I cannot stress the swatching step enough especially for garments that need to fit a specific way. I see so many people complaining things are not fitting how they expected and when you follow up about what their gauge was, they couldnt tell you, because they didn't do it. And many will blame the designer.
Just found you and loved your podcasts. Just finished my granny ripple Afghan and I think I started it maybe 2 years ago. It is for my grandson who is a teen but loves my handwork. I was dumb and did not fix my ends while working on it and it took me over a hour to weave them in. I love it but never again. Take care
I usually start swatching for my next project when I’m on the home stretch from my current WIP. That’s when I’m planning and dream knitting for the next one so it makes sense to me. Often I’ll start with yarn I already have, or just buy one skein and see what works. I find I like to see the fabric,stitch pattern and how the yarns work together if there’s more than one. Also like a few days to contemplate the blocked swatch in different lights, hold it up to my face etc. I find this process: as well as sourcing the best yarns, to be very enjoyable and when I’m ready to start it’s all in place, no rushing.
Great tips. I went a bit overboard when I got back in to knitting with notions. I have a drawer full, but really only use about 2% of the bits and bobs. Journaling about projects is such good advice (and, don’t rely on tech…ask me how I know).
Beginner knitter here and very appreciative of the wisdom of others! I definitely found myself impulse buying over Christmas and realise I need to nip that in the bud before it gets out of hand. Same with the gift knitting. I am scared about starting colourwork but I've bought the yarn and patterns now so I guess I better just make a start!
I absolutely agree with everything you said and am guilty of all of them. My biggest regret is starting a project , getting along about 50%, stopping for no reason and starting something else.
Haha…. I started knitting in the 70’s before internet YT!!!!!! I was too poor to buy the yarn intended for the pattern and thought all yarn was pretty much the same 🥺🙄🤦♀️ I never searched, so my things turned out either a bit big or small. UNTIL I figured it out!!! I got a lot of thrifted yarn too. I do both crochet and knitting, but I also started spinning in 2017 (and processing my own wool from our sheep). For my 60th birthday my husband bought me the Chiaogoo Red set. I love them! Up until then I just used thrifted straight needles. I does make your knitting more enjoyable, however the cost was always the deterrent. 🙂
Oh man yarn choices are a big one! We live and we learn I guess. So cool your spinning from your own sheep #goals. the chiagoos are a great gift to get!! I know they’re so pricey I wish it was more affordable 🥲
I definitely regret spending money on cheaper interchangeable sets before going for the Chiaogoos. I got the Lykke driftwoods also and I enjoyed that because they were shorties. But also I kinda wish I’d saved that money for the chiaogoo shortie sets. But it’s a lesson learned. And I was able to donate the starter interchangeable boye set to a program teaching cancer patients to knit. Also determining someone’s knitworthyness is a challenge. Most of the people I make things for are very appreciative and wear them a lot. But I have two friends that I made very lovely sweaters for and I have not seen them wear it once. Not even a try on pic! 😢 Lowkey I would like to ask for them back bc I would def wear them! 😂
That’s so great you donated them that’s such a good idea. I wish I mentioned it in the video by my biggest issue with Lykke ones were the price for the quality. I feel like a knit picks one would likely feel the same for half the price.
Knitting needles are so personal! I would reccommend using the 'single needles phase' to try f.i. one chiagoo, and then one knitpro, and one lykke etc. Like, I prefer to not use metal needles for sensory reasons, so I prefer kinking cables over metal needles and wouldn't be happy with the chiagoo set. But I wouldn't have known if I hadn't tried them. Then I have a friend with ADHD who benefits from the knitpro metal needles having a different color per needle size, because then when chaos ensues she can know which needle is which by the color. The wooden needles I love would't work for her. It is worth finding the right needles for you, whatever people on the internet say are the best (basically just like you with the Lykke needles, that didn't work for you). Working on projects you want to make over overcommitting to gift knits for everyone is a very valuable lesson I had to learn too. Another one like it is: don't overcommit on test knits. I had to learn the had way that with a bigger size I get quickly accepted to test knits, and just because a designer seems to be a nice person and I want them to have enough test knitters doesn't mean I have to be one of those test knitters. Especially when I already see a garment might be awkwardly designed, not what I need in my closet, and I already have enough knitting plans for at least a decade. 😅
I definitely regret not believing or trusting in myself a couple years ago as a beginner [like I was wayyy to hard on myself] …and sometimes still am. I also regret letting others in the community influence my making…. I spent way too long trying to learn continental and getting frustrated when I could have just been making what I wanted.
I’m mainly here because I believe knitting takes too long and I learned to crochet first! 😂😂😂 J/K it’s all love for fiber arts! ETA: chiagoo needles, hmmm? I may try them.
This is a great vlog. My one regret is that I spent almost a year thinking I needed to perfect my stitches. It took me a long time to start knitting garments. Then when I ran into a problem I stopped working on the garment because I didn’t know what to do. Now I am an active learner for my knitting. My motto is to be a fearless knitter. I knit what I want so I can learn. If I make a mistake I learn to fix them. And my Chiaogoos are worth every penny. Love them!
Same. Crocheting an entire blanket was oddly more approachable. I had no idea patterns even existed that told you how to knit. I thought I was just supposed to know how to knit a sweater like I learned to crochet, one round at a time.
I've worked in a yarnstore and everyone would always push me to buy the expensive chiaogoo needles... I've been very happy with my KnitPro interchangeable needle set and I love knitting with wooden needles. Yes I've sat my butt down on my needles sometimes and they'd break, but the best thing is; almost every yarnshop holds knit pro needles! they're knot expensive, and they all fit on the cables (whereas chiaogoo has the corresponding S,M,L cables..) I understand a lot of people enjoy knitting with the good quality chiaogoo needles, but they're not a 'you HAVE/SHOULD' buy this. A lot of people make it feel as if it's 'bad' to have cheap wooden needles. Especially since this video is focussed on beginner knitters, try out what works for you, you don't need to have these expensive needles.
I’ve never tried knitpro. Someone else mentioned it here but i definitely think trying single needles of different brands is the way to go to find out what types of needles you like. But i personally love my chiagoos and wish I got them earlier but budget is definitely a determining factor
I cannot stress the swatching step enough especially for garments that need to fit a specific way. I see so many people complaining things are not fitting how they expected and when you follow up about what their gauge was, they couldnt tell you, because they didn't do it. And many will blame the designer.
💯
I love my Lykke needles because metal makes my hands hurt, but I big agree about keeping good pattern notes.
Just found you and loved your podcasts. Just finished my granny ripple Afghan and I think I started it maybe 2 years ago. It is for my grandson who is a teen but loves my handwork. I was dumb and did not fix my ends while working on it and it took me over a hour to weave them in. I love it but never again. Take care
Thank you!! Gosh that’s the worst having to weave in all those ends. I try to weave them as I go so my future self is grateful 😅
I usually start swatching for my next project when I’m on the home stretch from my current WIP. That’s when I’m planning and dream knitting for the next one so it makes sense to me. Often I’ll start with yarn I already have, or just buy one skein and see what works. I find I like to see the fabric,stitch pattern and how the yarns work together if there’s more than one. Also like a few days to contemplate the blocked swatch in different lights, hold it up to my face etc. I find this process: as well as sourcing the best yarns, to be very enjoyable and when I’m ready to start it’s all in place, no rushing.
That’s smart!!
Great tips. I went a bit overboard when I got back in to knitting with notions. I have a drawer full, but really only use about 2% of the bits and bobs. Journaling about projects is such good advice (and, don’t rely on tech…ask me how I know).
Beginner knitter here and very appreciative of the wisdom of others! I definitely found myself impulse buying over Christmas and realise I need to nip that in the bud before it gets out of hand. Same with the gift knitting. I am scared about starting colourwork but I've bought the yarn and patterns now so I guess I better just make a start!
I absolutely agree with everything you said and am guilty of all of them. My biggest regret is starting a project , getting along about 50%, stopping for no reason and starting something else.
Haha I do that all the time. But then when I go to finish those WIPs they fly by in half the time so it’s kind of a win 😂
Haha…. I started knitting in the 70’s before internet YT!!!!!!
I was too poor to buy the yarn intended for the pattern and thought all yarn was pretty much the same 🥺🙄🤦♀️
I never searched, so my things turned out either a bit big or small.
UNTIL I figured it out!!!
I got a lot of thrifted yarn too. I do both crochet and knitting, but I also started spinning in 2017 (and processing my own wool from our sheep).
For my 60th birthday my husband bought me the Chiaogoo Red set. I love them! Up until then I just used thrifted straight needles. I does make your knitting more enjoyable, however the cost was always the deterrent. 🙂
Oh man yarn choices are a big one! We live and we learn I guess. So cool your spinning from your own sheep #goals.
the chiagoos are a great gift to get!! I know they’re so pricey I wish it was more affordable 🥲
Another great episode! I had the same start to knitting. Every stitch was twisted and I had no idea. Don’t think I ever finished that scarf.🧣
No way! so glad I wasn’t the only one 🥲👯♀️
I definitely regret spending money on cheaper interchangeable sets before going for the Chiaogoos. I got the Lykke driftwoods also and I enjoyed that because they were shorties. But also I kinda wish I’d saved that money for the chiaogoo shortie sets. But it’s a lesson learned. And I was able to donate the starter interchangeable boye set to a program teaching cancer patients to knit. Also determining someone’s knitworthyness is a challenge. Most of the people I make things for are very appreciative and wear them a lot. But I have two friends that I made very lovely sweaters for and I have not seen them wear it once. Not even a try on pic! 😢 Lowkey I would like to ask for them back bc I would def wear them! 😂
That’s so great you donated them that’s such a good idea. I wish I mentioned it in the video by my biggest issue with Lykke ones were the price for the quality. I feel like a knit picks one would likely feel the same for half the price.
A handknit sweater would be way closer to $1k that $300. There is so much skill, time, and yarn in a whole dang sweater.
Trueeee. I was thinking chunky yarn and minimum wage 😅 it’s why I roll my eyes whenever non-knitters ask why I don’t sell my work
Knitting needles are so personal! I would reccommend using the 'single needles phase' to try f.i. one chiagoo, and then one knitpro, and one lykke etc. Like, I prefer to not use metal needles for sensory reasons, so I prefer kinking cables over metal needles and wouldn't be happy with the chiagoo set. But I wouldn't have known if I hadn't tried them. Then I have a friend with ADHD who benefits from the knitpro metal needles having a different color per needle size, because then when chaos ensues she can know which needle is which by the color. The wooden needles I love would't work for her. It is worth finding the right needles for you, whatever people on the internet say are the best (basically just like you with the Lykke needles, that didn't work for you).
Working on projects you want to make over overcommitting to gift knits for everyone is a very valuable lesson I had to learn too. Another one like it is: don't overcommit on test knits. I had to learn the had way that with a bigger size I get quickly accepted to test knits, and just because a designer seems to be a nice person and I want them to have enough test knitters doesn't mean I have to be one of those test knitters. Especially when I already see a garment might be awkwardly designed, not what I need in my closet, and I already have enough knitting plans for at least a decade. 😅
Yes! That’s a great idea!
I definitely regret not believing or trusting in myself a couple years ago as a beginner [like I was wayyy to hard on myself] …and sometimes still am. I also regret letting others in the community influence my making…. I spent way too long trying to learn continental and getting frustrated when I could have just been making what I wanted.
Gosh it’s so easy to get influenced these days totally agree on that point
It's great to buy 2 skeins of yarn, but you can make striped sweaters with different skeins too, especially if you gravitate to certain colors. ❤
Totally!! I’m all over the place with my single skein colors 🤣🤣
I’m mainly here because I believe knitting takes too long and I learned to crochet first! 😂😂😂
J/K it’s all love for fiber arts!
ETA: chiagoo needles, hmmm? I may try them.
It does take longer but the fabric thoooo 🤌🏽
@@escarlaI know. So lovely. 😢
This is a great vlog. My one regret is that I spent almost a year thinking I needed to perfect my stitches. It took me a long time to start knitting garments. Then when I ran into a problem I stopped working on the garment because I didn’t know what to do. Now I am an active learner for my knitting. My motto is to be a fearless knitter. I knit what I want so I can learn. If I make a mistake I learn to fix them. And my Chiaogoos are worth every penny. Love them!
Same. Crocheting an entire blanket was oddly more approachable. I had no idea patterns even existed that told you how to knit. I thought I was just supposed to know how to knit a sweater like I learned to crochet, one round at a time.
I've worked in a yarnstore and everyone would always push me to buy the expensive chiaogoo needles... I've been very happy with my KnitPro interchangeable needle set and I love knitting with wooden needles. Yes I've sat my butt down on my needles sometimes and they'd break, but the best thing is; almost every yarnshop holds knit pro needles! they're knot expensive, and they all fit on the cables (whereas chiaogoo has the corresponding S,M,L cables..)
I understand a lot of people enjoy knitting with the good quality chiaogoo needles, but they're not a 'you HAVE/SHOULD' buy this. A lot of people make it feel as if it's 'bad' to have cheap wooden needles. Especially since this video is focussed on beginner knitters, try out what works for you, you don't need to have these expensive needles.
I’ve never tried knitpro. Someone else mentioned it here but i definitely think trying single needles of different brands is the way to go to find out what types of needles you like. But i personally love my chiagoos and wish I got them earlier but budget is definitely a determining factor
Impulse buying because a yarn dyer is going out of business (Two Sheep's last day is 1/31/25. Grab some hand dyed yarn before it's gone!)