Ep.68: Colourwork & Mosaic Crochet // Knitting Podcast

[@carlafawcett6494]

Ohhhhh Nikki. I have basted thousands and thousands of hexies. You can google hexagon graph paper and print it onto your card stock! Def use card stock. I baste right thru the paper. Makes for a nice crisp edge . I’m excited to see your quilt. I find basting them is like knitting. Just one more…… lol. Enjoy

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks for the EPP advice Carla! I can't wait to dive in 🤗💕

[@TheThoughtfulKnitter]

Your Lunenberg looked spectacular in that golden, autumnal light Nikki 🤩 So good!

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks so much Ailie 😘

[@Ceylon.55]

Lovely to see you again Nicky and all your lovely projects. Love your Lunenberg sweater. I am over 60 and did the coach to 5k this summer and now run 5K 4 times a week. Just trying to keep healthy as i lost my dear husband 2 years ago and want to be here for my children as long as possible. Love from the Uk, from my home to yours. By the way the only bears here are Teddy bears x

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank-you for your kind words 🤗 Sorry to hear about your husband. Good on you for taking up a more active lifestyle! I'm still at it, but week 4 has been a huge struggle so I'm back to repeating week 3 until I am able to build up more endurance. I'm not giving up! 💕

[@Ceylon.55]

@@KnittingWithCatHair I was the same Nicky and had to repeat weeks 3 and 4 a few times. I got there eventually and you will x

[@ajanetreiber5773]

You had snow! And bears, again, wow! I love your Lunenberg, and I will be making mine for your KAL. You are so brave with all your colourwork projects, and you make them so beautifully.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Yay! Can't wait to see your version of the Lunenburg Alex 🤗💕

[@bigblackdogfiberarts]

Saying is "A fed bear is a dead bear." Also, bears really don't care about what time of day it is. I chased one off that was heading for a friend's chicken coop midday. I went out because I thought their daughter was outside playing in the yard and I saw the bear through the window on the opposite side of the house (the child had thankfully already come inside and had no idea what was going on). It was young and it was being opportunistic. Chicken dinner must have seemed like a good idea. I don't know which of us was more surprised, me because I went running out shrieking like a banshee, waving my arms and chasing it across the street and into the woods, or the bear because some crazy woman came flying out of the house unexpectedly and was obviously unhinged. You might want to stop using the feeders until you know the bears have gone to ground for the winter.They will keep returning just to check once they've found a source of food even one time.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks for sharing your bear story. I'm glad it all turned out ok! I had a little chuckle imagining the surprised look on that bear's face 😂 And you are right, better safe than sorry--no more feeders out at our place until snow's on the ground!

[@ruthwinsor3801]

I have recently started my first EPP project. Just a little bag for a Christmas gift. Everything I have read strongly suggests not hand cutting papers as they should be identical. You don’t need hundreds and hundreds of papers. After sewing together a medium size grouping the papers can be removed and reused. I would suggest watching Kate at The Last Homely House. She does beautiful EPP quilts as well as other styles. Have fun!

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks very much for the EPP advice! A bag sounds like a wonderful way to dip your toes into this new craft 🤗 I have recently been binge-watching Kate Atherly's videos. So much inspiration! Happy Making 💕

[@martharobinson1603]

Thank you for not considering purchasing from Temu! Your sweater that you are wearing is stunning! I love your vlog.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank-you so much 🤗💕

[@cozymeadowknits]

So sorry I'm late on this episode Nikki! But I loved it and made my work lunch knit even more fun!! Gosh i just want to knit all the things too and seeing all your projects is adding to my list! your colorwork socks and colorwork cardi..*swoon* and I want a Sunday Cardi too! aaaannd want to do English paper piecing too 😂.. just need more time! so I will live through you for a bit! 😉 and omygosh the Bob Ross and Painting costume... Brilliant! haha absolutely love that. Thanks for sharing Nikki and can't wait to see you in the next one. Cheers! 🥰xo

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks so much sweet Sophie 🥰

[@woolrevolution]

wow, your agnes cardigan is turning out so wonderful. I've seen a few light versions but I think the dark version is my favorite. can't wait to see yours when it's done!!

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank-you so much 🤗💕

[@GabrielaBernsdorf]

Hi Nikki, thank you for this lovley Episode 😊 your Lunenberg sweater ist so beautyful 😍 and the Agnes Cardigan is stunning...perfect color choice...I'm working on some Christmas Gifts, Like socks and hats and lots of Sophie scarfs...😂....

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank-you so much for your kind words Gaby 🥰 Best of luck with your Christmas knitting! 💕

[@sandracroley9784]

I've ordered some assorted sock yarns from Galt House of Yarn this week...all of their sock yarn is on sale. I've ordered a few colours of Filcolana Arwetta to knit the Merry and Bright Socks...so they can be an entry in the KAL. I'm an old-school EPP quilter. I re-use ordinary paper and flyers and hand-baste to the fabric. I use a stiff template to trace the pieces. Once you have a bunch basted, it's a great take-along project 😊

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks for sharing Sandra! I was having a little snoop through your IG pics at all your gorgeous quilts. You are sooo talented 😍

[@theknittystew]

Loving ALL your projects Nikki! I am definitely participating in your Stranded Colourwork KAL! My first entry will probably be the Midsummer Night socks by Melody Hoffmann designed in Istex Einband, which I have never knit with before and looking forward to trying! Also, kudos to you on slogging through the Targhee spin. I am not a fan of spinning it Funny because Brooklyn Tweed (Shelter and Loft bases) are in my top favourite wools to knit with it's 100% Wool - Targhee-Columbia. I'll take it ready made thanks!! :) Have a great long weekend.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks sweet Leanne 🥰 Can't wait to see your socks and hear about your thoughts on knitting with Einband. I imagine they'll both be delightful 🤗 If I had more bobbins, believe you me I'd be putting the targhee in time out 🤣

[@genier7829]

As an experienced quilter, I strongly recommend getting ready-cut papers or using card stock. For EPP you really need firm paper or sewing is a nightmare and they don't fit together well unless all papers are identical. A friend just made a beautiful hexagon EPP project. It has to be entirely hand-pieced which is very slow but also very mindless and relaxing for many people. I suggest trying out the technique before jumping in- my friend LOVES it and I don't (not having the patience), although the product is gorgeous. I was given an assortment of Morris fabric and it is lovely- I am undecided on the project . I probably will go to Pinterest to snoop around. Your sweater is beautiful!

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks so much for the EPP advice Genie! I have a ton of cardstock I think I'll use and perhaps I will try making a smaller project first to see if I like it before cutting up my treasured fabrics. If you settle on a pattern for your William Morris fabrics please do let me know 🤗💕

[@epiphany8276]

I'm knitting the Arne & Carlos Christmas 2024 Stocking Mystery Knit Along (colourwork) which is a free KAL on their Blog and podcast. I just finished the August Colorwork Cuff Club sock and will cast on a new month, not sure which as I've been waiting for the yarn, when I've finished the socks for Mr E. I'd be terrified but thrilled to see bears on my deck. We have coyotes in the canyons around us and I don''t let my cats out at night. Thanks for the Podcast. Jane

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks for sharing Jane 🤗 The mystery stocking kal sounds like fun! I'm glad you keep your kitties indoors--I know people here who have lost theirs to coyotes. All of our cats are indoor cats; safer for them and the birds ☺️

[@Judithgoulding9999]

Hi Nikki! Nice to join you again - loved hearing about your projects - that colourwork looks so pretty, and I'll have fun in a minute looking at the patterns that you've linked. I've been in test mode again - just finished an upcoming design from Beth MacDonald Stone, called Simply the Best - Entredeux, and now I'm just starting one that's due in the first week of January, a garter top called Get Out of the Pool Tee, so lots of fun with the needles! So nice to hear that you are settling into your new house nicely (even with your bear neighbours!), and your back yard looks so wonderful and wild! Cheers, Judith 💜💚

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank-you so much for the kind words Judith and for sharing what you've been working on 🤗 Best of luck with your test knits! 💕

[@starrcookson]

Excited you are doing EPP. I also had decided to start one. I’m doing a scrappy one with 1” hexies. A friend gave me a big bag of scrap fabric plus I’d picked up a few other scraps and small pieces. I’ve got a rotary cutter, ruler and mat. I’m using precuts - I have a few from an intro kit I got from a local sewing shop and then I just ordered I think it was 300 for 12.99 on Amazon. They are not iron on. I’m going to sew baste, not glue baste. I plan to take out the papers once they are sewn in on all sides - so I don’t think you need as many papers as hexies in your quilt if you are joining before you baste them all - if that makes sense.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thanks for sharing Starr! I love the idea of a scrappy hexie. There are just soooo many options with EPP! What a rabbit hole we've fallen down 😂🙈

[@thewoollycloset]

Loving the stranded colourwork cardigan! I think I can join in the knit along, I’m going to knit my brother a scarf in colourwork. Do I post updates in the hashtag? Or just the finished object? I always say go big or go home 😂 so you go quilt the hard stuff. Your learning curve will be steep! You can do it! 💪🏻 A bear! How exciting and wonderful and scary and all the things… maybe you have a wooden spoon and a pan lid to bang on? That might scare them. What do I know, we don’t have bears here haha! ❤ I actually just did the final stitch on my go go dynamo shawl! 🎉

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

I'm so glad to hear you'll be joining in the kal Gwen! Feel free to post away using the hashtag. It will be nice inspiration seeing all the lovely colourwork WIPs 🤗 My mom said the same thing about banging on a pot to scare the bears away. If/when we see them again, we will give it a try! Congrats on finishing your Stephen West shawl! That's quite the undertaking! 🤗💕

[@roseprairiefarm3506]

On your center of the quilt you could do an appliqué pattern. Wouldn’t take years to do like a paper pieced top. You can find patterns for appliqué flowers or even William Morris’s inspired designs.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank-you very much for the suggestions! I'm having a heck of a time deciding what to do 🙈😂

[@Myknittingpodcast]

I love the sweater your wearing it looks really nice on you . I am planning colours for the Agnes kofte I want it to be my december knit . If i can wait that long 😅 always enjoy watching your podcast. Greetings from the Netherlands xx Jolanda

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank-you for the kind words Jolanda 🥰 It's so fun choosing colours for colourwork, isn't it ☺️ Happy Making 💕

[@janinekenyon9057]

What a lovely surprise this morning - thank you for another episode❤ I really love your color work cardigan ! I so admire color work and am so worried doing it myself and definitely don’t really want to do fingering weight (yet) so I got yarn to start small with a Hozho Cowl by the Native Knitter and I start it as soon as my daughters Classic Ribbed Hat by purl soho is finished. I am also waiting for the Marie Wallin Aran book - I will get it for my birthday and I would love to try the vest called Budle so I hope I can cast that on maybe as a new years cast on, if I can get colors I want 😊

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank-you Janine 🥰 Dipping your toes into colourwork with a cowl is a great idea as it will allow you to practice your technique without having to worry too much about gauge. Careful though as it can be quite addictive 🤗💕

[@kimberleerohloff5912]

Hi Nikki! I recently finished the Agnes light cardigan and love it, Still need to sew a ribbon over the steek though. For the KAL i just started the Fetlar vest from the Amirisu publication My Fair Isle Journey. Since you are in the middle of the spin, I might just ignore some of the veggie matter, you can always pick it out when you knit with it, lol

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Congrats on finishing your Agnes! It seems many people are making this beautiful pattern ☺️ I looked up the Fetlar Vest on Ravelry--it's really lovely. Can't wait to see yours 🤗 I may just take your advice and spin the veg in just to get through this fibre 😂

[@deborahpreston6673]

Lilly sugar and cream has a new color Jute and I'm knitting dishcloths but I think it would make a pretty rug, you've inspired me to

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Haha happy to have helped enable you! 🤗

[@sloveneopinionfirst1059]

Sticking is very well presented by Fruity Knitting. She tried m9re options, and presented one suits me most, too. Fully recomend. Unfortunately l can not write the podcast number to you.

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Thank-you for sharing! I'm a huge fan of Fruity Knitting and will look back for the video you mention 🤗💕

[@laurie-c4k]

loving all your projects! your sweater looks fantastic on you and the rug is very cool..I am working on a colourwork sweater in fingering weight and it has acrylic in it as well so I share the same feeling of how slippery it can be. Just wondering if your goal of a 5k treadmill run is inspired by your bear encounters :)

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

You don't have to outrun the bear so long as you can outrun one family member 🤣

[@laurie-c4k]

@@KnittingWithCatHair yeah John is at the rear hehe

[@laurie-c4k]

kinda like the zombie apocalypse

[@KnittingWithCatHair]

Actually, he's been using the treadmill every day. How's your endurance these days? 🤣