Protecting the Joy of Knitting / Contacting Designers Directly // Casual Friday #35
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- In this week's Casual Friday podcast: Knitting project updates; when is it okay/not okay to contact a designer directly about their pattern; protecting the joy of knitting; future plans for this UA-cam channel; how to support me ("Buy me a coffee") on Ko-Fi.
Support me on Ko-Fi www.ko-fi.com/roxannerichardson
Introduction 0:00
Knitting project updates: 0:52
Contacting designers directly: 11:31
Keeping the (knitting) joy: 20:43
Request for suggestions/feedback on future channel projects: 38:43
How to support me on Ko-Fi: 40:47
Ravelry Group *Rox Rocks*: www.ravelry.com/groups/rox-rocks
Facebook: / roxknits
Twitter: / roxmpls
Early in my knitting journey, I contacted a designer to tell her there might be an error in her pattern. I told her that she had me turn too early, that it was not the end of the row. She very kindly explained what short rows were and complimented me on expanding my knitting horizons. I still remember her and appreciate her. Plus her encouragement was uplifting and motivating.
Your teaching is unique bc you show what to do but also how and why it works. Even when I already know a technique I always learn from you why it works, when to use it, what are the alternatives, etc. I could listen to you read the phone book and would love to buy you a coffee!
I love your style of podcast. regarding a knit along I love the idea of knitting a project with others but would only join in if it was a garment I wanted to knit and if it fitted in between other projects. By that I mean I don't want to stop knitting a current project I am making good progress on, just for the joy of knitting along with a group, on the other hand the benefits are that if there is something you are having a challenge with some one in the group might explain it in a way that makes sense to your brain.
I support you keeping the joy in your knitting. You were just very thoughtful about it and that's good. And the same goes for where you want to go now with your knitting skills. Don't go where you just know it ain't happening not even to please your audience. Offer what you have to offer because this is your expertise. You're not alone or one of the few in the knitting world. We out here will find a source that's a match. As for your thinking of knit alongs, you need to really know if its something you've got peace with if not don't do it. Those who requested this of you will find plenty of other knit alongs on the internet with other knitters they like.Smells like yarn guy said he ain't feeling it so he just doesn't do it and his audience I'm sure gets that thrill from other podcasts. Don't feel quilty, do you, and KEEP YOUR JOY In all that you do.
As someone who has been knitting for less than two years, I thought I might share with you some things you have taught me (not a comprehensive list):
How to incorporate short-rows in a pattern
Why I might wish to do so
What styles of short rows exist
How to accomplish these short rows (both knitting and purling)
How to cast-on at the end of a row
How to make my cast-ons look more polished, especially in ribbing
How to get the effect I want with my colorwork
That my impulse to track my project-progress in a spreadsheet isn’t weird
How to keep my cuffs from having a weird bump where the cast-on is joined
The difference between various increases & decreases, and how to decide which one I might want in various circumstances
How to execute a 1-row buttonhole
And those are just the ones I’ve used most recently; there have been hundreds of other tidbits that I know I will come back and reference the second I encounter them in the wild.
Thank you - for sharing your time & not only your knitting expertise, but your teaching expertise as well. It's clear that setting up the ko-fi page was a difficult decision, but please don’t feel that asking for some support in return for all you’ve given is somehow unwarranted. You have provided so much value; a few coffees is the least we can do.
Roxanne, I really enjoy your videos. Thank you for taking the time to put them together. I would say that most people have never been to a yarn factory and have little knowledge of how yarn is made and spun so we can all enjoy knitting the final result. We have lost some basics of information. It's like this question to a young person who has never visited a farm - where does beef come from? Answer - from the grocery store. LOL. Knowing the basics of things helps us understand the process and complexities of final product. Back to basics is really important and it doesn't necessarily mean teaching someone the knit or purl stitch. There are many basic skills one needs to make good quality finished products. Different types techniques when joining a new ball of yarn, different finishing techniques, the different techniques for short rows, the list goes on. What is the difference between purchasing yarn in hanks verses center pull balls. How to make center pull balls by hand. Why do balls of yarn sometimes have knits? What about dye lots? I teach knitting and crocheting at a big box store and I get these questions all the time. Sometimes it is a little frustrating to answer the same question each class but it is information new knitters need. Lots of people like KALs as it keeps them motivated and They learn new techniques from the process. Personally I think they are a lot of work for the designer. I just go on UA-cam and look for new ideas, even if they are not in my native language. I can usually figure out the pattern. Also reading charts is very helpful when learning a new pattern. Thanks again for the videos and the work you put into pricing them. Learning new techniques is what keeps me interested.
If ever I need to find out how to do anything, your videos are the place to go!
I can so relate to keeping the joy. I’m new to knitting compared to you, Rox. I have knit my share of scarves, hats, finished a sweater, have a blanket going, & another sweater. Recently I’ve been working on this little white sweater for my granddaughter to wear to Kindergarten this year. This week the temps are dropping a bit so last weekend I worked on it & felt close. It’s a raglan sweater worked top down, & as I hate purling, am steeking it. I’m very close but Monday night I began to feel bad, then my throat was on fire, & finally here came the cough. I’ve been in bed 2 days, got a negative COVID test thankfully, but have had to admit the first cold snap is going to happen without Bailey’s new sweater being ready. She has 3 other options hanging downstairs, but in my head this little white sweater was supposed to be ready. I’m powerless to change the timeline at this point, and no one will die over it. This is where my perfectionist tendencies come into play. 🤦🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️. I’ve learned a ton from you, Roxanne & very much appreciate your tutorials.
Absolutely! I have been going along and watching all your old content while staying up with the new videos, of course!
Nice talk about self awareness to bring joy. Thank you.
I think the idea of back to basics videos is great because I love how you explain the techniques, and that could be a great resource for beginners, and advanced knitters. There are two themes that I would like to propose. One is about how to choose the appropriate cast on and bind off according to the item I want to knit if the designer doesn’t specify that in the pattern instructions. The other idea is about the steps you follow before you start a project, do you re-write or chart the instructions to make them easier to follow, how do you choose a sweater size, or if you have some measurements that fit different sizes (for example size M bust, and size L hips), how do you modify the instructions to fit that kind of body.
I was really excited to hear about a KAL for the 1898 hat using your "tested and approved" techniques. Normally, I don't join KALs because I can't keep up, but this one sounds doable.
Precious sweater with neat buttons. Direct is always best. Thanks
Hello Roxanne, I always knit socks with self-striping or self-pattern yarns. Here is what I do to make them look the same, as a pair of different looking sock would drive me nuts 🙂. I pick out an area where a change happens and exactly at that point I will start casting on. After having casted on a few stitches, I take the second ball of yarn and find a point with the same change and put a marker on that area, then put it away. That way I am sure the socks will end up looking the same. Of course, there will be waste, but I call them left-overs, from which I knit egg-cosies in the shape of hats.
That Ko-fi thing is genious! In Dutch coffee is spelled ' koffie', so even better ;-)
I think I have a different understanding of what a Knit-A-Long is. Since you asked, here is my take. Knit-a-longs do have a central idea or theme that holds them together. Yes, often it is a pattern. Sometimes a mystery pattern in installments. But there are so many other options. It can be organized around a theme (color, fiber, technique, project category, garment construction style, sock heel type) as loosely or as specifically as you like. Right now I am in the 5th section of a year-long KAL exploring all the different categories of natural fibers. We are in Wool at the moment. And since the idea is to try fibers you might not have used before, we are required to use non-merino wool that specifically stated what breed of sheep the wool is from. Each "Land of Fiber" had a window of two months to complete a project and Celeste of YarnToTable created videos about each type of fiber. She used information she got from Clara Parkes book The Book of Yarn. She also showed her yarn in the video and talked about choosing projects to use the qualities of the fiber to best advantage. There is a requirement to use so many grams of yarn, but you can do any sort of project you choose and any pattern. There are lots of technique oriented KAL's like "cables" or "stranded colorwork" or "fair-isle" if you want specific style of stranded colorwork. Sometimes people have chosen a book with patterns and you can participate by making any pattern from the book. Or, just a designer. Any pattern designed by (insert name here). In my experience, most of the activity in a KAL is in the Ravelry threads themselves. If there will be a prize drawing at the end, it is usually efficient to set up two threads in your group for the KAL. A Chatter thread to post discussion and questions related to the KAL projects. A Finished Object thread to post a photo of your finished project with a link to your Ravelry project page. If there will be no drawing, it can all be in one thread. I think more people participate in a KAL if they can choose a pattern themselves. It can be really inspiring to see the variety of patterns in the theme. And different patterns will bring up different challenges, different questions, and different discussion points. The community works together to answer questions and support each other. The host is not the instructor or needing to be there to answer every question. I have participated in KAL's for just one pattern and they work very well, too. Seeing the pattern in different yarns and colors is fun. And the questions will be more focused on just that pattern and that process. The community all chips in to answer questions and cheer and support each other just like the multi pattern KAL.
I appreciated what you had to say about keeping the joy.
I've contacted many designer's asking questions...never have they not spoken or responded to and email question. Rather, they mostly were happy a question was raised, maybe the pattern did have an issue. I have found them to be very generous and kind. Of course I wouldn't ask unless I hadn't exhausted other options.
On the topic of KALs, I find that I never sign up for them no matter how much I like a pattern because they're usually for a particular timeframe and I always have too many projects on the needles to take something else on. With regard to beginner-level tutorial videos, I would definitely refer other knitters to those when I'm asked how to do a particular technique. I currently just refer people with knitting questions to UA-cam in general, but your videos on technique are the best I have seen. I love learning from your intermediate and advanced level technique videos, so I'm hoping you'll continue those!
The hat and sweater are absolutely darling! You are seeing things I do not think anyone sees anything wrong with it. Gorgeous sweater set.
Absolutely LOVE the baby hat and sweater! So adorable. Nice work
When you said you were going to talk about the future of the channel, I got a lump in my stomach! I particularly love Casual Fridays, and I thought you might be stopping. Whew! I'm glad you're not. I do send links to some of your videos to my SIL in St. Paul because I think she might enjoy the SP-MN specific information.
I've never seen a UA-cam knit-along; so I can't comment there.
I like KAL ‘s that are general saying we are all going to knit a 1920’s sweater. Post a photo of your pattern at the start and a photo of your finished object at the end on a ravelry thread.
We can all just enjoy seeing what everyone is knitting. I also have at least 2 projects going and don’t live near a local yarn shop so I like longer deadlines.
After last week's episode I purchased the Welcome To The Flock, and immediately knit the hat. I'm currently working on the cardigan, and I'm glad for your comments on the construction. It will be useful to me when I get to the yoke section. Thank you so much.
Your videos are the best quality out there. Thank you so much.
Glad you like them!
Hello,
You addressed some really great points and asked some specific questions today; so, here is my take on them. Firstly, KALs: for me, a KAL is really interesting when it is the person's own pattern. I like it even more when it's a mystery KAL with installments because it takes me to knitting places I wouldn't choose normally and widens my horizens in a fun format, this runs into my second point. I don't have much disposable income and want to recognise all the work that the knitting podcasters I watch put in to what is essentially a gift to people they don't know. So, when they have turned on the advert toggle I am careful never to zap, or if I do it inadvertantly, to rewatch the video and just play out the ad. so that they do get the smidgen of income from that, I also prioritize buying the patterns of the podcasters I follow over others (as and when my income permits) for the same reason and will definately be getting you a 'coffee' or two as September comes to a close and onwards.
I really enjoy spending time watching you a lot more than most commercial television and feel you deserve recognition.
MrsMelrom I agree about the ads. Even though I can’t stand commercials I let it run its course so the channel gets the money. I DVR 99% of everything we watch on tv and zip right through them. But on my UA-cam channels I let them run. I’ve learned about so many auto sales this summer, lol!
I’m not too savvy I guess about the monetary facts of You Tube. I had no idea that watching the ads financially benefitted the channel owners - Roxanne and other podcasters. Thank you for pointing this out to me. I will definitely NOT be clicking the “Skip Ad” button in the future!
MrsMelrom Another thing to do is wait for the podcast to come on after the ad is over. Don’t hit the skip button at all. The podcast will come on. It just takes a few seconds. I used to listen to the whole ad and then hit the skip button. No more.
totally
Thanks for articulating your need to put a big project aside after several weeks. I, too, sometimes reach a place where I feel I need to pause, particularly if I have hit a snag. However, coming back to it after a 6 month hiatus has its own set of pitfalls. Momentum is lost. If it's a complex pattern, it can be hard (even though KnitCompanion saves my place) to pick up where I left off, and even harder to get back into the rhythm of the pattern repeats. I wish I could come back to it a day or two later, like when I work a crossword puzzle, having slept on it and bringing "fresh eyes." In the end, no matter how much time has lapsed since the project began, there's no joy like the joy of completion!!
Every time I come back to a project I have put aside, I have to spend time figuring out where I was and it takes a while to get going again. Sometimes, it takes a few days before I realize that the reason I put it to the side was that there was some sort of design flaw. I always swear that the next time I put something to the side, I will leave more detailed notes, but that never happens. I'm currently back at work on an Aran sweater that I put to the side in the middle of a transition row. Natural black, woolen spun yarn, so it was hard to figure out what I was even seeing. Establishing the complex cable pattern was a pain. I had to re-train myself on how to read where I was in the pattern by looking at the fabric. Oh, well!
@@RoxanneRichardson Reminds me of the all-over lace jacket I've put aside 2x in 16 months. The instructions are lousy and the designer not helpful. I am still determined (one day) to finish it. I even ordered more yarn (eek...in a different dye lot) and that's a commitment in itself. The days of COVID are helping me realize the completion of many UFOs....the silver lining to all this....maybe this will finally be amongst them.
Here are a couple of thoughts about your future directions. 1. Back to basics. Definitely yes. There are many learn-to-knit programs and videos out there, but there isn't any by Roxanne Richardson. Your ability to communicate clearly, economically, and personably is masterful. The knitting world would benefit from your contribution to beginner knitting. Although I may be beyond the basics, there is bound to be a few tips and tricks for this old gal. And, it would be great to steer my new knitter friends in your direction. 2. A KAL with your design would be fantastic. There would be context to learn how to approach bigger projects In general, I'd like to go wherever your creative intuition takes your viewers.
I agree with your take on getting in touch with a "designer" but I'd also like to point out that there is a difference between a designer and a pattern-writer. It is important to recognise and understand the difference before considering making contact.
I have designed items, but not written the patterns for those items; I have written patterns for items that other people have designed (indeed, I still do so quite regularly); I have designed and written patterns that I have self-published or had published in books and magazines.
Ravelry has definitely blurred the lines-sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. A good pattern will note the above-mentioned differences, and ought to have a point of contact for pattern support, or something to state that no support is offered.
(And, at risk of upsetting people, and *in general*, I have to add that Europeans do not expect the level of hand-holding that N. American knitters seem to. I rarely get enquiries for my for-sale patterns, but for freebies, easily 85+% of questions are from USA, and are really basic stuff that I would expect an average knitter to know.)
I work in clay and i can relate. think we go through the same struggles when we work in the creative field. Going through the motions is not why we got into what we do in the first place. Pretty easy to burn out if you don’t keep it fresh to a certain extent.
YES on the 1898 hat! Just tried it and completed on for my son in Berrocco Heritage. It is far from perfect but not too bad and can be worn! I love the hat pattern and would welcome your tutorial for sure. I usually can't keep up with a KAL but love MKAL and have done one. I ended up finishing it in the next year. How about the topic of contiguous sleeve shaping on a top down sweater? I don't know if that would be for a cape or not but knitting a cape is in my future someplace too. Thanks for all your hard work on your channel I enjoy it!
Like Claudia, I would also love to learn more on how to modify a pattern, especially for garments. I am one of those people who don't have a traditional shape that fits most patterns. I get discouraged, when I spend a ton of time following a pattern, only to discover that the size I have chosen based on most areas of sizing matching, still does not fit well. Gage explanations help but I want to know more about things like, what will happen to the garment if I make the arm hole longer? Do I need to continue increasing? If I do, what will that do to the rest of the pattern. Understanding those learnings that comes from years of experience would help so much. This kind of instruction will help me to understand the choices I may need to make so I can be more successful in my knitting journey.
Being a fellow UA-camr Roxanne, I think it is critical to do what brings you joy. When I start creating items just because it is what I am feeling pressured to do, it always shows in my videos, and my frustration level grows. I try to do what I love, or what I call my own creative journey. People will love it or not. I have no control over what others think, but I do have control over my channel and choosing to do what makes me happy. If you lose your joy there is a chance we will loose you, and you are a treasured resource and wonderful teacher, so please follow your Joy!
KALs - from what I have seen other places, the creators use a pattern (theirs or someone else's) and then walk the viewer through the start, any pattern transitional points, (ie This is how you increase, this is how you pick up stiches for the sleeve etc.) and finally how to finish. The videos are short, focusing on only one transition at a time following the pattern, so the viewer can complete that portion of the pattern before the next video is released in a week or two.
Big squishy hugs, Manie
I've been thinking lately about which YT channels I routinely watch and why. Yours is in my top 5. I almost never miss Cas Fridays and only miss Technique Tuesdays if I'm not ready for the technique, like the recent lace ones, which I'm sure I'll catch up with later. I find your teaching abilities stellar - you're the teacher for me. You go slowly enough but not too slowly - you seem to anticipate any "yeah-buts" I may have and address them before I have time to formulate a question. So in this regard, if you're interested in doing Beginner Vids I support you - that is, if you'll find joy in doing it, I support it. I may not always watch - I'm beyond very beginner vids. That said, you already have some vids that could go into that category, like your vid about Continental Purling, which was a go-to as I was learning to purl. As for KALs - there seem to be two types online: (a) those that set up a KAL and sell patterns but don't offer how-to vids. They provide a place, often Rav, for WIP and FO pix - and (b) those that offer KALs with instructions. This latter type seems to be on YT. I'm a terrible one to comment - I rarely follow them real time. If the YTer isn't on a schedule or doesn't stick to the schedule she's set up, I get impatient for the next video and either drop the project - it goes into a WIP pile sometimes never to be knit again - or I end up waiting until all of the videos are posted and then I finish the project after the group is done, missing the joys of community in knitting along! The other way that I use this type of KAL is to wait until all videos are posted and then do the project. This was one way I learned to knit socks. But again I lose the primary benefit of the knit along. This gets to one of the other reasons I love your channel - your consistency. Even when your mom was diagnosed with cancer and you were traveling to MI, you told us in advance that you wouldn't be posting vids. Otherwise, there you are, every Tu and Fri. I so love that about you and am inspired by that quality in you - I'm not that consistent. Lastly, I mostly love your videos for two reasons. I love your propensity for investigation - for knowing details, histories, conflicting how-to's about a technique and which way works for you and why. I love that about you. I also love your Cas Fri's because you're a hell of a storyteller. Once, during a story about your ancestors, I found myself wondering why I was captivated by stories about someone else's (your) ancestors. It was because of how you were telling the story. And not only can you tell a heck of a tale, there's always some point to why you're telling us your personal history or that of your family - it's about what gives you joy and why or what works for you and why or what interests you and why - it's a great example for us in helping us to discover our own journeys, to learn our own why's and wherefore's. I support you in whatever will bring you joy, in whatever you decide to do with your channel. Also, I'm glad you're doing Ko-fi - I'd not heard of it til now. I'll absolutely support you as money permits. I learn tremendously from your videos and appreciate them hugely.
Although I’m catching up on back videos, I just wanted to let you know that as a
The simplest shapes are likely what you see in KALs, because they aren't going to require much in the way of modification in order to knit it and have it "fit" as designed. You might consider buying some books on sweater design, and look at the schematics of the simplest shapes, progressing through construction shapes that become more and more fitted (e.g. drop shoulder, modified drop shoulder, saddle shoulder, set-in sleeve, raglan), and then look at how those can be knit in pieces and seamed vs knitted seamlessly; how each can be knit bottom-up vs top-down (or in combination), how the amount of ease varies by sweater type, etc. Sweaters can be very simple to design and knit, but anything that is more fitted is going to be more complex to design, to modify, and to knit. A few books on sweater design you might find useful include Sweater Design in Plain English (Maggie Raghetti? not sure about her surname spelling), Debra Newton's book on Designing Knitwear, Ann Budd's books (Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns), as well as Elizabeth Zimmermann's books (some love her approach, others don't), and Barbara Walker's Knitting from the Top Down. Look at the sweaters you own that you really like. How do they fit? What sort of construction was used? What yarn weight? How much ease?
I love the 1898 hat. That might be a lot of fun as a KAL! ... posted this then saw that I also posted to it "1 year ago'" ... didn't realize this was not a new video, though I have sent you a Ko-Fi or two. Not as many as you deserve, though.
I appreciate the content of the channel and agree with teaching your designs
I would like a KAL like the one you followed, where you learned to construct a sweater 🙂
I would be really happy if you did a back to basics series, I have reviewed all of your videos that are available and use them frequently. As far as a knit along .... could you do 1 project a quarter with basic designs. The hat that you mentioned would be a excellent start up. Begin with casting on and refer to the pattern for the highlights and provide 10,mins on Tuesday to tricky parts of the pattern maybe?
Just now catching up on casual Fridays. Your channel is one of the best knitting channels out there! I have learned so much. The amount of time and effort you put into it is incredible, mentioning that people can donate if they have enjoyed it is not a problem at all. Co-fe sounds like a great idea! (And better than patreon. I like the idea of a simple one-time thing)
As far as future ideas, I really like the idea of a beginning knitting course. My dad wants me to to teach him, I'd love to have a set of videos to refer him to. I'd really love videos on how to spin and parts of a spinning wheel as well. I've only dabbled in drop spindle, the spinning wheel intimidates me! So many moving parts. Videos about fiber types/breeds that you have been learning about would be great. I'd also be interested in a series about designing or altering patterns. (I have a sewing background so I can usually figure out pieced things for myself, but seamless garments, ease for things like hats and socks, and sizing for anything scares me.) And I love the things you've done about the history of knitting traditions, would love to see more of that as well.
I'm also not into KALs. Having to stick to a schedule sucks the joy out of it for me. Mystery KALs are the worst, why would I want to spend so much time and money making something if I don't even know what it is or if I'll like it?
I really loved this one! I just found your channel, but appreciated your perspective on questions for designers. =) Thanks so much!
Rox I love your videos!!!! Seriously, it was Bessie of one of your continental videos that I made the switch between throwing to conventional knitting!!!!
That said I would love to see videos on brioche increases and decreases and how to fix mistakes in brioche. Thanks for the consideration and keep up the excellent videos. I look forward to watching them weekly! Sincerely, SasZKnitter
In terms of branding, I'd encourage you to think about what differentiates you from other UA-cam instructors/master knitters. Continue to do some inventory about your strengths and interests. (Also continue to consider the "what's in it for me?" factor. What's the payoff -- intellectually, creatively, monetarily -- for *you*.)
If I were you, I might consider continuing to focus on my technical prowess and on my keen interest in history. You allude to this in your mention of possibly doing a KAL of the 1898 hat, for example. If KALs in general leave you cold, however, I'd look for your UA-cam teaching focus elsewhere.
I find the question of "what do you think a knit-along is?" To be very interesting as i had never really thought that long about joining one yet. After putting some rhought in, i think i have my personal answer. I think first it will be a group who are excited to learn a new style or new technique who just want to spend a designated amount of time together to support each other and encourage each other. I have seen some that come together weekly, some biweekly, and some monthly. For me my personal expectation would be to have this time with the designer of the pattern so bugs might be worked out giving the designer to also see many different personalities that could be used for rewording a pattern if needed. I would as well expect to be introduced to a new kind of yarn or yarn blend to further my skill sets. I do not mean for this to be overwhelming, its just the way i operate.
There should be etiquette rules published on Ravelry for contacting designers. I've seen appalling things said to designers in comment sections on patterns and in the forums. For my own experience, I've found there are numerous helpful people in the general pattern forum when I don't understand something. A lot of the time, a designer has a group, also another great place to get clarification on a pattern Maybe it's just me but I would never consider asking a designer for size modifications or mods for a different weight of yarn.
Maybe a feed back form?
I love your videos.
I like the idea of tutorials and KALs, but I can imagine your difficulties with pattern selections and possible copyright problems.
I like the 1898 Hat idea - I just made my first one and thought it was pretty easy once I figured out which way was up (ha!) but there are a few points I wish I had handled better, like accurately counting the rows and Kitchener-joining the garter stitch ends.
What about classic favorites, like the Baby Surprise Jacket? I started one years ago and never got past the first row because I didn't understand how to best place my stitch markers. I might do better now, since I have more knitting experience, but I think it is really tricky for beginners. Still don't know how to select yarn and needles to arrive at desired size.
Rox you described me! I get excited about learning something and sometimes spend a year or two and then lose steam and go on to another thing. So I took the jack-of-all-trades, master of none title. I have been knitting for about 13 years on and off and a lot in the last 2 years I've focused on learning lace, socks, and even sweaters. Before it was hats and scarves. I don't like mystery KALs because I want to know what it is going to be. I don't like too much garter so.... I think KALs are great in person just because of the social interaction. Yes there is interaction onlilne, but not quite the same. If you had a design that had techniques, tips, and tricks that would be helpful in learning how to knit better is what would interest me. That is why I like you Tuesday Tips videos. I haven't seen them all and I should take time to go through them before suggesting topics. I think you using the Ko-Fi is a great idea. I was always amazed at the amount of time you put in all your videos and wondered why you weren't charging. I know the other podcasts that I watch also put in time, however they're just fun sharing or they have an etsy shop--not teaching techniques and such. Best to you.
How about a series if machine knitting lessons! Lol. I cracked up when you started talking about knitting machines because I JUST got my first one and I am beyond confused by it at the moment. 😁
I love the IDEA of KALs but I am also terrible at keeping up with them. I do prefer video KALs with a pattern designer teaching so I know that I am doing things correctly. Several installments, with interesting techniques (yes I know “interesting” is relative) that I can learn and carry to other projects is usually what I look for in a KAL.
Thanks for all of your great teaching content!
I have found that if you have a good relationship with your local yarn shop they will help with pattern questions. I personally have a hard time following patters and charts and make up much of my own patterns. I don't like knit a longs because I end up ripping out and redoing because it doesn't look good to me and end up getting behind. A hat or shawl that teaches me new but understandable techniques is a maybe for me.
Hi Rox, I thoroughly enjoy your technique videos. I even watch the ones where I already know the technique because you explain the ‘why’ of things. While back to basics is always a good thing, I would love to see videos on garment design and construction. How to design a set-in sleeve sweater, for example, would be a dream. I’m completely aware that that may be asking for a lot but...you asked 😊 As always, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I did do a segment on set-in sleeves in a Casual Friday episode a few weeks back.
Roxanne Richardson that was an excellent segment, very informative! Thanks for the reminder!
It took a while for me to figure out how to set top Ko-Fi. I dissed PayPal In my message to you.... all is good though. :) (frannc)
When things are on social media , expect to be contacted. It’s the great thing/terrible thing about social media. Just a fact. Not a judgement.
Publishers and designers are not perfect sometimes in the way they have written the pattern and I've found error in charts and for myself, I've not contacted anyone, (I just made myself my own chart). I think when a person has so much expense these days to get yarn, to look for patterns which cost you less or are free, I expect to fix some mistakes I may find myself.
I may choose to do something entirely differently because it looks better for me as I did in an afghan where the frame I made on a square called for the Kitchener stitch, but it was in a cable and it did not come out looking right to me having done it several times in The Great American Afghan. So I did a three needle bind off and though did not look at good on the back, it looked much better on the front and everyone loved the afghan as I gave a version of it to all three of our children for Christmas.
Hmm. Interesting podcast and questions. First off, thank you for you thoughts on contacting designers. I’ve never personally had to do it but my teacher does as occasionally there are mistakes. And , of course, she is polite as every one should be in doing so. It is an inquiry not an accusation. And she usually always gets a quick response. I agree that a designer most likely would not include their email address with the pattern if they did not want to be contacted.
With regard to a KAL, I think it could be fun. I agree it should be one of your designs and patterns. I’m always looking to learn new techniques. That’s why I love your channel! That being said, I think you need to decide what works best for you; what brings you the joy while inspiring others at the same time. I would want any KAL to be very clear on video and you’re just the person for it. You are an expert at being clear and concise.
I’ll be happy to look at the ko-fi page. I understand it is hard to ask for support for your channel. Bravo that you took that step. For me it’s a matter of priorities. If I can afford to give I will and if I can’t at a certain time I just can’t. Depends on the week. I do like the fact that the money goes directly to you! Huge plus for me. There are others, as you know that take a percentage. I don’t have a pay pal account so I’ll have to check that out.
Also, as far as a beginner series, if it’s really basic it’s probably not for me but I would be happy, as you suggested, to spread the word. I’m sure there are many who would benefit from it. Thanks for another great podcast!
You are my favorite utuber, especially Casual Friday. And Technique Tuesday is a treasure. I don't know how utube works but lately it seems a number of people are opting to do Patreon. When I first heard of it I checked out their website which seemed they were looking for patrons of the arts (artists like Michaelangelo). Problem is they were rich patrons who supported the artists and many utube viewers are not rich. So now I tried to figure out ko-fi and am baffled. Who pays $6 a month? It sounds like you. If so, you are then paying them to have other people pay them so they can pay you? And if I'm the one paying $6 a month why not just pay you? Also, it seemed I could be locked out of seeing your videos. That would be upsetting. Of course I could be misunderstanding the whole thing. I can't find out how utube works (I don't know where to look) so maybe there's a reason everyone is heading this way. I won't be joining: have stopped magazine subscriptions and on yarn buying hiatus, you get the idea. You, lady, are a fantastic teacher and I also have a process knitter brain. Thank you.
You don't have to pay Ko-Fi $6 a month. You don't have to join Ko-Fi to buy someone a $3 coffee. I think you might have to join in order to be a subscriber to a particular creator.(but you don't have to pay money to do that) The Ko-Fi Gold membership is for people like *me* who are receiving the coffees. *I* can pay $6 per month to Ko-Fi to support the structure of their website that allows me to receive Ko-Fi payments from people who support me. If I do that, then I can be set up so that people can subscribe to *me* and buy me a coffee or two every month. But you absolutely do not have to sign up for Ko-Fi, or pay Ko-Fi anything, in order to buy a creator a coffee.
A knit along to me is a project that isn't too hard but not boring either. Something not to expensive. It would be manageable over a period of 5 or 6 weeks so it keeps me interested. Any of your patterns would be great. Not much right? Lol.
Man still wear gators over there wool pants when they work outside on ranches and farms in the winter if you have to go in the corral the gators are usually something that is water resistant and it keeps your wool pants from getting sogged with manure.
Bendie, please don't be offended, but the correct word is "gaiters" - but I only ever knew them to be fancy dress items, not something used for hard-working ranchers!