I’ll Knit If I Want To: Episode 21

Welcome to I’ll Knit If I want To! I asked y’all to send in some of your questions (from everything from fiber arts, to designing and on!) so I could put together a little video for y’all every Friday doing my best to answer your questions!
In this week’s episode we cover:
1. If I was able to get gauge for a sweater pattern using DK yarn and then another pattern, is using worsted weight yarn, but has the same exact gauge would I be getting gauge for both patterns with my DK yarn? Can patterns, sweaters specifically, have the same gauge but use different weights of yarn? This confuses me!
2. How do you avoid pooling?
3. I recently finished the Ginny sweater and fell in LOVE with it, so in love that I started the Spark sweater. I purchased the pattern when it was first released but put off making it because of a terrible mental block I have when it comes to steeking. In an effort to grow as a knitter, I started the Spark and am now to the point where I am adding the sleeves to the body. I know that steeking isn't far off so my question to you is, Do you know of a good tutorial on steeking? Is there a technique that you prefer over another? I get physically nauseous when I think about cutting my knitting. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks for you wealth of information and being so willing to share.
4. I love your podcast. I’m curious how you come up with the names for your patterns. Why is your new sweater called Illuminate? Thanks!
5. Thank you so so much for your weekly Q&A, I tune in every Friday with my current knit in hands ready to hear all your advice. Here’s my question, When knitting in the round with magic loop, how do you avoid a ladder when switching to the next needle? I’ve tried pulling the yarn tight and unfortunately I’m still getting a ladder, especially on the purl side. My first attempt at magic loop was with your slippers and they came up perfectly but now I’m knitting a cardigan with a finer wool, could this be why I’m having trouble. Please help!
Bonus Question: Birthday Sale!! Use discount code 38ISGREAT to save 38% on all of my self-published patterns thru
Illuminate KAL:
Ravelry Forum: www.ravelry.co...
Facebook Forum: / illuminatekal
Instagram Hashtag: #IlluminateKAL (Follow @maressamade & @elemental_knitworks for details!)
DRK Adorn Yourself Accessories KAL Forum on Ravelry www.ravelry.co...
I am wearing the Sparky:
www.ravelry.co...
www.dreareneekn...
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: forms.gle/pKM9...
(For specific pattern questions that you need an email response to, please email the address listed on the last page of your patten!)
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[@saramiller1371]

For variegated yarns, to avoid pooling, try a slip stitch pattern. Also, you can alternate skeins, switching from one skein to the next each row or every two rows. Also, sometimes if a yarn is pooling badly in a sweater, you could try knitting a hat with it or a sock - changing the circumference of each round will change the way the pooling happens.

[@TaylorOwen]

Happy birthday, Andrea!

[@dreareneeknits]

Thanks Taylor!

[@tambraarchibald6217]

How generous! Happy birthday!!

[@SusiesStitches]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! THANK YOU FOR BEING SO GENEROUS!

[@NeedleAndFred]

Indie dyer wave 👋 the best way to avoid pooling is definitely to alternate skeins. Most indie dyers will recommend this anyway as it lessens the difference between individual skeins, as even skeins from the same batch can take dye differently. Skeins with larger patches of colour blocks will be more likely to pool, as Andrea says you learn to recognise skeins that will end up doing this, if you want non pooling, look for ones with more subtles variations on the skein, not big patches of colour. Pooling happens when the same colour section stacks on top of each other in your knitting. For smaller scale projects like socks, if your pattern allows it, adding a few extra stitches can break up the pool and turn it more into stripes. From a dyeing perspective, pooling colourways are much more likely when the yarn is dyed in a flat pan and dye directly applied in sections. Yarns dyed in tall pots (also known as high immersion - there's more water) tend to not pool as much as the dye has more room to apply throughout the water in pot.

[@caro1591]

Happy Birthday and many thanks for the generous discount and all the great tips in this video. Denise (EarthtonesGirl) taught me how to avoid ladders in her No Fear Sock Knitting Class (free on You Tube). All it takes is a gentle tug on the second stitch and, of course, making sure you’re bringing up your yarn from the back needle correctly. Her video was a real game-changer for me. I’m so grateful to you talented knitters for sharing your knowledge so generously. 🙏🏻❤️

[@everystitchaprayer6268]

Happy Birthday! Is it today? You said this weekend? After 36 years of knitting you have inspired in me a brand new love for this art form. ❤️ I love your designs and personal style. But mostly, it’s the energy you bring to all you do and the sharing of your self that has ignited in me this “new” passion. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 🙏🏻

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you so much!

[@aleksandradittmar8932]

Happy Birthday enjoy your day🎊🎉

[@catb2069]

Happy birthday, Andrea! Thank you so much for the generous discount. I am throughly enjoying learning from you and love your sweet gentle spirit. God bless you on your birthday and every day!

[@tanyaszwec5946]

Happy Birthday!!!! Thank you so much for the discount! I just love your patterns! ... And your podcast is full of very useful informations... Thank you so much! I wish you a wonderful 38th birthday! Take care!! ;)

[@ruthmcniff4765]

Happy birthday 🎉 Please share some basic ideas for knitting with mohair. I’ve never knit with mohair before and soon I will start a sweater that requires two strands knit as one. Thank you.

[@lisethomas8495]

Happy birthday weekend Andrea! Thanks for the sharing your knowledge and for continuuing to run these sessions.

[@margaretbraun4618]

Happy Birthday!!!

[@anhu5993]

Happy birthday! I will be celebrating with you. I am glad you not only answer questions, but you share your learning experiences. Your carded batts look lovely. I am just learning to spin, so a carder is a fairly distant purchase, but I hope to do so one day, and I appreciate that you share what you are learning. Thank you so much for your sale. I am going to look at Sparky, as I love the way it looks. Thanks for a great program!

[@katecostantino5753]

Thank you so much for answering my question. Happy birthday! I hope you have a great weekend! 💜

[@bryndiscurtin6481]

Happy Birthday. Thank you for the awesome discount! I ordered like 8 patterns!! Love them!

[@karenjohnson6136]

Late to the party. On the matching gauge with DK and worsted yarn topic, since there's a range of yarns that we call DK and a range that we call worsted, it may be that they had a thicker DK and a thinner worsted. It's why I've started paying more attention to the yards per 100g rather than the label when subbing yarns.

[@riittatammi1149]

Happy birthday! I really enjoy your weekly q&a videos!

[@cynmassey5494]

Happy Birthday - and thanks for the generous discount!!

[@MikiCrespo]

Happy 38th Birthday 🎂🎉🎂

[@wendylang5791]

Happy birthday! Many thanks for the discount. I grabbed a few this morning 😊

[@miriamalbert8587]

Happy Birthday Andrea and thank you for the generous discount!

[@SweeTart77kkibble]

Someone once suggesting getting a sweater from Goodwill and steering it. I think I might try that.

[@mrsscraftcorner]

Happy birthday!

[@miekevanreet2544]

Happy birthday girl, enjoy your day

[@NuttyKnittySisters]

Happy birthday!! 🎊 Thank you for the generous discount code 🥰 I was able to snag several patterns from my wish list! Now I just need a code to buy me time to knit them 😂

[@tracie8004]

Waiting for the day you come out with a pattern using your handspun. I admire spincycle, but it’s time to showcase the magic of actual handspun. Love your weekly videos so much. Love your grace and mad skills.

[@sandymalcangi2292]

Happy Birthday (week) Andrea! 🎂 Wishing you health, happiness and continued success in all your lovely designs and thank you so much for sharing them. I look forward to your weekly “I’ll knit if I want to” podcasts and newsletters to not only learn new things but to get a glimpse into new projects in the works... I love the colours in the skein of yarn you spun - did you give it a name?

[@dreareneeknits]

I just call it by the colorway name the dyer gave the fiber ;)

[@lisapettit7334]

I recently watched a podcast, can't remember whose it was, but they mentioned pulling the second stitch after changing needles when knitting on the round. I tried this on a mitten that I was knitting on DPNs and...NO ladders! Not a one! I had knit the same pattern twice before and both had ladders. This tip definitely worked for me. Happy birthday!

[@lineguillemette630]

I love watching your videos. Happy birthday 🥳 and thank you for the generous discount! I will go shopping on Ravelry right now! 😅

[@jeanlong1400]

Happy birthday 🎈

[@jillfoster6369]

Happy Birthday weekend - hope you have a super one.🍸🍰

[@veronicaa.5428]

About the laddering when kniiting magic loop: I don't pull the needle out in the gap when switching needles. Instead, I make the cord come out 2 or 3 stitches before the gap. When doing this, the needle in the right hand already has these 2 or 3 stitches on it when knitting on. Every time it's time to switch needles, I leave the last stitches on the right needle and the yarn doesn't need to be pulled or tightened. I wish I could insert a picture here :D It really isn't hard, only difficult to explain.

[@silkymilkymoon]

Thanks, Andrea - hope you have a Happy Birthday. Thanks for the generous code - LOOOOOVE your patterns. I am an amateur indie-dyer and with regards to the pooling issue - I have found that alternating skeins works great, and if you only have one skein, then you can alternate between the centre of the ball and the outside. A fun tip - thread each end of the yarn through a big enough button to prevent tangling when using the same cake. You can also alternate skeins with 2 similar looking colourways and achieve a stunning result if you can't get the same colourway. Thanks for all your wise tips and answers. Appreciate your time and effort in these informative sessions. Thank you once again. Love from Lyneth, Cape Town, South Africa. (@silkymilkymoon)

[@donnadunn5921]

Have not done colour work before. Which of your sweater patterns would be a good introduction? Thanks. Love your videos and whole aesthetic so happy to be guided in terms of ability.

[@dreareneeknits]

I think Mackworth would be great for a first time colorwork sweater!

[@kayscrochethaven]

Happy birthday!!

[@Allabuggy]

Happy Birthday! 🎂🎉🎈 I love this “I’ll knit if I want to” series. You’ve taught me so much and I’m really glad you were born.

[@kimcunningham2107]

Happy Birthday! I would just LOVE for you to publish a book!!! 💙

[@mcoknits856]

I have found that it is critical to wash and block my swatch. When I knit your Fade Cardi in superwash yarn, I had to go down a couple needle sizes to end up with the finished size that I wanted because my super wash yarn stretched too much when knit with the recommended needle size, even though the pre-washed gauge was close to the recommended gauge for the pattern.

[@saraeclipse]

Happy birthday! Thank you so much for the discount! I grabbed The Weekender sweater and am looking at a couple more!

[@Heyitskatiekindred]

For the person afraid of steeking- I suggest trying out an afterthought heel to get comfortable with cutting your knitting! I’ve never steeked before but I assume this will help with the mental block. Plus, afterthought heels are fun in socks! Happy knitting :)

[@Knittingmylifeaway]

Regarding gauge, and getting the same gauge or multiple sweaters: If I can humbly add, it may change if you're doing, say, stockinette on one sweater, and cables on the other, EVEN if it's the same yarn and same needles. Lace, colorwork, cables, ribbing etc. can change how many stitches you have in a 4 inch square. I would say to make a new gauge swatch if they aren't both the same pattern (stockinette etc]

[@wendystaples5906]

I’m a bit back logged on these episodes... I think our birthdays are around the same time if not the same day! I’m August 1! Happy belated!

[@StitchesandPrayersVlog-cast]

Thanks for the discount, Happy Birthday!!!!

[@donnabeaton4707]

I used to teach knitting and I had some students wanted to learn to steek. I had the. Make a swatch, crochet reinforce and the cut. The fear disappeared and it was fun.

[@lindseymckee580]

Have a great birthday weekend! What are you using in the background to dry your sweater? I've been wanting to get something else, right now I just use a towel and it take so long for anything to dry!

[@dreareneeknits]

I either using blocking mats or this mesh deal from cocoknits! It looks like a big mesh pringle and allows airflow all around the piece.

[@tapcat4516]

happy birthday 🎂!! just love you, you're to cute! !

[@catherinecunningham7126]

Happy Birthday, Andrea! 🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎉🎈🎂

[@margaretbraun4618]

For the fear of steeking: Fruityknitting has a good tutorial as well.

[@patriciapamponette7774]

Happy birthday. Blessings 💖

[@dorisenderle5857]

To keep from pooling you can use two skeins of yarn and alternate rows.

[@anelmarx317]

Happy birthday! Totally hooked on your patterns.

[@joannereed6793]

how do you do gage in the round? can you do a tutorial? thank you!

[@dreareneeknits]

I chatted about this in today's (8/6) episode!

[@eleanork3692]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂 ANDREA! Enjoy yourself and thank you for sharing. I love you questions and answers, AND all of your patterns.

[@goldwest53]

Happy Birthday! I'm going shopping now!! Thanks for the sale!! UPDATE. I stopped at an even 10 patterns! I eliminated the hardest ones, only way I could get it down to 10.

[@CatherineLaplante]

What is the beautiful shawl you have on the nankin behind you? It’s beautiful....

[@dreareneeknits]

That is the Ramble shawl! You can find it on my dreareneeknits.com and in my Ravelry shop!

[@sexylegso6]

Your Batt is so adorable and looks so squishy! Can't wait to see what else you spin/ card up !

[@tinac3094]

Happy birthday, Andrea! 🎂🎉🎈🎁 Hope you have a wonderful day! Thank you for your generosity, I bought your Weekender Sweater pattern and can't wait to cast on! 🤗❤️ Xxx

[@JamosMom]

Happy Birthday. My husbands birthday is this weekend too (Aug 1). I took advantage of your birthday discount to buy all your patterns I've been drooling over. Thank you. Enjoy your birthday.

[@rumpzafamily]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I had a wishlist of your patterns so I bought four! Thanks for the discount. I hope you have a blessed birthday!

[@chileanchinch]

Happy birthday girl! Thanks for our special discount. I picked up 4 patterns I've been eyeing for a while. 😊😊😊

[@kellipage2858]

Happy Birthday! Thanks for the birthday discount code, I bought the Ramble pattern, I've been admiring that shawl on the mannequin for a few episodes.

[@gretawatson-pigg4600]

Thank you for the discount. Bought 3 patterns and may get a few more by the 5th. Hope your birthday was fabulous! Love the videos!!!

[@tricothon]

Thanks for the podcast and the discount Andrea and HAPPY BIRTHDAY :D !!!

[@CreativityWithStamps]

Wishing you a joyous birthday!!! Thank you for your generous gift. I am happy to start on a few of your patterns for the first time.

[@gemmadarlingdailypodcast]

Hey Andrea!! Miss you!!! Here’s a pattern name, ‘Find Your Flow! ‘ 🥰 Happy Birthday, Doll!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you Danielle!!

[@lovannahsirois4932]

Happy birthday and thanks for the discount! Bought 3 patterns that have been in my favorites for a while now! Enjoy your birthday weekend!

[@margreffle]

I love watching your podcasts. Happy Birthday, fellow Leo! Mine was on the 26th. I celebrated by going on a 3 day knitting retreat with 4 girlfriends. I hope yours is great too!

[@tracyhesketh9335]

Thank you so much for the discount code! I was able to buy a few patterns that I had on my Wishlist :-) Now if I could only find some discounted yarn, I'll be in business lol. Happy Birthday!

[@corinalymburner1121]

Happy 38th!!! 🥰 How sweet of you to extend to us a birthday discount - love the sweater you’re wearing!

[@lenaweaver4751]

Thank you for sharing all the great tips. I just finished your shawl pattern Hug hug kiss kiss. I learned new stitches & it was so much fun to make. Happy Birthday & thank you for the discount.

[@Webster1742]

Happy birthday! Bought a bunch of patterns with your generous code, thank you! Finishing up my stripes and nurtured sweaters this weekend and can’t wait to start more from your fabulous collection. I want to make them all, they are so beautiful.

[@robynstacey9959]

Happy birthday ❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@dooby8029]

happy birthday!! just snagged the junction sweater pattern bc of this

[@bonniemcgee6648]

Happy Birthday 🎉🎂🎉

[@jonathonandketurah]

Q: All of my cardigan sweaters have a stripy effect above the shoulder area where I worked back and forth (the rows are obvious) then where I picked up those stitches and knit in the round they are smooth the rest of the way down. Is there a way to smooth this line of demarcation without knitting the sleeves back and forth then seaming? Knitting in the round on my Chiao Goos is so fast, but if there is a needle adjustment or some other tip that would help make it look like the shoulder or visa versa?

[@dreareneeknits]

I've chatted about this in previous episodes! The best trick I know if is too use a smaller needle size on your purl rows then on your knit rows. This is super easy if you have interchangeable needles, and you can just have your regular needle size tip for the knit rows, then add a tip one size down on the other end of the needle for purl rows!

[@jonathonandketurah]

@@dreareneeknits thank you, I usually do the sleeves in the round so maybe I should work back and forth and then sew up the sleeve later? (To keep having purl rows?)

[@michellesetzer9366]

Wishing you a happy, healthy birthday! Thank you for all that you share!🤗

[@nanastevens4094]

Have a Happy 🎂 birthday

[@patriciabuuck5277]

Happy Birthday!! Thank you for the tip on ladder ing, I was speaking with another knitter at the yarn shop and she said after washing it disappears

[@mdbenoit]

Bought the Bean and Ollie pattern. Can't wait to put it on the needles! Happy happy B-day.

[@maggieedberg574]

Happy birthday and thanks for the discount, 🎂 🤗

[@karenj49]

Thank you Andrea, and Happy Birthday to you! 🎂🎉💐

[@heathermacmillan3076]

Happy Birthday 🥳 Gorgeous fibre bat!

[@margaritadeverson2098]

Happy birthday 🎉

[@razal929]

Happy Birthday!

[@noreenwojtan2859]

Happy Birthday!

[@erikacarey7289]

Happy birthday!

[@mariajones8912]

Another great Q&A! Happy Birthday Andrea,🎉🎁 🎂 I hope you have a super day & thank you for the generous discount! xx

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you so much!!

[@sunnyw4148]

Thanks I always learn something.

[@stitchystephanie]

Happy birthday! Thank you for the generous discount. I hope you and your family enjoy a beautiful Maine outing for your special day. Heading to the boothbay area in a few weeks! My fave place…

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you so much!

[@vp4536]

Happy birthday, Andrea!!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and an even better year! Once again, thank you so much for your weekly videos; I truly enjoy watching you, and I learn so much! I always smile when I receive the alert on my phone notifying me a new one is posted!

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you so much!

[@lesliepartin956]

Happy Birthday Andrea! Thanks for the discount! You are such a gift to us. I love the vlog and your patterns.

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you so much!

[@mirjamromijn2182]

Happy Birthday Andrea 🧶🎉🎁

[@theyarngoeson]

Have a very Happy Birthday! 🎂 🎁

[@klaskelangford8324]

Happy Birthday Andrea!

[@tishnxd]

Happy birthday!!!!!

[@juliemendez7966]

Morning