Blind Reacting to Ravelry's 'Hot Right Now' list

[@streakyj2]

thanks very much for 'hide this designer' thing--no more unintelligible Drops patterns in my searches! 🙂

[@cassafrass098]

No shade to the popular knitwear designers and those who enjoy knitting their patterns but the breath of fresh air of having your search results filtered was glorious. I loved this video concept!

[@balancedskein]

Thanks!

[@rachelraye285]

This was a great video. Thank you for the exposure to other knitwear designers who are often overlooked. I enjoyed your take on the vests as well. Also, I was not interested in knitting shawls then one random afternoon while bored, I gather yarn from my collection to cast on the Artus Shawl and I am having fun. It will probably be my first shawl I will wear.

[@balancedskein]

Nice, that is a gorgeous shawl pattern!

[@teresamurphy8198]

Omg, i definitely have saved some pocket scarf patterns before...but you bring up so many good, practical points! I never truly considered how i would utilize it and how adding one function (pockets) negates the other (neck warmth). Also- totally with you on the ranunculus and love how matter-of-fact you are in your videos. You're a gem.

[@balancedskein]

Thank you!

[@susanmarshall3709]

Who knew shawls were so popular! I myself also have a hard time styling a shawl and only have one in my possession and it has sat where it sits for so so long!. I did knit several of the smaller ones for family in cooler areas, as they are easy knits and can be stash busters. Great concept for a video.

[@redaleta]

Shawls are popular now cause it gives time to get it done for the winter. I'm with you on the Ranunculus and I like lace yokes.

[@gizmodog51]

I thought I was the only one who didn’t like the Rununculus. Just don’t get what all the fuss is about.I find it really dreary and I have seen other similar patterns that are much prettier.

[@imagine212]

Same here! I even like lace yokes, but the boxiness isn't for me. Plus I almost always refuse to make a "sweater" that requires an undershirt to show

[@sara.gardinier]

Big agree! This design holds no interest for me at all. 😂

[@aksez2u]

Her name was Sarah as in Tri-cera-tops 🤣 I have a hot take on shawls: They are fun to design and make. They are a nice sized project for a reasonable amount of beautiful yarn, so they are all over the knitting and crochet spaces. However, I NEVER see anyone wearing them in real life or even online except to model their pattern or project. Maybe I'm wrong.

[@cassafrass098]

After you highlighted Vest 23 in this episode, I cast on and began feverishly knitting up the garment. It's all done now, and I'm already on Wear #2 and I LOVE IT. Highly recommend this pattern to all. It's really well written (period, not even "just for a free pattern") with beautiful finishing details. I made my version in 100% linen for a summer tank top, but could see this being beautiful in a variety of fibers. Thank you for bringing this pattern to my attention! I don't think I would have come across it myself.

[@balancedskein]

@cassafrass098 amazing! I'm really glad you liked it so much. I'll have to consider making my own version. A linen version sounds lovely

[@selfishknitter]

Loved your comments on these! And great tip about hiding designers.

[@GATeacherfriend]

I like looking at HRN patterns on Ravelry. Shawls are pretty and fun to knit, but I struggle to wear them too. Glad you gave commentary about some items that caught your eye.

[@shamszakhour6076]

I like that you really know yourself and knowing what you don't like is super important. I agree that some search result drown out many interesting designs.

[@TheHeritageArtsPodcast]

14:04 “Is that where you keep your passport?” The sass in this whole video has had me rolling. 😆

[@Sandy-lq9xe]

I'm with you regarding shawls. I so admire the beauty of the patterns and the hours and hours of knitting that go into them, but I will never, ever wear one. As a short (5' 1" and shrinking with age) person, I think wearing a shawl would make me look like a gargoyle or the hunched over witch from the Hansel and Gretel fable.

[@balancedskein]

Omg you really painted a picture there 😅

[@Sandy-lq9xe]

@@balancedskein Well, that is truly how I envision myself looking when draped in a shawl. 🙂

[@KnitandGrace]

Such a fun video! It would be fun to do this year over year and see how the trends change.

[@balancedskein]

I agree! The trends are always changing so I'm sure it would be interesting to revisit this format

[@My_slow_story]

10min in and I love your comments. Shawls can be handy if you living in cooler climate and they are just throw over layer of warmth. Knee high socks are actually very practical when you want to wear dresses but your feet are cold when sitting and working (at home naturally!!!) and I love the lack of enthusiasm about tolsta tee...there is nothing much exciting about this basic pattern. Saying hello from colder Scotland ❤

[@KarllaKatharinyRios]

If you're talking about "The land before time" her name was Cera (tri'cera'tops).

[@balancedskein]

Yes! Wow, I cannot believe I missed that connection 😅

[@margueritefoley1262]

Always enjoy a pattern review!

[@jam33033]

This is a fun video! With the pocket scarves, I think it works if the scarf is long/wide enough to both wrap around your neck and reach down to your hands.

[@balancedskein]

Good point! That hadn't even occurred to me, so thanks for pointing it out

[@BlackPixelDustt]

For a while, I thought the pocket scarf and pocket shawl existed so you could fold up the scarf into the attached pocket so it could be a pillow. (Like the lionbrand Car Blanket) I just didn't bother to look it up at the time. I think I would make a pocket shawl. When I'm lounging in the house, my hands can get cold, so I could wrap the shawl around me and warm my hands. The main appeal of the pocket scarf or shawl is being able to use them as fidgets, and not as functional pockets. I certainly would drop anything I put in the pocket scarf. Besides, the pocket shawl has a larger pocket. Perfect for books, a phone, or a snack. As for the scarf, my cardigans have pockets, but also I carry around a bag, so I personally have no use for it.

[@applecrafts615]

It's hotter than satan's "down there area" in TN right now but I found myself needing my shawl 3-4 times last night when I went downtown for an event. I use them more as a wrap and I try to find the ones that scrunch up small so they can fit in my bag.

[@TheKnittingTherapist]

I love that you use the 'hide this designer' feature. I think I wanna use it on a specific design that I too don't like and would never knit: Ranunculus 🤭Thanks for the video! 😘

[@balancedskein]

🤣🤣

[@ChociMilki]

I always prefer to source ideas from film, yarnspirations, small designers, high fashion , Pinterest or my special interests and reverse engineer from there. I only check Ravelry for yarn info and the occasional project idea. No shade but a lot of the Ravelry projects folks rave about are bland and uninspiring. Unpopular opinion but no every project we make needs a pattern/ tutorial xO

[@balancedskein]

Agreed! Especially for the simpler projects, pattern usually isn't necessary

[@Ladeedi73]

New viewer and subscriber! What rock have I been under that I’ve missed your channel?😅

[@balancedskein]

😅😅 better late than never. Welcome!

[@linlippy3358]

Fun video - great idea!

[@Bethene0317]

Pemberton pocket scarf……..NO…….priceless ……..and I agree…..ya can’t buy taste

[@lizstraw8041]

I had to lol at you comments on the scarf with the pockets. Never understood the appeal either.

[@anciify]

you are my favourite type of a knitter! :-)

[@SylviasStuff]

Girl thank you I don't like the Ranunculus either!

[@balancedskein]

🤣

[@noelleparris9451]

I thought this was an interesting review/reaction. I love making shawls and cowls, but it's often for the process and look... I wear a number of them, but like to give them away. I cannot stand that emotional support thing. But then I don't like domestic birds, so it's no surprise!!! I agree with you about the lack of shout-outs given to crochet. But I was on a flight last week knitting (a sock) and a flight attendant commented on my crochet. I have found there are plenty of people that think it's all crochet... despite the two needle clue 😄

[@balancedskein]

Haha yes I think the average person can't distinguish between knit and crochet, but that's fine. As long as you know what you're doing 😅

[@Bethene0317]

What in gods name is the background noise…..crickets?

[@balancedskein]

Cicadas. Unfortunately, my neighborhood has been infested with them!

[@Bethene0317]

@@balancedskein lol….my son just came in and asked ….but good contents once I block the crickets

[@Margot_Lazarus]

Girl I know we all have our insecurities when it comes to our bodies, but I think you'd look amazing in a shawl! You're a gorgeous woman and in the right color I just really think a shawl would work for you. Obviously, you don't have an interest in it which is fine I respect that, but I still had to say this

[@CountanceD]

Her name was Cera. Get it? Like triCERAtop! 😄

[@balancedskein]

🤯🤯

[@edinacole6382]

Ranunculus no thank you!