I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 81

[@FadiaTR]

Regarding Q2. Only yesterday I restarted a top that I had frogged because of the rolled bottom of stockinette. After some research and brainstorming I decided to create a seamless stockinette folded hem by using the italian tubular cast on (with twice the amount of stitches needed for my stockinette pattern) to do a couple rows of double knitting (a double layer of fabric with stockinette pointing outwards on either side) and then stitched every two stitches together when I was ready to go into a single layer of stockinette (this makes the live front stitches lay on top of the back stitches). The result was great and I'll definitely remember this trick in the future. If you try this, remember to go down a needle size or two for the CO and double knitting than you would for the rest of your pattern.

[@barbbuteyn8800]

Thank you for this hint. I will have to find a good video for the Italian tubular cast on.

[@nancyhughes386]

My son wanted to learn to knit and I taught him English style. He brought it back a couple days later. The stitches were so tight he couldn’t get the needle in. I showed him continental knitting. He was so happy because it helped his gauge relax.

[@karan1983t]

For the person who asked question 2, a folded hem would work! You basically knit stockinette to the full length, do a purl row to turn, knit some more, and seam the edge to the inside. It’s a bit more work than a regular rib but the result is smooth stockinette that doesn’t curl!

[@blackstarninja6785]

You don’t even have to do the purl row, if you want that edge less look like a tubular cast on!

[@barbbuteyn8800]

Thank you for your suggestion. I will try this on a swatch to see if the double fabric will look ok or too heavy. Definitely worth a try and I have plenty of extra yarn.

[@misschiversstitches5887]

Another lovely episode, thanks Andrea. For the person wanting to put buttons on a cardi you can also do a crochet chain. Just pull each last chain up snug as you go. You could use your bulky yarn using this method and it’s easy to make it to the correct length.

[@hitzchicky]

When it comes to being chronically unable to achieve gauge, we need to also look at our technique and make adjustments where necessary. There was a fantastic blog post by Patty Lyons did back in 2020 titled "Let the Tool Do the Work". She talks about loose knitters doing the "grab and go", and tight knitters who are "tip workers". Essentially, it comes down to not using the needle to size the stitches. It takes a bit of work to retrain our muscle memory, but that article was a game changer for me. I felt like no matter how small my needles were, I was just constantly getting larger stitches. Even getting the same size stitches with different sized needles! After reading Patty's post, I made a small adjustment. Realistically just being more mindful for a bit, until I built the new muscle memory, and it made a world of difference.

[@marybethreichow9229]

This sounds like a great blog post, I went to Patty Lyons' website and could not find it! Do you have any more information on where this can be found?

[@mt-moonchaser1029]

@@marybethreichow9229 Patty Lyons has written columns for MDK (formerly Mason-Dixon Knitting) for years, so what you're looking for is probably there. She also has just released a book on knitting Tips and Tricks which might be at your LYS or could be ordered from MDK, Schoolhouse Press or even Amazon... It probably has the information from that blog in it.

[@jenniferbarrett3272]

Andrea, you are such a delight to watch. I love your enthusiasm, wisdom and generosity in providing such great tips to your fellow knitters. Makes me smile every time I tune in. Thank you.

[@jennaflr]

Thank you for talking about your struggle to balance all of your hobbies with your work. I am also a chronic empty-tanker and struggle to find enough time to spend on my various hobbies. I love your idea of creative fill-up time each morning! Also, heck yes to a Shiftigan! I just finished a handspun Shifty and would LOVE to make a cardi.

[@joannaherriott2677]

Visiting Maine (I’m from the UK) for the first time next weekend. So looking forward to it and hoping the weather holds out for some lovely fall days!!

[@alecsgirl]

I hope you enjoy your visit! Maine is such a lovely state. I had the privilege of living there for a few years and loved it there this time of year!

[@jennystroyeck7954]

Just cast on your Open Sky Shawl last night in some lovely Juniper Moon Moonshine yarn so it was lovely to work on that while listening to this week’s episode. Happy fall!

[@gretawatson-pigg4600]

Finishing the Shift Cowl and just learned the I cord bind off. Love it! Can’t wait to make this again. Thanks for the videos and your creativity!

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you Greta!

[@lisethomas8495]

Love your video!! I can't wait to start the Find Your Fade as I really enjoyed working on the the Shift and the Night Shift. I receive so many compliments on both of those items. Have a terrific weekend and I hope you have no further bee/wasp/hornet encounters. They are really bad here too.

[@karendana1789]

So great to see your warping reel in the background of this week's video - happy weaving!

[@nancyprinsze4266]

I am so excited that you are working on a Shifty Cardigan. I will really be excited to make that pattern. I love your patterns and these videos.

[@lisaliteration2552]

So excited for Shiftigan pattern!! I have been a fan of your patterns for a while but this is the first of your KZbin series I've watched. I have loved the Shifty sweater since it came out but since I have been either pregnant or breastfeeding for the past 8 years I have always wanted a cardigan version (more flexible for changing body shapes and easier for breastfeeding!). I'm just not experienced enough with pattern mods to figure out a cardi version myself so I am so glad you will release one!! You're an inspiration--thanks, Andrea.

[@knitwithluvnbeer]

As soon as you pulled that batt out, I thought that looks like Crux! I just picked up two batts at Knit City Vancouver from her. She is so delightful to chat with and knowledgeable about the fibres. I look forward to seeing how yours spins up!

[@sharonkennedy8612]

As always love your videos with my coffee in the morning.

[@debraitaliano4831]

Always a treat ,I have just started a pair of your Sustenance Slippers ,1st pair of dk socks ,I am stash busting, already love how quickly they are knitting up 🧶🤗

[@dreareneeknits]

Wonderful!

[@jennifercook6863]

EEEEKKK!!! Shiftigan!!! Thank you, Andrea! So excited:]

[@warriorthu]

Yay Shiftigan!!! My immediate thought when I heard the question was, the original Shift cowl and Nightshift shawl are knitted flat, so why would we need to steek it? :)

[@Bean_Box_Knitting]

Enjoying listening to you whilst I knit my Evenfall sweater. :)

[@Hornets-and-Hippos]

Excited for your new pattern!!!

[@denisewessman1079]

I’m so excited for the new release!!! You are such an inspiration

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you Denise!

[@atinyknit4368]

SHIFTIGAN !!!!! SQEEEEEEEAL !!!!! I am so excited !!!!!! (runs in circles screaming)

[@riittatammi1149]

On gauge. I’ve been knitting (continental style, the method I’ve learned at school) actively for the past two years now, and during the first year my gauge was really, really loose. My gauge got even looser after knitting a couple of sweaters with open gauge (15 st/4”). And I actually got somewhat desperate at some point. But, after knitting and knitting and knitting and choosing garments and accessories with smaller (? tighter) gauge, my gauge has also tightened, and nowadays I don’t have problem getting the right gauge with sizing down one needle size. 👍 So, for me it’a been practice and yet more practice.

[@dianachristie5700]

I just recently switched from English to continental, and now to Norwegian. I love icord edges thanks to your shift cowl!

[@wendylang5791]

Hi - do you have a good resource / tutorial for learning Continental? I’m a thrower who knits way too tight - and my hands have started to bother me.

[@dianachristie5700]

@@wendylang5791 Arno and Carlos vidio

[@YarnNTea]

Love your hint about asking a local yarn store for help. I’ve always found them so knowledgeable.

[@MissSholia]

Hmmm yes we have Fall weather here but way too Fall-ish already. I had to pick up all my green tomatoes in the garden today because the temperatures at night are gonna be 1 or 0 celcius. What??! October 1st? So soon? Oh, well. More time for indoors knitting with warm coffees and teas, I suppose.

[@22mononoke]

OMG the Shiftigan 😍🤩

[@crl62089]

I'm a loose knitter and knit my socks on 00 needles....they're so tiny but I've gotten used to them now! 😅

[@leahreed1423]

Can’t wait for your pattern release!

[@independence_yarn_crafts]

Great episode. Love the sweater you are wearing.

[@eva-mariaforde2288]

Hello Andrea, would you be so kind to reveal where your project bag with the leather handles from. I like this bag so much. Greetings from Germany, Eva

[@amyd.5990]

I love that ice dyed Hide and Hammer bag so much! ❤❤

[@bettina9817]

Q: I‘m currently knitting your Birch pullover and love the pattern. I‘d like to knit a second Birch, but with a turtleneck this time to make it even more cozy and warm. Can the pattern be modified in that way, or is the neckline too wide? Thanks a lot for your advise 😘

[@alisonhayter528]

Check the attic for a hive! we have an old house as well and we had one when we moved in...

[@janetw7239]

Love the bag that your Shift is in; can you tell me where I can purchase it? Great videos as always.

[@ruthswarthout1115]

Hi Andrea love listening to your podcast I am in dire need of help, I want to make the Douglas cardi but I am having a hard time finding colors similar to your pattern and also not all dks are equal some use 5 to 6 needles and some use 5 to 7 I bought some yarn but I have found that I needed to go up a couple of sizes with yarn

[@tabathahenry7600]

Hi. Love listening to you every week. Can you please link where you got your bat to spin with?

[@nellispinelli9]

I wonder if the person who asked q4 (gauge issues) is changing the size of their needles if needed and is blocking their swatches, since they didn't say that explicitly

[@kristinfrasier4632]

I wondered that, too. Does she realize that changing needle sizes is an option?

[@MsLisaMBrown]

Yay for shiftigan!

[@leahreed1423]

I love you knitting bag. Do you mind to share where you got it. Thanks Leah

[@cassandras3465]

I have trouble getting guage because I’m a loose knitter and I have found cubics needles help to tighten my guage

[@crocheh]

I had a friend that knit so tightly that their metal needles has massive bends in the middle of them. It was like the Hulk.

[@wendylang5791]

Emmm - some of sock needles 😳

[@fatimaskills7478]

Good Good very beautiful 💐❤🌹🔔

[@bonniecawley2487]

knitting a sweater w mohair tried it on its prickly will blocking help the itch?

[@mt-moonchaser1029]

It should

[@noradavid8275]

Maryna from 10rowsaday has a video on prevent cast on edge from curling 😊

[@kathisews9425]

Wow so we get more hours into the day??? This REALLY is the question 😅 if anyone has an answer, please share 😂❤❤❤

[@Winkey-crafts]

If you find out how we can get more hours in the day, please notify me ☺️ I can really really use some more (craft) time.

[@margiefarley6540]

Thank you. I received one of those messages. Reported it & I think I got it deleted it. ❤

[@deejcarter2003]

I’m sad😢, that went by to fast.

[@Leavesandwool]

Watching you look for a pen when there's one next to your keyboard behind you was a little painful I'm gonna be honest.

[@knitnpurlen]

YAY SHIFTIGAN!!! I'm So happy Andrea, thank you!! Will this be in a Sport weight? Will you be putting out a call for test knitters?? THANK YOU for sharing your work of love with us!