with alpaca) so they do get more comfortable to wear. Do you block your swatches? (I don’t make swatches cause I’m an idiot) garments can change so much when blocked I wonder if that’s something people do?
thank you so much for your input! I do really like the halo on the cottom-mohair combo swatch. I did block the swatches and I'm glad I did because the fabric is so much softer than pre block. Honestly at this point I'm wondering if making swatches is even worth it because my swatch gauge has always lied to me...
@@alexjames_fiber yeah.. I’ll sometimes count the stitches/rows when I’ve done 10cm of the project just to see if I’m anywhere near the gauge of the pattern.. but honestly I just go by what I think will fit me/look how I want it to look.. not very professional but I’m knitting for me and it works to do it that way! I think with knitting swatches.. because the size you’re knitting and the fact you’re knitting flat is just so different to the tension you have when knitting bigger pieces and in the round.. a lot of people find them very very helpful though
lol, I am also going to a wedding (but in May), will be wearing a green dress and am currently knitting my cover-up for that day.. what are the chances? :D 1. I think you should frog it because with blocking I think it will grow even more. But coming from me, who has 0 experience with animal fibers, you should take that with a grain of salt. 2. I agree, the stitch pattern looks off because of the stretch. I am team frog and save for another project. 3. I find the crochet sweater scarf by crochet with carrie kind of similar to the pictures you showed in the video. You could adjust the pattern to the cotton yarn you have and also it maybe would not be too hot on the body part, because it is a kinda lacy pattern? But the arms would be warm. But anyways, I say don't do mohair under any circumstance if you will wear it in warm weather 😂
haha nice! what cover up are you knitting? thank you for your input - I need the push to frog the blouse no 1 😅that crochet sweater scarf is exactly what I need! I'm a little worried about the gauge tho, maybe I can get more yarn and hold it double or triple, although that would increase the price a lot... And yes the mohair is making me wary about that fabric option, but the ceremony will be inside in air conditioning so I think it'll be ok? if not then its an hour max that I would have to endure. hmmm much to think about
@@alexjames_fiber I am making the Datura Cardigan by Zaneteknits. She designs so you don't have to sew, maybe that's a tip for you since you mentioned you hate sewing ☺ I know frogging is frustrating, but the feeling after you finally decided what to do with a project that weighted you down is just so freeing! I think in the end you'll love yourself for doing it 😂it is all quite overwhelming but I'm sure you'll find a good way for each project!
@@yishinjia so pretty! I love that cardigain - hope you're enjoying the project. and thanks for the push to frog haha I don't want to but I know I will be so much happier in the end
I use the Clover Takumi interchangable set which is ~$70 on amazon or $160 at Michaels (but michaels always has 50% off deals so could probably get them for much cheaper). I LOVE this set except it doesn't go smaller than 3.25mm :/ Chaigoo is also a great option. If you don't want to spend that much on a full interchangeable set (which is fair they're stupid expensive) then I would recommend getting individual interchangeables - that way you can keep adding to your set and everything is compatible. Personally I think fixed circulars are silly but they are cheaper so if you just want to try it out that is also a good option. I would reccomend ~40cm + ~60cm (chord AND needle length combined) if you're just starting out. 40cm for small circumference like collars and sleeves, 60 for everything else. 60 is a bit small if you're working on the yoke of a sweater though, so if you get there and enjoy knitting then I would also recommend an 80 cm. hope that helps and lmk if you have more questions! I might make a video on this too bc I was mega confused about all of it for a very long time haha
I think frog the blouse no 1 and start over. If you already aren’t loving it there’s no reason to persevere and make something you won’t wear at the end. The tank I would also frog and start over. It’s super cute, but if you feel like you’re not going to reach for it, then you probably won’t. And I have a pattern for a knit scarf shawl, which I am excited to make someday, but I think the wrap shawl you’d get more use out of. And I love that cotton and mohair together. So classy. Also, ASMR IS gross
Alex, I think you are doing a fantastic job. Take this compliment from a woman who has been knitting for 46 years!
thank you!! your affirmation means so much to me 🥰
Knitatude has a few patterns to choose from for the wrap that you want to wear to the wedding. Frog the tank, use it for a pattern that you will wear. Frog the sweater, reknit same size smaller needle. You are doing an amazing job, keep up the good work! 😊
I sooo sooo agree. Florence was the perfect beginner pattern and you get to follow along with her . I did a sew down collar as well
thank you florence for this incredible gift to the knitting community 🙌
I think frog and restart blouse #1. If you like the fabric that you’re making at your current gauge then I’d prioritize that and make a smaller size.
I think make the item that you’re most excited about for the wedding! There are always more things to knit so make what’s calling you😍 And for the yarn, if you’re planning on wearing it as a coverup in the sun then I’d DEFINITELY stay clear of mohair. Michigan summers can be no joke 😅 if it’s a warm layer for night maybe, but mohair next to skin is tricky especially when we’re sticky from humidity and dancing 😂🙈
thank you for your input! I'm pretty sure I will only wear the sweater for the ceremony which will be indoors and likely air conditioned. If not, then I only have to suffer through ~1hr w/mohair 😅I just like the fabric so much better
Your energy is so fun! My thoughts: frog blouse #1 and get the sizing right. I'd also frog the tank top and knit it just a touch bigger. It looks SO good on you, but I think the stitches are stretched a bit too much. For the wedding shawl/wrap, you need to knit both patterns lol. The wrap sweater thing is SO cool, but I think it might be too warm for the midwest. Then again, if you only wear it for the ceremony...that's probably pretty short, it'll be fine. Just knit it in a fun color/yarn that you'll wear lots after the ceremony. I think the plain rectangular shawl will be more comfortable, temperature-wise. Idk about the yarns for the shawl/wrap. Good luck! You're doing so great!
thank you for your input! the blouse no 1 has been frogged ✅ I think the ceremony will be inside in air conditioning so I'm not too concerned with it being too warm... but if it is I will only suffer for ~1hr so I think I'll go with the mohair. and I agree! I need all the shawl/wraps/cardigains lol I wish I had more time
I think you should Frog blouse 1 and restart. Frog the vest/tank.
Something to know is that standard making sizes are to fit a B cup. Bigger cups need some tweaking. I have no idea how though as I'm not as blessed as you in that department 🫣
Not all alpaca is equal. Some are super soft and some are itchy. I believe Suri is usually the soft stuff.
ah ha! makes sense, thank you so much for your input! and I will lookout for SURI alpaca from now on👍
Yup! We do wanna see the swatches 🤣 Thanks for taking the time to grab them and tell us what happened
haha yay!
I’ve heard other podcast knitters comment about using short rows in the bust area (similar to what is done with neck shaping) to compensate for the extra “padding” that nature has endowed you with! Might want to give that a try? I love the look of the second swatch for the wedding dress shawl/shrug! I don’t have a pattern to recommend (sorry), but I see you got several suggestions from other viewers. Keep up the great work! You’re doing an awesome job!
thank you so much! I have to look into the short row bust shaping - maybe I should knt a pattern designed by someone with a similar build to me to see how they construct things. It's so cool how much I learn every day! thank you for your comment 🤗
Knitatude has a sweater scarf knitting pattern which is like your first idea for the wedding cover. 💖
omg yes thank you!!
completely share your grievances with my favorite things knitwear! currently on my second try of making sweater no. nine bc sizing way too big on my first try despite me following their recommended sizing (two sizes bigger than i usually wear) and meeting gauge
ugh! I'm so glad I'm not alone but bummed you're experiencing the same thing. Hope the second time works out!
your second step-by-step sweater turned out so cute! Also just a lil heads up, the drops kid silk is definitely itchy next to skin if you're sensitive to wool! Which is a bummer bc like you said, other mohairs are sooo expensive 😅
thank you!! and oh no :/ haha ok thank you so much for letting me know!
Its so nice finding a new knitter on UA-cam. Im surprised the first sweater shrunk. My PoL crochet cardigan grew 3 sizes after I put it in yhe dryer 😅. Your sleeves shrunk and mine hit my knees???
But holy moly the quality jump from the two sweaters. You're a natural!
Also, I'm team frog it. And I'd go with the second shawl, no mohair (although i love the mohair swatch more, it might be too warm)
thank you so much! I'm glad you found this video too :) that's crazy about your cardigan! what stitch did you use? I know crochet can grow a ton when blocking but crazy that it happened bc of the dryer?!
thanks for your input to my projects, I will frog the blouse no 1 and i also like the mohair swatch... I think the ceremony will be inside with air conditioning so it might be ok? i know mohair in the heat can be a nightmare though so I need more details on this venue lol
@@alexjames_fiber You're welcome! And it was a patchwork cardigan using Basketweave, griddle, HDC and popcorn patches instead of colours. Maybe the dryer was too hot? Idk 😭
And it's there's AC then I'm switching teams to mohair. The fabric looks so much fancier and "wedding-y". And if it does get hot, it's still easier to take on and off than the other shrug. Win-win
What if you did a drop stitch design in the sides for the tank top? It’ll add width
... you are a genius! I'm definitely going to try this - ty!!
For your last question, the Snowfall sweater scarf is a pattern that would work… mohair is always beautiful and warm, but may not be so good with a ‘wool’ sensitivity… ask me how I know 🤣
yes! this is what I was looking for haha thank you! and yeah, itchy might not be the best choice... do you have any yarn recommendations for wool sensitivity?
@@alexjames_fiber I’m still a relatively new knitter, but kid silk mohair (combo) might be better… super soft! Purl Soho have some beautiful stuff - Tussock, they call it. Not cheap, but 20% off with a subscription if that helps.
Day 1: Woman starts from scratch to become a knitter... Day 60: Has mastered Brioche, Stranded Colorwork and makes pattern alterations. Pretty sick! Love your channel!
I'm super amazed at how good the Lion Brand Pound of Love looks and it appears that your "Pound of Love" sweater looks remarkably similar in terms of "finish" to your wool sweater. I want to do a gift knit for someone who is allergic to wool, plus I would love to save 50% in cost while doing so. So.... in terms of the Pound of Love: After washing it, did it soften up? Does it pill more than the wool? Is it "squeaky" when you knit with it? I know you said it shrank.. was that because you dried it, or just from the hot water?
Also My Favorite Things sizes suck. I do a lot of adjustments (like doing a yarn swap with an entirely different gauge) and I'll use the stitches per inch in my swatch along with the target chest size to "back end" into the size to knit. With only 3 sizes, I can't easily do this.
thank you so much for your comment! my quick progress might be due to the hyperfixation I've developed for knitting... maybe I'm a little crazy haha
The lion brand pound of love is a great alternative to natural fiber for someone with a wool alergy! It does not sqeak at all when knitting and honestly feels very similar to wool. after washing it softened a lot and yes, I think it shrank because I dried it but if you just wash and then lay flat to dry I think it will be fine. The yarn pills a little in high friction areas but I wear it multiple times a week so honestly not bad. What bothers me more is that there are gray fibers throughout that seem to surface and look unevenly fuzzy - not a nice halo, more a ragged texture haha. I think this might just be because of the color though because if the fibers were dark gray like the rest of the yarn it wouldn't bother me as much. Not sure if other colorways have this same issue.
thank you for validating the my favorite things sizing situation 🙃 I feel very much less alone in this experience haha. It's such a bummer because I love her designs!
@@alexjames_fiber Thank you so much for the reply and all of the Pound of Love info. You are the first person who I've been able to find who has knitted a full garment in it and actually worn it themselves. (Literally no one posts videos of knitted acrylic garment WIPS!☹) I'm definitely going to buy a few skeins this weekend!
Pro tip: if you are going to knit flat, and you knit continental, and your tension is wonky, do Combination Knitting. Andrea Mowry has a video: "Combination Knitting: Knit Flat using Continental Style." Not only is this a faster method for doing purls, but it creates extremely even stockinette and machine like ribbing. I approach cardigans with Combination knitting and pullovers with standard knitting.
Good luck!
If you look up adult patterns under the shrug/bolero category on ravelry there are some pretty, similar options to the etsy pattern you showed. I think it’s technically called a sweater scarf?
omg you are amazing thank you so much!
I don’t frog anything lol I would wear them as is. I like the second option for the dress. For the tank maybe crochet a border.
ooo crochet border is a great idea! I forget that mixing knitting and crochet is an option haha. thank you so much for your input 🤗
Would definitely frog the blouse no 1 and go down the needle size your yarn choice is so good though it’s gonna look amazing!
I would keep the tank I think it looks super cute on you! If it’s too thick and you’re not gonna wear it definitely frog it!
I think I would go with the cotton mohair? In my experience halo-y yarns soften over time with washing (my experience is mostly with alpaca) so they do get more comfortable to wear.
Do you block your swatches? (I don’t make swatches cause I’m an idiot) garments can change so much when blocked I wonder if that’s something people do?
thank you so much for your input! I do really like the halo on the cottom-mohair combo swatch. I did block the swatches and I'm glad I did because the fabric is so much softer than pre block. Honestly at this point I'm wondering if making swatches is even worth it because my swatch gauge has always lied to me...
@@alexjames_fiber yeah.. I’ll sometimes count the stitches/rows when I’ve done 10cm of the project just to see if I’m anywhere near the gauge of the pattern.. but honestly I just go by what I think will fit me/look how I want it to look.. not very professional but I’m knitting for me and it works to do it that way!
I think with knitting swatches.. because the size you’re knitting and the fact you’re knitting flat is just so different to the tension you have when knitting bigger pieces and in the round.. a lot of people find them very very helpful though
that’s smart maybe I’ll try that - thank you!!
lol, I am also going to a wedding (but in May), will be wearing a green dress and am currently knitting my cover-up for that day.. what are the chances? :D
1. I think you should frog it because with blocking I think it will grow even more. But coming from me, who has 0 experience with animal fibers, you should take that with a grain of salt.
2. I agree, the stitch pattern looks off because of the stretch. I am team frog and save for another project.
3. I find the crochet sweater scarf by crochet with carrie kind of similar to the pictures you showed in the video. You could adjust the pattern to the cotton yarn you have and also it maybe would not be too hot on the body part, because it is a kinda lacy pattern? But the arms would be warm. But anyways, I say don't do mohair under any circumstance if you will wear it in warm weather 😂
haha nice! what cover up are you knitting?
thank you for your input - I need the push to frog the blouse no 1 😅that crochet sweater scarf is exactly what I need! I'm a little worried about the gauge tho, maybe I can get more yarn and hold it double or triple, although that would increase the price a lot... And yes the mohair is making me wary about that fabric option, but the ceremony will be inside in air conditioning so I think it'll be ok? if not then its an hour max that I would have to endure. hmmm much to think about
@@alexjames_fiber I am making the Datura Cardigan by Zaneteknits. She designs so you don't have to sew, maybe that's a tip for you since you mentioned you hate sewing ☺
I know frogging is frustrating, but the feeling after you finally decided what to do with a project that weighted you down is just so freeing! I think in the end you'll love yourself for doing it 😂it is all quite overwhelming but I'm sure you'll find a good way for each project!
@@yishinjia so pretty! I love that cardigain - hope you're enjoying the project. and thanks for the push to frog haha I don't want to but I know I will be so much happier in the end
If the fabric is too thick on the tank top, I would frog it and reuse the yarn for a more appropriate garment…
What size and type of circular knitting needles would you recommend for a beginner knitter?
I use the Clover Takumi interchangable set which is ~$70 on amazon or $160 at Michaels (but michaels always has 50% off deals so could probably get them for much cheaper). I LOVE this set except it doesn't go smaller than 3.25mm :/ Chaigoo is also a great option.
If you don't want to spend that much on a full interchangeable set (which is fair they're stupid expensive) then I would recommend getting individual interchangeables - that way you can keep adding to your set and everything is compatible. Personally I think fixed circulars are silly but they are cheaper so if you just want to try it out that is also a good option.
I would reccomend ~40cm + ~60cm (chord AND needle length combined) if you're just starting out. 40cm for small circumference like collars and sleeves, 60 for everything else. 60 is a bit small if you're working on the yoke of a sweater though, so if you get there and enjoy knitting then I would also recommend an 80 cm.
hope that helps and lmk if you have more questions! I might make a video on this too bc I was mega confused about all of it for a very long time haha
I teach myself To Knit During Covid-19 Pandemic
I think frog the blouse no 1 and start over. If you already aren’t loving it there’s no reason to persevere and make something you won’t wear at the end. The tank I would also frog and start over. It’s super cute, but if you feel like you’re not going to reach for it, then you probably won’t. And I have a pattern for a knit scarf shawl, which I am excited to make someday, but I think the wrap shawl you’d get more use out of. And I love that cotton and mohair together. So classy. Also, ASMR IS gross
thank you so much for your input!! I think I'll go with the cotton and mohair combo 👍 and thank you for agreeing with me about asmr lol
I try not to frog anything. that is looking good but doesn't fit me. I finish it and then find someone that it fits and give it, or donate it.