I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 169
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- Welcome to I’ll Knit (& Spin!) If I want To! I asked y’all to send in some of your questions (from everything from fiber arts, to designing and on!) so I could put together a little video for y’all every Friday doing my best to answer your questions!
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In this week’s episode we cover:
1. Hi, Andrea! I enjoy your UA-cam episodes, how-to videos, and your patterns! I've been knitting for a little over a year, and what I am wondering is how I can learn to knit more quickly. There are so many patterns and yarns I want to try, but it takes me ages to finish an object. I knit English style which I think is slower, because when I've tried Continental, I can't keep my tension and end up with very loose, uneven stitches. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated!
2. Hello! I love watching your videos! Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge. I am going somewhere (Lapland) much colder than where I live (London) in December and I want some make my boys some cute balaclavas... my question is, is all wool as warm as each other? I want to use something super warm (and not itchy) - what should I use? (The pattern I am thinking of making is the Knitting for Olive baby bear balaclava - they used a stand of their fingering merino held with a stand of their mohair, Ravelry says it's a sport weight pattern!
3. I am new to spinning, thank you for inspiring me! I have made my first 3 ply yarn and started knitting The Traveler shawl in sport weight. The only problem I have is i was only able to get 770 yards. Do you think this will be enough to make size A to pattern or would it be safer to not do the full 18 repeats in the first triangle? Thank you! (777)
The Traveler Shawl Pattern -
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
My Website: www.dreareneek...
4. I’m considering knitting Vellichor for summer. But, the recommended yarns in the pattern are no longer available. I was wondering if there are any other, currently available, yarns that you would recommend for this pattern.
The Vellichor Pattern -
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
My Website: www.dreareneek...
Knitting for Olive - Cotton Merino knittingforoli...
Pure silk knittingforoli...
FDF Confluence Cotton - thefarmersdaug...
5. Hi Andrea, thank you for sharing your time with us each week. I was hoping you could explain how to calculate yardage on scrap / “new to us” yarn that may not have a label accompanying it. I have some lovely yarn made in Italy, but can’t read the label! I’ve tried googling the words to no avail - help! 😂
Instagram: #100daysoflongdraw
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
Instagram: #100daysofknitting2024
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
Today I am wearing the Weekender Crew
Weekender Crew Pattern -
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
My Website: www.dreareneek...
And the Satellite Shawl
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
My Website: www.dreareneek...
DRK Spin It to Knit It KAL
Ravelry KAL Forum: www.ravelry.co...
Instagram Hashtags: #DRKspinittoknitKAL2024 #DRKspinsTHETRAVELER
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: forms.gle/pKM9...
Let's not forget that the fastest knitter in the world knits English style.
For the knitter who wants to increase their speed: I am also an English style knitter, and about seven years ago, I put in a lot of effort to increase my speed without switching to continental. I altered the way I was holding my yarn so I didn’t have to let go of my yarn every time I looped it over my needle. I found a tutorial from Very Pink Knits on “flicking” to be extremely helpful. That, and just getting more comfortable with knitting without looking increased my speed a lot. Good luck!
I've been thinking about the first knitter's question. My opinion is that most people don't finish projects as fast as the designer or other social media influencers do. We have many commitments and can't knit for hours (too bad) 😔. I'm only able to finish a few big projects in a year. I started the Traveler Shell in March and only today am I doing the back neck shaping! The only time I knit something "fast" was the Ginny sweater during the weeks in covid when I couldn't go into work. That was done in 6 weeks! Just enjoy the process
Saona from wool dreamers. Wool and cotton. ❤️
I can't wait to see the new design - love the glimpse of the cuff from your newsletter! Here's my own "speed" tip for knitting: It's all in the planning! For years I would wonder how other knitters get through a sweater in a month, when it would take me a year! I tried something new this year, and so far I've completed 6 projects in 6 months (for reference, I did 6 projects in 12 months in 2023!) The trick for me is not knitting faster, or even spending more time knitting, but project management. I've set weekly goals for each WIP, based on the pattern: Finish yoke increases, join front and back, etc. over a defined time period. I'm amazed at how much this has helped my productivity and focus!
The tip to try knitting without looking at the work is spot on. It's the best way to learn how stitches should feel besides how they should look.
I'm an English knitter and learning flicking really sped up my knitting. Something work checking out :) Also, as a bonus, with that method my tension is way looser, but very consistent, which has been great on my hands.
I’ve tried continental knitting, but my tension is waaay off. I really appreciate that your tutorials always show both styles. So many other designers’ tutorials only show the stitch pattern in continental, and sometimes I can’t “SEE” how the stitches are made. Always so much more helpful to show both styles.
Thanks for always putting out your lovely podcast each week! It's a staple in my week that I look forward to. I'm very excited for your next pattern release! 🎉
Thank you so much! That means a lot!
Just letting you know that I am still excited about knitting. I was around 30 when I learned and am now 75. It is exciting to start something, exciting to finish something, exciting to figure out a new pattern. Not so exciting to fix a mistake, but exciting to know how to fix a mistake or even to recognize a mistake (sometimes I can just live with it and it doesn't get fixed). Thank you for the advice on how to tell what size yarn you have spun. I knew how to measure length but not size.
Lovely episode as usual! Summer yarns... since I moved to Italy I increased the share of summer knits as a survival strategy 🤪 and I actually love it, since last year I have started to knit with pure linen yarns and I am obsessed because the result is soo fresh and beautiful. I know it is a harder fiber but luckily I don't have any issues when knitting with it. IMO one of the most beautiful options is De Rerum Natura's Antigone, but I also find severa Italian brand quite good as well, such as Borgo de pazzi
Wonderful example for explaining yardage!
Just here to day, we love you Andrea! Thank you for sharing your beautiful creative soul with the world! Have a lovely Friday. ❤
Wool and other Fiber: age of the animal, how well the animal was feed, the altitude, the breed and the type of animal the fiber came off of is all going to make a huge difference in the softness of the fiber! before its even spun, so do you research then choose a final yarn product. Cause knitting takes time, and no one want to not love something they spent all that time knitting lol
One of my faaaavorite summer yarns is Noro's Sonata. It's a wonderful blend of cotton, silk, viscose & polyamide. It's a little tricky to get your hands on, but if you can I highly recommend it!
Thanks for sharing!
I remember when you mentioned YOTH best friend and how it was being discontinued a while back. I went and snagged some skeins for a vellichor before they sold out. I’m so glad I did because it’s a delightful yarn.
I also like quince and co’s sparrow which is 100% linen.
Thank you for the fun podcast this week! My new favourite summer yarns are Drops Merino Cotton and Sandnes Garn Duo. I wear T-shirts in the office as it’s always too warm. I am loving experimenting with summer fibres for the first time. 🌷🌷
Favorite summer yarn 100000000% Camilla Fiber Company Flax -It's Linen, alpaca, and silk, it comes in fingering and DK weights, and has an impressive range of naturally dyed colors. It's the softest thing to wear and the only yarn I enjoying wearing during hot desert summers.
A nettle/wool blend from Ancient Arts in Calgary is actually cooling if you're looking for avoiding hot flashes....
A ‘gateway’ summer yarn for me that I’m LOVING is Shoreline Sport by Seachange Fibers. It’s 50% merino/rambouillet, 25% silk, 25% linen
Thanks for sharing!
That’s a pretty wrap you have on.
Thank you! It’s the Satellite Shawl ☺️
Another way to increase knitting speed is knit in time to upbeat music. As a tempo increases your speed will increase as you keep time with the music.
I could not purl continental. I found another UA-camr who teaches Norwegian purl and that's what works for me.
I live in steamy Florida and look forward to knitting with cotton, bamboo, hemp or linen yarns. I save my warm wool yarns to make gifts for my family and friends up in Western New York 🧶
I have found that I can't knit faster English style if I hold the needles close to the tips and have the yarn "queued up" near the tip of the left needle. Then I can just flick my index finger to make a loop. I just have to slow down if I'm knitting through the front and back loop or doing a pattern with multiple stitches together or doing yarn overs.
I too have never loved summer yarns...until now. I love this one so much that I carry it in my online shop! Yarn Jam Silk Linen Fingering is a light fingering and creates a BEAUTIFUL drapey, luxurious fabric. 65% Silk, 35% Linen | 115g | 496yd I have knit 2 shawls our of it already this spring...one being your Ara Shawl! I will have to try the merino/cotton you mentioned as well!
One piece of advice from Nimble Needles I really appreciated is to focus on improving my technique, not my speed in particular. He said once you are used to using the new technique (for me it was changing how close to the needles I tensioned my yarn with my index finger) you will naturally get faster. But focusing on trying to knit faster just stressed me out and led to more mistakes. I watched videos from multiple people who knit like I do (continental) to get ideas for how I could improve my technique and just went with the things that made sense when I tried them.
As always Andrea, thanks for adding joy to my Friday. I switched from English style to Continental style because of my hands as well. The arthritis in my right hand bothered me more and more but since switching over I have been able to continue to knit. One of the other advantages of knowing both styles for me was when I do colour work. I took a class on how to do colour work using the yarn in both hands and it has made the process of colour work much easier for me..
I always do my colorwork using both hands and it is so fun!!
Here to say I love your videos, it's what I look forward to every Friday! Also you look gorgeous, I love your outfit! The sweater really brings out your eyes and I love the colour combos with the shawl! ✨
A tip for quicker knitting no matter which style, is yarn management. I have my yarn on the left side for continental knitting and right for English style. Also pull out a decent amount of yarn so that it flows freely through your hands. Saves a few moments here and there!
Great tip!
Goodness- this was such a helpful episode. I have a huge stash and was really dreading the whole yardage question for several sweater quantities of mystery yarn. Thanks so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Your podcast is fabulous. I learn so much from you and you inspire me to try new yarns.
I love Berroco Modern Cotton, it's a cotton and rayon blend. Lovely to knit with! I'm a cotton freak..lol. I do love a good cotton/wool blend as well! Love your pod cast! I learn so much from you!
Agreeing with the previous poster. Always look forward to Friday😊
Knitting for Olive is a great advice for the Vellichor. I'm knitting Vellichor as we speak with a combination of left-overs Knitting for Olive Merino, Cotton-Merino and Pure Silk. Loving it!
Happy to hear that!!
Thanks for the great podcast this week. One of my favorite summer yarns is Rowan Summerlite DK . It's 100% cotton, but silky - and unlike other cotton yarns I've tried, it doesn't hurt my hands.
I had so much fun knitting my traveler hats last weekend.
So happy to hear that!
Always good to see you each Friday! Like you, I love love love wool and have had some not fun experiences with pure cotton so this summer I am trying a cotton wool blend and am loving it! The yarn is Candide by De Rerum Natura out of France. It is plant dyed, which I am also a fan of.
I switched from English to continental knitting after about two years of knitting. The knit stitch was a breeze but purling was a disaster. I finally landed on the Norwegian style of purling. My tension is very similar whether knitting or purling. I am a faster knitter but I don’t try to knit fast. My friends have decided that I’m just very efficient. I would not focus on knitting faster but rather just enjoy the experience of knitting. I’ve only been knitting for 7 years but it feels like I’ve been a knitter forever!
I live in Southern California, so "summer yarns" are year round for me. A few of my favorites are knitting for olive cotton merino, blue sky cotton all weights, Noro cotton blends, and Laines du Nord baby soft, which is cotton and soy. I have knitted the baby soft with size 4-7 needles and it is drapey on all sizes. I have also use KFO cotton merino with magpie plume the fabric is light, drapey and doesn't feel like cotton at all. I am looking forward to your patterns in cotton blends.
After knitting English style for about 30yrs, I taught myself to knit continental style because I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is so much easier on my hands and shoulders, I have found no difference in my speed. But, then again, knitting for me is the journey not a race. I know I will never get to everything that I want to knit and that’s okay.
Your outfit today is stunning!
My favorite summer yarn is Coleman from Queen city yarns. It now comes in DK and Fingering. It is linen and silk. I have knit 4 Sommer tops and have plans for 2 more
I've been working on a pattern in the knitting for olive silk and it's honestly delightful! I was worried too but it's been so nice to work with.
I always learn something new or a new way of doing something! Thank you so much for doing these videos ❤
I'm so glad!
summer yarn: my knitting group raves abt Hikoo Sueno ["swayne-yo"], a superwash/merino/bamboo/viscose blend. i have some tweed for a summer top, but haven't even swatched yet. it drapes beautifully on other knitters :-) .
i also like Knitpicks Comfy cottons, but the colors seem to fade a little bit after some washes. it's not hard on my hands like some cottons.
but there's nothing like wool :-) .
Cotton Bamboo Linen by Lion Brand is fantastic...and not hard on my hands at all. I'm currently working with Juniper Moon Pollack (Silk linen blend) and it's not quite as nice to work with but I'm told that after blocking it's much softer.
It''s chilly here in England too.
for the person who asked the first question - i am faster knitting continental but my tension is much looser, so i had to change how i wrap the yarn compared to english style to achieve a similar tension for both styles. once my tension was pretty much the same, i found my stitches became a lot more even with continental. maybe you've already tried this, but if you haven't, it might help you.
I just finished swatching for the Vellichor and I'm using Sandnes Garn Tynn Line and am really happy with the fabric. I just finished two different tees in the Knitting for Olive that Andrea mentioned and agree they'd be great as well.
Thank you for sharing!!
I'm working on the Untangled shawl as I watch this and I almost thought you were wearing it, lol!
I do love to mix brioche and garter stripes in my shawls! I hope you love your Untangled Shawl!!
I submitted a question about a dropped stitch on the satellite shawl and when I saw you were wearing it I thought, "Great, she picked my question!" But no..........Argh!!
Summer Yarn: Knit Picks Lindy Chain! -Andrea
Thanks for sharing!
I can't wear wool against my skin but I can wear Merino wool.
I meant to say CAN knit faster holding my hands closer to the tips.
What kind of book holder do you use?
How do I find video for Winters Beach
🥰
Thank you for not blanketly saying Continental knitting is faster than English. I think that is one of my most common hot take/knitting myth topics as I just don't think it's true... for all the reasons you mentioned in your answer.
For quite a while, the worlds fastest knitter was an English style knitter ☺️
Did anyone else see that orb, or was it just me?
Noooo 72" is 2 yards which is so much easier than 70"