Did I wear my knits in 2023?

[@knitsbymandy]

Love this video and how thoroughly you tracked how often you wear your knits! Totally love the sentiment of making sure we wear the items we spend so much time making.

[@knitcalifornia]

Thanks, Amanda! ❤️

[@Citroen_2cv]

Leslie -- here's a thing I started this year, and it skyrocketed the number of times I wore stuff: knit a high-neck tank + a cardigan in the same or coordinating yarn. Chic to wear both for the office, or wear the base piece alone, because weather. (I'm from LA, so all the hat and mitten knitting eludes me completely.) I've worn the hell out of the 3 duos I made like this, together and separately. Sometimes with the card draped around my neck, or hanging on a cross-body bag if cruising the city. Looks polished, looks like there's a plan. Excuse to knit cardigans. Win win win.

[@knitcalifornia]

Thank you for this suggestion! It sounds so perfect! ❤️

[@ABuckeyeBeth]

I’d love to see what (pattern) you used for your high neck tank! Love this idea! (Also a So Cal knitter)

[@deniseconsiglio-lahti6443]

Thank you got your video. Another SoCal here and knitting for our temps is very different but I love to knit! I try reaching for knit wear instead of a sweatshirt. I’ve also started looking at knitting vests/slipovers Watching grandkids at evening sports games also brings out my knits, hats mitts, sweaters …. I’ve knit some with linen and silk and they are not very forgiving with mistakes. They knit really differently. I agree cardigans are the way to go I’m of the no mohair even Suri knitter so I’m looking forward to this trend ending. Maybe all of us Southern California knitters should meet up and discuss fibers and patterns. I don’t know how to organize something like that

[@linsie.loo8]

Always love your videos Leslie! I really enjoyed seeing your top 5 and least worn knits, and it’s so interesting to see the growth as a knitter. It’s a great way to reflect on what you like and don’t, and learn from that. I found your commentary about yarn choices and learnings really interesting. Would you consider talking a bit more about your destash process in a future video? I definitely have some early purchase yarn that I’m not really into as I’ve grown with my knitting, and have no idea what to do with. Also love that you gave second life to someone else’s destash and created something beautiful for yourself! As always, thanks for being you and sharing your journey with us ♥️

[@JordanLeigh]

The blue and green sweaters are my favorite

[@cynthiatennant9896]

Hi Leslie, I just started learning to knit in August of 2023 so I haven’t even knit a sweater yet. I thought the way you analyzed your knit wear was great ! It’s given you useful information. I did a lot of sewing in 2021 and 2022 and I tracked my garments similar to what you did. I live in Folsom Ca so I think we have some cooler temperatures in the winter than SoCal but I definitely will keep in mind what your takeaways. Thank you 🤗

[@andreaderosier1461]

This is a great idea! I am going to track 2024 to see when I wear my sweaters and which sweaters are worn the most.

[@peggymcatee4950]

Hi Leslie. I loved this video. I admire your willingness to dive f Into new techniques. Your most worn knits are truly lovely. I was a bit surprised that the ranunculus was the only one of your spring/summer tops to make the list. I'm with you . I need more cardigans in my life. I've only knit one, a worsted weight Harvest cardigan, but its a bit too warm for a lot of our crazy Texas weather. I'm thinking of knitting the KAL cardigan next.

[@heatherwilson8784]

I think tracking your knits is a great idea. Thank you. I am going to do this.

[@WinterKnits]

I ❤ tracking 😊 Happy New Year!

[@knitcalifornia]

Happy new year!!

[@willgardner333]

We love your data videos so much! -Sarah, Will, and Max

[@knitcalifornia]

🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶

[@KStanfieldful]

I love this video. I look forward to your videos using non-wool yarns. Your honesty is great. Seems like a lot of people are over mohair. I hope designers make more patterns without

[@Oldorcuttyarnery]

Leslie - I TOTALLY agree with you on the Ranunculus…hate the Ravelry photo - I would never make it. I held off forever because of that. But everyone was making it…ok, so I’m able to be influenced apparently. :-). I finally made it - and I love it. I am absolutely going to make at least one more1

[@duk-soonolivieri9805]

What an interesting video! I ❤ the way you analyze the process. It does make sense to understand what to knit. It is a nice hobby, but it is expensive, and it takes time to make sweater and accessories, so it is wise to have a good use of them. I will try to keep track as well. I don’t live in a state as mild as, in temperatures as yours, but we never have really that cold either in Arkansas! I do wear my knit enough, but maybe black on white could prove me wrong! Happy New Year

[@nikitaroberts3327]

I love this. You’ve inspired me to track my knits this year. I think it will be so interesting and helpful to see what I actually wear and use it as a guide for future making plans!

[@cathiapizetta4957]

I loved, loved this episode! Your data tracking and the presentation in graphs were awesome! Thank you!❤

[@WhimsicalCrochetShop]

Such a good video!! I’m definitely feeling inspired to track how many times I wear my handmade items in 2024!!

[@carolynwatling4626]

I love this! Particularly the insights into what specific elements you gravitated toward or away from, I may need to start tracking too to guide my future knitting plans. I love the process of knitting new things, learning new techniques, etc but I'm also like you in that I want the thing at the end and I want it to be a thing I will continue using. Thanks for sharing so in depth on your tracking and your knitting journal, they've both really inspired me!

[@wigglymoose]

this video definitely inspired me to consider tracking my wear* of my knitwear especially by fiber - i have sensitive skin so would be important for me to know what fiber works well for my skin and my climate. looking forward to seeing what you knit in 2024!

[@melcerra2375]

Loved this video.

[@palakp310]

Happy new year!

[@knitcalifornia]

Happy New Year!

[@hebulanebula]

That’s right ! 29 days in February 2024 ..it’s Leap Year 🐸 Ribbit ! 😅 Hows your advent blanket coming along ? Tracking is too much like work for me. I’m all about seeing all the beautiful knits 🧶 ❤💫

[@dianaw9829]

Leslie, this was fascinating! I thought it was very cool that you tracked your knits using a spreadsheet, graphed the results, and used science to explain that the climate in Southern California (where I am from also) doesn’t really lend itself to wearing wool every day in the winter! Unless yeah, we’re going up to the mountains where the snow is! I find a lot of podcasters sharing about “knit a hat” and I’m like, how many hats does a person need!? But I get it now if you’re in a cooler climate and want to have options. Fortunately, I’ve discovered that it’s nice to wear the wool sweaters I’ve knitted recently just in my house, as we are conservative about using our heater in the winter. So your work was really validating to understand that truly, we don’t need sooooo many woolen knits here where we are. I agree we can use linen and cotton so we can join in the knitting fun for our fall (hello 100 degree F days…) and summer (don’t ask about those temps) days. Not sure I’ll do the data tracking, but this has given me the initiative to consider wearing my knits before other items in my wardrobe. Well done!!

[@movingstitches]

hi Leslie! This was a ery interesting result, you most definitely have worn a ton your knitwear! I am curious to do the same experiment now that I have moved from Scotland to Spain (and will probably encounter similar challenges weather wise to yours). So far, I have made myself a Knitting vision board of what I want this year to look like, but tracking it definitely will be an interesting experiment. Great video, as usual!

[@the_knit_owl]

You have definitely inspired me - both to start a knitting journal and to start tracking my knits worn. Thank you so much for the amazing video and happy new year!

[@Emily.knits2]

I love your videos! I always like the items you knit and the colors you pick! I am on the same page with you about enjoying the knit but also wanting the finished object. I am also a Taurus! I definitely added some patterns to my list after this video. Looking forward to your videos in 2024!

[@tamiwilbanks836]

Great video!

[@libbyanthony80]

I watched this video while caking up my EKF Barrel Aged Sour to knit a Clove sweater 😜

[@constanzefischer5610]

Happy new year, Leslie! Thank you for another great spreadsheet video! I did follow your recommendation to look at benknitter and I have downloaded their yarn stash template. Totally looking forward to your video on that!

[@shamszakhour6076]

Hi Leslie! I started watching you recently in December. I enjoy watching another nerd, like me, even though you are half my age. I also live north of you in California, where it's MUCH cooler (and I LOVE it). When I watched the beginning of this episode, and I was talking to my computer, I said, "No, of course you aren't wearing a lot of wool in southern CA, where it's SO HOT these days." I have a designer friend who creates high end sewn garments in the Bay Area and she's told me that she doesn't even BUY wool fabric anymore, as the climate just doesn't induce folks to buy OOAK wool garments that cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars. She's switched to lighter fabrics. My opinion is that the most gorgeous garments on you are the green Kal cardigan (not caridgan, as you've captioned :P ), the burgundy Clove, and the turquoise lento, in that order. And I TOTALLY agree about the cropped length. In fact, when I go into the office (I'm also in high tech), I wear a long tee/turtleneck (like from Uniqlo or Peruvian Connection) under any cropped garment that I otherwise love. No WAY am I showing skin at work. I like how the Oslo fits you, but I don't think that color does you any favors. (Have you thought of getting your colors done?) Also, I don't get why a dyer slaps a name on a yarn and people snap it up. No WAY would I look at that grey sweater and think "Taylor Swift". But that's a topic for another time. :D

[@linsie.loo8]

I love the Oslo sweater and colour on Leslie. I think it sparks so much joy and you can see that when it’s talked about. I also feel that a lot of colour ways are interpretations of a particular theme, such as Taylor Swift and the “folklore” colourway. It’s not always going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but that just means you don’t need to purchase it :)

[@knitcalifornia]

The Folklore color was from a whole Taylor Swift themed collection, so when you saw all the colors together, it made sense. But on it's own, I agree, it's not the first thing one would think of. I love the color though!

[@fozzysworld9039]

Hands on Knitting Center in Redlands CA has SoCal friendly yarns 😊

[@darlenetaylor278]

I love this podcast. Thanks so much. Have you ever thought of knitting vests/slipovers that aren't as hot to wear?

[@knitcalifornia]

I have, but I'm not really a vest girl!

[@carmeslynn]

Hi Leslie, WOW you are such a detail oriented person so I'm impressed! You have also really improved your knitting techniques by trying out different types of yarn- most of them sheep wool it seems. And you arrived at an important conclusion by tracking the numbers and your personal experiences, observing that because you are in the warm envelope of southern CA! But keep in mind that the fibers cashmere, yak and sheep wool are inherently warm fibers no matter what gauge/weight you knit in. Your newest cardis will contain these fibers and perhaps lower your instances of wearing them. I would just make a humble suggestion for you to consider. I don't know if you have knitted with Noro yarn, but hands down they have crafted some of the most climate friendly soft yarns that are truly beautiful in silk and cotton and sometimes accompanied with synthetics, not including acrylics. I would be interested to see your talent using these kinds of fibers. Time is in such short supply nowdays with our crazy lives why spend it on fruitless endeavours??? I like to get the most bang for my bucks and try to achieve a finished knitted object I will cherish in my wardrobe. But that's true in part due to my older age and nod to our short existence on this earth!!!!!! Nope- I'm not Debbie Downer, just absolutely love to knit and try to make decisions in a realistic approach. Your vlog rocks! You are an inspiration to watch!!!! Carrie from Northern CA San Francisco Bay Area 😘❤🐶🐑☕🧵🪡🧶

[@barbararadzeviciusbondi4150]

Love this episode. Your tracking and stats are so interesting as I also live in a Mediterranean climate zone here in Sydney Australia. Winter is a short 8 weeks and then a high humidity. Im interested to see your yarn choices for this climate zone. Best wishes Lesley 2024

[@junimondify]

Happy New Year! Since we last talked about it, I actually did start a knitting journal (a really basic one) for my temperature blanket, it was your video that inspired that! The neckline of the Catedral Pullover is exactly what I like, maybe I should consider knitting it... funny how people like different things, but that's the joy, there's something for everyone.

[@knitcalifornia]

Happy new year! That's awesome! haha and yes, you may like the Catedral! 🤣

[@RachelCunningham-ut9ks]

i'm also a californian and i've totally lost my knitjo with this mild winter.... it's like oh wait i cannot knit worsted sweaters i do not wear them :((((

[@benknitter]

Happy New Year! I forget what construction the clove was - was it a drop shoulder? I'm hoping to make one of those next year, and some cardigans as well. Hope you and the fam have a great 2024!

[@knitcalifornia]

Yes, a drop shoulder!

[@jacqueismaking]

Would you consider selling your aosta? I love it!!!

[@tereyes5633]

I never would've thought you started knitting 4 years ago. Seems like you've been doing this forever based on your Oslo hat tutorials.

[@knitcalifornia]

Thanks! 🥰

[@shamszakhour6076]

Regarding your least favorite knits: When you do color work, the garment is twice as thick in that area. I wonder if that contributes to you not wearing those knits in a warm climate. Also, you said you steeked the "Mattie cardigan", with the flowers, but you are showing a pullover... I'm confused. Do you have a pic of it as a cardigan? Finally the color of the yarn in that Moon set tee is AH-MAZING. Definitely make that into some hats or other accessories. Though I'd first make sure that a blue Oslo hat would fit into your travel wardrobe for Ireland, as that seems to be the only time you wear knitted hats. I MUST disagree about your Catedral sweater. That sweater is GORGEOUS on you. I went and looked at the project pics that others have posted and few of them look as good on their bodies as yours looks on you. But that COLOR... I just think you look so much better in COLOR, even if muted. And I also get that you don't like the wide open neckline. I hate that on me, too, though I don't know if I would have noticed it if you hadn't pointed it out, since the sweater is otherwise so beautiful. Also, you just don't live in a climate for sweaters made from bulky yarn. I'd be tempted to just dye the entire sweater to a more flattering color, and then save it for Ireland. ;) Or maybe dye it and steek it to make a cardigan...

[@sky123me]

Happy New Year!!!