Ep 42: Exploration Station, Newleaf, Field Sweater & Anker Tee progress - Mostly Knitting Podcast

[@suzannefarr577]

Lovely to find another Australian podcaster.

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Suzanne. Welcome! :)

[@Dina21976]

The shawl color really look good on you Tash! Finally finished 😁

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Dina. x

[@rosemaryeveleigh3562]

I am sitting in church waiting for a service for a gathering of Josh Generation Churches to begin. Your knits of fabulous and now I cannot remember all the names. (Oh the lights have gone out in the buildin The Steven West Knit looks great the colours are right. The soho top looks great and the anker sweater as well and if you knit it again perhaps a bigger size. I had a Mole removed surgically by the Dr and now I am waiting for the results. No lights on yet and people coming in all the time. I was to help here but opted out. Tash take care ❤😊😊😊

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Rosemary. I hope everything is ok with the mole that was removed and nothing to worry about. Look after yourself. xx

[@susiesparkesactor]

Congratulations on over over dying your Carnaby skirt Tash, it looks fantastic! 👏👏👏 I love your Anker too, I’d like to make the toddler version one day. The French Macaron sweater pattern is written in a style I’ve never come across before. It’s in a table format with the basic instructions in the cells down the first column, and then each size has its own column in the table. There was no way you could mix up numbers from another size - which frustratingly I occasionally do. 😱 Did you see that in Kim & Jonna’s latest video they talked about you and your podcast? Woo hoo!!! Thanks for another great episode and have fun planning for your Japan trip! 😃🧶

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Susie. I did see Kim and Jonna's most recent episode. I love watching the two of them. :)

[@michelleann4259]

Yay! Finally the Carnaby skirt is a success! It looks like an eggplant colour and is lovely. Exploration station turned out beautifully also. I wasn’t too sure of the colours but they do look so lovely together. Remember the more you save on hair the more you can spend on wool lol! I don’t know why we women put ourselves last on the list for self care…Thanks for another great podcast❤

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Michelle. xx

[@maryannbergeron9531]

I love the outcome on your skirt. Looking forward to your button purchase. I am also thrilled for Alex and knowing she didn’t lose her license. I am sure that is a big relief all the way around. Have a wonderful weekend!!!

[@mostlyknitting]

Thank you so much Maryann! :)

[@constancemcconnell2128]

Another triumph with your Exploration Station....it looks fantastic when styled around your neck! And, your over-dyed skirt is a huge success too.....I love the color and it will be so cozy to wear when it's cold. As you know, I'm a big fan of your Friend from the Vault segment, and was pleased to see a Jennifer Steingass pattern as my next project is going to be her Goldwing sweater....my first Steingass pattern, so I'm glad to know you like her patterns. Wonderful news about Alex and her license. I wish our laws were as responsible as yours when it comes to new drivers. You've got so many winners on your needles....happy knitting!

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Constance. Goldwing is beautiful. I love all of her patterns and could see myself making every single one of them. :)

[@aimeveryday2966]

I agree about written patterns. Sometimes they can be too wordy when all you need is to glance at it and know what you need to do. For example when you have a repeat of rows I like when it says "continue in pattern for x amount of rows or rounds" instead of writing each line. I have actually seen patterns that write each line. On the other hand vintage patterns don't give you enough information. I like how you made yourself a code. That makes it easier.

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much. I think it can be hard for designers to find a balance that suits knitters of all skill levels. I have had experience with teaching classes where a pattern says "continue in established pattern" and some knitters, depending on their skill level and experience willl understand what that means and others won't be at that stage yet where they understand what that means. Striking a balance can definitely be tricky. For the Field Sweater, creating my own code was definitely helpful for me. :)

[@aimeveryday2966]

@@mostlyknitting Yes I wanted to say that there is a balance but couldn't think of the word! 😁

[@mongrain8934]

I am looking forward to the progress on your Field Sweater. I have not bought the pattern yet because I had a huge doubt that even the smallest size would be small enough for me.❤

[@mostlyknitting]

I hope you are able to find a way to knit it where it would fit you. If your gauge is tighter and it stays that way, it can definitely end up a smaller size. :)

[@joannamartin7917]

I swatched for the Ankers summer tee two years ago but I mean to actually knit it this summer!❤

[@mostlyknitting]

Yay! I hope you enjoy it. It is a nice knit and a really wearable garment. x

[@hbknits]

Your comments on the way patterns are written were interesting- as a retired special education teacher I can say that the more concise my directions were, the better my students did! The fewer words, the better. Recently Roxanne Richardson had an episode where she interviewed 2 knitting tech editors- really informative. You can tell when a pattern has been tech edited- just because you’re a wonderful designer doesn’t always mean you’re the best pattern writer. P.S. every once in a while I undertake a Project Zero initiative- it can be quite satisfying. Of course, you need supplies on hand so that you spend as little as time as possible with zero on the needles 😂

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks for your thoughts on instructions. It is interesting to hear other people's perspectives and that being concise really does help. Just the right amount of information. Hm - i dont think i will ever have a problem with not having supplies on hand. I will try to hit zero one day - maybe these school holidays. :)

[@carolbyrne3241]

Yes! Exploration Station is finished and it looks great. Love the colour of your skirt, it’s gorgeous Wonderful episode Tash

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Carol. :)

[@catherinethomes2910]

I hope Jennifer Steingas is alright. I think she is from Maine, USA, like me. I’ll ask around if anyone has heard anything. I’ll let you know if I find out anything. Your progress on all your projects is great! 🥰🥰 Your Field Sweater is looking amazing! ❤

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Catherine. Yes, do let us know if you hear how she is going. I am glad to be able to support her with buying more of her patterns and showing off the ones i have made and love. xx

[@catherinethomes2910]

@@mostlyknitting 🥰🥰

[@anneallen9947]

Love how the Carnaby skirt turned out. Satisfying to have a positive outcome after all the hiccups along the way. Tash, there is NO way you could adopt monogamous knitting! What would you have to talk about in your fantastic podcasts?

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Anne. Yes - it would be quite a departure for me to only have one item on the needles. I do occasionally go through a "get them all done" phase though and I think i am in that now. Then i will cast on like 4 things in the space of a few days... ;)

[@Elizabeth-sj2qy]

Loved this episode! It’s exciting to see your knits progress. I love the colours you’ve chosen. I also loved Mare of Easttown too. 😊

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Elizabeth. Mare was such a good show. Need to find something else to get into now. Have a great week. x

[@casuarinagirl8067]

I LOVE your exploration station 💕 it looks so good Tash. That text to your daughter, so funny the way our brains work. Hooray for you skirt 💃 Hair 😂 I was the same time and money!! I dyed my hair for years myself and would go to Just Cuts sporadically. Then cut my hair short so was at the hairdresser every 6 weeks 😣 but then my hairdresser left and I went somewhere nice but the cost 🤯 so I thought I can cut it myself. Dog clippers from when I had dogs and scissors 🤭 now I even do my husbands. Thanks for sharing, Karen 💕

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Karen. I love your hair but I can understand the upkeep on short hair. Good on you for figuring out a way to do it yourself. It looks fabulours. xx

[@casuarinagirl8067]

@@mostlyknitting Hey Tash not sure if you’ve watched Kim and Jonna yet but at the end 1.38 Jonna was mentioning you as her favourite thing and a big shout out for this channel 💪🏻💕

[@gailfirenze4760]

I’ve been waiting to see your skirt dyed and it’s really fabulous, Tash. Well done. 🙋🏼‍♀️🇦🇺

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Gail. I am so relieved it turns out and still fits, if a little snugger than before... x

[@AmbientAurass]

Your Exploration Station turned out so lovely 🩷

[@mostlyknitting]

Thank you so much. x

[@lucylagerweij]

Totally agree with your observation about the grains. I missed charts 😂. But you’re almost there and the rest is a breeze. I finished mine watching your podcast. You will wear it a lot coming winter. For me thats just around the corner: its very wet and cold in The Hague. And love seeing your friends in the vault and WIP’s 😍

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Lucy. I am glad I kept you company while you were making it. I am finally done with the grains and the short rows and now pretty much smooth sailing. Just working out the yoke depth and size and sleeve length. I think i will take this sweater to Japan. :)

[@rhondacutler6712]

Tash, congratulations on your Exploration Station. It's magnificent. All your other projects, especially the Field Sweater, are super lovely, too. BTW, when I converted my Pink Velvet to a turtleneck, I didn't unwind or cut off the old ribbing and it worked out fine. Simply cast on exactly where you have your needle running through. I may try to swing by Skein Sisters after your class is over, if that is convenient for you. Just for a quick hello. Again, thank you so!

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Rhonda. It would be lovely to see you. Thank you for the information on Pink Velvet as well. That is really helpful to know. :)

[@wendyhassam8353]

Thanks for another great video and for sharing your projects & ideas. I love your suggestion of coding each row of the grain pattern for the Field sweater. It’s looking wonderful & what a fab colour choice too 😍

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Wendy. xx

[@sarahlovesdonuts9601]

Hey lovely lady!!! Brooklyn Tweed discontinued Peerie. I guess more people had the same experience with it 🤷‍♀️. Thank you for all that you share!!!💗💗💗

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Sarah. I know they redid a number of their patterns In Peerie such as Stasis and Boardwalk. Maybe to try to increase interest in the yarn. I guess it mustnt have worked well enough to keep the yarn line going. x

[@sandrakirkpatrick3116]

Your video has been so inspirational. You have chosen many of the project I have chosen and have given me some new projects to start like that beautiful skirt.

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Sandra. That means a lot. I know i get ideas and inspiration from other podcasters so it is nice to know i am adding something of value and interest. :)

[@mariet7766]

Oh…and I totally agree with you, that it is important to write things down clearly. Some designers do and some designers write a lot down to be clear and missing the point that the pattern is becoming very unclear because of the growing amount of words and explanations they are using 🤔so I do the same …write it down myself if I need to. I think pattern writing is a skill too, different from designing🤔

[@mostlyknitting]

I am wondering with the Field sweater if patterns in Denmark are written more in this fashion. I definitely think a Key would make this pattern more user-friendly.

[@mariet7766]

@@mostlyknitting i do not know, I do not particularly think so. I do have a german book from a danish designer. I have to make a stitch, but I do not know what they mean by certain abbreviations for a , I think , not so common stitch…..so I can imagine that sometimes the reason for putting it down in words is, to be clear internationally. Even in Holland there are different abbreviations for the same knittingterms. ( a teacher sometimes change knitting terms, because they think it is easier for the student,….but how about the long run in the interaction with knitters that learned it differently) A lot has to do with google and how you did learn your knitting. ( sometimes people that are knitters for a very short term are already “ teaching”, that is funny but not a good thing. I am a knitter for more then 40 years and I am still learning. Does not cross my mind to want to teach because there is still so much out there to learn For instants my daughter is learning crochet, but from google, because it is easier. But she does not know if the abbreviations are american or english, so i try to learn her the dutch words, so I can explain it to her because a lot is totally confusing. And…..she is learning crochet stitches the wrong way, because there is one person “teaching” it on the internet. And she picked that one. So even more confusion. So “ speaking the same language” in craft terms is equally very important I think.🤔

[@rebeccamiles2886]

You are such a treat! Really enjoy your podcast. I made the Hype Stripe dress and absolutely love it, but my neckline needs a little duplicate stitch cleanup in a couple of spots. I look forward to your tutorial on that. Thanks for your great knitting energy. Always inspiring.

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Rebecca. I am so glad to hear you like the Hype Stripe dress. I am keen to make that one too. So many things to make!! :)

[@maryherbert9082]

Your Exploration Station is beautiful and I really like the color of your Anker! And the Field Sweater is very, very pretty. I like your idea of coding the Field Sweater and I think I'm going to do that as well. And all your colors are so wonderful! I really enjoy your videos.

[@mostlyknitting]

Thank you so much Mary! Have a lovely week. Enjoy your Field Sweater. I hope the coding goes well for you. :)

[@alyssehennessey1837]

Your WIPs are impressive! I usually have socks, a shawl and one top going at once. I’m new to your channel and enjoying what you are up to. Neat to know that even in Australia, you can make and wear knits this often. I have relatives in Northern NSW who used to knit but by the time I got hooked on hand knits, they had stopped, so I haven’t learned much about Aussie knitting.

[@mostlyknitting]

Hi Alysse. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. We definitely wear hand knits in Australia. Less need for them up north but in Sydney, it gets quite cold and our houses arent generally very well insulated so they definitely get a lot of wear. I much prefer to put on a sweater than turn the heat on. :)

[@clc1302]

I so agree with your comments regarding the way the Field Sweater directions are written! I got lost on one of the last rows and it took me an hour and 10 minutes to complete! Your tutorials have been very helpful. I’m going to take your suggestion to create a code! I’m on row 27 so I have many more to go. I love it though!

[@mostlyknitting]

Glad you are enjoying the Field Sweater. Hope the coding helps to make the knitting a little less taxing on the brain. :)

[@mariet7766]

That skirt is pretty…..and indeed I think everybody is wondering about Jennifer Steingass. Hope she is doing well, just knitting a christmassy sweater in one of her patterns. My first sweater I knitted in the round was one of her patterns , so she will always have a special place in my knitting heart.

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much Mariet. Jennifer's patterns are lovely. I will keep knitting them for sure. I could probably even use many of them as a template for adding different fair isle designs.

[@mariet7766]

​@@mostlyknitting agree, I always( i learned) compare knitting patterns in amount of stitches, instead of sizes. I can tell from your podcast you think exactly knitting wise the same. Improve. And become a better knitter. Sometimes I forget . I am now improving those little holes in the armpit, knitting on a Jenn Steingass. But I have a sweater on the needles I did not pay attention and did not do a good job, so one sleeve is a bit twirling to the front…….so it is important how you place your stitches🤔….but for me the learning is interesting and keeps me awake. It would be boring to only knit perfect sweaters. I would loose interest I think. So to me it is of no interest to see perfect pictures of garments or so…when people pose in a way so you can not see that it is actually way to short or the hem is totally going somewhere you do not want it to go😉 because we all have different preferences about the fit. So put out the real thing, so everybody can see what certain things do with a project and then we can learn and adjust what we want to do differently. And I know that designers will not sell if they do not put out striking pictures….and then I will not know about patterns. So there is conflict in that. That is why I like watching your podcast. You show the real thing.( and I am tall, so completely different from you, but that does not matter. We do think the same about hairdressers though😁) And yes, I am thinking too of making for instants a Marie Wallin in a “ template”….got the yarn sorted out, now i need some time for figuring out a nice pattern for knitting in the round. I think Mel, from Mel makes stuff did that too. I like watching her too. She does not podcast that often . Nikki, from Knitting with cathair just finished one, a really good job. So big compliment for you and your energy to be there every week. But I hope you do not feel it as a must. But you do it in a very natural way, so It feels like drinking coffee with a knitting buddy. See you next time🙋🏼‍♀

[@AnnieDaddo]

Yay! 🎉 You finished Exploration Station! Your joy is palpable,Tash.🤗.So good. .and your success in over dying the skirt..so lovely.Thanks for another info packed episode.Any chance of an update on how Bec's going on her sweater idea from the sheep show purchases at some stage? Have a relaxing weekend xx

[@mostlyknitting]

Hi Annie. Thanks so much for your lovely comments. Bec is travelling at the moment but when she gets back, i will check in with her on how things are going with what she bought at Sunspun and Bendigo. I know she was having some gauge issues with her Secret Garden sweater and had to buy a different base yarn. I think that one is underway though. I will ask her to send through some photos. Thanks for asking. xx

[@Mckee4055]

I continue to be drawn to the Dotted Rays pattern but have not yet made one. I’ll be keen to see what yarn you choose if you decide to make it part of your holiday knitting. I have a few trips coming up in the next months. I organize my knitting projects to take on holiday before I even think about clothing or other bits. Usually socks and a shawl, with extra yarn and needles just in case I run out. 😊

[@mostlyknitting]

For trips I am the same - I definitely plan my knitting projects before thinking about clothes to pack. And I always pack a bit extra just in case. ;)

[@aprilhigham5917]

I really enjoy listening to how you explain your knitting. You have a similar way of explaining things as my adopted mother (she was my childhood best friends mom growing up) she taught me how to knit so it's like a little taste of my childhood. She was an accountant so I don't know if the math background changes how you think about knitting 😊 thank you for entertaining me while I knit and giving me more ideas

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks so much for commenting April. I really appreciate that I remind you of someone you love. I'm sorry to hear you lost your mum so young. I suspect the math background may have something to do with it and just the way those who love math connect with the fabric we are creating and the size and shape. Thanks for watching. Happy knitting. :)

[@aprilhigham5917]

@mostlyknitting I should have worded that differently. I just adopted her as a second mom because I loved her and was over at her house very often. My mom is still alive. I just wanted 2.

[@hildaandrews8150]

It’s great that the latest dying worked for your skirt. I’m making the Anker Tee with Tynn Line and I’m going with your method of short rows between the rib sections. Most of the Ravelry projects that used short rows did it after the rib section. The neck looks too chokey for me so I’m hoping this works.

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks Hilda. I hope you are find spacing out the short rows helps. :)

[@ajanetreiber5773]

In an Instagram post (Nov 2021) Jennifer Steingass mentioned that she had been diagnosed with Lyme Disease, so perhaps that explains things. (I did quickly skim through a few recent comments here to see if anyone else has mentioned that to you, but didn't see anything.) Your Exploration Station shawl looks wonderful, very wearable.

[@mostlyknitting]

Thank you so much. And thanks for letting me know about Jennifer Steingass. I have heard that disease can be quite debilitating so hopefully she recovers fully.

[@paulachan6131]

For the Field sweater, first of all, thank you so much for the tutorials! I have a question about the beginning instructions after the neck. I am also doing the smallest size. There’s a series of instructions about “regulate to 112 st” and then further instructions to K27 pick up strand (M1L) 4 times. None of this made any sense nor did the math add up! If I did those and then did the K2, yo, K2 I would have 140st! So I skipped all that and went to the K1 rnd then the K2, yo, K2 section which gave me the correct 120st to start the grain section. Did you do the same? I’m wondering if all that extra instruction was copy/pasted from another pattern by accident!

[@mostlyknitting]

Hi there It is important to look at what size the instructions are referring to. You didnt mention what size you are making but some of the instructions only refer to specific sizes. I hope that helps and that you are enjoying your Field Sweater. Warmly Tash

[@cyndykoerber831]

Love your help idea on written out patterns! I find i can read a chart better then written out. We meet(kind of) on Zoom cast on PK KAL greetinga from nebraska cyndy

[@mostlyknitting]

Hi Cyndy. Nice to see you over here. Hope you are enjoying your knitting. :)

[@lynnmcentire4014]

Beautiful eggplant color on the skirt

[@mostlyknitting]

Thanks Lynn. I am so glad it finally it worked out and i liked the end result (and it didnt turn out black). :)

[@lynnmcentire4014]

@@mostlyknitting unrelated to the skirt but I can’t remember if I told you I’m working on a Sorrel fade with mohair like yours. I’m sort of playing yarn chicken 😳hopefully it will work out

[@dorisenderle5857]

What kind of short row do you use? I use the German short row and don’t get any holes.

[@mostlyknitting]

Hi Doris. I use German Short rows which i love and when i am using wool or a wool blend, i dont get any holes. I suspect the inflexibility of the cotton yarn is the culprit.

[@bluejay5531]

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