Ep.67 Stranded Colourwork Planning (Agnes Kofta) // Knitting & Slow Making Podcast

[@theknittystew]

Heck YES so in for the StrandedKAL!!! With all the beautiful patterns out there I'll have more than one entry for suuuuure. We sooo need a Canadian Woolly Thistle.I was chatting with lovely Smita from Your Next Knit and she is curating some great woolly wools. I subscribe to TWT newsletter and I want it ALL. Your spinning is soo good! I had a really hard time with Targhee. It's in a time out. Thanks for the great catch up. Your new place sounds like it is working out so well... bears and all.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Yay! So glad to hear you'll be joining in the KAL! Can't wait to see what you make 🤗 Thanks for letting me know about Your Next Knit--I will definitely keep my eye on them! I have to say I'm not really enjoying spinning the Targhee and it's taking me much longer to get through it as a result. But I'm still thankful for the experience as it will help me in the future in terms of knowing what I do and do not like 😄 Best of luck with the Targhee battle! ❤️

[@bigblackdogfiberarts]

Two words - vacuum bags. Seriously, it really helps with space and you can see the color through the bags. It also keeps the creepy crawlies out. I have a very large stash. I think I hit SABLE a while ago. That said, I collected beautiful yarns while I could afford them and when they were on sale and put them away. I considered it a retirement account of sorts. It really was a relief when I was laid off (gotta love that tech crash over the last year or so) to know I had everything I needed or wanted to work with and not have to spend anything in order to keep my sanity.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Haha it certainly is nice having our very own "yarn shop" at home 😂 Happy Making 🤗💕

[@TheThoughtfulKnitter]

So many beautiful projects 🤩🤩🤩 Your embroidery is spectacular Nikki, I can see why you’re keen to finish…it would make a stunning focal point in any room 👌 Thanks so much for your lovely company, and for the new make alongs - I love the sound of both ❄️🌱💚 Looking forward to hearing what you decide on for your colourwork choices, Axx

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks so much sweet Ailie 🥰 Your embroidery turned out fabulously and really was the inspiration for me to get back to my own! Somehow I don't think you'll be short on projects for the stranded KAL 😂 Can't wait to see what you make. Hope you are well 🤗💕

[@wildcottageknitting]

Nikki, I’m very excited for both of your KAL themes, already have some ideas of what I’ll make 😃 Also exciting is: bears! I saw the wee red squirrel behind you- seems much bolder than the ones around us who would never get that close. I keep hoping they may come to our feeder- maybe this winter 🤞 Enjoy your wildlife 🤗

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks so much Susan! I'm so happy to hear you're interested in participating in the KALs 🤗💕 I hope you get your own squirrel visitors 🐿

[@janicebarlow8522]

The Christmas stockings are beautiful. I love the fact that you will be lining them. You may want to consider using the lining fabric to made a fabric loop for hanging the stockings. Fabric will not stretch, especially if it is connected to the lining, too. Thank you for podcasting. I appreciate you sharing your crafting.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks for the kind words and the tip about the stockings! 🤗💕

[@thewoollycloset]

Love the new make along! I’m thinking my colourwork project bag I’m planning to make, will fit in nicely. ❤ Yes Wilde Seele (menas wild soul in german) is making the beekeeper quilt. I made two of those puffs with advent skeins. But I’ve put it off for now, because too many wips already hahaha!

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Yay! Glad to hear you're interested in participating in the KAL Gwen! I can't wait to see your bag! 🤗💕

[@MikiCrespo]

🐻 bears what an incredible experience 🐻

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

We are very blessed 🤗

[@mywoolmitten]

Oh my Nikki look at your spinning! Wonderful ❤ Clun Forest is actually a Down breed, so it's unusual to have such a long staple 🤔 It is a lovely wool to spin though, just usually shorter and very bouncy. Hmmm, I might have to join the Kal. Always so good to see you!

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks so much dear Cary. I'm starting to wonder if perhaps the Clun Forest was mislabeled now as a knitting friend of mine got the yarn version of the breed study and she said her Clun Forest yarn isn't nearly so squishy and soft 🤷‍♂️ I do hope you'll join in the KAL with us! Hope all is well with you and your darling farm animals 🤗💕

[@genier7829]

Your swatch is gorgeous! I think this project will be amazing, based on the photos.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks so much Genie 🤗 I've swapped out the bright blue and am now very happy with my colours. It's amazing how one small change can make a world of difference!

[@patriciahall8733]

I like the blue, not thinking it’s excessively blue, just shows up nicely.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks Patricia! I actually ended up swapping the blue for a more toned down green-blue and I really love the combo now 🤗

[@sandracroley9784]

I love the idea of the Stranded KAL. I have 2 possibilities....an Alice Starmore vest that I have a kit for....and I have had lovely Fleece and Harmony yarn for quite a while to knit a Swallowtail. Seeing yours has tipped the scale ❤. I've recently thought of the Beekeepers Quilt again...perhaps that will be the next scrappy knit after my Garter Marler. I'd like to suggest the Knitting Jungle podcast to you. She does beautiful colour-work knitting...Marie Wallin, Sidsel Hoivik, etc...and has mentioned the Agnes Kofta lately

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks Sandra! Glad to hear, you're in for another KAL. Can't wait to see your Swallowtail 🤗 I've been enjoying watching the Knitting Jungle, as we seem to have very similar tastes in patterns, and I thought it was uncanny when she mentioned she was going to be knitting the Agnes Kofta as well 😂

[@OldeThymeKnits]

The stockings Nikki! Wow!! I enjoyed hearing about the wool for spinning. I recently started spinning and I think I might enjoy that breed of the month! Thanks for sharing, good to see you!

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks so much sweet Marie! Congrats on the new spinning endeavours! I have some serious catching up to do with my podcast friends 🥰 I highly recommend giving a breed study a go. It's been so much fun exploring all the different fibres and learning what I enjoy spinning and what I don't (Targhee has been a bit of a slog 🙈). Looking forward to hearing all about your spinning adventures in addition to your lovely makes 🤗💕

[@OldeThymeKnits]

@@KnittingWithCatHair 🥰

[@cindyfuller3040]

Your swatch looks gorgeous! If you really don’t like it, you can make it for me🧶😏 I will be going to the Wooly Thistle next month. I only live 2 hours away. I have been wanting to go since they have a retail shop. It is my birthday gift. You do a great job and I always enjoy your podcast. I especially love when your Mom joins you! Cindy

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks Cindy! Oh living so close to the Woolly Thistle would be such a dangerous situation for me 😂🙈 Happy Shopping and please do share what you end up picking up 🤗💕

[@Mariet-tm3zz]

Love that Agnes too, I love that blue, but You got to do what you got to do, because it is to much work for a sweater you do not like. And I am pretty sure you can nail your own colours, because you are pretty good. I am in for the Kal. I am about to change from summer to winterknitting. Got a Christmassweater and a Chestnut started, so I was sure it would happen this year, both allover colourwork…….and got a few on my mind😁 🙋🏼‍♀️

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Wonderful! Which Christmas sweater are you thinking of making?

[@Ceylon.55]

Lovely to see you again Nicky and glad you are settling into your new home. Love the swatch for your kofta and i love the pop of blue. I am knitting a sweater by the petite knitter from her new book 'Artic knits. Maybe i can enter it into the Kal. I am just hopeless at technology, but my children will help me input it on Instagram i am sure. Take care and love from my home to yours x

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank-you so much for the kind words 🥰 I love all of the Petite Knitter's patterns and do hope you'll enter your colourwork sweater into the KAL! If you have any problems, I would be happy to post your finished sweater picture to Instagram for you. You can email it to me at [e-mail] Happy Making! 🤗💕

[@Naturetails417]

Oh I’m glad I stopped by, when I first saw your title I was thinking oh my, that poor cat.lol. I really enjoyed the visit.😊

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Hello and Welcome! Glad you decided to stop by 🤗💕

[@veroniquebroger4118]

I love your mom’s stocking, the design and the colour are beautiful. I can’t wait to see all the stockings hung up for Christmas.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank-you so much! Me too 🤗💕

[@virginiasattler-reimer9554]

Always inspiring me! Love the sweater you were wearing, looks great on you!

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank you so much 🤗💕

[@Gail_Blanton]

The Wooly Thistle is great. I’m so sorry about the customs/shipping/currency issues. I love your color replacement for the blue. The new color is perfect. Definitely an improvement. Can you figure the math for making a larger size with the fabric you prefer. You could add repeats to get the correct bust measurement? I know it’s a lot to try to do which is why it is frustrating when patterns are not size inclusive. I’m so excited for you to have embraced spinning. I had ordered the same breed study but ended up discontinuing. Too much fiber and braids in my stash 😂. Your spinning looks amazing!!! Looking forward to the stranded KAL.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank-you sweet Gail 🥰 I'm much happier with my colour choices for the Agnes Kofta now and did end up doing a bunch of recalculations to adjust for the difference in my gauge. Hopefully it all works out 🤞🙈 I hear you on the spinning front--just as with knitting and yarn, the fibre acquisitions can quickly become overwhelming! I'm really trying to be good and focus on my breed study and then moving to project-driven fibre acquisitions, keeping it to 1 at a time (lol we'll see how long that lasts 🤣). Can't wait to see what you make for the colourwork kal! 🤗💕

[@lynnlanglois8867]

So much inspiration in this episode for me. I needed that. I'm excited for this kal. I've got both the Renaissance and the Zweig in mind as soon as i finish my Christmas knits. I pulled out my Clun Forest and Île de France yarns from the sheep breed study this morning. The Clun Forest is a 3ply chunky, not quite as soft and lofty as yours. The Île de France is a 3ply dk and a heathered grey. It seems that the way fibre is spun has an effect on the final product for sure. I love your new backyard, btw, and thank you for sharing.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks so much sweet Lynn 🤗 Both of your colourwork projects are going to be so stunning and I can't wait to see which one you choose to start with! It really is so interesting to me how different fibres can turn out depending on how they are spun, plied etc. So many variables that can affect how the yarn behaves in the end. Love that there's always something new to learn with this wonderful craft of ours ☺️

[@urbanjunglegt]

🍀

[@emilionstyle]

Oooooh now I have to come up with some good project that is stranded colorwork and cast on🤣🤣. I'll be back soon with a new podcast. Just need to get the routines in order a bit😂. Your stockings really turned out super nice😍😍. I love your sweater that you are wearing. I've seen it so many times and every time I get the urge to make one myself😍🤩. You always do so many nice things💕. Now on to the next episode💞💞

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Can't wait for your return! And hope you'll join in the KAL 🤗💕

[@emilionstyle]

@KnittingWithCatHair I'm already back🤣🥰. I have three patterns that I'm keen on (read in love with🤣), all of them are Harry Potter inspired, so typical for me this season😊🥰

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

@emilionstyle Sorry, I missed your return! My parents are staying with us so I've not spent much time on YT lately. Can't wait to catch up! ❤️

[@gailthompson4102]

Have you ever heard Kate Atherley's method of swatching? You do enough rows to measure 3 inches in the needle size below what is recommended, then enough to measure 3 inches in the needle size recommended and then enough to measure 3 inches in the next needle size up all in one piece and finally soak and block. I find it really works well for me - I'm not using so much yarn redoing swatches to get the right # of stitches.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks for the swatching advice! That definitely sounds like a good way to do it. Happy Making 🤗💕

[@gailthompson4102]

@@KnittingWithCatHair Glad to help

[@laurie-c4k]

hello! I love the christmas stockings they turned out fantastic. As for your swatch for the Agnes...not loving the blue either....the cream seems to show up as pink in the video. Looking forward to seeing you in Nov and planning lots of fun things and of course knitting xo

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks Mom! I've swapped the blue for a greener, less bright colour and I love it! Now I just need to figure out what to do about my gauge issue... Veru much looking forward to our time together this winter ❤️

[@laurie-c4k]

@@KnittingWithCatHair have you perchance reached out to the designer to see if larger sizes are in the making you never know as the pattern becomes more popular

[@carlafawcett6494]

I’m in the no blue camp too. Love the turquoise tho. Knitting a small swatch in the round turns out tighter than an entire yolk I find. Why not measure your gauge in a different all over colourwork and see if that helps determine it. I know you’ve knit them! 😃 I’m hoping to join your knit along. I’ve been wanting to knit the scarf that’s all colourwork in the round. Maybe a Marie wallin or a Rowan ❤

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks Carla! I swapped the blue for a more muted green-blue and love it! I'm amazed at how just swapping out one colour can make ☺️ I actually knit my swatch flat! I just can't seem to match these loose scandinavian knitters' gauges 🤣🙈 Glad to hear you're interested in participating in the KAL! can't wait to see your scarf 🤗💕

[@naturallyinspired1988]

Hi Nikki as always thank you for your podcast. So happy that you and your family are settling into your new home and getting to know your neighbourhood critters. I have a question about Briggs country Roving (SB). I would love to try this is some of the patterns that others are using Nutiden (L), Plutulopia (W), Manchelopi (DK) and other unspun yarns. When I look to compare on Rav in Yarns they have varied yarn weights. I live in NB and have easy access to Briggs and Little. You referred to your stash having some of these and wonder if you might help me, do you think that one strand of B&L might be Nutiden, 2 Manchelopi , 3-Plutulopi? There are 7 yarn weight from lace to super bulky I wonder how I might categorize the addition of each strand as there are 5 in B&L? This question I hope is not complicated and rambley to understand. If you are able to help it would be appreciated but understand if life is busy. Thank you

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks so much! I have not yet knit with Manchelopi or the Briggs & Little Country Roving but a friend had some at our knit night tonight and I would say a single strand of the B&L is definitely thicker than a single strand of Nutiden or Plotulopi. It felt much more durable and less likely to break while knitting with it single-stranded, which is nice. Apparently different colours can also vary in their thicknesses (this is true for Nutiden as well) so your best bet is probably to do a gauge swatch. Hope this helps 🤗💕

[@naturallyinspired1988]

@@KnittingWithCatHair thank you for that. It will be helpful