10 KNITTING Pet Peeves that GET THE GOAT 🐐

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

After what seems like a VERY long and unnecessary game of 'find the corrupted file/effect' this video is finally going live. Phew! And there is music in the background which is intentional to keep the mood light. If you don't like background music, maybe sit this one out. 👍 Thank you for watching. Hope you enjoy this one!

[@ApplesandPeanutButter]

My biggest pet peeve is when a pattern materials list only gives specific yarns as in " 4 skeins of (insert expensive yarn name)" rather than telling me I need 1000 yards of sport weight.

[@saraw8503]

Yes. Calls for math and I do not like math.

[@EmsIsFab]

THIS

[@TheChroniclesOfYarnia]

YES 👏🏻 You are so right!!!

[@unplainjane123]

@@ApplesandPeanutButter Yes completely agree. No reason not to include total meter/yard amounts by yarn weight. Don’t know why nearly every pattern does this.

[@anglomallorquina5898]

@@saraw8503I do like math and still find it annoying.

[@KayWinter-dq4yg]

As someone who has been knitting for over 70 years my question is if you don't have left over yarn, what do you mend your garment with when an elbow gets too thin or you get a hole? Nothing you purchase now will ever really match the original yarn. After all the time I've spent knitting a garment, I really like to be able to extend its life; whether the cuff needs to be replaced, or as Arne & Carlos would say "it shrunk in the closet" and I need to add some extra width or make the armcye bigger, having the left-over original yarn has been vital.

[@phoener]

My husband got a hole in his favorite store-bought sweater. Of course, he threw away the yarn sample that came with it! Nothing in the world matches it.

[@myndolin]

@@phoener My partner recently asked me to repair a hole in a manufactured cabled cashmere sweater that he'd purchased in the UK three years ago (before we were together), and while I appreciate that he loves it and wants to make it last, and he's worn the heck out of it....I can't do a seamless repair job with no matching yarn.

[@dianem7563]

My biggest knitting pet peeve is yarn skeins with knots. Some skeins can have up to seven. I once used a self striping sock yarn with a knot that totally ruined the sequence in one sock.

[@MarthaKeith-s2x]

As the submitter of “Test knitting is overrated ,” let me explain my opinion. I do understand the value from a designers point! However, it’s SO competitive. Maybe I am sensitive but being rejected time and again sucks. Secondly, I am a knitter, not a social media influencer. Having to post professional quality pictures and/or videos is too much to ask when I signed up to knit. Third, many (not all) designers don’t really want your opinions and when you give one you are either ignored or made to feel ignorant. Not everyone is kind especially if they feel you are questioning their project. And finally, sometimes you are left with a garment you don’t really like. So hours of work and $$ for yarn can feel a bit wasted. If someone really enjoys test knitting, I applaud and thank you. For me, I want to keep knitting as a relaxing hobby.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you for clarifying Martha! I feel sort of obtuse for missing this other perspective, but I completely understand what you mean. I feel like now that you bring it up (or that now that I see this other angle 🤦‍♀️) this is one I could hash out in its own video.

[@DillyDahlia]

Kind of the flip side to that…paying for a pattern that has a pretty major error that you discover along the way, thinking you’re going crazy…then when you finally contact the designer, they say only “You’re correct, thanks for catching that!” They then put out an erratum (errata?) I was quite resentful over having to pay to essentially be a test knitter. I felt the least she could have done was refund my money.

[@mwolfe7883]

I test for mostly crochet. Totally get where you are coming from. I only apply for things I would really want to make. If I don’t get chosen, I make a note of what it is so I can go back and get the pattern. I have purchased patterns that I know were tested and yet had a horrendous error in them. I emailed the designer on ravelry who was rude in her explanations, took a long time to update the pattern ( months after I completed the project after sorting out how to fix it myself), and had sizing issues to her patterns. I had applied to test things for her before and not been accepted but after that interaction, I was glad I didn’t. I don’t even buy her patterns now as I’m afraid the sizing issue is across the board ( I’m an avg bust size and she seems to write like we all have a very large bust size). I’ve tested for great designers and not so great. So if I don’t enjoy testing for the designer, I don’t sign up again. It is a lot of work for a free $5-10 pattern.

[@lawyer-skp]

@@MarthaKeith-s2x I had a feeling that this is what you were getting at. Shame on those designers who did not appreciate you.

[@Knittersvision]

@@MarthaKeith-s2x I agree with you. Test knitting is not easy because you are working with a pattern that is not ready, this means sometimes guessing what to do next or spotting some errors that might mean frogging back. Yes you do get the pattern but it's not the same when it has been through the trials and errors...

[@billotoole1563]

As a male knitter, knitting for myself, I get overwhelmed looking for garment patterns designed to be worn by men on Ravelry. Most of the time, I just find a yarn I like, pick a stitch pattern (thank you Barbara Walker), a generic sweater/vest pattern (thank you Ann Budd), and maybe throw in an interesting technique (thank you Elizabeth Zimmerman). Sometimes, I’ll just find a colorwork pattern that appeals to me (thank you Melissa Leapman) and rework it on a classic men’s shape. Then again, I come from an era where the patterns in the magazines were only about 3 paragraphs and a chart, and you learned all those nuances that are explained in modern patterns through knitting technique books and the experience of knitting way more sweaters than you can wear in a single winter. After 3 years of watching for it, I was able to pick up some yarn at a recent fiber fest by an indy dyer in a colorway that always sells out (they can’t even keep it stocked on their website). I’m specifically going to try your filtering technique to see if I can find a pattern as special as this yarn. Thank you!

[@petapendlebury9024]

I've just recommended that to another commenter! A vintage knitting book is a fabulous aid when working with vintage patterns. I also like the challenge in working with a plain pattern that I like the shape of and then altering it with colour or stitch style. But then I'm also always working with flat pieces that I seam up - I much prefer the neater more tailored look you get that way. Happy knitting!

[@susannahkoch]

As a plus size person I wanted to offer my opinion on the "fat tax/anti fat tax" thing. Im a 4x. And there are companies who charge more for larger sizes of clothing (ive noticed it from companies such as LLBean among others). But... A 4X shirt require nearly twice the fabric yardage as a small does. So i can understand companies charging more for plus sizes, within reason. But when it comes to knitting (or sewing/fabric) its no one elses responsibility or problem that my body requires more yardage to cover up. and while a bulk discount is nice i dont feel like anyone (especially small businesses) should have to cut their profit margin just so i can feel better about something that is still going to be absurdly expensive to make. At the end of the day if i can afford 10 skeins of hand dyed yarn at $30/skein i can afford to pay full price for them . Getting one skein free isn't really making the project suddenly affordable.

[@amydefalco3730]

I completely agree with regard to lack of photos with more male figures (larger, longer torso, more square or wider chest overall) modeling sweater samples. Even if a pattern designer does not have a male partner, friend, or family member I’d think you could buy a tailor’s fit model if you’re designing a unisex pattern.

[@maryannraley]

I am also a 4x. I'm also 6' tall, with appropriate length arms. Even if I were model thin, I'd have to buy an extra skein of yarn to make sure the sleeves are long enough. If a company wants to offer a volume discount, more power to them. I've never run into one that differentiates between buying six skeins of one color or one skein of six different colors.

[@boralee8688]

Re: test knitting. I feel like there are knitting accounts on social media (usually more of the influencer type with lots of followers) that use their test knitting participation as a popularity contest. My hot take? Testers should not make any modifications. Or at least without those modifications being very clearly advertised 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@juliao9146]

I feel like the "Test knitting is overrated" comment was more about being a test knitter, not the general importance of having a pattern test knit.

[@shetlandlace]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@HollyTriedIt]

I agree. I've test knit, and I felt that I had to make the pattern as written, instead of making it fit my body. And now I have an item that needs to be frogged.

[@LadyPatienceK]

No one is twisting your arm, demanding that you test knit (I hope!) I've enjoyed test knitting. If you don't like it, don't do it.

[@hazelwatson-smith7350]

I think the issue of test knitting being overrated is about the clout of being a test knitter. When designers run test knitter selections like competitions and then people boast about test knitting for a specific designer. - that grinds my gears

[@kayladernier1314]

That’s how I understood it. The pet peeve was test knitting as a cool kids club, not that test knitting needs to be done to properly test a pattern

[@Nicole_Bn]

I find it's feeling almost a popularity contest. A lot of the same people are testing frequently for the same designer. Just my opinion.

[@sandybuttacavoli2761]

Regarding pictures of men wearing the garments, I feel the same way about having pics of plus size models wearing a garment. Just because a pattern is written in multiple sizes doesn't mean it is going to look good in all those sizes.

[@VicS-hn5hu]

I quite enjoy a big messy yarn barf. It's quite relaxing to slowly unknot it and I feel a burst of achievement afterwards. This helps with the long slog of a garment as I am a slow knitter. Great video 😊

[@gracerobertson5923]

lol I just go in full force and crochet from it 😂😂😂

[@knitty781]

I enjoy a good yarn tangle, too. At our knitting circle, I'm the official yarn whisperer.

[@kuukimunster]

I thought that the test knitting is overrated could have meant it from the test knitters perspective. Like sometimes test knitting is really hyped up, but in reality it's just another pattern. I feel like especially in KZbin it's sometimes painted as something really special "I was honored to be chosen for the test knit", when the person might still have to buy the yarn as normal and knit it as usual. It probably might feel special to be chosen but it's still just a knitting project.

[@RinkoStarr64]

And a knitting pattern on a deadline. I'm fine with self-imposed deadlines but don't tell me when I need to finish my project. Lol test knitting is not for me

[@Ms.Murchison]

As someone new to sweater knitting, I'd also appreciate it if designers had more pictures of men wearing the patterns they're marketing as unisex and male. That's one thing I really like about Tin Can Knits. They have tons of pictures of men, women, kids, in their patterns and lots of different body types. A quick note on yarn leftovers, I just knit an Autumn Leaves Shawl by Susanne Visch (free pattern!), and it was great for this. The pattern basically said, "Knit till you're just shy of half-way through your yarn, then start the decrease section." It took almost my whole skein of fingering-weight yarn and it's lovely.

[@lauram3440]

I'm making a jumper for my boyfriend. I saw it and knew he'd love it but when i showed him the picture he wasnt sure. Months later i saw someone made it for a man, and uploaded the picture of his wearing it. I showed this picture to my boyfriend and he was suddenly very excited about it. He just couldnt picture it on his body before. I feel the same way and am more likely to knit something i have seen looking good on a larger body like mine.

[@krautkopf65]

I much rather have leftover yarn than run out and having to try to find the same yarn/ dye lot.

[@danni4151]

I don't understand buying specific project bags, because I have so many bags around my house just from shopping at clothes stores/supermarket/craft stores that I sometimes feel like I'm drowning in them!!! I just use those. I've got a sparkly one I got from shopping at a $2 store and a fabric one with a fun printed slogan that I got from a bookstore that tend to be my go-to bags.

[@missingaria2503]

Yeah like... If I get a project bag as a gift/for free I'll probably use it, but I usually just reuse the heck out of paper/ziplock bags (like the ones clothes sometimes come in because those usually have perfect little yarn sized holes in them already).

[@sistermountainstudio]

What a lovely surprise to hear you talking about my website, Taylor! Thank you ❤ I'm so glad it's been a useful resource.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

It’s my pleasure! Your posts are so thorough and thoughtful. Such great information. Thank YOU. ❤️

[@guyivie8987]

I appreciate patterns that include stitch count when there are increases and decreases that will cause the count to change. Helps keep me on track. I do NOT appreciate missing info, such as when the author names a particular yarn, but leaves out the yardage, so I have to go look it up in order to see how much I need in order to substitute a yarn I already have. (Love your shirt!)

Very excited to see my Fitu pattern shown - thank you! I have to admit it's very time-consuming to knit a sample both for me and for my husband and even more painful to get photos of both of us together for the pattern but I think it is essential to show both on a photo if I'm selling my pattern and a male and female one. And my husband is certainly not complaining if he gets a gorgeous jumper! ;)

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

It’s my pleasure! And I appreciate you leaving a comment with your perspective here. The time and effort to provide those photos are GREATLY appreciated.

[@hannahrenner8307]

I interpreted the hot take about test knitting being from the perspective of a test knitter. I feel like there are constantly calls for test knitters being posted on instagram, and other knitters talking about how fun it is to test knit that it really hypes up the experience. I applied to about a dozen tester calls until I got my first one, and I did not have a good time at all. The pattern was lovely and the designer was really nice, but I felt so much pressure to finish by the deadline, and to make sure I followed every direction perfectly, and to send amazing pictures, that it was kind of miserable. I would agree that being a test knitter is overrated

[@meganobrien9520]

This is exactly what I thought too!!

[@angelawesneski5029]

As a plus size person, I won't knit sweaters unless they are pictured on at least one larger body in the photo gallery provided by the designer. It isn't a moral thing, just a practical one. I want to have accurate expectations of what the sweater would look like on me, and only seeing the garment on one body that isn't like mine doesn't allow me to approach the sweater with correct expectations. I think this is really similar to your point about pictures of male bodies in sweaters.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes. 100% understand and agree with your thoughts here. If you market your product based on XYZ criteria, represent that criteria.

[@kl8132]

Taylor I stopped the video halfway thru to let you know once again outstanding job and thank you. Giving two sides of an issue is always beneficial even if some don't want to hear. The links to experienced designers lending their advice is very very helpful and thank you. I have mistakeningly started several crochet projects that hadn't been tested and it was a mess. It took awhile for me to realize that those creators weren't testing their work other than their one time making the piece. Measurements and sizes were way off. Wasted time and money is never good and now I'm stuck with yarn I won't use. Funny how I assumed every designer did it and everyone appreciates it. Learn something new everyday. Btw I love the music, its part of the vibe that I love so much with your site. Please continue presenting your style of info and vibe and I will cont to follow. Thank you 😄

[@squitten.]

20:09 my hot take is that if you’re getting massive amounts of yarn barf when pulling from the center you’re doing it wrong. Everyone I have seen have trouble with pulling from the center just shoves their hand into it and starts yanking out yarn. Of course you’re getting yarn barf! Insert one finger into each end of the skein and have them meet in the middle. If there is yarn between them one of them isn’t in the middle and you need to readjust. When you have them in correctly you can feel some extremely loose strands hanging out in there. Pick one and pull it out. I RARELY have any yarn barf this way and when I do it’s minimal. The only exception has been from my own cakes that I’ve wound too tight and the yarn was an acrylic meant to mimic mohair, so it was extremely sticky. But once I got past that initial barf, which still was way less than what I see online, it was smooth sailing. I know this is hot takes and all in good fun, but this one made me mad. First of all, there isn’t a wrong way to do this craft. If you’re getting the result you want you’ve done it correctly. Second, just because you (general) can’t be bothered to put for than .5 seconds of thought into how you handle the yarn doesn’t mean it’s inherently a bad way to do things. A lot of beginner knitters could say the same thing about the purl stitch! “It’s clunky and messy and makes everything way harder so it’s clearly WRONG!” Can you imagine someone saying that purling is flat out incorrect because they don’t know how to do it right? That would be ridiculous. That’s how I feel about people who refuse to center pull because it’s “messy”.

[@tiannagraham5210]

omg you’re speaking my language!!! i love center pull! i’m not a knitter but i crochet regularly and once you kinda finagle the yarn a certain way like you said, it’s smooth sailing. and i honestly don’t really mind yarn barf anyway because the tension of the yarn pulling from a fresh ball center pull kind of gets on my nerves. so having the yarn barf and using it and then the middle is a bit looser once i get to it makes the whole experience so much better. i don’t really like pulling from the outside because i mostly use skeins and it rolling around drives me mad. i do like pulling from the outside on cakes though

[@tiannagraham5210]

oh and saying it’s wrong to center pull is so freaking extra lmao just don’t do it if you don’t like it. my hot take is that knitters can be a bit pretentious/snobby when it comes to the “right way” to do something. like omg shut up literally

[@huckthex-dog3174]

My hot take lately is getting a bit frustrated by designers who design under their own name/business that keep everything SUPER SECRET but constantly say things like they wish they could show what they are working on or they can't wait to tell you what they are working on. This leads a little to the test knitter peeve also, where people say they are working on a secret test knit and they can't wait for people to see it. Both of these things just makes me feel like I'm left out of the cool kid's club. More and more I really appreciate designers who are open with what they are working on and talk you through their process. It's nice to see some behind the scenes of where the idea came from, what worked while they were designing and where they had to go back to the drawing board to get to something they were ready for other people to make.

[@russellsansom1673]

If you buy a big house, you'll pay more than someone who buys a small one. Similarly, yarn and fabric are body covering real estate. When it comes to ready-to-wear clothes, we are sometimes shielded from the economics behind the selling price. Setting a recommended retail price factors in lots of variables: what the most popular sizes might be; how the pattern pieces can be laid out on fabric to maximise the amount that can be cut from the cloth; if the fabric is patterned, the pattern piece placement will change to accommodate the repeats of the design and may result in more waste; bigger sizes may need bigger zips, more elastic, more buttons etc etc etc. When knitters buy yarn for a sweater, the simple economics are that larger bodies require more yarn. As someone who has gained (more than) several kilos since the pandemic, I've had to accept that that's life and life isn't always 'fair'.

[@myndolin]

This is definitely a tricky subject. I get and appreciate the sentiment of the anti-fat tax, but as someone who sews, the bigger I've gotten, the more I have to spend on materials. Same goes for yarn. I do feel like a true volume discount is great if it works for that vendors business. But I recently saw a discount specifically for anti-fat tax that was clearly stipulated could only be used if it was for a singular garment of a larger size, and that this discount was on the honor system and they wouldn't be able to offer it anymore if they found out it was being abused. So one person could get a discount for 7 skeins of yarn, but another couldn't, based on how it was being used. I'm still sort of working through how I feel about that. I know it's well-intentioned, and the goal is more equitable access, but I wrestle with whether or not it's truly equitable.

[@irina-ty1336]

@@myndolin I find it unfair. It mays be well intended, but it will clearly push people to lie. Yarn is expensive for everyone, not only large people. Someone buying 7 skeins to make 1 sweater, or someone buying 7 skeins to make 2 sweaters should pay for the same amount

[@woollylana]

@myndolin I think the argument of the tax ban is that the cost of extra materials/time can average itself out. For example, if it costs $40, $70, and $100 to make a SM, M, and L sweater then the average cost of the sweater should be $70 for all sizes. Essentially, the smaller sizes take on the added cost in materials for the larger sizes. This can be a deterrent for customers in the smaller size range though since $40 is more affordable and appealing than $70. But, it makes it more affordable for the larger sizes since $70 is more affordable than $100. From a maker pov, I knit clothing on both ends (small/xs for me and xl for my two kids and husband). I know their sweaters will be more expensive and time consuming while mine will be quicker and cheaper. I mean, if I knit 1 sweater for each of them that’s like the equivalent of 6 sweaters for me. It’s just how the math works. I don’t know what the right answer is since I can understand both the ethical and financial dilemma. I do believe large fast fashion companies have the ability to balance out the costs better without needing that extra tax. Small makers, not so much.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

This is a very real consideration in handmade businesses when it comes to equitable pricing. Within the context of selling handmade items, splitting the difference between the cost of each item variant/size and charging that to your customers makes the prices equal and seemingly more equitable while still bringing in the same overall profit, should you sell the items in an equal volume. However what happens here, and to suggest one reason why small businesses hesitate to do this (sell handmade items for the same price regardless of size), is because there is no guarantee that all of the items will sell and if the only items to sell are the ones that are reduced in price (because of the averaging out of production costs across the size variants), the maker is making less on the overall sales. Profit and loss is a huge factor in whether a business stays afloat and these sorts of equitable pricing measures where production cost is averaged out between product variants can have a big impact on a small business if the items don't sell equally well. Charging the customer based on the production cost of each item ensures that you make back your production costs plus the profit you need to keep going. It's a difficult one as it relates to small business, but definitely one that, like you mention, may be easier in the larger markets.

[@metropolotankreyole]

My pet peeve is hearing that "If you want a great sweater, add mohair". No you don't have to. I don't have anything fluffly, and I like definition in my sweater, keep the mohair far away from me. Also. No, if you're an english style knitter you don't "need" to go continental. If you want to try it's fine, but don't feel pressure, it is not the "wrong way" to knit, just another way. and, no, it's not the fastest way to knit, You will knit faster the way you're more confortable with.

[@tonyaspalding8543]

Ball unwinder changed my knitting life in lockdown I don’t know how I managed to knit all my life without it 😂😂

[@meaghanhock8927]

I am fat. Paying tax on sugary products or junk food = fat tax. Paying more to buy more yarn because I need a bigger size = reality.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yep. I just don’t love the names. 🤷‍♀️

[@OceanLyre]

Girl same 😂 though if a company offers the volume discount I’ll take definitely take advantage

[@saraw8503]

I hear you. My local yarn shop does not often carry enough skeins of a single color lot to make a sweater. I guess that is why I have made a lot of colorwork circular yokes.

[@Pinnipedantic]

hi! i'm fat too. things can have multiple meanings and in this case, "fat tax" also means paying more for the same or worse quality as other people, which is the reference. It's a common term in fat liberation and HAES discussions, and a real issue people face especially when it comes to clothes. That being said, the name "anti-fat tax" is stupid.

[@Jadzinek]

Higher tax on junk food isn't fat tax. it's a health investment for everyone. The tax on cigarettes, alcohol, chocolate, ice cream, soft drinks, chips, all of that shoul be heavens high if only there were tax free (or alltogether free, paid from those high taxes) apples and carrots and milk and eggs...

[@NorthBoundaryKnits]

I noticed this lack of men's photos in patterns when looking for something to make for my brother. Thank you for this! There are some good ideas in this video.

[@unplainjane123]

Pet peeve for me is when I hear knitters talk about being sustainable but then they knit so many garments/accessories that I can’t imagine them being able to wear them all. So they end up unused and materials wasted.

[@FoxInTheStudio]

@@unplainjane123 oh I have this one too. I've genuinely debated sitting down and ranting about it for a camera just for my own sake so I can siphon it out of my head like a pensieve from Harry Potter. Knitting and crocheting is supposed to be slow, not done at ruin-your-hands speed to make twenty garments a winter that either need selling or giving away because they don't suit the maker or any of the people who will accept handmade from them.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I agree. However I often wonder how much of this "overcreation" is due to pressure to have material to turn into content. Not that it's anyone else's responsibility other then the person in terms of how much they overdo something, but I do think there's something to be said for the content creators feeling an expectation to have fresh and new things to share. I've felt/feel that pressure often and do my damndest to fight the urge to create at an unrealistic rate for the sake of video content (thus the catalog I offer here including lots of content that is not directly related to my own projects, but still provides inspiration to knitters). I think if we zoom out and pare away all of the social media impact, we may find that these creators or knitters that we see/hear on some platform would really prefer to make less. Or in the very least, make more over longer periods of time...just my perspective form where I sit in the grand scheme.

[@BowsArrow]

First time hearing “anti-fat tax”, that’s just a bulk order discount! Whether I buy 12 skeins for a large sweater or 12 skeins for an afghan it’s the same bulk order cost.

[@raivac621]

I'm a little late to the party lol, but regarding project bags - I upgraded my work backpack to a knitting project backpack that has dedicated spots for my needles and notions and multiple skeins, and also fits my work laptop! It's my everywhere bag now instead of a purse, and fits my knitting full time working full time lifestyle flawlessly

[@anh-thurunez1259]

I love chart patterns so it is more concise. But I love when designers add tutorials videos of difficult stitches or instructions. Test knitters are SO valuable!! You are able to see how different colors, yarn, or modifications look on a pattern that you like.

[@EsmereldaPea]

I've recently started designing, and one of the things I'm trying to do is to put links at the end of the pattern to helpful technique tutorials and/or videos. I wanted to put them at the end of the pattern so they are easily left off of printing. But if you don't mind a question: would a QR code be helpful as well? I'm thinking of those who print their patterns. And then midway through, they need to reference a technique. So instead of typing in the URL in their phone, they can scan the QR code. What do you think?

[@anh-thurunez1259]

@@EsmereldaPea I print out my pattern, so I think having a QR code is a fine idea. I tend to google when I’m stuck but when a designer have a library of videos and reference what stitches are used in the pattern, I really like that!

[@mkv6632]

As a trans guy knitter, I couldnt agree more about how difficult it is to find masculine patterns featured on masculine body types on Ravelry. I totally appreciate designers tagging any pattern as "mens" because a man *could* wear it. But it is not helpful when the pattern is clearly shaped for a more feminine body shape. As much as i love breaking down the gender binary system, fashion is a very binary space. Yes, anyone can wear any style, but when a garment is shaped for a traditionally feminine body type, its more helpful to only mark it as "womens" knowing anyone else could wear it if they so choose, and if they can make it adapt to their body type. Many people want to find traditionally masculine patterns and fits and in this case, designers trying to be inclusive saying their pattern (that clearly fits in traditinal womens fashion style and sizing) is for men kind of does more harm than good. I think Ravelry should change the gender category to "fit" and say "masculine" or "feminine" so its more representative of how it is intended to fit a persons body, rather than who is"allowed" or expected to wear it. Anyone can wear a womens pattern, but they might not want to because of the sizing, bust shaping, etc. I appreciate designers trying to be inclusive, but if the goal with the Ravelry tags is to help people find patterns, this current system isn't useful, especially for masculine patterns

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes. Perfectly expressed. I totally agree.

[@stitchandthread]

Thank you for voicing it! I went onto Ravelry a few days ago in search for a pattern for my husband and was shocked at how difficult it is to find it, especially if he wants something tailored but his shape is quite different to mine and I would love patterns to be designed for a masculine shape as well!

[@linneaedwards1862]

So I have a personal take on size inclusivity that I haven’t seen anyone talk about and I have been kind of scared to mention because I do not want to come across as I am playing the victim as someone who isn’t facing the same challenges in society as someone on the other end of the spectrum. While bigger sizes face more problems with non inclusivity and hate about their bodies, a lot of patterns aren’t for petite people either. I have a smaller frame (29 or so inches full bust) and am also a very loose knitter. I wish I had the option to have a tight fitting sweater or to go down a size if my gauge is too big. A sweater that has a smallest finished measurement of 37,5 inches would fit me (making my problem not as bad as if I were bigger than the size range given), but often look and feel way too loose. I do not always want an oversized look and even with my math it often ends up disproportionate (too big in the neck, too broad over the shoulders etc). I do not want to knit a child’s sweater for myself to fit some measurements better because I have adult proportions. So my hot take is: size inclusivity should include all bodies, including both smaller and bigger ones.

[@katelynrader4592]

Yes! THANK YOU! I feel the same way, I'm always knitting the smallest size of patterns and getting more ease than suggested because the sizes don't go small enough to choose a different size. Totally understand the need for larger sizes too, I feel their pain on a different level.

[@woollylana]

This resonates with me as well. I am also a very loose knitter and have a bigger bust 34 in, but my waist is only 28 in, so the smallest sweaters always end up oversized on me. I wish more patterns had XS and XXS options. A sweater with a finished circumference of 38 in may be only 4 in of positive ease on my chest, but it’s almost a foot of ease on my waist. 😔

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes. Absolutely. And you are not alone in this opinion. Finding "adult" patterns that still fit very small adults is difficult for many of the same reasons larger knitters experience. And typically, where a pattern may have three or four sizes beyond the L size, there will only be one size below the S. And as you can attest to here, fully grown adults come in sizes far smaller than your average small.

[@russellsansom1673]

You could perhaps try Japanese and Spanish patterns as they typically are fitted to smaller bodies than English/North American and Northern European patterns.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I think suggesting these types of patterns is great because Japanese and Spanish patterns are gorgeous, and you're right, some regions "specialize" in smaller sizes, however this commenter (Linnea) may be American or Northern European and it would be nice for her to feel as if her size is represented to some extent in the same way larger sizes are represented or encouraged to be represented within the context of size-inclusivity. All of this though definitely strengthens my resolve and opinion that we need to, as makers, invest some of our time into learning how to modify patterns to fit our size/shape. There are so many sizes and so many shape factors to consider that at the end of the day, some sizes or shapes will be left out, something will miss the mark in terms of fit, and it will come down to us (the maker) to make up for that. Circling back though, maybe the suggestion of seeking out patterns from regions that are known for a particular range of sizes is really a good jumping off point. Good food for thought.

[@kerravonsen2810]

I'm baffled by the anti-project-bags opinion. Project bags don't *cause* disorganisation, they prevent it. If one's project bag is a disorganised mess after one has finished the project, that is not the fault of the project bag; that is directly because the knitter *chose* not to clear up the project bag when the project was done. They *chose* to be disorganised, they chose not to wind up the project properly. It is utterly silly to blame the project bag for the disorganisation of the person using it. This looks like a case of "the bad workman blames his tools".

[@godshounds]

1000% agree on the gender tags on ravelry. as a trans guy finding patterns that work for my body is already tough, but when the filters don't even help it's SUPER frustrating. i often rule out patterns because i can only see photos of them on women's bodies so it makes me feel like the garment will make me look feminine. maybe it wouldn't, but i usually can't see it on a body like mine.

[@reylynemarie8165]

I agree with your number 10 but also for plus size. There are so many patterns that include plus size, but it would be nice to see those on a plus size body so I can see what it would look like on someone like me.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes. 100%.

[@nonifidler4547]

That is where Ravelry project pages come in for me...and the notes can be so helpful if other knitters found the arms too skinny or waist shaping too abrupt, for example.

[@originalstitches6125]

I’ve been collecting vintage patterns for many years and one of the reasons I love them is because they don’t repeat things 10 times and don’t have 10 pages of instructions. Most of them are one and a half pages and that’s it.

[@patti1044]

Agree that neck shaping is important - makes me comfortable in the sweater as I don't fiddle with the neck to keep it in place.

[@susannahkoch]

I wonder if you are interpreting #3 differently than how the commenter intended. I think most of us can agree that test knitting is an important part of the designer making sure the pattern works for all sizes. But there seems to be a bit of a craze over test knitting. I watch a lot of content creators and many of them are taking on multiple test knits at once but then seem to be always stressed about getting them done in time. Or they just aren't enjoying the process. It seems like many are motivated by early access to patterns, having the pattern for free or simply the excitement of being chosen by a designer. All of those seem like silly reasons to get involved in what can turn into a stressful thing. I think THAT is overrated. But it's still important that someone does the test knitting.

[@Hide_and_silk]

Agreed! I feel that test knitting is somehow seen as a status symbol...

[@unplainjane123]

Agree. I believe this is what the person meant by overrated. The experience of test knitting is overrated. I also think the same. It feels more like a status symbol to be chosen, people feel bad when they are not, and I hear complaints that they don’t have enough time, etc. I don’t see the big deal. So much drama over doing volunteer work.

[@mollysampson9700]

Agreed!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yep! Turns out I was! 🤦‍♀️ I feel like now that I understand this other POV I’m interested in diving a bit deeper into it.

[@veppie0]

My pet peeve is extreme consumerism by some knitfluencers. Huge hauls of yarn and notions they’re never going to use. Or having ten advents or more, not even finding the time to open them all up. It’s just sad and makes me unfollow them.

[@FriendlyFibers]

I agree completely. Some are just so unrealistic… I want to watch a podcast of someone who I can relate to. If I want to pretend I’ll watch greys anatomy and I’ll pretend MCDreamy is mine!!

[@Shetooktothewoods]

Same. I’ll dispute anyone needing a whole pile of project bags. Nobody is traveling around daily with sweaters and blankets in tow. As a totally non-monogamous knitter, I have one project bag because I used to knit to-from work and school, find knitting from a backpack awkward (though I’ve done it more than once), and the idea of a yarn ball escaping on the DC metro in rush hour is just horrific. Otherwise, I have plenty of things to stash projects in that serve multiple purposes, from reusable grocery bags to a handmade ceramic covered casserole that is currently housing a Buddleia Blouse in progress. I totally de-stash knitting channels that want to show me hauls constantly* or frequently have a new large ticket “must have” (or a stack of them) that serves the same purpose as the one they showed a few months prior. Quite frankly, anyone who promotes consumerism is getting the heave-ho. * I get some ”hauls” when people find hard to find (or not available in their country) colorways of their favorite sock yarn and buy 10 balls because that’s 5 pairs of socks, which they knit all the time. That, to me, is in the same vein as showing a sweater quantity for the pattern they’re planning to knit.

[@arielle2745]

I agree with you about the male and female models. I have a similar issue when I’m looking for an adult hat, but they only show it on a baby!

[@crittercre8r]

If a shawl calls for a skein and a half of sock yarn, you can use the leftovers to make a matching pair of fingerless mitts.

[@kevinorr6880]

I totally agree with the Ravelry search peeve!! But then, there is so much I don’t like about Ravelry, this is just on the list!

[@emilycreager2269]

It's just annoying when the designer will say you need X balls of this specific yarn. Why not at least add the total yardage of yarn with X recommended gauge. Is that too hard to ask? I know a lot of them are trying to sell their yarn, but come on! Also, amen to the center-pull ball being a horrible idea!

[@hellorachelthefirst]

Your editing of that light bulb going off over your head while you were describing the yarn spike was impeccable

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@krautkopf65]

I finally bought my first project bag earlier this year. Having my second grandson being mobile and waaay more into things than his 3 year older brother it’s easier keeping little fingers out of my treasures. Beside that easier transporting around. I have now 🤔5 in different sizes.

[@bookwyrm84]

I am not big on expensive project bags myself. If I had the resources, maybe that would change. I currently use camping dry bags to store my projects. I found some inexpensive ones on Amazon and love the fact that I can clip them to my belt loops and knit as I move around. These are my go to especially for wool yarns to keep moths and other things away.

[@knitty781]

What a great episode with lots of information. The links to articles to clarify are really good. While i don't agree with some of the opinions, i appreciate them. Especially when it comes to project bags and centers pull yarn. If I'm making a project, especially using multiple colors, often I'll make two things first: a project bag and yarn cozies.

[@wooooho_]

This 'anti-fat tax' term got me really frustrated, more than I could expect! It essentially gives the same effect as the volume discount so the more goods you buy, the cheaper the goods will be. The only difference is that 'anti-fat tax' seems to be pejorative wording. I don't think that our society needs to be polarised more than it already is.

[@rebeccazegstroo6786]

I want a.diagram with finished measurements. Row by row is just annoying. My gauge never matches, I get as close as I can and recalculate.

[@rockstarkate78]

My pet peeve is when there are no pictures of the wrong side of an item! It's so helpful to see that when you're starting out to see if you're doing it right. I love yarn leftovers. Much better than running out! Do they really want the shawl to be bigger just so they don't have yarn leftovers? You could give them away if they stress you out.

[@jasminenoack]

I understand the leftovers issue. But I get so stressed out about running out of yarn. If something called for exactly 2 balls of yarn I would have to buy 3 to manage my anxiety. So I like the 1.5. I’m a huge problem on the yarn weight. I don’t even like garments using worsted weight yarn. It’s just so heavy…

[@Lorrissyoutube]

Susan Ashcroft is a designer with loads of accessory patterns that can be made as big or as small as you like depending on the amount of yarn you have.

[@elliek5191]

She’s the first designer I thought of when that comment came up. I love the concept of having at least x yds/meters of yarn, finding a needle size that works, and knitting until you run out of yarn! If you like a general recipe to follow, instead of specific instructions, check out her patterns.

[@nyxian_grid]

about your pet peeve at the end: I have the same issue when I can't see photos of the larger sizes. I was knitting a cable vest for my mom, and I was getting so confused because all the photos I saw did not have a whole cable column the chart pattern was telling me to do!

[@dawnnewbre6421]

I agree with you. I am a 3X or even a 4X size and the pattern is sized for me, but there are no photos of how it looks on someone of that size. Even if the designer had test knitters for that size, in most cases they show the garment but not on a person. 9 times out of 10 I am not going to buy that pattern.

[@ferolicious]

If you take full advantage of the advanced search option you can sort by male AND NOT female [AND NOT unisex]. It does of course exclude a bunch of patterns but on the other hand, it also highlight a lot of great patterns made for and modelled by men! You get this option if expanding on the AND/OR section.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes! I actually discovered this thanks to another commenter suggesting the same thing and it’s fantastic. A great option!! Thank you. ❤️

[@estefanamanrique3317]

I agree so much when you say that no left over is better... But I must admit that sometimes it saved my life for little projects as my actual Advent calendar (a garland of mini Christmas socks)... All of those are good to meditate on!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I totally understand that and I’ve been there myself. Damned if you do; damned if you don’t keep ‘em. 😂

[@LadyPatienceK]

​@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS I use scrappy bits and leftovers to fill amigurmi creations.

[@queenofpixels5458]

My new favorite project bag is a lunch bag that I bought at home depot for $15. It hols a sweater quantity of yarn and has a small exterior pouch for notions.

[@victoriareed9966]

Anti fat tax? That is a really bizarre concept. I see it as a discount for buying more yarn🤷🏻‍♀️

[@kimmyk3640]

Such a good point about men's sweater patterns. Can you imagine if sweaters for women were only shown on male models? Sounds ridiculous, and the lack of male models is the same thing.

[@rmgalardo]

I think the commentary "test knitting is overrated" might have been misunderstood? I thought it might be someone who DID a test knit or several and realized how much work they signed up for (especially if the creator is asking for a lot) and realized it wasnt what they thought it would be like. Seeing how many people say "I wish I could test knit and get the pattern for free" etc - I think this person meant actually DOING the test knitting was overrated 😂

[@belindagritter1572]

I thought the same thing.

[@BeautyNookbyLauren]

That’s what I was thinking as well! Any time something is offered for “free”, people get really excited about it - but test knitting is definitely volunteer WORK and not for everyone. Especially when a lot of us are over purchasing patterns that we’re never going to knit 🫣

[@aliciahainsworth2537]

Same so many social media folks talk about test knitting making it seem really glamorous but it's a lot of work often in a very limited time. That's what I thought they were referring to.

[@martyjangles]

Yep, that was my thought as well! I did a few earlier in my knitting days (I’ve only been knitting two years, so just last year lol), because I heard so much hype around being a test knitter. It was fun to challenge myself (I taught myself to do cables for one), but there was also pressure involved that, in retrospect, I don’t want in my knitting :)

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yep! Turns out it was. The person who left that one commented letting me know. So glad she did! I didn’t even consider… 🤦‍♀️

[@bjrudin]

Regarding test knitting, my issue is designers who don't follow up or seem to care about your test knit. I also had the experience that the designer asked for an all over color work sweater to be done in 3 weeks, then decided to not release the pattern and basically just said "oh well" to the test knitters. I won't test for that person again, as they didn't appreciate the effort that went into meeting their deadline. Also, that is Rebecca Clow's step dad in the pictures :).

[@kath7466]

What you say about not seeing garments marked as for men without it being modeled by a man is exactly how I feel about designs marketed as size inclusive with no actual plus sized models showing the finished sweater. If I can’t find a photo of someone plus sized modeling a pattern, I generally will be a lot less likely to knit it.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Absolutely. Totally agree.

[@annaknitter]

I publish patterns as well. So I can give a different perspective on the first opinion. You would be surprised which questions you get via pattern support by people you didn’t think people would ask or don’t understand. Writing long and detailed patterns is away to get these questions out of the way so designers don’t have to answer tons of e-Mails with questions regarding the pattern.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I TOTALLY get that. Makes so much sense. ❤️

[@karenalbery2773]

Sweaters absolutely need to be person shaped. Never met a person with a front that was exactly the same shape as their back.

[@niknaiman5359]

I feel like there can be a very happy medium when it comes to project bags and other knitting accessories. I have found some really inexpensive bags, as compared to the typical "project bags" as are advertised. Usually the more affordable ones I find are made to be lunch bags which work perfectly for my projects. They feel elevated still as they have their pockets and lend a certain vibe to my overall project and transporting of such. The same can be said with stitch markers. Yes there are some that are expensive and some that are much less so. Overall, I feel that if these items are helping add joy to my life and my craft then it's nobody's business if I splurged or over indulged. To each of us, let's allow ourselves joy in this world that tends to try to suck it out of everything.

[@tyanneagle4630]

I agree that patterns for both men and women should show pics of both, but also patterns that bill themselves as size inclusive should show pics of plus sized bodies in addition to the smaller size

[@LazyDaizyCrazy]

Love these videos, especially the way you do it, it actually inspires discussion rather than just complaining. 😊 As far as knitting patterns being too long, I think it depends on the knitter. Some knitters need more hand holding than others so I think a lot of pattern designers try and accommodate. Testing knitting? I honestly have no comment on this. lol Leftover yarn? I don't mind it. I do use a lot of scrap yarn for projects...all sorts of weights and lengths...so I am in the minority here. I agree with you here, I don't have an issue with bulky yarn...I love a good bulky hat, but super bulky yarn isn't for me. I have a couple skeins of extremely bulky yarn here in my stash that I really have no use for. Center pull vs outside pull...I keep my yarn in bags because I have dogs...dogs that shed a whole dogs worth of fur...and have always done center pull to keep things neat. A couple times I have pulled from both the center and the outside when I was doubling up yarn. Project bags? I have quite a few. Most are vintage from thrifting...others are handmade, but I use a lot of bags for things other than knitting. And I do agree, if I am knitting a sweater for my husband, I would like to see the sweater modeled on a man.

[@iluvmysix]

I absolutely agree with your comments about finding a sweater for a man. It's so much harder than it should be.

[@nanabella007]

I understand the person who said they don't want leftovers. I don't like having a half ball or similar just sitting around. But on the other hand I imagine that it is incredibly difficult to accurately predict how much yarn anyone is going to use. Yes, we will get close to the numbers of the designer, but even if your gauge is the same, we all knit slightly differently which causes a difference in yarn usage. Personally, I'll rather take a bit yarn left over than losing yarn chicken.

[@woollylana]

I definitely see your point about “unisex/male” patterns and photos. I personally think that if a designer labels their pattern unisex, it should’ve been test knit for both men and women and include pictures of both. It’s easy to slap a unisex label on a sweater/cardigan pattern because essentially all sweaters are genderless, but how does it really fit on a man’s body? At the very least a designer can kindly ask test knitters to maybe ask a friend or family member to try on the sweater as well to show the versatility. I have done this with a test knit before and had pictures of both myself and my teenage son in the sweater. It was oversized on me and more fitted on him, but it gives knitters an idea of how the design looks as a unisex option.

[@susanmarshall3709]

Yes, the sweaters are often listed as bulky weight yarn, but several listed that they have used Sandes Garn yarn. That yarn is less weight as other bulky weight yarns. The same goes for worsted yarn. Living in a warm climate, I would possibly make more of the worsted weight yarn in Sandes Garn for that very reason. (It is harder to get is U.S., though.) Ido agree on showing the male figure in the sweaters that are listed as unisex. I had attempted to find male Christmas vests a couple of years ago and had a difficult time visualizing also. Thanks for this podcast and an insider look on how to fine tune Raverly.

[@mrsclaunch]

Oh my goodness you made me giggle! Loved the video and was pleasantly impressed with how you handled the controversial topics of our hobby.

[@oliviahamilton8654]

re: Fat Tax... In the fashion industry the fat tax refers to the fact that plus sized clothing is frequently sold at an uneccesary mark up to its straight size counterparts. For example, when purchasing something fast fashion (as opposed to hand made) an 18 could cost ~$40 more than a 10. The cost of the fabric required to make a size 18 pair of trousers vs a size 10 pair of trousers is not $40 more. And the cost of labour is not more either. It is largely a way for the fashion industry to make more $ off of social prejudices and scarcity (not many companies carry comprehensive plus size lines). That being said, I get that hand dye yarn is *very* different in its cost breakdown to factory woven bulk synthetic fabric. I am tall and broad shouldered & hipped and I always deeply appreciate a quantity discount (anti-fat tax) when it is offered because that means that I am not spending several hundred more for a sweater quantity than my friend because of my genetics. I also never expect it with yarn because, as a small business dyer myself, I fully understand the cost breakdown of each skein.

[@LadyPatienceK]

I've never seen that. In department stores, or cheap stores, the garments are all priced the same. So slender people pay more for what they get, compared with us curvy ladies. In some ways, slender people are subsidising curvy people. I suppose it depends where you shop. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I thrift, upcycle, or make most of my garments, so it doesn't really impact me.

[@melindahuntley9873]

I'm sort of a rather rigid knitter in that I only work on two projects at the same time, one very easy that I can take out for coffee and one that I need to concentrate

[@Hide_and_silk]

Ditto. Any more than that would mess with my head. I'm also dressmaker and it's one project at a time....finish one before even thinking about cutting out the next. Having no WIP pile is a very calming...

[@veradoling79]

Your comment on project bags had me put down my knitting, and actually count my bags........ drum roll...12!!!! And those are the ones within my immediate line of sight! I love a project bag. I have my favourites, for sure. But I love me a good project bag!!!

[@maryannw5289]

I have quite a few project bags because I enjoy having seasonal bags. So I’m using my fall and pumpkin themed bags now. The fact I don’t always empty them when I finish a project is a different issue! 😂

[@sarahrudd4995]

Re test knitting. My peeve with it is when designers use their test knitters instead of working with a tech editor. They are two different roles. Test knitters should be checking the usability of the pattetn, not the accuracy of the maths.

[@elliek5191]

My hot take…sock patterns should not have 64 stitches as the default and should accommodate a larger number of sizes. If it’s not a free pattern, give me the circumferences on the pattern page. I don’t want to pay for a pattern that assumes everyone has the same foot circumference and end up grading it myself.

[@lindamiller5456]

Hello. Very impressed that you were featured in issue 206 of The Knitter. The Best Knitting Videos. Your video dealt with single skein knitting projects. I had watched that video so was nice to refresh watching it again and finding the Pickles Romper since I needed a baby project. Kudos to you!!! 👏👏👏

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you Linda! I had no idea. This blows my mind. 🤯

[@SaraBeet]

I love the scrappy project ideas that are happening, lots of creativity with yarn to stash bust is amazing and its nice to not have to think too hard about what to make. I just wish more of those items were multi-fiber friendly!

[@t.k.herrin2788]

Great episode, but the last 15 mins were 🎯🔥 - absolutely my pet peeve. Thanks for the last tip; I always check the male/unisex box, but did not think to use the search box for more targeted options… okay, next stop is Raverly to get lost trying this new tip I just learned 😂

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Glad you enjoyed this! And I hope that that last bit helps with your searches. The struggle is real. Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@jessmakingit]

I agree about trying to find patterns pictured on a typically male figure on Ravelry. I almost wish that they had a filter that was by "body shape". Because as a female that was more of an upside down triangle torso (stereotypically male shape), until very recently, it was hard to figure out what garment might look good on me, or even fit appropriately. This is why I think filtering by torso shape or body shape might be the way to go, instead of gender specific. We all want to make items that we will feel confident wearing, and if we see people with a similar body shape, and like how it looks on them, that goes a long way toward deciding whether to purchase a specific pattern. Conversely, I've seen designs where you can just tell that if you are broad shouldered it's not going to work. I would hope that by now we've gone past body shaming, even of ourselves, and can just be real about whether some parts are wider, narrower, longer, or shorter and being able to filter a search for a garment that way would be helpful. But it's just my opinion.

[@amyrobson2879]

I center pull if im working fast on a project. It also helps of you slip a piece of tights/nylon around the outside because it keeps it contained. I also like to rewind loose yarn

[@valerieodonnell6764]

Volume discounts aren’t just for making a large size, they are great if you are making more than one of the same thing. Matching hats for the family, sweaters for the grandkids, etc.

[@Christine-zk6hk]

Not related to yarn, but the anti-fax reminds me of the volume discount in grocery stores, which I call the anti-single person tax, because I generally don't need 4 of something.

[@myndolin]

YES.

[@halesje]

Late to the party, but my pet peeve is that sweater patterns have gone dramatically top-down lately, and sock patterns have gone dramatically toe-up. I (personally) strongly prefer the opposite. I like to knit my sleeves first and block them and THEN knit the body. It helps me understand what happens to my row gauge on a piece bigger than a swatch, and it ensures that my sleeves will fit my arms perfectly. For socks, I just love a classic flap-and-gusset construction for my high instep foot. Luckily, I'm a fairly seasoned knitter and can alter the pattern to meet my needs, but it's annoying to have to adjust 90% of the new patterns out there.

[@ethelcowieson1696]

I agree. I am 73 been knitting since I was14 ad have never knitted a top down sweater or toe up sock in my life. Flap and gusset heels for me too. Love dpns, hate circulars. Horses for courses 😉

[@AileenArrieta]

Sweaters were better when we sewed them together 😊

[@laurenouellette6592]

It would be really cool if designers could optionally tag each pattern photo on Ravelry with relevant properties (gender, size worn, body measurements, etc.). The advanced search tool could feature the more relevant photo when you're searching on those properties, and they could be made visible on the pattern page too for extra context.

[@laurenouellette6592]

Regarding leftovers, "zero waste patterns" might be the term to search for. I haven't noticed this as much in the knitting pattern world, but there are many sewing patterns that focus on this.

[@alenac.3934]

We had a Knitters' Fair in town this month and I noted that there were no deals to be held. All the merchandise (at least what I saw) was regularly priced. I did see, however, a discount offered by one vendor and it was similar to what showed as an example of the anti-fat tax (e.g. buy 7 skeins get $x off, buy 8 skeins, get $y off, buy 9 skeins get $z off etc.). It was not labeled as anything and I was not (then) familiar with the 'anti-fat tax' term. If I knew that's what it was I would have specifically thanked the vendor for providing the discount. Yarn (expecially quality yarn) is really expensive and this makes it just a bit more affordable.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

And I totally get that as well.

[@stina48]

I totally agree with your pet peeve. One would think that designers would understand that. I think they would sell more patterns if they had pictures of all genders that it is designed for. The man in Rebecca‘s picture is her stepdad. As for the folks who don’t want leftovers, I think they’re the same folks who get pissed off when they run out of yarn. I guess they must enjoy playing yarn chicken. Good luck with that. I must say I really enjoy your podcast. I used to not like it very much but somehow I kept on watching and grew on me.Thank you. Y

[@helledueholm5008]

Great post ! The Franky sweater you stumbled on, from Sandness, offer patterns with or without a following mohair yarn. Great to be given the option🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@ChristineGallant-y5y]

Don't want leftovers? Find a friend who uses yarn for embroidery. My sister will take and use pieces even just a few feet long. Toe-up socks are also a good option. Less yarn chicken too.

[@peggytraeg]

Leftovers are annoying especially when one lives in a space with limited storage. Thank you for your videos.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes. 100% agree. And you’re very welcome Peggy. Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@maryannw5289]

As far as pattern length goes, I think each designer has their own style of pattern writing, and each knitter has preferences on how a pattern is presented. So it may just take some trial and error to see which designers patterns are easiest for you to follow. Just like some of us work better from charts, and some of us work better from written instructions.

[@laurelrobbins8673]

Sadly, you have never experienced the deep flavor of leftover chili lol! The flavors of dishes like chili and goulash blend into the dish so well after a day or two in the fridge - or even the freezer- are a joy to your taste buds. As far as leftover yarn, I like to picture what I will do with little balls to make interesting things. I am, however, proud to say that I have actually thrown away some tiny balls that I determined were too small to bother with - lol - it has taken many years for me to get to that point!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Oh trust me. The flavor delights of a good leftover chili, pozole, spaghetti isn’t lost on me. 😉

[@myndolin]

I agree with letting some of it go. If there was sone place to donate left over yarn bits, I'd be happy to do so (as long as they weren't sock yarn, that i'll happily use). This is something I learned as a quilter. There is always some amount of waste. Do your best to make use of what you can as efficiently as possible, but keeping a bunch of bits and bobbles because you might use it later creates stress and mess.

[@sherunswithscissors]

Please don’t throw those out - take them to a thrift store if you can - I am on a budget and love finding yarn - any type any length

[@brendawilliams8161]

"Project bags perpetuate hoarding" Me: "Yes.....And?...." :P

[@meganobrien9520]

BIG agree on the men’s garments! My partner is a big guy, while his chest circumference isn’t much larger than mine, the proportion of his shoulders and biceps is much different! 😅 I’m not comfy trying PetiteKnit patterns (or any without photos) marketed as unisex for him because I don’t think they’ll be properly graded for that. HOWEVER, I’m definitely keeping an eye on Laura Penrose’s patterns with what she’s calling a “broadness modification” going forward. Hopefully I’ll be able to learn from her shaping and try to hack other patterns!

[@belindagritter1572]

Just what I was saying but you said it better.

[@KMHess]

My takeaway from this is I need that shirt... 👀