I'll Knit If I Want To: Episode 56

In this week’s episode we cover:
1. Why are so many shawl patterns triangular? I would love to see more rectangular shawl patterns for a change and ways to wear them.
2. I could use some tips for the blocking process, which I find so frustrating. I feel like I never know when to stop fussing with my knits and trying to get them “perfect.” For example, I recently finished a Nurtured sweater. I used a superwash yarn so I felt extra paranoid about stretching it too much. The textured pattern is beautiful but when lying it out on my blocking mats I felt like the slipped stitches weren’t all bending in the same direction anymore. The more I worked on it the more panicked I felt. Can knits be re-blocked? Can I put a superwash knit into the dryer on low to fluff it up after it is dry or mostly dry? I’ve heard you say that blocking can sometimes fix imperfections that occur during knitting, but most of the time, all I see when blocking is new imperfections. Any advice on “blocking for perfectionists” would be so appreciated.
Cocoknits Blocking Kit: cocoknits.com/collections/too...
3. I am knitting the Throw Back and have just gotten past blocking the body before starting on the band. When I blocked the body, it stretched considerably, lengthwise, and I like it at the length that it is now. How do I adjust the length of the band? Also, since the band won't have been blocked, will this affect the finished product down the line?
4. You seem to have very little time for personal knitting, I was wondering, how do you avoid the siren call of patterns from other designers? If you fall in love with a pattern, are you tempted to carve out some time for it? I'm only a knitter and not a designer, & I'm free to try patterns from all sorts of designers all over the world - it seems your endless curiosity would be drawn to that as well, despite your crazy busy design schedule.
5. Can you talk a little about choosing a wool for warmth? I've knit 5 sweaters this season and all but 4 of them are wildly comfortable. I feel warm, but never overheated. However, I just finished a sweater and I can't wear the finished sweater for more than 15 minutes without feeling like I'm in a sauna. It's Merino, so I figured it would "work" similarly, warmth-wise. And I've always thought of wool as both insulating AND cooling. How do you know, in advance, how warm a wool will be? Is it the brand, the type of sheep, my gauge?
6. How do you get your singles so thin so you can ply it to be fingering/sport? Do you pre-draft? Are there any tips you can give to be able to spin such fine yarn? Can you show how thin your singles are in order to two ply or three ply to be a fingering weight?
7. I would like to ask about letting the spun yarn to rest. I've been told that singles should be plied quickly, like in days not weeks so that the yarn doesn't settle and relax into the twist. I might not be able to spin all my bobbins at once and ply them. (It might even take weeks🤭) is this a real problem or does it affect only my ply back sample? How about the already plied yarn? Do you let it rest on the bobbin/spool or niddy noddy before washing?
Plying Craftsy Class: www.craftsy.com/class/ply-to-...
8. I love the look of your handspun Attune shawl and I know you've shared bits and pieces of how you spun for it across a few videos. I am hoping to spin for my own soon and was wondering if you could share your whole process.
9. I have a spinning wheel, but am having trouble with keeping the drafting going without it always breaking. I get so frustrated, that I give up. Is there any chance you could do a video on just demonstrating spinning?
Jayce Boggs Faulkner Spinning Class: www.craftsy.com/class/draftin...
10.You said in another episode that you used to spin too tightly and "strangle the life out of your yarn" when you were first starting. I think I am doing the same thing, I was wondering if you had any tips for how to stop doing that? Also, what did you do with your wonky handspun when you first started? Mine is... very questionable at the moment, it knits up very lumpy and full of holes.
School of Sweet Georgia Spinning Classes: www.schoolofsweetgeorgia.com/...
DRK March to May Shawl KAL Ravelry Forum: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
DRK March to May Sweater KAL Ravelry Forum: www.ravelry.com/discuss/drear...
Join on Instagram with the hashtag #DRKmarch2mayKAL22
I am wearing the Ginny Cardigan:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/g...
Sisters United Ice Dyed Tanks: thefarmersdaughterfibers.com/...
Ask a question for next week’s Q&A: forms.gle/pKM9gF9SixkdQwmS7
Sign up for the DRK Newsletter: eepurl.com/diPxsr

[@lindatytko3948]

Dear Andrea I just LOVE you in REAL TIME , I don't like how jumpy people edit things in a podcast . My brain works in real time. LOVE your Podcast thanks for doing this .

[@dreareneeknits]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@kartis6847]

I could say this every week. Watching you gives me such JOY! Thank you.

[@chewiedox]

One other tip for keeping fiber from drifting apart during spinning is to make note of the staple length of your fiber and spacing your hands accordingly during drafting. If you are spinning a short stapled fiber and your hands are too far apart, the fibers will slip through your fingers and twist will not build up enough to keep the yarn together. If you are spinning a longer stapled fiber and your hands are too close together, you will be holding onto both ends of the fiber and then you won’t be able to draft it. To avoid the “death grip” while spinning, visualize holding the fiber in your hand as if you were holding a baby bird. If you hold on too tightly, you are only setting yourself up for future hand problems such as trigger finger.

[@dreareneeknits]

Yes! such a great tip!

[@TrudySchwartzBurrill]

Thanks you seem to get more comfortable and let your sweet personality shine through the longer you do these sessions. I’m so glad you made these a permanent fixture in your KZbin teaching. It’s amazing how much I’ve picked up that I wasn’t even knowing I needed to understand. Not having anyone around that knits I don’t have the opportunity to meet other knitters. Often the topic of the question has nothing to do with my learned outcome. So keeping vigilant and watching all of them has really helped my skills to flourish. I feel like because I watch these Q&A’s religiously I have been able to put a lot together that originates from out of a variety of topics. It allows me to pick up great information that I didn’t even think about needing to understand. I am very grateful and want you to know how much of what you are sharing with us from your pure love of this medium gets expressed with all of us. It all gets put together with other skills and becomes permanent knowledge that continues to add to my love for this medium, too. I want you to know how helpful these are, I don’t want this to be cheesy, so I truly hope it isn’t. Thanks very much, Andrea. 😊

[@susanharris-rohde1127]

I agree. I have no knitters or crochet ers near me, unless they are hiding their craft inside the house. I have learned so much watching Andrea's videos💚

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you so much Trudy!! That really means the world!

[@SuziRibs1515]

With compacted braids I’ve found it incredibly helpful to use a hand steamer on the braid to help breathe life back into the fiber and hand fluff it while steaming before predrafting. It’s a game changer. I used it on the malabrigo braids which were like rocks before I did the process and they spun like a dream after.

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you for sharing Suzanne!

[@DolceVitaGurl]

I think traditionally in the past, a triangle shawl is a practical choice for something that would wrap around the neck and shoulders. It is essentially on the bias after you finish it so it would more easily curve around the upper body and stay. Also, the tails would be tucked into a skirt or apron to make it more like a vest and it keeps the shawl around you. A rectangle shawl is probably a more modern choice for people who never bend over fires/stoves/ washbasins…. It is more bulky due to the amount of fabric at the ends but doesn’t matter if you’re eating in a restaurant or sitting and knitting and watching tv. Just my thoughts, no research here either. 🙂

[@Chaotic_Pixie]

School of Sweet Georgia classes are AMAZING!!! And a school subscription can be gifted too which is awesome! Highly recommend for a birthday or Christmas wishlist item.

[@valerieehrman3720]

Love watching you! I always feel like I learn something. I recently watched someone who described you as “Sunshine”. You are definitely a “ray of sunshine “! Thank you!😊

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you so much Valerie!

[@helennorris1888]

Good morning Andrea, i always look forward to watching your videos. You are so into knitting and fibres. I don't spin but enjoy everything you share with us. ♥️

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you Helen!

[@intheyellowcorner]

To the new spinner. Look for a wool that has a long staple length such as a Polwarth or a corridale. This will be easier for a beginner to practice getting a thinner spin.

[@ltucci7143]

I always recommend corridale to new spinners for the staple and the "tooth". I also think that commercial Top is harder to learn with because it is so compact. Something made in a small mill or top that has been put through a drum carder is easier to spin.

[@tammybrassard2395]

You just made me laugh! My granddaughters always say 'pretend we're going to Chicago' or whatever they're playing. Pretend this is pink made me spit my coffee. Love your pod cast and my middle grand girl told me to tell you she just loves her 'Sheltered' (except I had to tell her the hood goes in the back or you just cover your face.

[@marny7760]

Thank you, Andrea, for your always brilliant and fun videos! RE the person who asked about throwing a superwash sweater in the dryer to even out all the stitches and get it back to its desired plumpness: YES! I avoid using superwash yarn at all costs, except I recently wanted to knit a baby gift for a non-wool-wearing mom and knew it needed to be in superwash. I used Farmer's Daughter's Juicy DK (which is fabulous, for a superwash--good body and texture) and knit it at a tighter gauge than called for in the pattern. It looked great once knitted, but after soaking and squeezing damp-dry in a towel, it was a mutant, floppy rag, stretched out to more than twice its original size. Assuming I'd never be able to "szhuzh" it back into shape on the blocking mat, I threw it in the dryer on normal/low heat with a couple of clean dry hand towels. It came out its original size, plumped-up, perfectly shaped, with every stitch in place. I don't know if this would work with every superwash yarn, but it's worth trying!

[@susanharris-rohde1127]

Great solve. I will have to try this💚

[@rusticwool4637]

I do this all of the time, it works great.

[@Chaotic_Pixie]

Doing woven wall hangings are great for lumpy first spins. It's really important to remember where your journey began and a lovely piece of wall art for your creative space is always a great idea.

[@dreareneeknits]

Great idea!

[@CloTricots]

Regarding warmth it might be obvious to some but superwash yarns are not great for warmth. For spinning finer singles, i found that cross lacing my flyer helped a lot because it lowers the uptake of the wheel.

[@paulamcmellon6171]

I so enjoy watching you. You are so natural! I am knitting your So Faded pattern and will move on to the sleeves today! I’m a little nervous so wish me luck. 💜💜

[@dreareneeknits]

You'll do great!!

[@katlady1019]

I enjoy your weekly videos soooo much! Especially jazzed about the spinning talk 😊. I’m so happy you mentioned the Sheepspotter’s Society! I was part of the first cohort and it coincided with the beginning of my spinning journey. I can say without a doubt that I would not be the confident spinner I am today without Sasha’s wonderful teaching and support. I also highly recommend Jillian Eve’s KZbin channel. I am really enjoying seeing how you are incorporating your handspun into your patterns. It’s so much fun to use handspun for projects!

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you Kathleen!

[@ihi098]

I see you referred to my previous comment about insulation going both ways. Just to explain myself a little better hopefully: It's not about warm OR cold air being trapped. Your body's temperature warms the trapped air in the wool, which is always going to be your body temperature. This warm air together with the wool build the insulating 'wall'. This means that both heat and chill from the outside are stopped to get to your body first. They hit the insulating woollen layer first, which shields you from the heat as well as the cold, whichever you're exposed to and thus regulates your body temperature from getting too hot or too cold. Just like building insulation stops heat and cold to blow through the walls freely. All this of course only works within a reasonable temperature range: when it's too cold outside, you need an extra layer and when it's too hot, you really don't want to wear a woollen sweater. But the basic rule is that insulation works both ways.

[@JeanneKnits]

I used my first handspun to make some felted slippers, using the Fuzzy Feet pattern. Felting hides a LOT of imperfections. And they were perfectly fit to my feet with the customizable felting process. Finally after 3 years they are getting holey, so grabbing some more early handspun to make another pair.

[@mariajones8912]

Brilliant video as always. Thank you!

[@susanharris-rohde1127]

I want to thank you. Your Weekender front "seam" gave me inspiration whilst making seaweed for my new Cupcakes blanket (she's still in the oven!😂😂💚). It will be a fish bowl because her Momma is into fish and fishtanks.

[@knittwocultivatetwo2368]

Steam blocking really helps me as a perfectionist. I can pin to size before any blocking takes place and it feels like I have more control. I also have to force myself to spin thick. Your night shift shawl was my first spin for a project and I had to check CONSTANTLY that I wasn’t spinning too thin. Thanks for the tips!

[@dreareneeknits]

Thanks for sharing!

[@CinematicSkeins]

I think the shawl thing is also a terminology issue. I’ve found that most rectangular shawls are listed as “wraps.”

[@dreareneeknits]

That's a great point! Wraps, stoles and scarves!

[@shelleyfry]

Barely ten minutes in and I’m glad I’d put my coffee down, as I hear Andrea say, “Nobody else is going to look at your sweaters and be like ‘hmm your stitches are a wee bit crooked’. If they do you need to tell them to back up cause they’re too close to you.” Quite right.

[@michellebrown6394]

Thank you so much!!

[@joanmachado9063]

Great video thank you 😊

[@Chaotic_Pixie]

As someone who overheats really easily, I avoid woolen spun yarns like the plague for garments. Worsted spun is plenty warm for me, especially since I always layer my sweaters to reduce sweat and skin cells getting on my sweaters and making me have to wash them more than once in a season. Yarn blend really matters too. Cashmere adds a softness but its seriously warm where as I find silk adds durability while adding some lightness.

[@SarahGarcia-sx2bt]

I'm a new spinner too and I find if I predraft my yarn left it does help me spin thinner. I think it just gives my hand more control. This makes it easier for me to get more consistent yarn too. I auto spin fingering too. I under ply, so I have to have to turn up the rotation on my e-spinner so I get more twist when I'm spinning.

[@kat1984]

I always wet block my superwash sweaters inside large fine mesh laundry bags. I press the water out while it's in the laundry bag in the sink then I put it through the final spin cycle in my washer. It gets all of the excess water out which keeps the sweater from stretching out.

[@beccabauer1726]

JillianEve has a good video on KZbin on tensioning your wheel for your spin. That really helped me when my fiber was breaking all the time. The wheel would pull my fiber right out of my hands because my wheel was incorrectly tensioned. Hope this helps someone! :)

[@maryhansen6649]

Love those blues! Use it as a prize and pick me 🤣

[@glendabathgate4036]

I ve a confession I ve been knitting for sixty odd years and have never blocked a sweater only baby shawl with peaks and I ve done plenty of them

[@ambortion212]

Haha I only discovered blocking a couple years ago it makes me sick thinking about how many knits just “didn’t turn out perfect” aka I didn’t block them!

[@The_Crafting_Gamer]

I’ve knitted and croshet for around 50+ years and back then noone blocked it it was only something I heard about here on YT

[@yolandafolch3219]

So you’ve never washed your hand knits in 60 years? 😳

[@ambortion212]

Blocking and washing are not necessarily the same thing. Blocking includes manipulating the shape so it lays how you want it to. The concept is what we didn’t do, we obviously wash our knits.

[@vaniawhitfield6486]

Thankyou

[@nellispinelli9]

From a textile science POV a Fibre that traps air is going to be a better insulator because that air is heated up by your own body heat (as you said) and is still (as in not moving)

[@DaShadyLady]

Thank you so much for all of your time and inspiration! If possible, could you please share any books/resources that have educated you with knit design and construction?

[@dreareneeknits]

My favorites are Elizabeth Zimmerman and Barbara Walker!

[@DaShadyLady]

@@dreareneeknits Thank you so much!!! You're the best! 🖤🖤🖤

[@robertmae3416]

I would like to hear your opinion of how you add buttons to a sweater. Do you like to hide them, use them as a subtle accent or choose buttons for accent purpose.

[@Biskit_Rising]

I never miss an episode because I enjoy catching up with you so much! I just started spinning this year and I love it so much! Would you mind sharing links to the fiber companies you mentioned? I’d love to check out that fiber club!

[@dreareneeknits]

Thank you Jessica! The fiber clubs I have participated in are: shop.helloyarn.com/fiber-club nestfiberstudio.bigcartel.com/nest-fiber-clubs shop.hedgehogfibres.com/collections/clubs

[@ShreyaIyer92]

Hey Andrea, really appreciate the video! I noticed a lot more ads popping up in the middle of questions this week - don’t mind the ads but could you try placing the ads at the end of your question response?

[@francescaquinn4129]

I don't think she has any control over when they fall during the program

[@noradavid8275]

Expressionfiberarts has a lot of rectangular patterns

[@barbarabullemer2876]

Hi Andrea love your weekly Q & A. I want to make the Ginny Cartigan however would like to knit in something other than Harrisville; I know I would need to find something that would give me the gauge however wondering if you have anything in mind if you were to use another yarn? Thanks for any suggestions xoxo

[@dreareneeknits]

Hi Barbara! I think any wool DK weight yarn would sub in well. I recommend checking out the hashtag on Instagram (#ginnycardigan) or the projects on Ravelry to see if any yarn substitutes other knitters have made inspire you! www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ginny/people

[@jelmo2307]

Hi! I’m a new knitter who happened upon your channel, and I’ve learned sooo much!!! Any tips to keep your finger tips from splitting and hurting while you knit? I use bandaids to help cushion my finger tips.

[@dreareneeknits]

Ouch! I haven't experienced that, but if you are using your finger to push your needle tip then you might be interested in finger protectors! They are like a flexible thimble.

[@summerruffini1932]

I feel your pain with motion sickness, so sorry! Question: how important is it to block basic sweaters and socks?? I only ever blocked a shawl...

[@dreareneeknits]

I block everything!

[@monicabrown5434]

I would like to make the DRK Everyday sweater but do not like the cropped style. Is there a formula to estimate how much more yarn would be needed to make a longer style? I enjoy your podcasts and learn SO much. Thank you, Monica

[@dreareneeknits]

Hi Monica - it really depends on how much length you want to add. If it's just an inch or 2, an extra skein should suffice!

[@doloresvandenberg1643]

❤️💐

[@andreayetman7912]

When working a 1x1 rib, it can look a bit wonky. Would you embrace the wonky or adjust the pattern and work a 2×2 rib?

[@dreareneeknits]

It is probably due to the purl stitches. If you try combination knitting, it should even it out. I hope to record a video for this soon!

[@BestAutoBodyInc]

How do you tell whether a yarn is woolen or worsted spun??? Thank you.

[@BestAutoBodyInc]

@@Mohairsprinkles Thanks Rebecca, I'll check it out. Still so much to learn to understand yarn, knitting, spinning, etc.

[@woollynn4978]

What do you have for a wheel and bobbins that can handle a 7.5 oz. skein?

[@dreareneeknits]

My Hansen MiniSpinner :)

[@Sunnyview9076]

Could you please tell us where you got your round wall shelving unit on the wall behind you?

[@dreareneeknits]

It is from West Elm, about 5 years ago :)

[@blueismylove3128]

What are y'all's opinions on washing knits/crochet projects in the washer instead of blocking? I've always just tossed my projects in the washer when their finished, and only ever blocked once and there wasn't much of a difference.

[@ltucci7143]

I think it really depends on the shape of your piece, what sort or edge the pattern has, if there are any particular design elements you need to stand out, ect. Stuff that has a basic shape I do not always feel the need to block. Like for example, this winter I made a ton fingerless mitts. They were all very basic. I just washed them in the washer on the handwash setting and laid them out to dry without any special "manipulation" or without pinning. Most were gifted, but I had a pair I wore everyday and they didn't stretch out funny and they fit fine from the get go. Then on the other hand I have made a few shawls with unusual edges that absolutely needed blocking to really make the details stand out.

[@blueismylove3128]

@@ltucci7143 What about a dress? I made two. One was blocked and the other was just washed in the washer, not necessarily on purpose. I used the same yarn (I had A LOT left cause it was my first own design and I had no idea how much I needed). The second one was of course shorting but they both have bust, waist, and hipping shaping. Other than the one that got washed shrinking a little there was absolutely no different. Maybe I didn't block the shorter one correctly?

[@blueismylove3128]

@@ltucci7143 I also have a shawl with an "unusual" edge. Can I block it after it's already been through the wash? If so, how would you suggest blocking it to enhance the pattern?

[@ltucci7143]

@@blueismylove3128 In my experience when a sweater has good shaping built into the pattern heavy blocking isn't needed. I made a sweater of my own design over the winter and the shaping wasn't quite right because it was my first sweater with handspun. But I was able to "fix" the fit with aggressive blocking. As Andrea mentioned, the more often it is warn, and as I wash it more it will continue to fit me better. Think of any natural fiber, how your favorite pair of jeans is probably your favorite because you have worn them so many times they fit perfect. Some of the fibers break and stretch, but in a good way. So the sweater that shrunk a little could probably be blocked out. Similarly your shawl with decorative edges can still be blocked. You could steam block it too. Pin out the edges, dampen them, place some cotton fabric on top to protect it, and press with the iron. Then next time it needs to be washed, since it should dry flat anyway, pin down the edges. It's kinda like how a stockinette edge on a newly knit item will roll, but after you have had it a while and worn it a bunch it rolls less and less. Because weather you've realized it or not, you've been straightening it out, stretching it, essentially "blocking" it, but it's been over time.

[@blueismylove3128]

@@ltucci7143 Thank you!! This is really helpful.

[@heatherarnold92]

I completely agree lol I call it the never ending scarf 🧣

[@margaretbrumbaugh525]

Who was the designer recommended for rectangular shawls/stoles?

[@teresaallan6841]

I think it was Joji Locatelli.

[@margaretbrumbaugh525]

@@teresaallan6841 thank you ☺️

[@angiebell3733]

I watched the first 5 minutes of blair witch project. Then laid my head down for the entire rest of the movie. and managed to still puke as soon as i stood up. No Bueno.

[@makingmods]

Could you throw up the link to Joji's rectangular shawls? TIA!

[@dreareneeknits]

You can find all of her patterns on Ravelry and her website!

[@ritatomar645]

Hello