Just chatting about some things to consider when trying to get the most polished look out of our knitting. Remember: you may or may not agree, and that is ok. Take what you can use; leave what you can't. ❤ My cropped Felix: www.ravelry.com/projects/TaylerEarl/felix-pullover-5
You are the only person that tries to help knitters that i have ever seen admit there are mistakes in your work.I never beleived my work is worthy because i know where the mistakes are.
My grandmother said she couldn’t knit while watching my uncles play basketball because her tension would get way too tight if the game was a nail biter.
If you research the word perfection it simply means to bring to completion, attain the appropriate purpose or goal. So if you like the garment/object that you have made, it fulfills the purpose for which you made it, then it's perfect! Love this podcast!
Totally agree with all these tips! Finishing touches is the one it took me longest to get right but they make all the difference. The biggest “mistake” I notice people make eg on ravelry projects is yarn choice/colour. Just cause beige looks good on the designer doesn’t mean it will suit everyone. I’ve learned to really think about the yarn + pattern combination, and not just impulsively pick a yarn that’s the right weight. The garments I get the most compliments on is based on the colour and for me it’s never the grey/beige/muted/pastel ones.
When I learned Portuguese knitting, it was a game changer in my tension. I am stil practicing with dish clothes, but it is so much better than i could manage with any other style.
My biggest epiphany was simply untwisting my stitches! After a whole year knitting I realized there was a specific direction to wrap the yarn lol it was like night and day the difference how the stitches lay neatly versus “lovingly homemade” 😂
lol, I do one row continental and the next row is English. It helps me avoid pain in my hands. I knit to stay calm and relaxed so I’m ok if my tension is not perfect.
Watching as I finally hand stitch a ribbon to the inside of the button band on my latest cardigan so that I can properly attach the shank buttons I picked out. Finishing is so important, but can also feel so daunting!
It’s refreshing to see someone who knits English style exactly like I do! Another great mid week episode! I live my handmade knits because I know they are different and not 100% perfect - like me!
I believe striving for perfection and being creative are inversely proportional. If you aren’t willing to risk things going poorly, you’re basically just “following the herd”. And that can applied to everything.
I’m slowly learning “the right yarn for the project” is so important. I just had a sweater fail where I had to go down several needle sizes to get gauge with the yarn I had bought. I plowed ahead, but the fabric was dense and hard to knit, and I conceded defeat. Knit and learn!
As much as I love knitting podcasts and seeing peoples projects and purchases, videos like this is why I absolutely love your channel! I just find your advice so helpful and informative, plus it’s delivered in such a cosy relaxed way 😊
Ok. This was everything I didn't know I was looking for. Most knitting that I do is "winging it" and according to your video I have been doing most of it right!! I learned several things I didn't know, like overdying, and now I am going to go back and take a look at your other videos! Thanks for all your hard work!!❤
I'm so glad Michelle! Most of us need the reminder from time to time that we're doing a great job and actually doing it right. So glad you're here and I'm thankful for your support!
I like to think that the way my hands create things is like my signature on the item. Yeah it might not look perfect but it looks like I made it and that's good enough for me :)
Regarding tension: I tried with continental and English style and I had huge problems with both, I found Portuguese style knitting, and the tension is kept much more consistent without cramping my hands: the yarn goes under pinkie and 4th finger of my right hand, then around the neck, then arrives to the work from the opposite side compared to the others: I generally have to work with slighly bigger needles to keep gauge, but the tension is so easy to keep more consistent!!
This comes at a great time for me. I'm about to knit my first sweater and I want it to look neat and polished and I know tension is key. Thanks very much for these tips. I'm also watching loads of videos about gauge and fit, because I'm really worried about getting that wrong.
I know that you spoke of wood vs metal needles, but I can't remember if you mentioned needle size. I ran into someone at knit night (but in the afternoon) who absolutely will only use the suggested needle size on the ball band or pattern, but she's a tight knitter. She isn't happy with the finished garment because her stitches are way too tight, making her garment stiff. I guess that's part of swatching, but she blows off swatching, so we're trying to convince her to use a bigger needle size. We're still trying. But my tip would be to "read" your fabric for how it looks and feels and be willing to make adjustments.
GM Taylor You are such a smart little cookie Always have so many great tips for us each week Your pod is always the first I click Thanks for giving this older chick new things to learn 😊 Thanks and have a great weekend 🥰😊
Good morning Debbie! Thank you for watching and your kind words, as always. It’s always so nice to see you in the comments. Have a really great day and weekend. ❤
Lever knitting (Irish cottage knitting) is another common grip or knitting style. It's an underhand grip for the dominant hand. Very popular in Australia up until the 1970s.
NO DRINKING……first you insist on waiving a mug of tea/coffee around as if to be a knitter you have to partake in this beverage….now no drinking alcohol while knitting….what has this craft come to…..35 years and never a issue (many others)….great video and a save..in the middle of seaming a linen top so the SOHO referral is a save….🍷🥂🍸🍻
😂😂😂 I drink tea and coffee while I have a sit&chat with you fine people. Never while knitting. It just goes cold! And in terms of wine and knitting…do what feels good. Life’s too short. 😘
Oh gosh I’m so sorry about your Flax. But I can tell you, I’ve been there. I understand that feeling. It’s deflating and frustrating, but as much as we feel that way, we still have learned so much through those projects. ❤
With regards to light I always think of the artist studios that I have had the honour to spend time in - with the artists too. They always have north facing windows. Even if they have roof windows, they always face north, just to avoid direct sunlight. That taught me at a very young age how important the correct lighting is for anything that needs to be lit for exposure of any kind!
Yes! Indeed. I adore my office and my HUGE window and am thankful for the patio cover outside of it because my window faces east and not north. Second best IMO. 😀
@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS An east window is fine just so long as you don't want to work early in the day, when you might get sun from that direction! However, if you have no choice, east is definite second best!
Wow, thank you for this info. I am new to knitting sweaters and it is easy to get frustrated and waste yarn. I need to hear all your important ideas for how to do this right before I waste more yarn and time! You are down to earth and perfect for my level of understanding and very clear. Thank you!
Great tips, as always! I think the first video of yours I came across was your guide to substituting yarn, which I diligently followed to pick out a perfect yarn for a dress for my daughter. I think it's my favorite thing I've knit. Been a follower ever since!
Really love that red. Wish i could purchase yarn that colour! Great timing as I am reworking a pair of colourwork mittens. Frogging, washing out the kinks, drying, winding up then finally starting over. Blocking wasn't going to solve how tight the fit was so i reworked the pattern. Much happier! I am now researching bind offs each time I complete a sweater - I think Latvian is my favorite around a neckline.
Loved this!! Great video! So many awesome tips. Once I learned the beauty that is a tubular/Italian bind off, my knits started looking so much more professional, and also, way more comfortable because I didnt have the tighter "bind off in pattern" that i was so susceptible to doing. Also, is there a "Happy Whatever-It-Is-You're-Doing" mug? I would 100% make that my new mug for work.
I 😅 agree with your tips. I would suggest a gauge swatch of at least 4 to 6 inches square. If you do a tiny gauge swatch it can potentially lie to you. More places in a swatch to check gauge is helpful.
Thank you for this video and the useful tips! I learned knitting as a child from my mum. Im turkish and i learned the potuguese style. I realy dont understand why nobody tells about this knitting style. It IS easy and do-able. I find tension is a more controlable. But i abe to say that my yarn holding way changes with different yarns, bevause not every yarn behaves the same way when pilling. I left knitting and did more crochet after i slipped the stitches and riuned everything because i didnt know how to fix it. But round about 2 years ago i thought "i mastered crochet very well, its not possible, that i can not knit" and started a sweater with a youtube video step by step and it turned out pretty well. A bit big, but looks good.
Agreed! It is one of the biggest issues with knitters on the fb groups always looking for someone else to help them ‘fix’ their problem. It never occurs to them that ‘doing’ with left over yarn and running through a technique or a section of a garment will give their cells the learning that it needs. Tension and gauge is king and I keep telling them that this is their opportunity to use the arithmetic and geometry that they learned in school. I am dyslexic so they do not have any ground under their protestations of brain pain. Frogging is my favourite thing because the last time around my pieces come out so much better 😁 And I do not block my socks either. I soft block sweaters/jumpers. And no I do not tipple the cognac when I am knitting as I get buzzed and woozy which makes me an airhead 😂 Note: do not use ‘wring’ as ‘squeeze’ is the word. If you have to stretch it to death then blocking is not an option. I keep telling them that wool springs back. This is a great video and you do a great job of it as I do not suffer folk gladly either. I pull off the duct tape quickly
I recently switched to the traditional Norwegian/Norsk "picking". So much quicker and much better for a relaxed handhold. Also, I put my beverages into a quality, well-insulated travel mug, with a smallish opening. My drink stays at just the right temperature, and I'm far less likely to have a spill.
This has been really helpful. I really struggle with tension and just started my first stranded colourwork project (a hat) with a very simple two colour motif which I’m a bit unhappy with because my tension has changed throughout. I’m going to rip it back and start again even though that’s a bit of a hassle at this point when I’m nearly finished. But it’s a gift and I want it to look nice.
I completely understand the tension issue with colorwork, but I hope I catch you in time to tell you that inconsistencies in tension don't necessarily mean you need to rip it out and start over. Colorwork is a fickle mistress and tension issues are NORMAL. There's so much going on. I would recommend that you keep at it. Don't start over yet, especially if you're so close to being finished. In fact, I would be more than happy to look at it for you if you wanted to share a photo with me via email. Sometimes another set of eyes can lend us a little perspective. Seriously. ❤️
I follow two creators on UA-cam devotedly and can’t wait to watch both your new videos whenever they’re released. Laughing at the wine comment. I learned quickly exactly what happens to my tension when I drink wine and crochet or knit. The width of my projects increase significantly 😂😂😂 As for blocking, my mom mostly crochets but says she has never ever blocked a finished item. I have discovered I love the beauty of a finished blocked piece. I guess I take after my grandmother and the patience for blocking skipped a generation. I got so much value from this. As always. I can’t wait to finish my shawl I’m making so I can try my hand at my first knit garment. Enjoy your week.
Because of the way my right hand was developed, my knitting style is between flicking and throwing. I often lay the yarn over my "forfinger" or twice if I need to get tighter tension. Continental knitting is simply too hard for me to do as my right hand can't really maneuver the yarn like my left hand could. I have what's called a clubbed right hand where I only have 4 fingers on that right hand. As a result, I've learned to knit quickly using the in between flicking and throwing method and keep the yarn extremely close to the tips.
I love your top not only that gorgeous but the fit but any chance it is Lacey . Do you have the pattern if so will I be able to make it long sleeves thanks
Ma'am!! I love your videos. I love the pace and you always have such great content. I really need to work on my finishing techniques. Kitchener stitch will be the death of me. i will have to take a look at that soho site. And blocking,... I haven't even started doing that well. I have steamed a couple acrylic makes but they didn't seem to hold as well as I would have liked. But I'm working on it.Thank you for the tips. I will be checking out your over dyed video. till next time.
Excellent video. My tension is still inconsistent. Had no idea about holding the tips close!! Definitely going to check out the overdye video. Got some assigned pooling disaster yarn.
Love your videos so much. I think there’s way to much fabric in front close to your arms. That’s why I prefer ser in sleeves. I am sorry for m’y poor english. I speak french. 😉
Weavers often weave in an intentional mistake called a weaver’s mark, to mark an item as handmade. That’s how I feel about my little mistakes. They just prove that the item is handmade.
Totally agree! If I wanted absolute mechanical consistent things I would buy machine made. I want the personal tactile imperfections. It's the character and beauty of handmade ❤
I like the myth that every knitter puts a bit of their soul into their projects and each project should have a mistake or two, so that piece of the soul can escape again
This video has made me wondering,what are your thoughts on handcrafted (handmade) versus homemade? And yes, a lot of your takes on what makes a garment sloppy can make the difference between hand crafted and homemade
I used to use a potato for photography, but the critics whipped my style, so now I use a cantaloupe.😂 It works perfectly because I'm already married. 😂😂
Huh. Seamed projects are more structured, which is the opposite of sloppy. Seamed projects are also stronger and hold their shape years longer, so again, seams are an advantage in avoiding sloppy looking knits. I hope you embrace the challenge and try one.
Okay, I am knitting my first sweater (Flax from Tin Can Knits) and I have to know some things about washing it: After the initial blocking when I finish knitting, do I have to block my sweater after every wash? Or should I never wash my sweater like regular clothes and just let it air out like jeans and only do an actual deep clean every once in a while? (All this assuming I am successful and actually wear it!) Edit: I’m using acrylic if that makes any difference.
With acrylic, at long as it's machine washable and dryable that's what you should do rather than blocking. Blocking is really for wool. In my experience, drying acrylic will be the best option to even things out and keep the best shape and drape for the yarn. But for wool garments, for sure block them each time if you want them to look really crisp and nice!
I am almost always happy with my knits just after the projects are finished. Fast forward to a couple of wears are the project doesn’t look so good. Pilling is the main problem. My sweaters almost all pill. I’m so sick of it. Do all wools pill?
Pretty much any fiber will pill, and pretty much all wool has a halo and will pill a little. Shorter fibers (like merino vs a sheep wool) and superwash fibers will pill more. Multi-ply, tightly spun, and longer-staple fibers will pill less because they have fewer ends sticking out. If you trim off the pills, eventually you'll trim off most/all the looser fiber ends and the pilling should decrease substantially. De-pilling is just a necessary part of sweater maintenance, alas!
Have you knit with 100% silk yarn? I have some ripening in my stash. I'm worried that it will.just sag if knitted in stockinette since it is totally inelastic. I could also weave with it as warp. It's about worsted weight. Any opinions?
Hi @rebeccazegstroo6786, I saw Taylor read your question on her latest video. I am currently knitting 100% Cattail Silk yarn from Purl Soho. I am making a cardigan. This yarn is much lighter in weight than yours and it is more like raw silk fabric and not shiny. The yarn itself has no stretch and very string-like but I really enjoy knitting it. I’ll be curious how this finished cardigan will be after blocking. 🤔 Check out their website for patterns, maybe they will have more info for you. 😊
I recently knit up the "Poppy tee" by petite knits with knitting for olive silk fingering weight yarn... I really love it, it's very structured in the top, but drapes really flattering-ly and is lightweight enough to be a summer tee in the Pacific Northwest. I recommend looking for a summer tank with wide shoulder seams or a tee .
Hi I'm also coming from Taylor's latest video. I have not knit with 100% silk but I have heard of some who knit her wedding dress with silk yarn and to stop it from stretching out she held a strand of sewing thread in the same color with the yarn. Might be worth trying.
Me...coming to this video pretending I don't know why my knitting is just okay...and getting called out right out of the gate "Inconsistent Tension" 😂thanks for keeping me honest 😅
I knit really well. AT a glance its is PERFECT...and for the most part I know that it is basically 100% correct but did I AIM for that, NO! I just try to knit really well but I've TOTALLY Moved on from being Perfect. I just try to do everything really well, but never to perfection. Trying to be perfect will drive you mad. No thank you! Knitting is challenging ... but you shouldn't be stressing yourself out trying to be perfect.
Thank you! I love that darn thing and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t leave it there because it looks pretty in the videos. That sucker sort of gets in the way while I’m filming. 😂😂
I feel like we're on the same journey right now? Getting back into reading, (and reading ACOTAR, how do you like it so far? I'm on the second book now and I'm enjoying it!) 20 min of yoga a day, and we have the same knitting style, what is going on here? Hahaha though I can't read while I knit, so knitting has been taking a hit recently 😅
So cool! I love when folks share that they’re on a similar journey. So I haven’t started ACOTAR yet, but I’m so tempted. Are you liking it?? Heard it’s spicy. I like a little spice. 😂 And yay to 20 minute yoga! I watch Sarah Beth’s videos for it. Love her! ❤️❤️
@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS it's got a little spice, (I think it gets spicier lol! Like apparently the second book has some more but I haven't gotten there yet) and the world building has been good compared to some other books I've read recently in the "romantacy" genre which is great. I appreciate learning the politics of other worlds haha and also having a story that doesn't solely revolve around the romance part. I also got it and didn't start it for a few weeks, but I'm glad I finally did! And I watch Yoga With Adrienne, my cousin got me into her videos, but I will have to check out Sarah Beth too!
Very helpful. I am frogging a project that I worked hard in and spent a lot of because of the inconsistency of the stitches. It does look sloppy to me. I am not offended by the word. I will start over later in the summer. I am sure I will enjoy it better now that I know how to improve my stitches. Thanks! 🧶
Wild to see you talking about not knitting sloppily when you released that short-sleeve pattern with the rumpled up lopsided sleeve in the picture.....
While I really like and appreciate your content, I actually have a very hard time concentrating on what you say with music in the background. That makes me sad.
Just chatting about some things to consider when trying to get the most polished look out of our knitting. Remember: you may or may not agree, and that is ok. Take what you can use; leave what you can't. ❤ My cropped Felix: www.ravelry.com/projects/TaylerEarl/felix-pullover-5
Ms Earl i love your videos
@@noemiorona3885😘😘😘
Yes to the hand yoga video please! And thank you in advance!! I so appreciate all your content. Much appreciated.❤
Someone once told me that blocking is the difference between handmade and homemade. I live by those words.
Such great words! ❤️
You are the only person that tries to help knitters that i have ever seen admit there are mistakes in your work.I never beleived my work is worthy because i know where the mistakes are.
@@chrisjones3901 this means a lot. I’m glad that you feel this way. Mistakes are an essential part of building your skill set. ❤️
My grandmother said she couldn’t knit while watching my uncles play basketball because her tension would get way too tight if the game was a nail biter.
Omg that’s me and hockey!! 😂😂😂
You could not drink wine while you knit, or…. You could always drink wine while you knit. That’s consistent 😂
This is an excellent point. 🍷
Omg I am now realizing I need to assess whether or not having an edible impacts my knitting tension as it kicks in or wears off…
@@sarahkelly4095honestly though…who cares? Enjoy the edible. 😏
👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋
If you research the word perfection it simply means to bring to completion, attain the appropriate purpose or goal. So if you like the garment/object that you have made, it fulfills the purpose for which you made it, then it's perfect! Love this podcast!
I LOVE this definition and how it challenges the perception people have. Very cool. ❤
Totally agree with all these tips! Finishing touches is the one it took me longest to get right but they make all the difference. The biggest “mistake” I notice people make eg on ravelry projects is yarn choice/colour. Just cause beige looks good on the designer doesn’t mean it will suit everyone. I’ve learned to really think about the yarn + pattern combination, and not just impulsively pick a yarn that’s the right weight. The garments I get the most compliments on is based on the colour and for me it’s never the grey/beige/muted/pastel ones.
When I learned Portuguese knitting, it was a game changer in my tension. I am stil practicing with dish clothes, but it is so much better than i could manage with any other style.
That's how I am knitting it's fast and perfect
My biggest epiphany was simply untwisting my stitches! After a whole year knitting I realized there was a specific direction to wrap the yarn lol it was like night and day the difference how the stitches lay neatly versus “lovingly homemade” 😂
My first 3 knit projects had twisted stitches 😂 I taught myself to knit and I had no idea that the yarn wrapping direction mattered
lol, I do one row continental and the next row is English. It helps me avoid pain in my hands. I knit to stay calm and relaxed so I’m ok if my tension is not perfect.
Watching as I finally hand stitch a ribbon to the inside of the button band on my latest cardigan so that I can properly attach the shank buttons I picked out. Finishing is so important, but can also feel so daunting!
It’s refreshing to see someone who knits English style exactly like I do! Another great mid week episode! I live my handmade knits because I know they are different and not 100% perfect - like me!
I believe striving for perfection and being creative are inversely proportional. If you aren’t willing to risk things going poorly, you’re basically just “following the herd”. And that can applied to everything.
I love the idea of a hand yoga video!
🧘🏻♀️👋🏻☺️
I’m slowly learning “the right yarn for the project” is so important. I just had a sweater fail where I had to go down several needle sizes to get gauge with the yarn I had bought. I plowed ahead, but the fabric was dense and hard to knit, and I conceded defeat. Knit and learn!
As much as I love knitting podcasts and seeing peoples projects and purchases, videos like this is why I absolutely love your channel! I just find your advice so helpful and informative, plus it’s delivered in such a cosy relaxed way 😊
Thank you so much Jody. That makes it all worth it. I’m so glad you’re here. ❤
I love how your sweater turned out. It is so GORGEOUS
Thank you! I’m so much happier with it now. ❤
Can you PLZ share link/information on the pattern of sweater you're wearing?
Ok. This was everything I didn't know I was looking for. Most knitting that I do is "winging it" and according to your video I have been doing most of it right!! I learned several things I didn't know, like overdying, and now I am going to go back and take a look at your other videos! Thanks for all your hard work!!❤
I'm so glad Michelle! Most of us need the reminder from time to time that we're doing a great job and actually doing it right. So glad you're here and I'm thankful for your support!
I like to think that the way my hands create things is like my signature on the item. Yeah it might not look perfect but it looks like I made it and that's good enough for me :)
And I think that’s really important. We are human and we have nuance and our work should reflect that. I love that Chad. ❤️
You knit a lot like I do. I'm self taught and throwing always seemed so inefficient so I improvised till I found something that felt natural.
Regarding tension: I tried with continental and English style and I had huge problems with both, I found Portuguese style knitting, and the tension is kept much more consistent without cramping my hands: the yarn goes under pinkie and 4th finger of my right hand, then around the neck, then arrives to the work from the opposite side compared to the others: I generally have to work with slighly bigger needles to keep gauge, but the tension is so easy to keep more consistent!!
This comes at a great time for me. I'm about to knit my first sweater and I want it to look neat and polished and I know tension is key. Thanks very much for these tips. I'm also watching loads of videos about gauge and fit, because I'm really worried about getting that wrong.
Catching up after a long hiatus from podcasts - this is a great episode!
I know that you spoke of wood vs metal needles, but I can't remember if you mentioned needle size. I ran into someone at knit night (but in the afternoon) who absolutely will only use the suggested needle size on the ball band or pattern, but she's a tight knitter. She isn't happy with the finished garment because her stitches are way too tight, making her garment stiff. I guess that's part of swatching, but she blows off swatching, so we're trying to convince her to use a bigger needle size. We're still trying. But my tip would be to "read" your fabric for how it looks and feels and be willing to make adjustments.
GM Taylor
You are such a smart little cookie
Always have so many great tips for us each week
Your pod is always the first I click
Thanks for giving this older chick new things to learn 😊
Thanks and have a great weekend 🥰😊
Good morning Debbie! Thank you for watching and your kind words, as always. It’s always so nice to see you in the comments. Have a really great day and weekend. ❤
Love your red short sleeved top.
Lever knitting (Irish cottage knitting) is another common grip or knitting style. It's an underhand grip for the dominant hand. Very popular in Australia up until the 1970s.
NO DRINKING……first you insist on waiving a mug of tea/coffee around as if to be a knitter you have to partake in this beverage….now no drinking alcohol while knitting….what has this craft come to…..35 years and never a issue (many others)….great video and a save..in the middle of seaming a linen top so the SOHO referral is a save….🍷🥂🍸🍻
😂😂😂 I drink tea and coffee while I have a sit&chat with you fine people. Never while knitting. It just goes cold! And in terms of wine and knitting…do what feels good. Life’s too short. 😘
My life has been long and because I live it !
@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS I use a keep cup/travel mug. Keeps it ready for when I need a sip, and I'm less likely to have a spill. 😊
This is so helpful. It's my second viewing. I took so much time and expense knitting the Flax sweater. It's way too big. I could just cry.
Oh gosh I’m so sorry about your Flax. But I can tell you, I’ve been there. I understand that feeling. It’s deflating and frustrating, but as much as we feel that way, we still have learned so much through those projects. ❤
With regards to light I always think of the artist studios that I have had the honour to spend time in - with the artists too. They always have north facing windows. Even if they have roof windows, they always face north, just to avoid direct sunlight. That taught me at a very young age how important the correct lighting is for anything that needs to be lit for exposure of any kind!
Yes! Indeed. I adore my office and my HUGE window and am thankful for the patio cover outside of it because my window faces east and not north. Second best IMO. 😀
@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS An east window is fine just so long as you don't want to work early in the day, when you might get sun from that direction! However, if you have no choice, east is definite second best!
Wow, thank you for this info. I am new to knitting sweaters and it is easy to get frustrated and waste yarn. I need to hear all your important ideas for how to do this right before I waste more yarn and time! You are down to earth and perfect for my level of understanding and very clear. Thank you!
Great tips, as always! I think the first video of yours I came across was your guide to substituting yarn, which I diligently followed to pick out a perfect yarn for a dress for my daughter. I think it's my favorite thing I've knit. Been a follower ever since!
Ah, Meg this makes my day. Thank you. I’m so glad that that first video was helpful. So good to have you here. ❤️❤️❤️
Great information on this post! It will be a great one to return to for refreshing one's memory and reinforcing correct technique. Thanks for sharing!
I REALY! Love the speed of your speak. I am a fast talker myself and i put many videos on faster like 1:1,25 or even 1:1,5. your speed is perfect
Really love that red. Wish i could purchase yarn that colour!
Great timing as I am reworking a pair of colourwork mittens. Frogging, washing out the kinks, drying, winding up then finally starting over. Blocking wasn't going to solve how tight the fit was so i reworked the pattern. Much happier!
I am now researching bind offs each time I complete a sweater - I think Latvian is my favorite around a neckline.
Exactly! That is why I am just frogging, washing, and rewinding a project that was on the needles for three months. I want to wear it.
@@stephaniewilliams8687 I finished the mittens 2 years ago and haven't worn them once!
Good for you! It’s a liberating feeling when you finally decide to just scrap it and start over. ❤❤
Loved this!! Great video! So many awesome tips. Once I learned the beauty that is a tubular/Italian bind off, my knits started looking so much more professional, and also, way more comfortable because I didnt have the tighter "bind off in pattern" that i was so susceptible to doing.
Also, is there a "Happy Whatever-It-Is-You're-Doing" mug? I would 100% make that my new mug for work.
I 😅 agree with your tips. I would suggest a gauge swatch of at least 4 to 6 inches square. If you do a tiny gauge swatch it can potentially lie to you. More places in a swatch to check gauge is helpful.
Yes! This is great advice. Advice I need to take more seriously in terms of the size of my swatches. 😬 Of course, you know this about me Cathy. 😘
Thanks for the link. To finishing techniques😊
Loved this video.
Thank you for this video and the useful tips! I learned knitting as a child from my mum. Im turkish and i learned the potuguese style. I realy dont understand why nobody tells about this knitting style. It IS easy and do-able. I find tension is a more controlable. But i abe to say that my yarn holding way changes with different yarns, bevause not every yarn behaves the same way when pilling.
I left knitting and did more crochet after i slipped the stitches and riuned everything because i didnt know how to fix it. But round about 2 years ago i thought "i mastered crochet very well, its not possible, that i can not knit" and started a sweater with a youtube video step by step and it turned out pretty well. A bit big, but looks good.
Thank you! Good to know I have been doing things correctly!
Great tips…thank you! I love the Felix Pullover you are wearing! Definitely on my to do list!
Great tips.
Agreed! It is one of the biggest issues with knitters on the fb groups always looking for someone else to help them ‘fix’ their problem. It never occurs to them that ‘doing’ with left over yarn and running through a technique or a section of a garment will give their cells the learning that it needs. Tension and gauge is king and I keep telling them that this is their opportunity to use the arithmetic and geometry that they learned in school. I am dyslexic so they do not have any ground under their protestations of brain pain. Frogging is my favourite thing because the last time around my pieces come out so much better 😁 And I do not block my socks either. I soft block sweaters/jumpers. And no I do not tipple the cognac when I am knitting as I get buzzed and woozy which makes me an airhead 😂
Note: do not use ‘wring’ as ‘squeeze’ is the word.
If you have to stretch it to death then blocking is not an option. I keep telling them that wool springs back.
This is a great video and you do a great job of it as I do not suffer folk gladly either. I pull off the duct tape quickly
Great information here that I will definitely take on board. Thanks Tayler!
I recently switched to the traditional Norwegian/Norsk "picking". So much quicker and much better for a relaxed handhold.
Also, I put my beverages into a quality, well-insulated travel mug, with a smallish opening.
My drink stays at just the right temperature, and I'm far less likely to have a spill.
Too funny,I was typing out to ask what pattern you were wearing...bam you were answering me! Lol. Your top looks great!
Thank you Alisa!
This has been really helpful. I really struggle with tension and just started my first stranded colourwork project (a hat) with a very simple two colour motif which I’m a bit unhappy with because my tension has changed throughout. I’m going to rip it back and start again even though that’s a bit of a hassle at this point when I’m nearly finished. But it’s a gift and I want it to look nice.
I completely understand the tension issue with colorwork, but I hope I catch you in time to tell you that inconsistencies in tension don't necessarily mean you need to rip it out and start over. Colorwork is a fickle mistress and tension issues are NORMAL. There's so much going on. I would recommend that you keep at it. Don't start over yet, especially if you're so close to being finished. In fact, I would be more than happy to look at it for you if you wanted to share a photo with me via email. Sometimes another set of eyes can lend us a little perspective. Seriously. ❤️
I have made socks that totally benefit from blocking. Also, lace often needs aggressive blocking.
Ooo yes. Lace for sure. And also yes. Some socks just need it. 🙂
Thanks!
Thank you so much for this support Pat. 🙏❤
I follow two creators on UA-cam devotedly and can’t wait to watch both your new videos whenever they’re released.
Laughing at the wine comment. I learned quickly exactly what happens to my tension when I drink wine and crochet or knit. The width of my projects increase significantly 😂😂😂
As for blocking, my mom mostly crochets but says she has never ever blocked a finished item. I have discovered I love the beauty of a finished blocked piece. I guess I take after my grandmother and the patience for blocking skipped a generation.
I got so much value from this. As always. I can’t wait to finish my shawl I’m making so I can try my hand at my first knit garment. Enjoy your week.
Thanks I’m going to watch my tension. I’m doing exactly what you said. Holding my needles to far apart at times to get in an extra stitch ❤
We all do it from time to time, but I think once you hit a nice rhythm or technique, it begins to lessen. I hope it helps!
Because of the way my right hand was developed, my knitting style is between flicking and throwing. I often lay the yarn over my "forfinger" or twice if I need to get tighter tension. Continental knitting is simply too hard for me to do as my right hand can't really maneuver the yarn like my left hand could. I have what's called a clubbed right hand where I only have 4 fingers on that right hand. As a result, I've learned to knit quickly using the in between flicking and throwing method and keep the yarn extremely close to the tips.
That’s interesting! I honestly feel like this hybrid method is the most efficient. It’s my method as well. ☺️
I love your top not only that gorgeous but the fit but any chance it is Lacey . Do you have the pattern if so will I be able to make it long sleeves thanks
Due to arthritis I use Portuguese Knitting method which helps keep consistent tension.
Love your overdyed Felix pullover ❤
Thank you so much!
Ma'am!! I love your videos. I love the pace and you always have such great content. I really need to work on my finishing techniques. Kitchener stitch will be the death of me. i will have to take a look at that soho site. And blocking,... I haven't even started doing that well. I have steamed a couple acrylic makes but they didn't seem to hold as well as I would have liked. But I'm working on it.Thank you for the tips. I will be checking out your over dyed video. till next time.
Great topic! Awesome tips.
Excellent video. My tension is still inconsistent. Had no idea about holding the tips close!! Definitely going to check out the overdye video. Got some assigned pooling disaster yarn.
My tension always changes when I have to change to the round in a project, and I just do not know how to prevent this.
All so helpful, thank you!
I will be waiting for the hand yoga video!
Was going to ask where you got that GORGEOUS red yarn until you said you over dyed it! Now I need to learn another craft 😂
I was going to do the same! Was just a tad heartbroken to find out that it’s truly one of a kind.
Thanks for all the tips! I learned a few! 😊
What an informative video. Thank you
Wow. Thank you so much. Soo helpfully. I Love your vision and thanks for sharing. Kindest regards, Regina
I miss a lot your cozy silent vlogs :_)
Love from Lisbon ❤ thank you so much for your youtube channel!!!!
Sending love back!! 😘😘😘 Welcome!
Love your videos so much. I think there’s way to much fabric in front close to your arms. That’s why I prefer ser in sleeves. I am sorry for m’y poor english. I speak french. 😉
All good tips. I also find that taking your time can be very helpful.
100%
Love your podcast! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge of fibers and knitting! Also love the two patterns you designed!!
Thank you so much! And you are very welcome. It’s a pleasure. ❤️
Loved it all!! Thank you!!
Thank you Jasmine! 😘😘
It's obvious you used to be a teacher! Great episode! ❤
❤❤❤
I don’t mention that often, I don’t think, so the fact that you remember that is really cool. 😘🥰
What sort of yarn and what color is your sweater it is so to die for.
My new mantra: "PERFECTION IS BORING" thanks!!
This is a great video! I was wondering what you think about blocks and pins for blocking? Thanks!
Once again ❤ thanks!
My pleasure! Thank you for watching!
Weavers often weave in an intentional mistake called a weaver’s mark, to mark an item as handmade. That’s how I feel about my little mistakes. They just prove that the item is handmade.
Totally agree! If I wanted absolute mechanical consistent things I would buy machine made. I want the personal tactile imperfections. It's the character and beauty of handmade ❤
I like the myth that every knitter puts a bit of their soul into their projects and each project should have a mistake or two, so that piece of the soul can escape again
Navajo weavers include a deliberate mistake because only gods create perfection, or so I’ve read.
This video has made me wondering,what are your thoughts on handcrafted (handmade) versus homemade? And yes, a lot of your takes on what makes a garment sloppy can make the difference between hand crafted and homemade
This is a great topic for an upcoming video in the very near future. ❤️
I used to use a potato for photography, but the critics whipped my style, so now I use a cantaloupe.😂 It works perfectly because I'm already married. 😂😂
😂😂😂😂
My sloppy knitting was from MANY many split yarn stitches
Huh. Seamed projects are more structured, which is the opposite of sloppy. Seamed projects are also stronger and hold their shape years longer, so again, seams are an advantage in avoiding sloppy looking knits. I hope you embrace the challenge and try one.
Oh, I will. You can only deny a truth for so long. 😂 I actually have my eye on a couple seamed patterns right now. ❤
Slip the first stitch and do mattress stitch to sew seams easily.
Okay, I am knitting my first sweater (Flax from Tin Can Knits) and I have to know some things about washing it:
After the initial blocking when I finish knitting, do I have to block my sweater after every wash? Or should I never wash my sweater like regular clothes and just let it air out like jeans and only do an actual deep clean every once in a while? (All this assuming I am successful and actually wear it!)
Edit: I’m using acrylic if that makes any difference.
With acrylic, at long as it's machine washable and dryable that's what you should do rather than blocking. Blocking is really for wool. In my experience, drying acrylic will be the best option to even things out and keep the best shape and drape for the yarn. But for wool garments, for sure block them each time if you want them to look really crisp and nice!
I love your top what pattern and yarn did you use?
I am almost always happy with my knits just after the projects are finished. Fast forward to a couple of wears are the project doesn’t look so good. Pilling is the main problem. My sweaters almost all pill. I’m so sick of it. Do all wools pill?
Pretty much any fiber will pill, and pretty much all wool has a halo and will pill a little. Shorter fibers (like merino vs a sheep wool) and superwash fibers will pill more. Multi-ply, tightly spun, and longer-staple fibers will pill less because they have fewer ends sticking out. If you trim off the pills, eventually you'll trim off most/all the looser fiber ends and the pilling should decrease substantially. De-pilling is just a necessary part of sweater maintenance, alas!
Have you knit with 100% silk yarn? I have some ripening in my stash. I'm worried that it will.just sag if knitted in stockinette since it is totally inelastic. I could also weave with it as warp. It's about worsted weight. Any opinions?
Hi @rebeccazegstroo6786, I saw Taylor read your question on her latest video. I am currently knitting 100% Cattail Silk yarn from Purl Soho. I am making a cardigan. This yarn is much lighter in weight than yours and it is more like raw silk fabric and not shiny. The yarn itself has no stretch and very string-like but I really enjoy knitting it. I’ll be curious how this finished cardigan will be after blocking. 🤔 Check out their website for patterns, maybe they will have more info for you. 😊
I recently knit up the "Poppy tee" by petite knits with knitting for olive silk fingering weight yarn... I really love it, it's very structured in the top, but drapes really flattering-ly and is lightweight enough to be a summer tee in the Pacific Northwest.
I recommend looking for a summer tank with wide shoulder seams or a tee .
Hi I'm also coming from Taylor's latest video. I have not knit with 100% silk but I have heard of some who knit her wedding dress with silk yarn and to stop it from stretching out she held a strand of sewing thread in the same color with the yarn. Might be worth trying.
Me...coming to this video pretending I don't know why my knitting is just okay...and getting called out right out of the gate "Inconsistent Tension" 😂thanks for keeping me honest 😅
I use Prym Ergonomic knitting needles for even tension in knitting…
I knit really well. AT a glance its is PERFECT...and for the most part I know that it is basically 100% correct but did I AIM for that, NO! I just try to knit really well but I've TOTALLY Moved on from being Perfect. I just try to do everything really well, but never to perfection. Trying to be perfect will drive you mad. No thank you! Knitting is challenging ... but you shouldn't be stressing yourself out trying to be perfect.
Polished look is a good term.
would you let me know the sweater pattern you are wearing?
Yes! This is the Felix Pullover that I’ve cropped a bit and nixed the sleeves. ❤️
I forgot to say that that pencil sharpener really got my eye!😊😉
Thank you! I love that darn thing and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t leave it there because it looks pretty in the videos. That sucker sort of gets in the way while I’m filming. 😂😂
My main problem right now is I can't seem to get the first knit after a purl looking good the best I've gotten is by making the stitch before twisted.
I feel like we're on the same journey right now? Getting back into reading, (and reading ACOTAR, how do you like it so far? I'm on the second book now and I'm enjoying it!) 20 min of yoga a day, and we have the same knitting style, what is going on here? Hahaha though I can't read while I knit, so knitting has been taking a hit recently 😅
So cool! I love when folks share that they’re on a similar journey. So I haven’t started ACOTAR yet, but I’m so tempted. Are you liking it?? Heard it’s spicy. I like a little spice. 😂 And yay to 20 minute yoga! I watch Sarah Beth’s videos for it. Love her! ❤️❤️
@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS it's got a little spice, (I think it gets spicier lol! Like apparently the second book has some more but I haven't gotten there yet) and the world building has been good compared to some other books I've read recently in the "romantacy" genre which is great. I appreciate learning the politics of other worlds haha and also having a story that doesn't solely revolve around the romance part. I also got it and didn't start it for a few weeks, but I'm glad I finally did! And I watch Yoga With Adrienne, my cousin got me into her videos, but I will have to check out Sarah Beth too!
Very helpful. I am frogging a project that I worked hard in and spent a lot of because of the inconsistency of the stitches. It does look sloppy to me. I am not offended by the word. I will start over later in the summer. I am sure I will enjoy it better now that I know how to improve my stitches. Thanks! 🧶
Can you please put time stamps
Wild to see you talking about not knitting sloppily when you released that short-sleeve pattern with the rumpled up lopsided sleeve in the picture.....
Nice. 😏 Hope someone says nice things to you today.
Lost a lot of sleep over that one, did ya morticia? Have you considered touching grass 😂
They say in the horse world: "Loud hands make loud horses", I think that's the same in knitting
While I really like and appreciate your content, I actually have a very hard time concentrating on what you say with music in the background. That makes me sad.
IMHO, there are too many knitters who do not understand/appreciate the MAGIC of blocking.